Borough News Room
Madison Students to Star in Madison Environmental Commission Green Vision Forum
Madison, NJ – February 22, 2021 – The Madison Environmental Commission is hosting the third annual Green Vision Forum virtually via Zoom on Wednesday March 24 at 6:30pm. The stars of the evening will be students from Madison’s elementary, junior and high schools, along with students from Drew University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Saint Elizabeth University.
School green teams will share their vision for a greener Madison. “This is an exciting opportunity for students to explore environmental topics that inspire them to make change in their schools, campuses and communities.” says event organizer Kirsten Wallenstein of the Environmental Commission. “It is amazing to see the positive impact these student leaders have on Madison. Past projects have motivated residents to take environmental actions by skipping the straw, remembering their reusable water bottle, or starting to compost.”
Mayor Bob Conley, Borough Council Members, and other town officials will attend the event, which will be held virtually for the first time. “I am thrilled that the Green Vision Forum will go on despite the pandemic,” says Mayor Conley. “These students and future leaders demonstrate a passion for improving the environment with creative ideas for taking action.”
“I am looking forward to hearing the student’s ideas.” says John Hoover, the Borough Council Member who serves as the Environmental Commission’s liaison. “The student enthusiasm always makes this event an inspiring learning experience for town officials, educators and the public.”
Please visit Rosenet.org for the Zoom link, which will be posted by Monday, March 1.
Borough of Madison to Participate in this Evenings
COVID-19 National Moment of Unity and Remembrance
Madison, NJ – January 19, 2021 – The Borough of Madison will be joining in the nationwide memorial this evening, Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. to honor those who have lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic. Landmarks and communities throughout this great nation have come together to join this tribute to show unity and remembrance.
In Washington, D.C., the memorial ceremony, which is scheduled as part of the Inauguration Celebration for President-Elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala D., will feature the lighting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and ringing of church bells.
“The inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris represents the beginning of a new national journey — one that renews its commitment to honor its fallen and rise toward greater heights in their honor. In that spirit, it is important that we pay tribute to those we have lost — and their families — and come together to unite our country, contain this virus, and rebuild our nation,” said Presidential Inaugural Committee CEO and President of Delaware State University Tony Allen.
Right here in Madison, the memorial will include the illumination of the Hartley Dodge Memorial in light amber, the color of a candle, and the sounding of church bells throughout town. Bells will be rung a total of 40 times, reflecting the 400,000 lives lost in the United States. Each ring will represent 10,000 lives lost nationally. Within each ring, we will remember the 18 Madison residents who we lost over this last year to COVID-19.
Residents are encouraged to get involved by lighting a candle and placing it in your window or ringing your own bell at 5:30 P.M.
“I encourage all residents to join us this evening, from the comfort of your own home, as we join in the nationwide memorial where we will not only be remembering the 18 Madisonians that we have lost due to COVID-19, but also the 400,000 Americans that have left us this past year. This memorial shows the importance of looking back to remember all the lives that we have sadly lost, while also looking forward with hope and a brighter future,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley.
More information on the COVID-19 Memorial can be found online at https://fb.me/e/19tR3ETJq
Hartley Dodge Memorial Horn to sound at midnight on January 1, 2021
Madison, NJ – December 22, 2020 – At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2021, the horn atop Hartley Dodge Memorial (50 Kings Road) will sound as we welcome in 2021 and put 2020 behind us forever.
The 85-year-old horn apparatus, which sits at the top of Hartley Dodge Memorial, is bolted to the metal superstructure, right underneath the massive bronze bell which was installed by Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge and her husband Marcellus Hartley Dodge in 1935. Originally used to signal fire calls, and inform residents of snow days, the horn is now blown at key important times throughout the year, including September 11, and most recently on every Monday at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as we honored the frontline workers.
With this year not being an ordinary year, the nonprofit Hartley Dodge Foundation, in coordination with the Borough of Madison will sound the horn at midnight on January 1, 2021. Since its original purpose was to inform the residents of issues, the horn is able to be heard up to 6-miles away, depending on the direction of the wind.
We’re informing residents that the sounding of the horn should not come as a concern or worry, but more as a way for us to put 2020 behind us and move forward to a hopeful, healthy and positive new year in 2021.
EV Expo to be Held on Thursday, November 5 at Sunday Motor Co. Café
Madison, NJ – October 23, 2020 – On Thursday, November 5, the eye-catching cars parked outside Sunday Motor Co. Café in Madison won’t be gas guzzlers. Owner Nick Vorderman is partnering with the Environmental Commissions of Madison, Chatham Borough and Chatham Township to host an EV Expo from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Area car dealers will showcase their latest EV models and residents will share their experiences driving hot-off-the-assembly line models that include Tesla, Porsche, Chevrolet and Volvo.
“I love cars; I love racing,” says Vorderman. “It’s clear to me that EVs are the future—no doubt about it,” continued Vorderman.
He points out that EV prices are coming down, technology is improving—and New Jersey is offering $5000 rebates on all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Madison Mayor Robert H. Conley says that his town is very aware that the EV future is coming. “Together with the NJ DEP It Pay$ To Plug In grant, we’re in the process of installing 10 EV charging stations strategically placed throughout Madison, with the hopes of more to be installed in the near future,” says Conley. The Chatham’s have plans to install additional charging stations.
Jessica Romeo of the Chatham Environmental Commission notes that Governor Murphy has committed to getting 330,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025. “He’s doing an aggressive push to reduce transportation emissions by 87% by 2050,” says Romeo. Currently transportation accounts for 42% of New Jersey’s carbon emissions.
Torri Van Wie of the Chatham Borough Environmental Commission will support the EV Expo by bringing two plug-in hybrids—a Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and BMW X5 eDrive. “I love performance in a car,” says Van Wie. “And, I’m an environmentalist. My hybrids let me have both.”
The Sunday Motor Co. Cafe is located at 27 Kings Road, Madison. During the EV Expo it will serve a full menu and offer both indoor and outdoor seating.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
Pictured above - Sunday Motor Co. owner Nick Vorderman with a Tesla Model 3.
Community Garden Pollinator Plant Giveaway Scheduled for Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, November 1
Madison, NJ – October 20, 2020 – To help make Madison pollinator friendly, the Community Garden has grown milkweed, blue lobelia, wild bergamot and 10 types of native perennial plants. Madison residents are invited to dig up two plants (for free) on Saturday., October 24 and Sunday, November 1 from 1 to 5 pm.
The Community Garden’s native plant varieties are listed at tinyurl.com/pollinatorgiveaway. The time slot sheet is available at tinyurl.com/fallpollinators. Reservations and masks are required. Tools will be provided. Residents must bring their own plant containers (plastic cups or bags with garden soil will work). Extra plant containers will be gladly accepted for future pollinator plant giveaways.
