HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987_07_16 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes e
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NOV 30 1987 �rr Town of Mamaroneck
' aciocao 9Conservation Advisory Commission
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Mamaroneck, N. Y. 19' 01
381-6133
MINUTES
A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was
held on Thursday, July 16 , 1987, at the Town Center, 740 West Boston
Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 7: 55 P.M.
Members present: Robert Komitor, Chairman
Charles Bernstein
Suzanne Carpenter
Elinor Fredston
Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus
James Santos
Others present: Robert Hohberg, Water Monitoring Consultant
P. Thomas Leddy, Beautification Director
Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator
Administrative Matters
Minutes - After several corrections were made , the minutes of June
18, 1987, were approved.
Next Meeting - The next meeting was scheduled for September 17 ,
1987, unless the Town Administrator needs to discuss the Gardens Lake
dredging project with the CAC in August. It was decided that all
regular meetings should once again begin at 8 P.M. instead of 7 : 45
P.M.
Water Courses and Water Bodies
Water Monitoring - Mr. Hohberg gave an update on his summer
project. Stations have been set in Harbor Lawn Estates on Shore
Drive, by the bridge, and at every 33 meters up Guion Creek into
Beaver Swamp Brook. He reported that he had discovered a large
culvert emptying out into the creek by the Continental Manor, which
appears to be a storm drain but stank like a sewer. He thought that
the pollution would be concentrated near the outlet to harbor , by the
bridge, but low tide readings revealed very high counts which
increased with the procession upstream. He will try to retake
readings during high tide. He then will ask Richard Dorin, a field
technician for the County Health Department, to try to match his data
with their counts in Mamaroneck Harbor to determine where the Health
Department should concentrate in curbing water pollution.
CAC minutes - 7/16/87
Gardens Lake Dredging Project - The Town Administrator wrote a
memorandum to the CAC on the status of this project (copy on file) .
Mr. Hohberg will look into companies that could possibly process the
spoils and solidy it, thereby making it easier for transport and
disposal.
Army Corps of Engineers Flume - A memo and map explaining the
proposed flume for 1800 feet of the West Branch of the Sheldrake River
(copies on file) were reviewed. Mr. Hohberg questioned the siltation
problem that would result at the stilling basin. Mr. Leddy noted that
the Corps will not contribute to the installation of any silt traps
and that the proposed stilling basin would be difficult to maintain
due to its location. Mr. Hohberg expressed the importance of
concentrating on basins and their maintenance. He added that
alternatives to a flume exist, such as the utilization of terraces and
ponds to manage watersheds as had been done in the past. Mr. Komitor
will draft a letter to the Administrator and Town Council
incorporating these comments, which Mr. Hohberg will review.
Development Projects
Westchester Religious Institute Athletic Field - Mr. Bernstein
reported that the Village of Mamaroneck' s Zoning Board is reviewing an
engineer' s report (copy on file) on the drainage of the proposed 300
ft. by 400 ft. field. The water table is presently only 2 feet below
the surface. The engineering consultants propose the installation of
a new main storm outlet pipe which will discharge the water directly
into the Sound. Also, earth fill would be added to raise the grade of
the athletic field. Mr. Bernstein added that at the Village Zoning
Board meeting he attended, the applicants said that they plan to plant
fruit bearing trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the fields.
The original trees have already been felled. In an attempt to
determine what is the critical rainfall that causes beach waters to
exceed water quality standards (as a result of the "flushing" of the
watershed) , Mr. Bernstein will try to correlate rainfall with the
occassions of beach closings.
Fenbrook Subdivision - It was noted that a Water Control
Commission (WCC) permit had been granted just before the adoption of
the new Freshwater Wetlands and Water Courses law. A letter from the
CAC was sent to the Planning Board noting concerns with the impact of
the greater development on the wetlands. Applications for variances
in this subdivision are being submitted now. Currently, Mr. Maloney
is asking to install a pipe and regrade a channel near a retention
area, which is a prohibited condition in the subdivision' s
resolution. Mrs. Fredston reported that she had inspected the site
with C. Alan Mason, former chairman of the CAC and WCC and presently a
member of CZMC, and questioned the ability of the retention areas to
handle all this development which had not been detailed during its
initial approval. The houses and driveways are bigger than what had
been anticipated. Mr. Maloney intends to put in a tennis court and a
vegetable garden, and he is aware of the Town' s tree preservation law,
Mrs. Fredston said. The Commission discussed whether it should
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CAC minutes - 7/16/87
contract an independent professional consultant to reanalyze the
hydrology of the subdivision. They requested Ms . Ng to determine
whether CAC and CZMC funds could support such a study and to let the
Chairman know as soon as possible.
Mr. Leddy reported at this time that the wall along Fenimore Road
near Fenbrook is deteriorating very quickly. He suggests removing the
wall, replacing it with a guard rail, and raising the street.
Winged Foot Estates East - This is a proposal for a 5-lot
subdivision at 1160 White Plains Road, where the "Old Farmhouse" used
to be. Mr. Santos and Ms. Ng will investigate the site .
Environment
Premium Marsh - Mrs. Johnson reported that she had shown Alison
Beall, curator of Marshlands Conservancy, around the Premium Marsh
area. She noted that parts of the area, such as by the foot of Oak
Avenue and by the old marsh entrance, have become tremendously
overgrown with weeds; sweet clovers were found that were above her
head. Mr. Leddy said that he will have the conservation crew cut some
of the weeds back. She also reported that kids have created big
bicycle jumps in the conservation area. She expressed the need to
improve accessibility of the area for passive recreation, which would
help the Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC) in its attempt to
get the area designated as a significant fish and wildlife habitat.
As for the Premium Feasibility Study, the consultants are still
waiting to receive a velocity flow gauge to begin data collection.
Solid Waste Disposal
Resource Recovery Plant Legislation - tabled.
Communications to Commission
Westchester County - A document detailing the wildlife resources
of Westchester was published using the information obtained from the
wildlife surveys that had been sent to municipalities last year. Mr.
Komitor is leaving a copy of it in the Conservation Office.
Annual Report - Mr. Komitor reported that he has received
compliments on the revised annual report. He will try to arrange a
presentation of the annual report and Mr. Hohberg water monitoring
work to the Mamaroneck Village Board.
New or Other Business
Historical/Background Report - Ms. Ng and the Chairman will begin
reviewing and organizing the sections pertaining to the history and
background of the CAC.
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CAC minutes - 7/16/87
1988-89 Work Program - Ms. Ng distributed draft copies of CAC' s
projected work program and budget for New York State fiscal year
1988-89. Mr. Hohberg indicated a need for a new boat for conducting
his water monitoring studies. Mr. Leddy reported that a zodiac, which
is a very stable, flat bottom boat, will cost approximately $3 ,000.
Mrs. Fredston suggested purchasing an avon which would cost less,
between $600 and $1,000 . Mr. Hohberg will look into yacht clubs to
find out if they might have a boat that they could donate. After some
other discussions and changes were made, the Commission approved of
the preliminary program and budget to be sent to NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10 :20 P.M.
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