Mayor Robert H. Conley opened the meeting by reflecting on the impact of a recent straight-line windstorm that caused substantial damage across Madison. With wind gusts reaching up to 75 miles per hour, approximately 2,500 residents experienced power outages. The Madison Electric Department, supported by Butler Power and Light, worked diligently to restore power, with most residents regaining electricity by Thursday afternoon. The mayor praised the collaborative efforts of local and county agencies, including the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and local fire departments. He emphasized the strength of neighborly support during emergencies, stating, “It was a great team effort.”

The council also recognized the assistance from neighboring towns such as Butler, Chatham, Millburn, and Morris Township, with a proclamation honoring their public works and utility crews. The mayor underscored the importance of shared resources during crises and expressed gratitude for their dedication. Additionally, a proclamation was issued declaring September 2024 as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, with a local advocate sharing her personal experience and the need for increased public awareness about the disease.

The meeting continued with discussions on Madison’s climate action goals, particularly the objective to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint by 80% from a 2018 baseline of 150,000 tons to 30,000 tons by 2050. Despite a 7% reduction in carbon pollution overall, largely due to a warm winter reducing gas consumption for heating, there were calls to accelerate progress. Specific goals include increasing the municipal fleet’s mileage share from plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) to 25% by 2025 and achieving 100% by 2035. As of 2023, PEV mileage had increased from 9% to 12.5%.

The council highlighted the slow progress in rooftop solar installations, with only 117 systems in place against a goal of 1,000 residences by 2050. There was little advancement in generating 5% of the borough’s electricity needs through municipal, school, and commercial solar assets. The discussion included the potential for expanding solar projects beyond the current plans for three carports, emphasizing the involvement of schools and commercial properties. A suggestion was made to leverage the expertise of consultants familiar with solar initiatives to support schools in incorporating solar energy.

The council also addressed the broader goal of modernizing the electrical grid to handle increased loads from more electric vehicles and solar installations. A $50,000 grant application to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) was submitted to fund a phase one grid analysis, which would track performance and reliability. Additionally, the council emphasized the importance of preserving the tree canopy to combat rising temperatures and the completion of a community equity and diversity profile to address social vulnerabilities related to climate impacts.

Further discussions centered on promoting heat pumps in residential settings, with a proposed incentive program offering financial credits for air source heat pumps, water heaters, and EV chargers. The program aims to align with existing federal tax credits and provide immediate benefits on utility bills. Concerns were raised about the upfront costs for homeowners converting to heat pumps, highlighting the need for a robust communication strategy to inform residents about the program and its benefits.

The council also discussed the adoption of Ordinance 26224, a redevelopment plan for specific property within the borough, and Ordinance 27224, allocating $120,000 for sewer lift station repairs. Both ordinances were adopted following public hearings with no comments from residents.

In public comments, residents shared their experiences with recent weather events and the need for better education on energy systems. Clare Whitcomb emphasized the importance of protecting open spaces and tree canopies, while Kathleen Kakavally praised the borough’s effective communication during the storm.

The meeting concluded with the approval of vouchers and a discussion on the purchase of gas-powered police vehicles due to delays in obtaining hybrids. The council expressed disappointment but maintained the order for hybrids in hopes of future availability.