“For our giveaway, we planted a fifty-foot bed with seeds from our pollinator meadows,” says Stephen McAuliffe, chair of the Community Garden Advisory Committee. “Joan Maccari of the Madison Environmental Commission, along with volunteers from the Rutgers Master Gardener’s Program. helped harvest the seeds. Alice Wade of the Garden Club of Madison also helped us with on cultivation,” continued McAuliffe.
Pollinator plants are an essential part of an eco-system. McAuliffe explains that moths and butterflies need specific host plants to lay their eggs and feed their caterpillars. “Monarch butterflies, will only lay their eggs on milkweed,” he says.
“I’m so inspired by our green teams in Madison,” says Maureen Byrne, Borough Council liaison to the Community Garden Advisory Committee and the Madison Environmental Commission. “If all of us add milkweed and other pollinator plants to our yards, we can help mitigate the habitat loss that we all watch happen every day.”
For questions, contact MEC@rosenet.org
A PDF of the release can be found here.
Halloween is "On" in Southeast Morris County
Some Event Have Been Cancelled
Madison, NJ – October 15, 2020 – With Halloween around the corner, we are facing the challenge of continuing to keep each other safe during these unprecedented times, while also allowing some sense of normalcy around traditional events like Halloween.
Working alongside the Mayors from the four communities in Southeast Morris County, Madison Mayor Robert H. Conley is joined in support and commitment by Mayor Thaddeus J. Kobylarz, Chatham Borough; Mayor Michael Kelly, Chatham Township; Mayor Mark Taylor, Florham Park and Mayor Catherine J. Wilson, Morris Township, that for now, each municipality intends to hold Halloween, unless there is an uptick in COVID-19 cases and state guidance is changed.
Trick-or-Treating is “on” in Southeast Morris County on Saturday, October 31st. While traditional trick-or-treating is considered a higher risk activity by the CDC, there are ways to mitigate some risk given the general outdoor nature of trick-or-treating. In order for all residents to have a safe, yet enjoyable Halloween, the Mayors recommend the following guidance:
- If you plan to give treats, consider ways you do so in a socially distant, less contact way. Consider one of these options from the NJ Department of Health Halloween Guidelines:
- Good option: Limit interaction or contact with trick-or-treaters, wear a mask when individuals come to the door, and regularly wash hands;
- Better option: Leave a treat bowl on a porch, near the sidewalk, end of driveway or in a place where it may be easily accessed while adhering to social distancing;
- Best option: Arrange individually packaged candy or goodie bags so that trick-or-treaters can grab and go without accessing a shared bowl;
Use the universal sign of a porch light on as well as a “Trick-or-Treat Here” or “No Thank You” sign to indicate if you are welcoming trick-or-treaters this year. Signs for Madison residents can be picked up at Hartley Dodge Memorial (50 Kings Road) or the Health Department at the Civic Center (28 Walnut Street). Digital versions can be downloaded on Rosenet.org;
- Trick-or-treaters should stay with their small groups—ideally groups that are members of their own household or “bubble”;
- Wear a face covering. Your costume mask is not a substitute;
- Maintain social distance from others, including other groups of trick-or-treaters and those giving treats at their homes;
- Trick-or-Treat in your own neighborhood unless that is not possible. Do not visit other towns to trick-or treat.
Those that choose to host private gatherings must comply with the current NJ State requirements for indoor and outdoor gatherings. The Madison Health Department strongly recommends smaller, outdoor gatherings.
Within Madison, Halloween events sponsored by or traditionally permitted by the Borough that draw larger crowds, including the Halloween parade, magic show, downtown business trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treat will not occur this year.
“I am proud to be working with the mayors from the surrounding municipalities, as well as the Madison Board of Health, to ensure that there is some sort of normalcy during this Halloween amidst the pandemic,” said Mayor Conley. “The choices we make this Halloween, and every day, can have a major impact on the lives of our friends and neighbors. If we follow the simple safety recommendations, we can ensure that residents from all municipalities can enjoy Halloween in a safe manner, while remaining Madison Strong,” continued Conley.
In addition to working with the Mayors, Mayor Conley held a Halloween Preparedness Committee meeting with five Madison residents ranging between grades 2 and 8. Collectively their guidance followed that of the New Jersey Department of Health, and CDC. Some recommendations the committee discussed were:
- Placing the candy on a table instead of in a bowl so that trick-or-treaters were not touching multiple pieces;
- Staying within your neighborhood;
- Creating a cardboard tube for a candy shoot;
- Only trick-or-treat with close contacts;
- Maintain social distancing;
In addition to COVID-19 safety procedures, they wanted to remind all residents to never trick-or-treat alone and only take factory sealed candy and check for any puncture holes before enjoying it.
Madison’s elected officials, Borough Administration and the Health Department will continue to monitor the health data between now and Halloween weekend. Any further updates to our plans will be shared on Rosenet.org and via Borough social media.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
Printable signs can be found here.
October 7 is Energy Efficiency Day in Madison
Madison, NJ – October 7, 2020 – Mayor Robert Conley and the Borough Council have proclaimed October 7, 2020, as Energy Efficiency Day in Madison. They are joining a national movement of governments and universities encouraging residents to take local action with money-saving, energy-efficient upgrades.
“Madison is a leader in encouraging energy reduction,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley in issuing the Energy Efficiency Day Proclamation at the recent Borough Council meeting. “Since 2017, we have offered $49 discounted home energy audits with Ciel Power. To date, more than 200 homeowners in Madison have participated in the program and nearly 40 households have installed energy-saving improvements that will lower household energy consumption by up to 30%,” continued Conley.
The Madison Home Energy Assessment program gained national recognition in a 2018 New York Times piece. Featured in the cover story of the Real Estate section, the piece included an interview with Madison resident Peter Teshima and highlighted Madison’s ongoing home energy audit program.
Ann Huber, of the Madison Environmental Commission, notes that energy efficiency upgrades can be as simple as switching to LED lighting. According to energyefficiencyday.org, changing just five frequently- used bulbs can save $75 in annual energy costs.
Here are additional tips from EnergyEffiencyDay.org:
1. Seal Leaks
On average, heating and cooling account for almost half of a home’s energy consumption. Little leaks can be equivalent to leaving open a 3-foot-by-3-foot window. Tip: Take simple steps like caulking windows, sealing leaks around chimneys and recessed lighting, and sliding draft guards under your doors to save up to 20% on heating costs.
