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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988_10_27 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes (2) C C FINAL Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission RECEIVED 740 West Boston Post Road INP, 16 1988 Area Code 914 Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543 PATRICIA A.DiCIDCCIO 381-6133 TOWN CLERK MAMARONECK MINUTES N.Y. OCTOBER 27,1988 A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, October 27, 1988, in Conference Room B of the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8:05 PM. Members Present: Steven Goldstein, Acting Chairman Charles Bernstein Elinor Fredston Jane Moss Jim Santos Michael Scheffler Irma Volk Members Excused: Robert Komitor Mary Anne Johnson Susan Amlicke Members Absent: Susan Carpenter Others Present: Bud Sherak, Potential New Member Joan Heilman, Potential New Member Carol Silverstone, liaison, Village of Mamaroneck Robert Hohberg, Water Monitoring Consultant Sigrid Davis, Director, L.I.F.E Center Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator Barbara Cleary, Recording Secretary Administrative Matters Approval of Minutes - The minutes of September 15, 1988 were approved with a correction on page 3. The CAC decided that future minutes will also list the names of members excused and members absent without an excuse. New Members - The CAC welcomed new member Michael Scheffler who is replacing Elinor Fredston. Joan Heilman and Bud Sherak attended the meeting, and are considering joining the Commission. The CAC still needs a member from the Village of Mamaroneck and 2 members from the Village of Larchmont. CAC Duties - Carol Silverstone stated that the CAC should aggressively pursue recycling as a main project, noting it will be mandatory after 1992. She said the CAC has a big job ahead finding new markets, educating the public, and working out all the details concerning recycling. Elinor Fredston agreed and suggested a sub-committee be formed to inititate projects. CAC minutes -10/27/88 Ms. Silverstone stated another major thrust of the CAC should be the preservation of the Conservation Areas. She noted that new signs are needed at the. entrance iof the trails and suggested that the trails be monitored. Charles Bernstein suggested going to neighborhood associations to educate the residents about our Conservation Areas and recycling projects. The CAC could have the greatest effect by concentrating on three major areas: Recycling, Conservation Areas, and Education and by not wearing members thin by taking on to many insignificant projects. Mr. Schefflcr and Jane Moss volunteered to serve on a recycling subcommittee. Irma Volk will serve on the Conservation Areas subcommittee. Ms. Ng will contact other members to find out which subcommittees they will be interested in serving on. Ms. Silverstone said she would like to see the CAC become a more important Commission and encouraged more members to attend meetings regularly. Environment 3 Hilltop - Livingston's Property - Steven Goldstein informed the Commission that Mr. Livingston disregarded the recommendations of the CAC and landscaped the Conservation Area which was adjacent to his property. Mr. Goldstein has drafted a letter to the Town Attorney in behalf of the Commission. Mr. Jim Santos suggested notifying the newspapers of this offense. Ms. Silverstone said many people encroach on the Conservation Areas. She suggested a survey be taken and a letter be sent to all houses that abut the trails. Premium Conservation Area - Claudia Ng stated the area has suffered much vandalism and suggested the CAC devise a plan for that area. Jane Moss said part of the problem was because the area has not been used enough and would like to make the public aware and encourage more use. Mr. Scheffler said making a video tape would make more people aware of the area. Mrs. Fredston suggested enlisting the assistance of the neighbors and get police to monitor the parking in that area. Ms. Silverstone suggested having the Police Commissioner give a neighborhood watch talk. Ms. Fredston suggested that new members take some time to become familiar with the Conservation Areas. Trapping - Ms. Ng stated that she has not been able to contact the Attorney General, but she did speak with an official of the DEC who said the Town Conservation Areas Law, which prohibits trapping is legal, but the areas must be posted. Mr. Goldstein stated he feels the CAC should ask all three municipalities to enact a law to prohibit trapping for the safety of its constituents. Mr. Goldstein will write a letter to the Boards of all 3 municipalities on behalf of the CAC requesting the law be considered. Inventory of Streamside Properties - Claudia Ng reported that Mary Anne Johnson was unable to attend the meeting but she left notes regarding the importance of buffer zones. Mrs. Johnson developed a 3 point plan which first called for the identification of open spaces, the second point recommends