HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988_12_15 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes C C
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Town of Mamaroneck
Conservation Advisory Commission
Area Code 914
740 West Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543 MINUTES 381-6,133
DECEMBER 15, 1988
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A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on
Thursday December 15, 1988, in Conference Room A of the Town Center, 740 West
Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8:05PM.
Members Present: Robert I. Komitor, Chairman
Charles Bernstein
Steven Goldstein
Susan Amlicke, Emeritus
Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus
Others Present: Robert Hohberg, Water Monitoring Consultant
Cheryl Lewy, liaison, Village of Larchmont
Gladys Sherak, Potential New Member
Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator
Barbara Cleary, Recording Secretary
Members Excused: Jane Moss RECEIVED
Michael Scheffler PFS
Irma VolkPAN?j j/A1989
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Members Absent: James Santos N1NECK
Administrative Matters
Approval of Minutes - The minutes of November 17, 1988 were approved with
corrections.
Next meeting - The next meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, January
19, 1989.
CAC duties - Ms. Ng asked the members whether they received the form she
sent requiring each member to select an area of interest which he would like
to serve on. She will followup on those who have not yet returned their
form.
CAC Membership - Robert Komitor stated that Joan Heilman will not be
joining the CAC as she has been appointed to another organization,the Village
of Mamaroneck recycling Committee, and since she is overcommitted she does
not have the time to do both. Mr. Komitor also stated that the CAC is still
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CAC minutes - 12/15/88
in need of a member from the Village of Mamaroneck and requested members to
think of anyone that would be an active participant for the CAC. Mr. Komitor
said he will ask Caroline Silverstone, the Town Council Liaison, if she
thinks June Ottinger might be interested in the position. He will also
inquire as to whether a fourth Town of Mamaroneck resident could be place on
the CAC, since Gladys Sherak has expressed interest in joining the
Commission.
Work Program - Ms. Ng instructed the CAC members to review the memorandum
concerning the 1989 work program carefully, because whatever is stated in the
proposed work program must be implemented. Mr. Goldstein made some minor
changes in the work program.
Environment
Premium Conservation Area - Video Project - Mr. Komitor stated he did
not yet have the opportunity to speak with LMC-TV in regard to taping a
video. Mr. Scheffler will assist Mr. Komitor on this project which hopefully
will serve to introduce area residents with the Premium Conservation Area,
and instruct them in ways to use and enjoy it.
Trapping - The current local laws have been investigated to some extent
and the CAC felt that the 3 municipalities should be requested to ban all
leghold traps for safety reasons. A memo regarding this issue will be
referred to the Town Attorney for his review.
Inventory of Streamside Properties - Ms. Ng said Caroline Silverstone
supports the Streamside Manual Handbook idea. Ms. Silverstone also asked Ms.
Ng to inform the CAC that she had recently read about a Suffolk County law
which puts restrictions on building near streamsides and regulates what types
of buildings can be constructed.
Tree Preservation Law - Mr. Goldstein stated he recently needed the
services of a tree company. Several of the companies which gave him
estimates seemed to be unaware of the Town's Tree Preservation Law or simply
disregarded it. Mr. Goldstein advocates that a letter be sent to all tree
companies advising them of this law, so that they can not claim ignorance.
He also feels the current system needs revamping because it is
unnecessarily difficult to obtain a permit with the present system. Ms. Ng
will obtain the addresses of all the area tree companies and an advisory
letter will be sent out.
Development Projects
Residential Development for 746 Mamaroneck Avenue - Mr. Komitor informed
the Commission that he has drafted a letter addressed to the Village of
Mamaroneck Planning Board advising them that the CAC is aware of the proposed
project and would like to be kept informed on all aspects of its development.
Mary Anne Johnson interjected that the Emerson Project of 12 homes has
come up again and she feels this should also be a concern to the CAC. The
applicant now is saying that the old information submitted is not accurate.