2. Maintain Your HVAC System
Make sure to clean or change your furnace filters regularly. A dirty furnace filter will slow down airflow, making the system work harder to keep you warm (or cool), costing you more money. Tip: Consider getting a winter tune-up. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a semi-annual or yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can be vital to improve efficiency, saving you money and making your home more comfortable.
3. Turn the Electronics Off
That sounds easy, but too often we forget and leave electronics plugged in that are not in use. Tip: Turn off unnecessary/idle lights, appliances, and electronics. A power strip can help turn off multiple items at once. (Sometimes the simplest things are really effective!)
4. Winter Tip: Invite the Sun In
It feels like the sun abandons us during the winter, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore it during the shorter days. Tip: Open curtains/shade on your west-and south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and save 2%-12%.
5. Clean Clothing Efficiently
A washing machine spends 90% of its energy to heat water. Tip: Modern detergents are formulated for cold water use, so there’s no performance downside to giving up hot water. Try to run full loads as much as possible—a machine uses roughly the same amount of energy regardless of the load size. Also, consider air-drying.
Madison residents can sign up for a discounted $49 home energy audit, go to www.cielpower.com/Madison. An audit with a New Jersey Clean Energy-certified contractor makes your home eligible for rebates and loans for your retrofit costs.
About Energy Efficiency Day:
According to energyefficiencyday.org, the message of Energy Efficiency Day is to “Save Money, Cut Pollution, and Create Jobs.” “Our goal is to share tips, tools, and stories that promote the multiple benefits of energy efficiency, from lower costs to healthier homes. Energy efficiency is the cheapest, quickest way to meet our energy needs, cut consumer bills and reduce pollution.” Energy Efficiency Day is a collaborative effort of dozens of energy efficiency advocacy groups around the United States, including the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Alliance to Save Energy, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
Madison environmental commission composter sale
Madison, NJ – September 18, 2020 – To help residents go green, the Madison Environmental Commission is selling compost bins and rain barrels at wholesale prices. Orders may be placed at www.tinyurl.com/compostersale up until September 29. Pick up will be Sunday, October 4.
The Earth Machine compost bin, which retails for $100, will be sold for $60. It is a passive composter that turns food scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer in approximately six weeks. “Composting is an important climate action that is easy to take during COVID-19,” says Claire Whitcomb, Environmental Commission Chair. Food accounts for 22 percent of municipal solid waste, according to MIT. “For those who don’t want to do backyard composting, curbside pick-up with Java’s Compost is another option available in Madison,” Whitcomb adds.
Rain barrels, which will be sold for $70 each, help reduce the drain on our aquifer and cut household water bills by up to 40 percent. Rain water, free from chlorine and water treatment chemicals, is an excellent water source for lawns, plants and gardens. The 55-gallon barrel comes with an overflow hose and spigot and features a fine mesh lid to keep debris from getting in and mosquitos from getting out.
A video with composting tips from residents is available on Facebook via @GreenMadisonNJl. Questions on the composter and rain barrel sale may be addressed to MEC@rosenet.org.
Borough of Madison Town-Wide Yard Sale, October 3, 2020
Madison, NJ - August 31, 2020 - For the third year in a row, the Madison Environmental Commission is encouraging residents to go green by hosting individual yard sales on one common date at one common time. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
“The Town-Wide Yard Sale is a great way to meet your neighbors and shop in an environmentally friendly way,” says Councilwoman Maureen Byrne, Borough Council liaison to the Environmental Commission. Because of COVID-19, she explains that all yard sale participants are being asked to “wear masks, make hand sanitizer available at their tables and set up their sales to facilitate social distancing.”
All homeowners are encouraged to put up street signs for their yard sales. In addition, they are invited to be part of a digital map that tells shoppers their addresses along with the type of merchandise offered.
Publication on the map is part of a partnership with TapIntoMadison.net. Listings are $10 each and will be published not only on TapInto Madison but on its sister sites for neighboring towns. A Google Map with all the yard sale locations will be published on TapInto Madison several days before the event and will be posted on the Facebook accounts for the Borough of Madison and GreenMadisonNJ. To list a yard sale, visit www.tapintomadison.net CREATE AN ACCOUNT or SIGN IN then SUBMIT CONTENT, EVENT LISTING, NON PROFIT $10 and type in MADISON for the location.
“We’re pleased that the Town-Wide Yard Sale is continuing, especially since so many residents are decluttering in the wake of COVID-19,” says Claire Whitcomb, Environmental Commission Chair. She notes that a new Facebook group exclusively for Madison residents, Madison Swap and Share NJ, is a great forum for giving away merchandise and shopping second hand at no cost.
“The page went from zero to 800 members in a matter of months,” she says. “Everything is free and residents can ask to borrow items for weddings, parties or other needs.”
Many nonprofits stopped accepting donations of clothing and household items during the pandemic. Among those that have resumed pickups are the Vietnam Veterans of America (vva.org), the Lupus Foundation of America (Lupuspickup.org), GreenDrop (gogreendrop.com), the Market Street Mission (marketstreet.org) and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore (morrisrestore.org/donate), which does some pickups and accepts antiques, furniture, flooring, brand new plumbing,painting supplies, doors and more.
For more information on the Town-Wide Yard Sale, contact MEC@rosenet.org.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
Borough of Madison Holds Preparedness Meeting Ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias
Madison, NJ – August 3, 2020 – The Borough of Madison is continuing to monitor the inbound weather event from Tropical Storm Isaias that will impact Madison, beginning this evening, and lasting through tomorrow. Current forecasts from the National Weather Service shows Madison receiving rain, localized flooding and wind gusts.
This morning, Mayor Conley held a virtual preparedness meeting with all departments to ensure that critical department (Madison Police Department, Fire Department, Electric Department and Department of Public Works) are adequately staffed, prepared and ready to respond in the event of flooding, power outages, downed trees or other natural disasters. All departments are currently in storm prep mode, ensuring that all equipment that could be necessary is prepared and ready to be deployed. Generators for our sump pumps have been serviced and we are doing enhanced storm drain cleanings and street sweeping to reduce the potential of flooding.
“Madison officials held a virtual internal preparedness meeting this morning, where it was determined that we are ready and prepared for Tropical Storm Isaias, which we will begin to see effects this evening through tomorrow,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley. “All departments that are critical during these times have met and prepared required equipment and personnel. The Electric Department is prepared to respond to power outage calls and all other departments are prepared to respond as necessary. As with any storm, I ask that all residents please obey direction and communication from borough officials, so that we can safely address and respond to all calls,” continued Conley.
We are requesting that all dining establishments remove pop-up tents, tables and chairs this evening and properly secure them or bring them indoors. All residents are asked to secure loose items like tents, garbage cans and umbrellas. We encourage all residents and businesses with sump pumps to check that they are working and operational today.
