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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986_11_20 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes rimy x.111 TOWN OF MAMARONECK RECEIVED CONSERVATION ADVESORY COMMISSION MEETING JAN --z 8 1987 rF A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was . o Thursday, November 20, 1986, at the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post J.,. . The meeting commenced at 7:55 P.M. 4111 ``�� Members present: Robert Komitor, Chairman Gloria Allen Charles Bernstein Suzanne Carpenter Elinor Fredston Steven Goldstein Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus James Santos Also present: Caroline Silverstone, liaison, Town Council Clifford Emanuelson, Conservation Consultant P. Thomas Leddy, Beautification Director Jane Moss, Director, L.I.F.E. Irma Volk, Environmental Management Council Claudia Ng, recorder Administrative Matters Minutes - The minutes for the meeting of September 18, 1986, were reviewed. After a few corrections were made, the minutes were approved. Next Meeting - The next regular meeting was confirmed for Tuesday, December 18, 1986, at 7:45 P.M. Water Courses and Water Bodies Dredging of Gardens Lake - The feasibility study, as outlined by Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. , regarding the dredging of Gardens Lake was discussed. This study will determine the nature of the sediment, the best method of dredging this lake, and what best to do with the removed sediment. Mrs. Allen noted a comment that was made by a soccer coach who complained about the unuseability of Hommocks Field as a sports field due to a previous sediment dumping. If the dredged material from Gardens Lake is determined to be unfit for spreading over Hommocks field, other alternatives would have to be found. The Rockland- Thruway Pocket, a 2-acre flood plain located between Rockland Avenue and the New England Thruway, was mentioned as a possible site. This land is owned by the Village of Mamaroneck. A suction pump and piping system could be used if this site were available. Mr. Emanuelson emphasized the need for the dredging; flooding may become a problem if the lake is left to fill up with silt. Retarding future siltation of the lake by the installation of a siltation basin upstream of the bridge, near the new retaining wall, is being considered. Also, the replacement of the dam wall with a weir following the dredging is being considered to enhance flood control. CAC minutes - 11/20/86 Mrs. Carpenter and Mr. Goldstein questioned the cost of this feasibility study. They felt that $10,000 was an exorbitant fee for such a small project. Mrs. Carpenter wondered why the Town could not conduct the study itself with the manuals that it has in its possession instead of hiring an expensive consulting firm. Mr. Emanuelson replied that the Town does not have a full-time engineer and that the firm is affiliated with the Town's engineering consultant. Mrs. Silverstone added that highly professional analyses are necessary due to the increasingly stringent regulations as well as for public relations. She emphasized the incorporation of public input throughout this project. It was also pointed out that the consulting firm had already been contracted and that the study was already underway. A D.E.I.S. is required for this project. Mamaroneck River Project - Mr. Emanuelson informed the CAC that Robert Hohberg is ready to present his report. Copies of his report have been mailed to all CAC members and, in addition, will be sent to the neighboring villages and to the Long Island Sound Taskforce. Environment Environmental Quality Bond Act - Mr. Komitor had written a letter on behalf of this proposed legislation to the local newspaper, the Town Supervisor, and the mayors of both the Villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck. He was happy to announce that it had passed. Oil Spill - A major oil spill which occurred in the Pine Brook and Premium River waterway is currently being cleaned up by the Coast Guard and the New England Pollution Control. Nevertheless, the oil has reached the Premium bridge, Mrs. Johnson noted, which will adversely affect the delicate marsh area. Investigations have demonstrated that the MacLeay housing project of New Rochelle is again responsible for the spill (a similar accident had occurred in 1983). Although the offender will be charged with the clean-up costs, the CAC decided it would be appropriate to send an official letter from the Town Supervisor, the CAC, and the Town-Village CZMC, to the City of New Rochelle requesting reparative actions. Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. Johnson will draft such a letter. In addition, they will compose a letter to the editor of the local newspaper commending it for its excellent news coverage of the incident and the Coast Guard for its expediency in ameliorating the hazard. Communications to Commission Cable-T.V. Spot on Gardens Lake - Mr. Emanuelson informed the Commission that he had been invited by Eileen Mason to appear on a program that would educate the public about the situation of Gardens Lake and its proposed dredging. Mr. Emanuelson will accept the invitation. The program is scheduled to air on Thursday, December 11, at 7:45 P.M. on channel 36. ' Environmental Management Council - Mrs. Volk informed the CAC that the County EMC would like to conduct an outdoor workshop in the Town of Mamaroneck, using the Sheldrake and Mamaroneck Rivers as an example model for discussing methods of upgrading a river system. This program will consist of a luncheon and a tour of the area. The CAC concurred that such a program would be very advantageous to the Town in fostering county and local awareness of the Town's -2- CAC minutes - 11/20/86 resources, in addition to obtaining free advice for the improvement of the two rivers mentioned. The CAC, therefore, gives its endorsement for hosting the County conference. The Town Center was considered for the conference as an alternative in case of rain. Mrs. Volk also reported that the County Board of Legislators are in the process of discussing the illegal hookup sewage problem. News - Mr. Komitor called to the attention of "Newsreleases," monthly publications being sent out by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Office of Affairs to conservation advisory commissions in the state. Ms. Ng was assigned the duty of reviewing these publications and bringing important information