Council Member Stravic expressed urgency given the borough's continued exposure to storm and flood risk, noting it has been about 5 years since Hurricane Ida, and recommended the council move quickly to develop solutions.

Council President Vroom said he would recommend to the mayor that the ad hoc committee be restarted. He noted that the Planning Board is currently considering flood-related issues as part of its work on the East Central Business District redevelopment plan, including areas along the brook designated as Flood Hazard Zone AE.

Council Member Conte mentioned the concept of transect zoning, an approach originating from new urbanism that can be adapted for environmental protection by basing zoning decisions on the environmental impact of an area, such as areas along the brook, rather than traditional single-use zoning.

Council President Vroom opened the meeting for public comments on this topic.

Public Comments

Timarie Diehl, Chair of the Environmental Commission, said the Environmental Commission would be happy to participate in a subcommittee or ad hoc committee. She clarified that the commission had worked on the stormwater ordinance for nearly 2 years before it was submitted to the Council and Planning Board, including a detailed video presentation prepared by the former chair. The commission's 4 main areas of focus were intended to primarily affect major development. She noted the Environmental Commission's ongoing use of social media to educate residents on environmental topics.

Council President Vroom said he would recommend to the mayor that the ad hoc committee be restarted.

8. Presentation

Somerville Community Energy Plan

Timarie Diehl, Chair of the Environmental Commission, and David Dvorin, a member of the Environmental Commission's Green Team and the Somerset Energy Council, presented the Borough of Somerville Community Energy Plan.

• New Jersey has set a goal of reaching 100% clean energy by 2050 and the plan is intended to help the borough contribute toward that goal.
• The plan was developed using climate data showing the community of Somerville emitted 155,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2020, which serves as the baseline the plan aims to reduce, with 62% of those emissions coming from on-road vehicles and commercial natural gas use. Additional benefits cited include cleaner air, lower energy costs, and a more resilient energy grid.
• The plan was developed in coordination with the borough administration and this council to determine the included initiatives, with input also gathered through a public survey that received 87 responses.
• Survey feedback showed the broadest support for solar energy and green buildings, while electric vehicle chargers were the most divisive topic.
• Respondents were consistent in supporting solar installations on roofs, parking lots, and brownfields, but not in parks or open space, and also raised concerns about cost, affordability, and data centers.
• Adopting the plan does not commit the borough to any new appropriations; rather, it allows the borough to pursue outside grant funding and qualify for state and utility incentive programs. Implementation will require collaboration among borough staff, the Environmental Commission, and T&M Associates, including community outreach and education efforts already underway.

Discussion

Council Member Conte thanked the Environmental Commission for its work and noted that while support for electric vehicle charging incentives appears mixed, on-street charging in areas with more multi-family or rental housing may be worth further discussion. He noted the borough has already begun assessing its municipal vehicle fleet for potential transition to alternative fuel vehicles, and that the borough is progressing a 10-megawatt community solar project intended to be marketed to low- and moderate-income residents. He encouraged prioritizing the more difficult initiatives in the plan, such as a green building policy, since easier initiatives like community outreach are likely to progress on their own.

Council Member Stravic asked whether the borough could offer residents access to a third-party energy source at a lower rate.

Council Member Conte responded that this would be possible through a program called government energy aggregation, in which the borough would procure a third-party electricity supplier on behalf of residents and small businesses, with an opt-out option for anyone who did not wish to participate. He noted that recent market conditions have not made third-party supply clearly advantageous, that establishing the program would require significant advance work and possibly additional ordinances or resolutions, and that affordability and a fully green energy source may not both be achievable, though the borough may be able to lay groundwork for a future procurement.

David Dvorin noted that individual residents can already subscribe to community solar independently and receive a minimum 20% discount on electricity costs by law, and mentioned he will be giving a public talk at the library on September 9 on strategies to reduce energy costs, including community solar and PSE&G's no-cost energy assessment program.

Council President Vroom opened the meeting for public questions or comments on this item.

No public comments were received on this item.

Resolution 26-0706-202 – Adopting the Borough of Somerville Community Energy Plan

Administrator Sluka noted that the resolution was amended to replace the list of strategies referenced in the sixth paragraph with the goal areas in the CEP presentation.

Motion: Council Member Denys

Second: Council Member Stravic

All voted in favor and Resolution 26-0706-202 was adopted.