“The ‘home town’ utility service that the Madison Electric Department provides all of its customers is something that we’re proud of here in Madison,” said Conley. “To ensure we can continue to provide that service, I have spoken to the leadership of JCP&L to emphasize that both of our feeder lines remain open and operational and that in the event they need to cut power, on their end, that they properly notify us ahead of time,” continued Conley.
To report a power outage 24/7/365, please call (973) 966-7330. We ask that you please reserve 911 for emergencies only.
Updates, as necessary, will be posted on borough social media (Facebook & Twitter), www.Rosenet.org and sent out via AlertMadison. Not yet registered for our emergency notification system (AlertMadison)? Register today by visiting www.AlertMadison.org.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
Getting Started with Home Composting: Madison Environmental Commission Shares Tips and Resources
Madison, NJ — April 24, 2020 – The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day was held on April 22, but the Madison Environmental Commission (MEC) encourages people to celebrate Earth Day every day. It’s offering two ways to do so by composting at home: Java’s Compost can provide curbside pick-up of food scraps (including vegetation, meat, bones and dairy) if just 20 people from Madison preregister. Or you can compost right in your backyard.
“Either solution will reduce your environmental footprint significantly — and make your trash less smelly during the summer,” says Claire Whitcomb, MEC chair. “Plus, you’ll be rewarded with amazing, microbe-rich fertilizer for your garden.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food scraps and yard waste make up more than 28 percent of what we throw away. Composting has these benefits:
- It keeps biodegradable materials out of landfills — where they release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s stronger than carbon dioxide and is a major contributor to climate change. "All organic matter eventually decomposes — but in a landfill it does so without oxygen," explains Maureen Byrne, Madison Borough Council member and Council liaison to the MEC. "A head of lettuce, for example, takes 25 years to decompose in a landfill. Composting speeds the process by providing the ideal decomposition environment, reducing waste and methane."
- It creates nutrient-dense organic material that enriches soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Adding compost to soil helps retain moisture, suppress plant diseases and pests, and grow healthier plants and more nutritious food.
For home composting, the recommended recipe is creating a compost pile with an equal amount of "browns" to "greens."
- Browns are dead leaves; branches, twigs and other wood material; paper; hay and straw;
- Greens are pesticide-free fresh grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds
Alternate layers and moisten materials as they are added. The browns provide carbon for your compost, the greens provide nitrogen, and the moisture helps break down the organic matter. Smaller pieces will break down more quickly, so tear or cut up larger pieces. Research different types of compost bins online to see what works for your needs and available space. Locally, the Farm at Green Village is selling a variety of backyard composters by request, including the kind that tumble. They can order one for you for pickup at their Chatham Township location. Email info@thefarmgv.com to inquire about available models and pricing.
What to Compost
The Madison Environmental Commission offers a downloadable flyer that lists what can and can’t be composted at home. Compostable items include:
- Coffee grounds and paper filters;
- Cotton and Wool Rags;
- Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint;
- Eggshells;
- Fireplace ashes;
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Grass clippings;
- Hair and fur;
- Hay and straw;
- Houseplants;
- Leaves;
- Nut shells;
- Sawdust;
- Shredded newspaper;
- Tea bags;
- Wood chips;
- Yard trimmings
What Not to Compost
Keep these 8 things out of your compost — for your own health and the health of your plants, and to prevent odor problems and pests:
- Black walnut tree leaves or twigs — Release substances that might be harmful to plants
- Coal or charcoal ash — Might contain substances harmful to plants
- Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs — Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
- Diseased or insect-ridden plants — Might infect other plants
- Fats, grease, lard, or oils (whether animal- or vegetable-based) — Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
- Meat or fish bones and scraps — Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
- Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter) — Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
- Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides — Might kill beneficial composting organisms
Learn More
To learn more about home composting, visit epa.gov/recycle/composting-home or the Rutgers Agricultural Experiment Station website. For questions, you can also email the Madison Environmental Commission at mec@rosenet.org.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
LAW ENFORCEMENT ASKS FOR THE PUBLIC’S HELP TO COMBAT CAR THEFT AND CAR BURGLARIES
An Auto Theft Task Force has been created to stop a persistent trend in car thefts and car burglaries in Morris County, as experienced by other counties in northern New Jersey.
Vehicle owners, too, can reduce the thefts and protect their property by following a few simple steps.
In a recent three-day period alone in Morris County, six vehicles were stolen – in Madison, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Mount Olive and Roxbury – including two that were taken in afternoon daylight.
In 2019 in Morris County, 215 vehicles were stolen and another 233 vehicles were burglarized.
In 2018, 227 vehicles were stolen in Morris County and another 231 vehicles were burglarized, with valuables removed, but the vehicles were not removed from the premises.
In the majority of these cases, stolen vehicles have been left unlocked by the owner with a key fob left in the car allowing a thief to immediately drive it away.
Alarmingly, in some incidents in Morris County, suspects have entered victims’ homes by using garage door openers found in unlocked vehicles. Once inside the homes, thieves have been able to locate key fobs and steal cars.
Unlocked vehicles that do not have a key fob inside are also being searched for valuables. In some cases, car burglars have resorted to smashing windows of vehicles parked at gyms, parks, and day care centers and grabbing purses, wallets and other valuables left inside. Bank and credit cards stolen from inside these vehicles are being used in multiple locations, compromising victims’ finances.
Of critical concern to law enforcement is that some vehicles stolen in Morris County have been used to commit violent crimes in other areas, such as shootings, armed robberies and homicide. One incident involved a vehicle stolen from Parsippany that was used in a shooting involving three firearms in Essex County.
High-end makes and models – Mercedes Benz, Lexus, Range Rover, Porsche, Audi and Ford pick-up trucks – are most commonly targeted. But when they are locked, and no key fob is available, other models are targeted.
Communities targeted by thieves are generally close to highways, including Routes 80, 287, 46 and 24. Most of the vehicles have been recovered – 75 percent – but typically are damaged. The stolen vehicles have predominantly been disposed of in Essex County.
Community members are asked to be the first line of defense in preventing car thefts and car burglaries. Law enforcement asks you to take simple, proactive steps
to discourage thieves who roam residential neighborhoods in the dark of night, checking parked vehicles on streets and in driveways to determine whether they are locked.
- Vehicles should never be left unlocked.
- Never leave a key fob in a vehicle.
- Neighbors should watch out for neighbors. Call your neighbor if you see that their car is unlocked or valuables are visible inside the vehicle.
- Report any suspicious activity or person.
- Call 911 to report crimes in progress.
