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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984_05_17 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes corrected ,RECENT JUH ;2C 1981. DOROTHY S.M TOWN OF MAMARONECK CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION TOWNct- M '' AND WATER CONTROL COMMISSION JOINT MEETING NJ- A regular meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission and the Water Control Commission was held on Thursday, May 17, 1984, at the Weaver Street Firehouse. The meeting commenced at 8:00 P.M. Members present: Dr. C. Alan Mason, Chairman, CAC & WCC Elinor Fredston, CAC & WCC Robert Hohberg, CAC & WCC Susan Amlicke, CAC Jacques DuBouchet, WCC Archie Messenger, CAC James Santos, CAC Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus Also present: Clifford Emanuelson, Conservation Consultant Tom Leddy, Beautification Director Thomas Amlicke, Town Councilman Elizabeth Imperato, Recording Secretary Administrative Matters: The minutes for the April 26, 1984, meeting were discussed and approved. The next meeting for the Conservation Advisory Commission and the Water Control Commission is scheduled for Thursday, June 21 , 1984. Environment: Mr. Emanuelson reported no changes in plans for the new leaf composting site; the Commission was prepared to meet with Mr. Tony Quadrine and Mr. Joe Delfonso concerning the proposed project but they did not appear at the Commission's meeting. Mr. Elfreich, Town Engineer, is still working on the relief model. Mrs. Fredston reported that Coastal Zone Management is progressing; the committee has started addressing the policy section and a matrix was made of its priorities. Mrs. Fredston also stated an extention of three months has (2) been granted thus moving deadline from July to October. Mrs. Johnson reported that Dan Shuster indicated the committee would • have more success with local legislative issues, such as zoning or flood protection. Mr. Shuster has gathered facts together and stated a study is needed as far as a "sluice gate". Mrs. Fiedston reported the first public meeting on the C.Z.M. inventory had a good turnout; it gave people a chance to air their feelings. Mr. Santos discussed sewer disposal upgrading; there is still a question of the depths of the outfall pipes emptying into Long Island Sound. A secondary treatment will be required. Mrs. Fredston stated she wrote a letter on upgrading to D.E.C. in Albany and has heard no response. Cherry Lawn Parcel: Dr. Mason has sent a letter to John Heller, Commissioner of Development for the City of New Rochelle in reference to the proposed development of the Cherry Lawn Farm Parcel. (See attached copy) . Dr. Mason will distribute copies of his letter to neighbors in this area. Mr. Emanuelson suggested the possibility of using Dickerman's Pond as a catch basin. Water courses and water bodies: Mr. Emanuelson reported he met with Mr. Kellogg and Mrs. Nan Forger regarding fencing the wildlife peninsula. Mrs. Forger requests a letter from the Commission stating that funds are coming from the Friends of the Reservoir. Bids will go out for this project. The Commission will cooperate with surveyors and the interns will do the concrete monumenting this summer. Mrs. Forger stated the Reservoir dedication is progressing; dedication resolution is being drawn up by their lawyer. (3) Mr. Emanuelson reported Mike Nowicki and Tom Amlicke,jr. have been selected for summer internship program; there are several candidates presently being interviewed — Mr. Emanuelson hopes to have all selections completed by June 1st. The Summer Intern Program is being funded by the Town and Friends of the Reservoir. Dr. Mason requested that Mayor Curnin be fully informed of all activities undertaken at the Reservoir. Mrs. Johnson presented her report on oil in the Pinebrook and Premium River: a conversation with Russ Keller of the DEC in White Plains on May 16th covered the following: with respect to the New Rochelle Housing Authority talk, there is very little cooperation from New Rochelle or the State Division of Housing and Community Renewal for replacement of the tank. The State • Department of Transportation is suing HCR to recover their costs of $65,000 for the clean-up and monitoring of that one incident. This may take 3-4 years. Meanwhile the Housing Authority has a tank on a trailer truck to serve the apartments. They claim the former tank could not be removed as it was beneath the building, and that it has been emptied and filled with earth. It is possible oil is still leaking from the oil-soaked ground surrounding the tank. Meanwhile the DEC is suing (by means of a Uniform Appearance Notice) the N.R. Housing Authority to recover their expenses at the rate of $10,000 a day. Mr. Keller also said there is pending legislation on bulk storage, but it will not be effective for 2 years. Mr. Keller said the County Environmental Facilities Corporation who owns the Pine Brook drain, at some point could install a catch basin with trash rack and oil filters. It would be up to local municipalities to maintain and clean-out the catch basin and to police it. The DEC tries to promote this kind of prevention approach similar to the fire prevention method. He has also (4) spoken with Fred Kellogg. Dr. Mason requested Mrs. Johnson furnish names and • addresses of people to contact. Mrs. Johnson will talk with John Perrone. Solid Waste Disposal: Mr. Messenger reported he has not received notices of meetings regarding the new solid waste transfer station. Mr. Amlicke reported the contract with the County has not yet been signed. Lounge furniture has been offered; Mr. Leddy will take care of transportation of same to Town Yard. Mrs. Amlicke reported on a new kind of tandem trailer for sanitation trucks for curbside glass recycling. The company will demonstrate their product at no cost; Mr. Messenger will contact them. Mrs. Amlicke stated Larchmont/Mamaroneck is #3 on the Environmental Management Council's list for recycled glass. Ossining has mandatory ordinances for newspaper recycling. Mr. Amlicke reported that Mr. Kellogg stated we are not selling the County any trailers or tractors and they will be kept for local use. Mr. Amlicke requested Imo that the Town Highway Department be considered in operations involving the transfer station as they are