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CAC minutes - 12/15/88
Water Courses and Water Bodies
Water Monitoring - East Creek - Robert Hohberg reviewed and passed out
copies of the summary and conclusions of his East Creek finding to the
Commission. He said his findings about the Nassau and Post Road were
correct. The County did the dye tests which then required the Village of
Larchmont Engineer to use a television system to locate the spots in need of
repair. This led to the replacement of the broken sewer lines in that area.
Mr. Komitor suggested making a presentation about this topic to the
Village of Larchmont and Mr. Hohberg said he would be happy to oblige. Mr.
Hohberg also said that he has finished working on the Guion Creek project.
Mr. Hohberg noted that the County is not using the "fecal strep ratio" which
supports his belief that this data is not conclusive in showing the
difference between human and animal waste.
Sheldrake Watershed Study - Revised Proposal - Ms. Ng asked the members
for their comments and suggestions regarding the proposal written by Steve
Tomecek. Mr. Goldstein related to the Commission his discussion with Mr.
Tomecek. Mr. Tomecek feels that he could assist the CAC in doing most of the
work ourselves. He said that much of the data is already available. Ms. Ng
using the assistance of a consultant can do the spot checking and suggests
hiring someone to coordinate it. Mr. Goldstein said that Mr. Tomecek gave
him the impression that the project could be done for approximately $12,000.
Ms. Ng said the Town was leaning to hiring Mr. Tomecek because he already
knows the area well. His rate is $35 per hour. Mr. Goldstein recommended
that a maximum cap on the consultant fee be included in the RFP.
Solid Waste Disposal
Recycling - Mandatory Considerations - Mr. Komitor asked the CAC members
if the Commission should recommend to the Board that they support mandatory
recycling. He would like to investigate and discuss this further at the next
meeting.
Ms. Ng reported that Mrs. Silverstone advocates any curbside pickup
service which is provided should be mandatory.
The Commission discussed many different types of methods to encourage
recycling. These included supplying residents with multicolored cartons for
separating their trash, into newspaper, glass, and cans. Mrs. Amlicke said
that in Palo Alto this was method was used very successfully. Mrs. Amlicke
said garbage cans can work just as well.
Plastics - draft letter to County - At the last meeting, Jane Moss and
Michael Scheffler agreed to draft a letter to the County advocating the
banning of Plastics. Ms. Ng reported that they are currently they are
investigating the topic more thoroughly and then will write the letter.
Historic Preservation
Jay Property - Mr. Komitor read a draft letter on behalf of the
Commission addressed to County Executive O'Rourke. The letter supported a
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CAC minutes - 12/15/88
'Suggestion which was written to the Editor of the Gannett Newspaper Chain and
proposed using the property as a Marine Research Center as well as a
historical museum.
Communications to the Commission
Use of Paper Bags for Curbside Newspaper - Ms. Ng read a draft of the
memo she had written to Fred Kellogg, the Superintendent of Sanitation,
which advocated the reinstatement of paper bags for holding newspaper for
curbside pickup. This was in response to a letter that was written by a
resident requesting it be implemented. Ms. Ng also read a letter replying
to that resident.
New or Other Business
Ocean Litter - Mr. Goldstein reported siting hundreds of golf balls, many
bearing the name of Quaker Ridge Golf Club, washing up from the Sound on
Flagler Drive Beach. The DEC is investigating the incident but there is not
much they can do. The Village of Mamaroneck may be able to issue a litter
violation. Mr. Goldstein suggested writing to the golf clubs advising them
that they will be held responsible for the proper disposal of golf balls. The
letter will be drafted by Mr. Goldstein and the education committee.
Elinor Fredston - Emeritus Status - Mr. Komitor and the Commission agreed
to recommend Elinor Fredston for Emeritus Membership. Mr. Komitor will write
a letter to Mayor Curnin, Supervisor Battalia and the Board requesting this
status be given to Mrs. Fredston.
Meeting Adjourned 10:40PM
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