To further combat this and other issues affecting our community, a multi-agency auto theft/anti-crime task force has been launched to enhance patrols and further investigations of auto theft and other pattern-type crimes. This initiative, first conceptualized by Chief Andrew Caggiano of the Montville Police Department, has come about through a partnership between the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the Morris County Police Chiefs’ Association, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force, in coordination with various law enforcement agencies.
“This vital task force will help us identify thieves and stop a stream of offenders from entering Morris County to steal from people when they’re asleep, visiting a gym or store, or when they are out of their home at work. The task force will enable us to conduct immediate investigations, across county lines, in an effort to locate vehicles and hold suspects accountable more quickly,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.
Montville Township Police Chief Andrew Caggiano said of his call for an Auto Theft Task Force: “In Montville, we are a geographically and economically convenient location. As such, we are experiencing a scourge of vehicle thefts and burglaries. I realized that there is strength in the combining of our forces, and proposed the Auto Theft Task Force.”
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp lauded this initiative, saying, “Chief Caggiano has taken the lead on this effort. However, we need our residents to be vigilant to prevent these crimes.”
Chester Police Chief Thomas Williver, who serves as President of the Morris County Police Chiefs’ Association, said: “We find that by joining agencies and supplying personnel to a task force, we can create a situation of force multiplication. We support Chief Caggiano and all of the Morris County Chiefs whose jurisdictions are affected by this dangerous crime spree. This is intelligence-led policing and will help all of our communities.”
The Newark Police Department also is a partner in the task force, and in February 2020 started its own 90-day pilot program called the Felony Auto Theft Investigative Unit. According to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, Newark police as of February 2020 recovered 120 vehicles stolen from other municipalities, with 41 of them, or 34 percent, involved in violent crimes.
Law enforcement is also tapping into technology to communicate with neighborhoods where car thefts or burglaries occur and ask residents to check for surveillance footage that may prove helpful in identifying suspects and other vehicles that may have been involved. Several apps that use home Wi-Fi to alert homeowners to the presence of someone at their door or within range of a security camera can provide a high-density video stream of activity on the exterior of their property.
The critical aspect of this initiative is to partner with members of the community, who are asked to be alert and provide information to law enforcement so that they can target suspects committing crimes in the county. “If you see something, say something.” Not just near your home but anywhere you observe something suspicious.
The Morris County Auto Theft Task Force can be contacted at 973-285-6300 or after hours at 973-285-2900.
Press inquiries may be made to Peggy Wright, Public Information Officer, Morris County Sheriff’s Office. 973-285-6654
STUDENTS TO STAR AT GREEN VISION FORUM
Madison, NJ – March 9, 2020 – The Madison Environmental Commission is holding its third annual Green Vision Forum on Thursday, March 19 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Madison Community Arts Center, 10 Kings Road. Once again, the stars of the evening will be students from Madison’s elementary, junior and high schools, along with college students from Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
The students will present their ideas for a greener Madison to an audience that includes both parents and town officials—Mayor Robert H. Conley, members of the Borough Council, district administrators and members of the Board of Education
“We want to listen to student voices in Madison and see what we can do to take action,” said Mayor Conley. “At last year’s Green Vision Forum, students presented on the environmental hazards associated with plastic bags - and now we’ve enacted a plastic bag ban. Another presentation on plastic straws led to Madison’s Skip the Straw initiative during Restaurant Week,” continued Conley.
This year, Kirsten Wallenstein will join Renee Shalhoub of the Environmental Commission, who has chaired the Green Vision Forum since it first started three years ago, as her co-chair.
“I’m looking forward to hearing the kids’ ideas and gaining a deeper understanding of what environmental issues Madison cares about,” says Maureen Byrne, Borough Council liaison to the Environmental Commission. “It’s exciting to see this level of enthusiasm from our students and future leaders.”
For more details, please contact the Environmental Commission at MEC@rosenet.org.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
Pictured: Central Avenue School Green Team and Debbie Mantone, Special Education Teacher, are collecting plastic bottle caps to be recycled into park benches. As the students will report, the teams have sorted, cleaned, and weighed 350 pounds of plastic caps. It takes 200 pounds of plastic caps to make one park bench.
BOROUGH OF MADISON RECYCLING CHANGES
Madison, NJ – February 12, 2020 – The Borough of Madison announced important changes to our recycling program that began on January 1, 2020. Starting this year, only plastic containers (bottles and non-bottles) coded 1, 2 and 5 will be accepted for curbside recycling.
Residents are encouraged to look for the recycling symbol on the bottom of plastic containers before disposing of plastic.
Acceptable plastic bottle/containers include the following:
- Containers that are coded #1 (PET/PETE, Poly-EthyleneTerephthalate) include water, soda and salad dressing bottles, microwavable food trays, and peanut butter containers;
- Containers coded #2 (HDPE, High Density Polyethylene) include milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and butter and yogurt tubs;
- Containers coded #5 (PP, Polypropylene) include ketchup and syrup bottles, and some yogurt containers.
These changes to the recycling program are due to restrictions imposed by China on their imported recycling commodities. Due to the restrictions put in place, Madison’s recycling program has been negatively impacted, thus resulting in certain plastic containers no longer being accepted as part of curbside recycling.
Madison’s contract for hauling and recycling was recently re-bid. Due to the restrictions, our hauler for recycling now had to make other arrangements for disposal and recycling of all goods. This has caused garbage and recycling costs for 2020 to go up approximately $322,500.00 for the year. Waste removal, which is the hauling of waste and recycling, cost $1,657,300.00 in 2019. In 2020, that cost has increased by 19.46% to $1,979,800.00 due to the restrictions and lack of facilities within the area accepting recyclables.
Those plastic bottles/containers that are now unacceptable include:
- Plastics with no container code (no number in a recycling symbol);
- Plastics coded #3 (V, PVC Vinyl), which include cooking oil and mouthwash bottles, clear food packaging, and PVC piping;
- Plastics coded #4 (LDPE, Low Density Polyethylene) used in plastic shopping bags and trash bags;
- Plastics coded #6 (PS Polystyrene) used in disposable cups, plates, egg cartons, and clamshell take-out containers;
- Plastics coded #7 (Other) used in three-to-five gallon water jugs and some food containers.
Recycling materials that will be collected, including plastic bottles and containers coded 1, 2 and 5, include aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, steel (tin) cans, newspaper, corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, and organics, including leaves, grass clippings, brush, logs, stumps, branches and tree parts.