to the CAC's attention. She was also designated to keep abreast of relevant newspaper articles for the CAC. Announcements - A forum for conservation advisory councils and boards is being sponsored by Westchester County's Environmental Management Council. The forum will take place on Tuesday, December 9, from 4-6 P.M. , at the Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining. (Flyer appended. ) Mrs. Johnson told of another conference, which was advertised in "NYSACC News," a publication of the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (copy appended), the 1986 NYSACC Conference is to be held on the weekend of November 21st in Albany. Also discussed in the newsletter was the declining funding level in the Local Environmental Assistance Program (LEAP). It stressed the importance for CACs and EMCs to provide information to Bonnie Soley, president of the New York State Association of Environmental Management Councils (NYSAEMC), who is working to persuade the State to restore the 50% reimbursement level for EMCs and CACs. Letters from municipal executives and CAC chairmans to their state representatives were also encouraged. Development Projects Larchmont Professional Center - The proposed office condominium on Boston Post Road, next to the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) was reviewed. Mr. Emanuelson reported that Phyllis Wittner of the Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC), with his help, has already drafted a memorandum noting a few problem points and recommendations. In addition to that, the CAC recommends the installation of an oil trap basin to prevent excess oil that would result from augmented parking from entering into the nearby East Creek which leads into the Hommocks Critical Environmental Area. Two other points identified were that the expanded blacktopping would increase freshwater runoff into the estuary, thereby upsetting its delicate salt- and freshwater balance and that there might be a potential for asbestos contamination which erodes from automotive brakes. Mr. Emanuelson will draft a memorandum for CAC endorsement. Scheuer Residence Additions - Located on Fenbrook Avenue, the wetland control area boundary cuts right through Mr. Scheuer's existing home. Mr. Emanuelson had just a few recommendations to add to Mr. Scheuer's well thought out plans for expanding his house. These included the realignment of his northern drainage system towards a natural drainage furrow leading into the creek and converting the proposed dry well into a catch basin that would provide for times of overflow, and he recommended the installment of another catch basin near the parking court, on the east end of the house. The CZMC has drafted a letter with these recommendations, also. -3- CAC minutes - 11/20/86 Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center - An addition to this shopping center ® has been proposed. The proposed building and parking lot lies across the Scarsdale-New Rochelle boundary. However, it is of concern to the Town of Mamaroneck because the site is in the floodplain of the Sheldrake River. Mr. Bernstein and Mr. Emanuelson will review the D.E.I.S. for this proposal. The CZMC will also receive a copy for review. New or Other Business Annual Report - Mr. Emanuelson reminded the commission that it was that time again to write up the annual report. It was suggested that thinner paper be used this time to reduce publication costs. Although it was also considered a good idea to have both general, long-range articles and updated inserts, the CAC decided that a new fresh format was in order for this year's annual report. Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Santos agreed to form a subcommittee that would write up a new proposal for the annual report. Upon Mr. Emanuelson's suggestion of including the CZMC in a joint annual report, Mrs. Fredston volunteered to ask the CZMC at its upcoming meeting. Solid Waste Disposal Leaf Composting - Mr. Leddy reported that this year's leaves will be taken care of with the final use of Taylors Lane. Alternatives for the following years were discussed. Mr. Emanuelson noted the potential of reducing the amount of leaf refuse via shredding. Mr. Leddy noted that Scarsdale rents a shredder and has been shredding their leaves for a number of years. He will confer with Scarsdale to see if a deal can be worked out whereby the Town will pay for renting the machine if Scarsdale will receive the Town's leaves. County Level - Miss Ng relayed Susan Amlicke's update on solid waste disposal and recycling on the County level: (1) The proposed County budget for 1987 is $73.4 million, which is a substantial increase from 1986's budget of $54.7 million. The Refuse Disposal Advisory Board will be meeting on Monday, November 24, to discuss the budget increase for solid waste. Mrs. Amlicke will be attending the meeting. (2) The Board of Legislators is working on a proposal to ban leaves from the Charles Point facility. (3) The County Office Building is starting a program to recycle newspaper, mixed paper, and aluminum returnables. Town Recycling - Joan Heilman reported around 3 weeks ago that the Recycling Center needed to be more carefully and constantly maintained so as to prevent overflowing which would make a negative impression on those making an effort to recycle. Ms. Ng also reported that Mrs. Amlicke was concerned over the lack of promotion for recycling and that she suggested publicizing recycling alternatives by distributing newsletters through the schools and/or disseminating door knob tags. Mrs. Moss indicated that L.I.F.E. is sponsoring a Recycling Poster Contest and, therefore, is already publicizing recycling throughout the schools. Mrs. Silverstone commented that the Town-issued "New Resident Packet" can include a brochure on recycling which will help familiarize the newcomer to services available in the community. To promote -4- CAC minutes - 11/20/86 retention of the recycling program, it was suggested that they be printed on 0 the same sheet as the Town garbage schedule and rules. The CAC should check with Paulette Gabbriellini, the Town Supervisor's secretary, about this possibility. Mr. Goldstein recommended instrumenting surveys to identify those who are unaware of recycling services, which would at the same time promote publicity. Mrs. Moss added that such a survey may be incorporated with L.I.F.E. 's newsletters. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. kid O -5-