housed in the same location. Communications to Commission: Mr. Emanuelson received a thank you note from Bob Barrett for the Commission's" Annual Report. Dr. Mason discussed John Muenzinger's letter to John Perone (see attached) . New Business: Mr. Hohberg discussed his recommendations for the Pinebrook River: Since the underground Pinebrook River is so vulnerable to oil pollution (both (5) intentional and accidental) , Mr. Hohberg strongly recommends the installation of a filter trap within the culvert system itself. Failing the feasability of a Fram Industries type filter trap, there should be an alarm system in place to immediately notify the autorities of any oil spills. Mr. Hohberg is also in agreement with Chuck Crowley's recommendation that velocity studies be executed within the culvert system. In addition, the appropriate authorities should review his field notes in order to initiate repair of the system where collapses and breakdowns have been noted. Mr. Emanuelson reported that Liz Stern has the Reservoir walkbook in its final stages; it should be in print by June. Funds are being provided by the Friends of the Reservoir. Dr. Mason stated an opening on the Commission exists for the Village of Mamaroneck. Mildred Warnecke and Kathy Clarke will be contacted by Mrs. Johnson for possible candidates to this vacancy. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. - Dated: May 17, 1984 • • sem, • • WestchasterCounty ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL • ANDREW P.O'ROURKE County Executive March 22, 1984 Honorable John M. Perone New York State Assembly Capitol Building Albany, New York 12248 Dear Assemblyman Perone: • I wish to thank you for your invitation to participate in the review of the draft legislation for a New York State Flood Control Program (A.4554, S.3625) . • The statement of findings and policy stresses the importance of non- structural measures. This is the most important aspect of flood control legislation which has not been given enough emphasis in the past. There are many drainage basins in Westchester and in other parts of the state where out-of-channel storm water flows do not yet extend beyond the nat- ural flood plain. Many of these drainage basins will be subjected to in- tense development pressures during the next few years which will, if non- structural measures are not implemented, cause serious increases in flood levels and flood hazards. These areas then can be approached from a "pre- ventative" view rather than from a "remedial" view where flood hazards already exist. I believe that there is a strong need for leadership at the State level to support remedial measures where flood hazards already exist, but that leg- islation must provide at least equal weight to non-structural measures which provide the prekentative aspect to overall flood control management. For these reasons, the draft legislation is significant since it contains the intent to emphasise the preventative measures. In my review of the legislation, I have identified some specific questions in the language relating to the conduct of physical planning, and the dele- gation of authority to appropriate agencies. My thoughts on these questions are primarily of a hcrsekeeping nature, and I look forward to submitting these for your commit-se's review at a later date. Thank you again for tie opportunity to participate in reivew of this sig- nificant legislation. Very] / ;ours, JWM/mm led n . Mu in r Divisi•n o Environmental Planning 412 County Office Building • White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Writers Direct Dial Telephone No. 914w$2L. 285-4422 C C Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission Area Code 914 740 West Boston Post Road 698-4929 Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543 698-3441 May 15 , 1984 John L . Heller Commissioner of Development City of New Rochelle City Hall 515 North Avenue • New Rochelle , New York 10801 Re : Cherry Lawn Farm Parcel Dear Mr . Heller : The members of the Conservation Advisory Commission have asked that I write you to express our concern over the proposed development of the Cherry Lawn Farm Property located at Weaver Street and Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle . As you know this land is located directly above the Sheldrake River and a few hundred yards from the entrance to Sheldrake Lake (often called Larchmont Reservoir ) . The homeowners downstream of this lake are concerned that any alteration in the surface of the land which increases the rapidity of water runoff will exacerbate an already serious flooding problem within the Town of Mamaroneck . Since this is presently land under active cultivation , it is particularly well suited to retain water as the water has an opportunity to penetrate the soil to great depth and be held for long periods of time . In your letter to Laura Tessier of April 10 , 1984, you assured her of your awareness of the potential problems in the development of this site . This is comforting but not entirely satisfying . Past experience with development in New Rochelle A . since 1950 , has demonstrated that as each subdivision was completed the flooding problem along the lower reaches of the • Sheldrake has become worse . The present development along the westerly side of Pinebrook Blvd . , North of Quaker Ridge Road is not likely to be an exception . The channel improvements may well prevent local flooding on the development site but will also serve to move the water south more quickly which will only enhance the crest height of any future flood . It is our hope that any water detention facility mandated for the Cherry Lawn parcel will be of a size and type as to produce a zero increase in rate of run off and that the calculation of its capacity and rate of release be based on the present highly retentive nature of the soil and not some statistical norm with little or no relevance to the situation at hand . We would appreciate being kept informed as the project takes shape . Very truly yours , C . Alan Mason , Chairman cc . Laura E . Tessier , Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District . Wallace Irwin , Town of Mamaroneck/Village of Larchmont Coastal Zone Management Committee . Kathryn Clark , Village of Mamaroneck Coastal Zone Commission Thomas Amlicke , Town Board , Town of Mamaroneck