Residents are reminded to ensure that recyclables are empty and clean before placing them to the curb. Plastic bags are not to be used for curbside recycling as they can be caught in the machinery at the recycling center and cause delays, contamination and increased processing costs. Clean, dry plastic bags should be recycled at local supermarkets. Contaminated materials could result in the entirety of the truck being denied at the recycling center, and cause all of its contents to be brought to a landfill instead.
For additional information, including your recycling/garbage/yard waste collection schedule, and a simple ’What Goes Where?’ feature, download the free Recycle Coach App through the App Store or Google Play
A PDF of the release can be found here.
BOROUGH OF MADISON ACHIEVES PRESTIGIOUS
SUSTAINABLE JERSEY SILVER-LEVEL CERTIFICATION
Madison, NJ – November 27, 2019 – Sustainable Jersey representatives announced yesterday that the Borough of Madison has met the rigorous requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey certification. Madison is one of only 27 New Jersey municipalities that have attained certification at the silver-level in 2019. All of the municipalities were honored at the Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, November 19 in Atlantic City with Mayor Robert H. Conley accepting the award for Madison.
“The achievements of the Sustainable Madison Advisory Committee in this silver certification process shows that the volunteerism of long hours, hard work and dedication paid off for this dedicated team of volunteers as they were determined to prove that Madison is a town that is committed to being sustainable,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley. “Achieving the third highest total points out of all participants is not an easy task, but thanks to all that reside and/or work in Madison, your day-to-day actions help us keep Madison green! This is just another reason why New Jersey Monthly recently ranked Madison the #1 Town To Live In,” continued Conley.
To become Sustainable Jersey certified at the silver-level, the Sustainable Madison Committee submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 350 action points. In addition to reaching 350 points, each community had to create a green team and select at least three out of twelve priority action options. Madison completed seven of the twelve priority actions, with an additional action pending, by completing a fleet inventory, energy tracking and management, municipal carbon footprint, natural resource inventory, prescription puse pledge. In addition to the seven priority actions, they also submitted the final documentation for another priority action, energy efficiency for municipal facilities, and once approved by Sustainable Jersey by year end, it would bring our priority actions up to eight out of twelve.
“Congratulations to all of the municipalities that have achieved certification this year,” said Randy Solomon, Executive Director of Sustainable Jersey. “Earning certification involves more than just implementing sustainable actions. It takes extraordinary leadership and a real commitment to making our communities better. As New Jersey tops the list as one of the fastest-warming states in the nation, the next ten years will be a critical period for making progress. Sustainable Jersey certified towns are a force for change as they create a path forward to advance sustainability.” Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency, health and wellness, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources and advancing the arts.
About Sustainable Jersey
Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Currently, 80 percent or 450 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the municipal certification program and 339 school districts and 884 schools are participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program.
Sustainable Jersey’s partners include the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program. Program underwriters include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program, the PSEG Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Sustainable Jersey Grants program for municipalities is funded by PSEG Foundation and the Gardinier Environmental Fund. Platinum and 10th Anniversary sponsors are South Jersey Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas and PSEG. The Gold Sponsor is Elizabethtown Gas (10th Anniversary Sponsor). Silver Sponsors are NJM Insurance Group (10th Anniversary Sponsor), Bayshore Recycling (10th Anniversary Sponsor), Northfield Bank (10th Anniversary Sponsor), New Jersey American Water (10th Anniversary Sponsor), Jersey Central Power & Light (10th Anniversary Sponsor), Atlantic Health System (10th Anniversary Sponsor) and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The Bronze Sponsors are Covanta, Greener by Design, Ørsted, Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt & Cappelli LLC, First Environment, Roux Associates, Republic Services, The ECG Group and Bryan Electric.
Website: www.SustainableJersey.com; www.SustainableJerseySchools.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SJ_Program; www.twitter.com/SJ_Schools
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SustainableJersey
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sustainable_jersey/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainable-jersey
Pictured above left to right are Randall Solomon, Executive Director, Sustainable Jersey; Joan Maccari, Sustainable Madison MEC Rep.; Kathleen Caccavale, Chair, Sustainable Madison; Mayor Robert H. Conley; Council Member Maureen Byrne, and Anne-Marie Peracchio, Chairperson, Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
NEW SCHOOL YEAR DRIVER AWARENESS REMINDER
SLOW DOWN WHEN DRIVING WITHIN SCHOOL ZONES
Madison, NJ – August 27, 2019 – With the new school year starting in Madison in one week, on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, we would like to remind residents of some things that come with the new school year, as it pertains to driving.
- Younger children are more likely to be excited to see their friends, meet their new teachers, and get their seats in freshly decorated classrooms. Younger children are also more likely to make mistakes around roads;
- Many children will be starting new schools;
- They will be learning new walking paths, either to the school or to a bus stop;
- They may not have given themselves enough time on the new route, and will be hurrying;
- Their parents will be learning new driving patterns at an unfamiliar school;
- Older, high school children may be driving their own cars to school for the first time, also struggling with new traffic routes, congested school zones, and even more congested and confusing parking lots;
- Some schools have adjusted their drop-off or pick-up zones. School crossing guard posts may have been changed to meet demands;
All of this can have a ripple-effect to other drivers who will be coping with the actions, inactions, or bad actions of children and drivers.
The Borough of Madison and the Madison Police Department wants to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be especially aware as they operate their personal vehicles and work vehicles. The Madison Police Department will be strictly enforcing distracted driving. The next couple of weeks can be challenging. Please:
- Watch your speed. A couple of mph faster will not make a real difference in your arrival time;
- Scan sidewalks and parked cars for signs of movement;
- Keep a safe following distance. Even if you anticipated something, the driver in front of you may not be as alert as you are.
- Be particularly alert at intersections. Practice ‘covering your brake’ when called for;
- Put your phone down if you are operating a car.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY
Madison, NJ – July 18, 2019 – The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for the area from Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21 with heat index values ranging from 100 to 112.
As part of the Borough of Madison Department of Recreation Policies and Procedures Heat Policy, should the relevant office of the National Weather Service issue a Heat Advisory, all athletic fields will be closed from noon until 5:30 p.m., automatically rendering any and all use during that time-frame as unauthorized by the Borough.
Residents are advised that the excessive heat and humidity, which is forecast for Friday through Sunday, can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and are recommended to stay in an air-conditioned environment, stay out of the sun, and check on elderly relatives and neighbors.
Madison’s cooling stations are open and available for residents in need. The locations and their hours are:
Madison Public Library - 39 Keep Street
Monday - Wednesday: 10 A.M. - 9 P.M.
Thursday - Friday: 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.
Saturday: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
The Madison Civic Center - 28 Walnut Street
Monday - Friday: 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Hartley Dodge Memorial Building - 50 Kings Road
Monday - Friday: 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Madison Community House 25 Cook Avenue
Monday - Friday: 1 P.M. - 5 P.M.
