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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988_08_18 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission Area Code 914 740 West Boston Post Road 381-6133 Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543 MINUTES AUGUST 18, 1988 A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, August 18, 1988, at the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8:10 p.m. Members present: Robert Komitor, Chairman Charles Bernstein Suzanne Carpenter Elinor Fredston Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus Jane Moss Irma Volk Others present: Joseph Fraioli, Village Manager, Village of Mamaroneck P. Thomas Leddy, Beautification Director © Cheryl Lewy, liaison, Village of Larchmont Trustee Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator and Recorder Administrative Matters Next Meeting - The next CAC meeting was set for September 15, 1988. CAC duties - Establishment of subcommittees within CAC was adjourned to the next meeting. Environment Premium Conservation Area - Since the last meeting, CAC members were supposed to have looked at the site, in particular the entrance to the conservation area off Dillon Road, and suggest possible improvements. Currently, many cars park there and occassionally garbage is dumped there. Mary Anne Johnson broached the suggestion of closing that road, but noted that residents on Hansen Hill have expressed their need to use this strip to access their homes during the winter since the other road is extremely steep. Another suggestion was to narrow the entranceway, but Mr. Leddy mentioned that he believed the road could not be narrowed because there is a County sewer line easement running through this property. Ms. Ng noted that two memorandums were sent to the Town police department to enforce the parking rules. However, illegal parking on the Town conservation land still occurs. Ms. Ng will give a copy of the memos to the Chairman who will write a letter to the Supervisor requesting attention to this problem. CAC minutes - 8/18/88 ® Mrs. Johnson recommended sending a letter to all the neighbors around the Premium Conservation Area asking their assistance to serve as watchdogs. Mr. Komitor noted that this may be doubling the efforts already made through the Town newsletter general conservation areas appeal. Some felt that more direct targeting is needed to garner active support from residents in this area. Furthermore, Ms. Ng noted that the map showing where the conservation areas are had been omitted from the newsletter. Mrs. Johnson will try to revise the general letter to focus in on just the needs of the Premium Conservation Area. Trapping - Ms. Ng provided the Chairman with a copy of the Town Conservation Areas Law, local law no. 3 of 1966, which prohibited trapping in any of the conservation areas, and a copy of the opinion of the Attorney General in the McKinney's State Law book, which, essentially prohibited any municipality from making such regulation on trapping. Mr. Komitor requested Ms. Ng to check the "Pocket Part" for updates. Ms. Ng mentioned that a recent ban on trapping by Suffolk County had been overturned in the courts. Mrs. Johnson remarked that decreasing open space causes an increase in wildlife pest problems and that traps in this area poses increased danger to touring groups of students. Mr. Komitor reminded the Commission that the CAC had sent a letter to all three municipalities inquiring about the possibility of passing a ban on trapping, but received a reply only from the Village of Mamaroneck saying that they didn't think it was feasible. Ms. Ng was asked to send this letter again to the Village of Larchmont and check with the Town for a response. It was suggested that the CAC should lend support to Assemblyman Tocci's bill that would give local governments the right to regulate traps. Inventory of Streamside Properties - Ms. Ng brought in the map done in 1984 showing remaining open space left in the Town and noted which of the large parcels had been developed since that time--Fenbrook and Saxon Glen area. Mrs. Johnson believed some of these large parcels were nearby streams, such as the one around Durham Road. Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Bernstein, Mrs. Volk, Mr. Leddy, and Ms. Ng will go out and investigate that area. Hemlock - It was noted that Hemlocks are experiencing a blight. Mr. Leddy said that "Cygon" could be used to control it. Griffen Ave/Winston Property - There is still no news of any final decision by DEC in regard to its wetlands designation. Development WHS Harbor, Inc. - The proposed residential/commercial development at 115-133 Mamaroneck Avenue has been passed. Ms. Ng was asked to find out exactly what was finally passed. Davids Island - Mrs. Fredston reported that Congressman DioGuardi had stated his opposition to the the proposed project. Mrs. Lewy added that the Village of Larchmont and Town of Mamaroneck had voted in favor of hiring the law firm of Hoffman and Silverberg to help out with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) review process. Not all sound shore communities have agreed to this joint effort, however. -2- a a CAC minutes - 8/18/88 © Water Courses and Water Bodies Water Monitoring--East Creek - Ms. Ng reported that Mr. Hohberg had completed 26 samplings. He, also, got Richard Doran of the County Health Department to walk the area last Thursday, before the heavy rains, and Mr. Doran promised to sit down with the Town and Village to work out a dye-testing program. Ms. Ng further reported that Mr. Hohberg said that he is considering doing low tide readings, but will need to be lowered in a back-hoe to access certain areas. Contour Map of Waterways - Ms. Ng reported that the Town's Consultant Engineer, Gary Trachtman, is currently reviewing and revising the "Request for Proposal" (RFP) . It was suggested that Cliff Emanuelson be sent a copy of the RFP as well. Army Corps of Engineers Flood Control Project - Ms. Ng reported that a person from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Flavia Rutkosky, had contacted her to discuss and gather information regarding the Corps' proposed flood control project for the West Branch of the Sheldrake River. Ms. Rutkosky is doing a study on the possible methods for flood control in that area. She requested a letter from the Conservation Advisory Commission stating their views of the previously proposed project, their concerns and/or suggestions. The Commission felt that it needed to have more specifics to comment on. Furthermore, they felt it was best to coordinate this with the Town officials; therefore, Mr. Komitor will write a letter expressing CAC's concerns to the Supervisor to allow her to write the final letter. Solid Waste Disposal Recycling Grant to CACs - A new recycling grant was made available to EMCs and CACs by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The grant covers all costs for recycling publicity and education. The Chairman, Mrs. Moss, and Ms. Ng met as a subcommittee earlier to begin organizing an application. Joe Fraioli, the Village Manager of Mamaroneck, was present to discuss how Mamaroneck Village's recycling program could be included. Several programs/projects were decided upon (see attached) . Mrs. Fredston and Mrs. Lewy emphasized the need to be brief in the brochure. Mrs. Fredston further reported that she had talked to Mike Witsch of LMC-TV, who was willing to help with the making of a video. Mrs. Moss suggested advertising on supermarket grocery bags; however, most major supermarkets cannot accomodate local ads since they are preordered on a national/regional scale." It was noted that Property/Homeowner Associations can help distribute the brochures. LRRRP Grant - Another grant is also available by NYS DEC, but under the Local Resource, Reuse and Recovery Program. This grant covers recycling activities such as waste composition studies, public education programs, and salaries of recycling coordinators. The application deadline is October 15, 1988. Although the maximum funding grant is higher, it funds only up to 75% (the municipality must match the remaining 25% of the costs) . Mr. Fraioli said that he will try to attend one of the workshops. -3- • CAC minutes - 8/18/88 © Plastics - Ms. Ng reported that she was able to obtain another municipal law on plastic--this one from the City of Berkley, California. She noted that she was giving a copy to Steve Goldstein for his review. Communications to Commission Fundraising through Stationery Sales - Ms. Ng reported that Marion Kranchfeld of Rye was offering her artwork in the form of stationery to the CAC for fundraising. Ms. Ng passed out two samples to the Commission. The Commission felt that this should be passed on to the L.I.F.E. Center instead. New or Other Business Historical/Background Pamphlet of CAC - Mrs. Carpenter reported that she was working on this and noted that she would like to get together with some members to obtain further information. Tin-based Boat Paint Prohibited - Mr. Bernstein reported that federal and state laws have been passed prohibiting the use of tin-based boat paint, which contaminates the waters. He gave Ms. Ng a copy of the federal law, but is still awaiting a copy of the state law. Mr. Bernstein volunteered to go around to boat dealers in the area to see if they are aware of these laws. Meeting adjourned. • -4-