the town purchase the land or get easements; and the third point calls for a streamside manual to be sent to property owners. Hommocks Conservation Area - Irma Volk reported that Wally Irwin said the area was a mess and requested the CAC to help. Jane Moss suggested the CAC work with the Hommocks School to improve the area. -2- CAC minutes - 10/27/88 Development Projects Davids Island - Ms. Fredston informed the Commission of the present status of the Davids Island Project. She said that the County Legislator has sent the proposed resolution requesting the State Senate to give home rule to New Rochelle to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations. The project hinges on getting thisproperty to build the bridge. The possibility of getting home rule is denied for the present time. It was also reported that the DEC may not grant the developer permission to build a marina. 41, Water Courses and Water Bodies Water Monitoring - Robert Hohberg stated that Lester Carmine engineer for the Village of Mamaroneck, had asked him for assistance in the watershed pollution study. Mr. Hohberg said he did the Guion Creek Study and found a large amount of Coliform bacteria at Frank Avenue drain system by Continental Manor. He also did a fecal streptococci study which is supposed to give an indication of whether the bacteria is from human or animal sources. The reviewed both methods of analysis. A high ratio was found at the intersection of Frank and Wagner Avenues by Mamaroneck Village Consultants. He also informed the Commission that a dye test can track down the source of pollution. Ms. Silverstone requested that Mr. Hohberg submit a letter to her telling how many hours he worked for the Village of Mamaroneck. East Creek - Mr. Hohberg said the formal report is just about completed and he will be happy to make a presentaion explaining his findings. Steve Altieri, Town Administrator, requested that Mr. Hohberg submit a proposal for next summer. Mr. Hohberg said he would like to study the effects of lowering on the Larchmont Reservoir. He said his studies will include nitrate, coliforms and emulsified oil and he will coordinate these studies with the Friends of the Reservoir. The CAC agreed to support Mr. Hohberg with his decision to study the Reservoir. Ms. Silverstone added that that project would be timely since there are rumors that the driving range may be sold in the near future. Sheldrake Watershed Study - Ms. Ng said she received three proposals. She said the CZMC will be sharing half the costs of the project but they are not prepared to make comments yet. She noted the hydrological part of the project would be the most expensive. Mrs. Fredston suggested that the CAC and CZMC members review present maps with Gary Trachman in order to write a tighter proposal. She said the purpose of this is to have enough data available in the event Bonnie Briar should be developed. Mr. Hohberg said we need base data as to how much water the land is retaining. It was suggested that Ms. Ng, Mrs. Fredston, Mr. Goldstein, Mrs. Wittner, and Mr. Mason work on the proposals. Mrs. Fredston said developers are required to do a topographic map so maybe we are paying for something that is not needed. Solid Waste Disposal l Plastics - Mr. Goldstein stated that we cannot enact legislation on a plastic law on anything less than the County level. Mrs. Fredston suggested writing a letter to the County requesting them to consider enacting a plastic ban. -3- CAC minutes - 10/27/88 New or Other Business Recycling Grant - Ms. Ng reported that she received a letter from the DEC saying that the Commission might be able to receive part of the grant. that they requested for publicity and educational programs. She believes the Commission could receive as much as $25,000. She reviewed the proposals with the CAC to determine what parts of the original request to omit to fit in the $25,000 limit. Some of the suggestions by Commission Members included. using Town Newsletters, in place of some of the separate mailings. Mrs. Fredston said reading material should be kept brief as people are already inundated with printed material. They decided to retain the brochure, video, half of the post card mailings and signs. They omited the newspaper ads and the recycling fair program. Jay Property - Mr. Bernstein reported that development of the Jay Property is about. to be approved. Jay Coalition requested that all CAC members write to the Governor immediately requesting the state to condemn the property and use Environmental Quality Bond Act monies. There is a slight possibility that the state would put up 60% and the County 40% for the condemnation of the property. Historical Background Committee - The Pamphlet was never completed by Suzanne Carpenter. Charter Revision - Irma Volk stated there was nothing new to report from the meeting she attended. Westchester Land Trust Meeting - will be held in Bedford, Wednesday November 9, 1988 on West Pattern Road. Meeting Adjourned 10:35 PM v -4-