Saturday & Sunday: 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
SUMMERHILL PARK TRAIL RIBBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
Madison, NJ - May 28, 2019 - The Madison Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and Parks Committee will be holding their ribbon cutting ceremony on National Trails Day® to celebrate the new trail loops at Summerhill Park. This event will be held on Saturday, June 1 at 11:00 a.m. and will include a ceremony as well as a tour of the new trails.
Summerhill Park is a beautiful wooded park in Madison, NJ. The land was acquired to preserve open space and natural resources as part of the Borough’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. The many access points within the park allows for the connection to downtown Madison, other parks and recreational facilities, and two of our schools.
Throughout Summerhill Park, trails were created due to generous support from the Morris County Planning and Preservation Trail Construction Grant Program. The estimated hiking mileage throughout the park is approximately 1.5 miles, but the Madison Open Space and Parks Committee continues to work to expand the trail network throughout our community.
Visitors can access the park from Dehart Place, Central Avenue, and Ridgedale Avenue. Open from sunrise to sunset, visitors can start at the Ridgedale trailhead and take the loop to Dehart Place where they can then walk down to get ice cream, a smoothie, or a delicious meal from one of Madison’s fine restaurants.
Access to the park for the ribbon cutting ceremony is best via Ridgedale Avenue between the Luke Miller House and Fairview Avenue.
“We look forward to the ribbon cutting at the new Summerhill Park Trails on National Trails Day®,” says Council President Astri Baillie. “These trails have been made possible thanks to a Morris County Trail Construction Grant, so join us as we officially open the park and take a walk on the newly created trails,” continued Baillie.
National Trails Day®, which is held on June 1, is a day of public events that is aimed at advocacy and trail service. The coming together of thousands of bikers, hikers, rowers, horseback riders, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses aims to advocate for, maintain, and clean up public lands and trails.
A PFD of the release can be found here.
PLASTIC-FREE WEEK IN MADISON AIMS TO ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN REDUCING POLLUTION FROM SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
Madison, NJ – April 22, 2019 – The Madison Environmental Commission will be holding their first ever Plastic-Free Week from Saturday, April 27 to Saturday, May 4. The week includes giveaways as well as ideas for how to take action.
“We’re starting the week with a reusable bag giveaway at Stop & Shop and ending with a milkweed giveaway for residents who take our Plastic-Free Pledge,” says Claire Whitcomb, Chair of the Madison Environmental Commission.
The pledge, available online at https://www.rosenet.org/1140/Plastic-Free-Week, lists seven simple steps residents can take. Those steps include, but are not limited to utilizing reusable bags, skipping straws, saying no to Styrofoam, giving up bottled water, bringing a mug for take-out coffee, carrying cutlery and toting plastic containers for restaurant leftovers.
“Plastic-Free Week is meant to educate and inspire residents to take action,” says Maureen Byrne, Borough Council member and Madison Environmental Commission liaison. “Plastic pollution is a serious issue for our health and our water systems. Even bottled water contains microplastics,” continued Byrne.
Events that will take place during Plastic-Free Week include;
- A reusable bag giveaway at Stop & Shop (131 Main Street) on Saturday, April 27 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- Milkweed will be given away on two separate occasions for those who take the Plastic-Free Week Pledge. The giveaways will take place at Madison Library’s Green Fair on Saturday, April 27 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm as well as on Saturday, May 4 at May Day in Madison, 11:00 to 1:00 pm at Hartley Dodge Memorial.
Both giveaways will be on a first-come, first-serve basis during the allotted times, or until they have all been given out, whichever comes first.
Madison residents are also urged that they can bring their plastic bags to Stop & Shop to be recycled, as well as learn about everyday products that can help reduce single-use plastic consumption. Bags that are recycled at Stop & Shop are picked up by TREK and turned into decking, benches and other products.
As an effort to engage Madison businesses in Plastic-Free Week, a team of Madison Public School students, Christian Wong, Maya Sze, and Carissa Finnerty of Madison High School and Amelia Nevin of Torey J. Sabatini School, have visited all Madison restaurants to explain the benefits that come when someone skips the straw. “Plastic straws are not recyclable and they are a hazard for wildlife,” explains Amelia Nevins. “Plastic-Free Week will help everyone understand how much plastic they really use,” explained Nevin.
“I commend the Madison Environmental Commission for preparing what is going to be a very useful week in Madison, Plastic-Free Week,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley. “Their efforts will, over the long term, help allow Madison residents and establishments learn the dangers that plastic has for our environment. I encourage you to take the Plastic-Free week pledge as we help keep Madison the environmentally friendly borough it is,” continued Conley.
In addition to the students who visited Madison businesses, volunteers were out educating stores on a recent Madison Borough Resolution (R108-2019) which encourages the use of recyclable paper bags and reusable bags instead of plastic bags, and requests that all retail establishments train their employees to “Ask before bagging” to give shoppers an opportunity to save a bag.
“We have a huge cast involved in Plastic-Free Week,” says Whitcomb. “This is an issue residents are passionate about.”
A PDF of the release can be found here.
MAYOR CONLEY LEADS DISCUSSION ON TRAFFIC ISSUES RELATED TO RT 24, 124 AND PARK AVENUE
ATTENDEES INCLUDED FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY AND LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES
Madison, NJ – April 18, 2019 – Earlier this morning, Mayor Robert H. Conley lead a discussion regarding Route 24, Route 124 and Park Avenue traffic issues. Joining Mayor Conley was Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Governor Richard J. Codey, Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey (District 27), Assemblywoman Nancy F. Munzo (District 21), Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco (District 25), members from NJDOT including, Deputy Commissioner Joseph D. Bertoni, Chief of Staff Jay Jimenez, Office of Community Relations representatives Zenobia Fields and Andrew Swords, and representatives from Morris County including Freeholders Heather Darling and Stephen H. Shaw and Administrator John Bonanni and Engineer Christopher Vitz.
Also in attendance were the Mayors of six surrounding communities; Chatham Borough Mayor Bruce Harris, East Hanover Mayor Joseph Pannullo, Florham Park Mayor Mark Taylor, Hanover Township Mayor Ronald Francioli, Morris Township Mayor Jeffrey Grayzel, and Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty. The Mayors all offered critical insight on the impact the worsening traffic issues are having on their respective communities. They offered their commitment to working together to find potential solutions.
“Today’s discussion with federal, state, county and local representatives was a productive continuation of prior meetings addressing this topic,” stated Mayor Conley. “Now that we have new players in the game, and the willingness from state officials, including NJDOT to continue this discussion, I feel that we can move at an accelerated process to start to make changes that will benefit residents and employees who work within the surrounding area,” continued Conley.
At the recommendation of all in attendance, a committee will be formed to further the discussions that took place this morning so that a plan that is beneficial for all involved can be presented and funding can be sought after from the state and federal level. NJDOT has committed to listening and engaging in conversations with the committee, as they are eager to work together to create the best plan possible.
“I want to thank all that participated this morning,” said Conley. “The people that were present this morning expressing concerns and raising questions, are the same people, that when we all work together, will get something done, and, I look forward to getting something done that will benefit all,” continued Conley.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
BOROUGH OF MADISON RESTORES POWER FOLLOWING EARLIER WIDESPREAD OUTAGE DUE TO BLOWN JCP&L INSULATOR AT KINGS ROAD SUBSTATION
Madison, NJ – March 7, 2019 – This morning, around 11:00 A.M. the Borough of Madison experienced a widespread power outage. Upon immediate dispatch and investigation, the Madison Electric Department discovered a blown JCP&L insulator at the Madison Substation on Kings Road.
By 12:00 P.M. (noon) Madison Electric Department was able to restore power borough wide through our secondary feeder line. JCP&L arrived on scene to address the extensive damage to their infrastructure. As JCP&L continues to work on repairs to the damage that was caused by their blown insulator, Madison Electric Department is able to power the entire borough through the second feeder line.
“Thanks to the Madison Electric Department for their quick efforts as they efficiently and safely worked to address and correct the issue that was caused by JCP&L’s malfunctioning equipment,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley. “Safety, service and reliability are what Madison Electric Department endeavors to provide, and through their rapid response to restore power to all electric customers within an hour, they did just that,” continued Conley. Conley continued on, stating, “In addition to the Madison Electric Department, I would like to thank the Madison Police and Fire Departments, as well as Morris County, Chatham Borough, Florham Park and Harding Township, as they quickly and effectively responded to an onslaught of calls, including reports of individuals stuck in elevators, throughout the borough.”
Conley has been in communication with JCP&L President James Fakult, to ensure that repairs to their damaged infrastructure are addressed in a timely manner, as well as preventative maintenance so that another incident of this nature does not occur. JCP&L indicated that the full repair would be completed by end of day tomorrow, Friday, March 8th, returning the feed into Madison to full reliability. The Madison Electric Department will be working closely with JCP&L during the repair.
At this point, we do not expect any further blips in power or power surges. In the unlikely event that power has to be temporarily effected to allow JCP&L to address their issues, notice will be made via Borough social media and through Nixle.
We appreciate residents patience and understanding throughout the duration of the widespread outage, and remind residents that in the event of a power outage to please call (973) 966-7330. The Madison Police Department Dispatch Desk (973) 593-3000 and 911 are reserved for emergencies.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
ROAD IMPROVEMENT UPDATE INFORMATION
AS IT PERTAINS TO THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
Madison, NJ – August 31, 2018 – The Borough of Madison would like to thank all residents for the continued patience, understanding and cooperation as we continue to work diligently to upgrade required infrastructure throughout the borough. As we enter the beginning of the school year, we wanted to take this time to update you on three projects that have an impact on travel throughout the borough.
Greenwood Avenue:
The only road closures we expect through Friday, September 7th with a potential impact to the school and traffic, is the closure and detours at the intersection of Greenwood Avenue, Fairview Avenue and Rosedale Avenue. Madison Police Department will ensure that detours are in place for an easy flow of traffic. PSE&G has finished up with the required gas main improvements between Main Street and Fairview Avenue. In the next few weeks, the borough will have our contractor, Midwest, complete a few minor curb and sidewalk repairs near Greenwood and Fairview, as well as lay down soil and seed in affected areas. The complete mill and paving of Greenwood is scheduled to take place at the end of September.
Central Avenue:
We only expect minor intermittent road closures between Main Street and Cook Avenue through Friday, September 7th. Small areas of sidewalks will be repaired. The work that will be done by Morris County, includes handicap ramps at the sidewalks, catch basins and a complete mill and overlay and is out of our jurisdiction. When more information becomes available we’ll ensure that it gets relayed to borough residents via Rosenet, NotifyMe® and our social media channels.
Cook Avenue & Community Place:
The entire length of Cook Avenue and Community Place will be closed to through traffic. Cook parking lot will be accessible. Beginning next week and lasting approximately three weeks, PSE&G will be working on Cook Avenue, from Central Avenue to Ridgedale Avenue and Community Place, from Park Avenue to the end to replace the gas main infrastructure. The Cook Avenue parking lot will remain OPEN and accessible throughout the duration of the project. For continued safety, the Madison Police Department will be assisting vehicles in and out of the lot during construction hours.
Please note that the potential end-dates, schedule and closures are all tentative and subject to changes due to weather. For the latest updates on road improvement projects, please visit: bit.ly/madisonriu. The next update will be available on Friday, September 7th.
A PDF of the release can be found here.
BOROUGH OF MADISON ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT AND JCP&L REFINE PROCESS FOR HELPING NEIGHBORS
MADISON AND JCP&L CONVERSATION ENDS WITH PLANS FOR EASIER DISPATCHING DURING ELECTRICAL OUTAGES
Madison, NJ – May 9, 2018 – Mayor Conley and Borough Staff met with JCP&L officials last week to establish a process for dispatching Madison Electrical Department personnel during significant electrical outages to assist in restoring power to neighboring towns.
Madison Electric Department is a ‘home town’ electrical department that for more than 100 years has been providing the Borough with reliable and safe electrical services. Madison Electric Department will first and foremost address any/all electrical outages within the Borough. When these outages are addressed, Madison Electric Department will help restore power in bordering neighbors (Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Morris Township and Florham Park).
The Madison Electric Department, along with JCP&L will participate in annual training exercises that will allow Borough staff to be immediately dispatched by JCP&L in a time of need. This will allow for quicker dispatching than previously encountered.
“The ‘home town’ utility service that the Madison Electric Department provides all of its customers is something that we’re proud of here in Madison,” said Robert H. Conley, Mayor. “With this established process between the Borough and JCP&L, we’re able to utilize our Electric Department personnel when they’ve finished getting Madison back up and running, to help assist our neighboring towns get power restored, a shared service that I’m proud has been created so we can assist our neighbors during times of need.”
Madison’s Electric Department is prepared for and willing to meet any challenge to insure that customers have and will continue to have the finest electric service in the state of New Jersey. Their top priority is a commitment to their valued customers. Safety, service and reliability is what Madison Electric Department endeavors to provide. Visit www.rosenet.org for more information.
A PDF of the release can be found here.