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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989_02_16 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes • RECEIVE C C MAY 15 PgTRICIq 1�8g TOWNA.DrC10gC10 - - MgMq CtfRK NRr NECK Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission Area. Code 914 740 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543 APPROVED MINUTES FEBRUARY 16, 1989 A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, February 16, 1989, in Conference Room A of the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8:10 P.M. Members Present: Steven Goldstein, Chairman Charles Bernstein Susan Cavalieri Douglas Gould Jane Moss Kevin Ryan Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus Others Present: P. Thomas Leddy, Beautification Director Cheryl Lewy, liaison, Larchmont Village Board Sandra Marraffino, L.I.F.E. Center Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator (and recorder) Members Excused: Robert Komitor Irma Volk Susan Amlicke, Emeritus ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Approval of Minutes - The minutes of January 19, 1989, were approved with corrections on page 4. Next Meeting - The next meeting was scheduled for March 16, 1989. New Members - Two new members were introduced, Douglas Gould and Susan Cavalieri. Mr. Gould has been a resident for three years and lives on Stuart Avenue in Mamaroneck Village. He is originally from New York City and has a wife and two children. He works for Planned Parenthood in New York City. Mrs. Cavalieri has been a resident of Larchmont for four and a half years and is originally from Baltimore. She has three children and has been actively involved in the L.I.F.E. Center. Mr. Gould will serve on the Education/ Legislation subcommittee. Mrs. Cavalieri will serve on the Recycling subcommittee. CAC Minutes - 2/16/89 • CHAIRMAN REPORTS Jay Property - County Executive Andrew O'Rourke invited the CAC to meet with him and discuss its proposal for using the Jay homestead and carriage house as a marine research/environmental education center. Sandra Marraffino, a coordinator for the L.I.F.E. Center, distributed a draft report outlining the details of the proposal. This was endorsed by both the CAC and L.I.F.E. Center. Mr. Scheffler expressed that more organizations should be gotten to back the proposal if possible. It was decided that a copy should be sent to all six Sound shore communities, as well as our County and State representatives. Mrs. Johnson noted how important it was for education purposes to have a facility nearby. Funding of such the proposed center was discussed. Mrs. Lewy mentioned that she had received notification of an energy grant which she will give to Ms. Ng. Mr. Goldstein suggested that Steve Tomecek, a consultant who has been working for the New York Hall of Science, could perhaps offer some funding ideas. State funding would be unlikely. Education funding sources should be investigated. Larchmont Quarterly Newsletter - Mr. Goldstein informed the CAC that the Village's newsletter will be issued soon and the deadline for submissions is February 22. Mrs. Johnson said that the schools aluminum recycling drive could be mentioned. Mrs. Moss noted that they could mention that the residents are now allowed to use of paper bags for collection of curbside newspaper. OPEN SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A subcommittee meeting will be held on February 20, 1989, at Mr. Scheffler's house. Events - A birdwalk led by John Moyle, sponsored by the Premium River - Pine Brook Preservation Association (PPPA) , is being conducted on March 11 at 7:30 a.m. Development: 746 Mamaroneck Ave. - A copy of the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) was given to Mr. Scheffler for review. Deadline for comments is March 19 with a public hearing scheduled for March 9. Development: Larchmont Station Parking Expansion - The Village of Larchmont is contemplating the building of a second tier for parking by the Larchmont train station. Mrs. Lewy explained that the Village Board has applied to the New York State Department of Transportation for funding to do the project. Mrs. Johnson expressed concern over the need for mitigation measures to prevent car oil leaks into the drainage system. Construction on Bleeker Avenue - Mr. Bernstein informed the Commission of the construction problems on Bleeker Avenue resulting from the Village of Mamaroneck's storm sewer project and the adjacent school's athletic field development. He mentioned how several trees have been gashed by the equipment and how the drainage has changed. -2- CAC Minutes - 2/16/89 RECYCLING SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS A subcommittee meeting has yet to be set. Plastics - the consideration of banning the use of certain types of plastics was tabled. It was noted, though, that John Yvars from the County recycling division mentioned that there was a new plant for polystyrene and that Scarsdale was doing plastic recycling. Recycling Forum - The L.I.F.E. Center and the League of Women Voters will be conducting a recycling forum on April 6. EDUCATION/LEGISLATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Golf Balls Ocean Litter - Two letters were drafted, one to the Mamaroneck Village Chief of Police and the other to the surrounding golf clubs. The letters were approved pending some minor revisions. Pesticides - Mr. Goldstein passed on to Douglas Gould a copy of the new pesticide law. He felt that a letter to pesticide applicators should be written to notify them of the new regulations. ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR REPORTS Development Application Reviews - Ms. Ng asked the CAC how they wanted to handle review of development applications. They decided that the Chairman should preview the applications and that he should receive the planning and zoning agendas of the three communities. Ms. Ng informed them of the Town's Master Plan Update and questioned whether the CAC wanted to review it knowing that the Coastal Zone Management Commission was doing a thorough review of it. Mr. Ryan said that he would like to review it for the Commission. Annual Report - Ms. Ng reminded the Commission of the 1988 annual report deadline and noted that there were not that many article contributions this time. Mrs. Moss was asked to write a small article on recycling, Mr. Bernstein on ocean issues, and Mrs. Johnson on the PPPA. CONSULTANT/LIAISON REPORTS Water Monitoring East Creek - Ms. Ng reported that Robert Hohberg is ready to make a presentations at the CACs request. Historical/Background Pamphlet - Ms. Ng reported that Councilwoman Silverstone is working on it. The inclusion of CZMC's background information and conservation area maps were suggested. -3- CAC Minutes - 2/16/89 ONGOING Tree Preservation Law - Letter to tree companies informing of Town's tree ordinance will be sent. Revision of the law should be discussed at the next Education/Legislation Subcommittee meeting. Livingston/Hilltop Road - Ed Lieberman, the Town attorney, wrote a memo saying that he needs to confirm a few facts before pursuing the violation. Mr. Goldstein will follow up with the attorney. Inventory of Streamside Properties - No news. Sheldrake Watershed Study - No news. NEW BUSINESS Sloane Kettering Property - Mrs. Johnson expressed her concern about the potential development of this property which is in the Village of Mamaroneck or Rye's jurisdiction. Mr. Ng was requested to ask Beth Hofstettor for information regarding protection regulations for the Beaver Swamp Brook. Announcements - Mr. Goldstein informed the Commission of American Littoral Society field trips and of a draft document detailing some of the area's harbors, facilities, and events. Communications - Ms. Ng reported for Mrs. Volk about a letter from the County Department of Environmental Facilities asking for any suggestions in assisting the County in the conversion of sludge disposal from ocean to land. Publications - A new wetlands book, entitled "Protecting America's Wetlands: an Action Agenda; the Final Report of the National Wetlands Policy Forum" was published by the Conservation Foundation. Mr. Goldstein passed the book to Mr. Scheffler in the Open Space subcommittee. Meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. -4- C C Town of Mamaroneck RECEIVED ^onservation Advisory Commission (`t 1989 740 West Boston Post RoadPATRICIA DER Ct,10 TOWN Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543 MppR01sECK NY. Clerk TOWN OF MAMARONECK 740 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, NY 10543 1988 ANNUAL REPORT Annual Report for 1988 to The Town Council Town of Mamaroneck, N.Y. and to the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation of the State of New York by the Conservation Advisory Commission Robert I. Komitor, Chairman The Conservation Advisory Commission is a tri-municipal body serving the Town and Village of Mamaroneck and the Village of Larchmont. The annual report highlights the activities of the Conservation Advisory Commission occuring in the year 1988. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS - HIGHLIGHTS OF 1988 Over the past year the The Commission applied for an Addressing Community Concerns Conservation Advisory Commission additional State grant in order The Commission had the (CAC) continued in its efforts to fund its reeducation efforts; opportunity over the year to to maximize the efficiency of we are currently awaiting meet with numerous members of our recycling programs, to approval of our grant this community to discuss a oversee a variety of projects application. variety of environmental with potential environmental concerns. Upon receiving consequences and to address Projects Overseen and Commented correspondence and hearing environmental concerns of our on by the Commission presentations from community community members. There has The Commission continued to take members on various issues also been considerable change in an active role in commenting on including the dangers of leghold our membership over the past various projects both within and traps, use of land for dredge year with the addition of Jane without our community which may spoil, recycling suggestions and Moss, replacing Gloria Allen in have adverse environmental the improvement and further recycling, the change of status impact. supervision of conservation of our valued and long term Within our borders, the areas, the Commission relayed member Elinor Fredston from Commission advised on the recommendations to the regular member to emeritus Gardens Lake Dredging Project, appropriate Boards. The member, and the addition of new in particular focusing on the Commission also.prepared a members Michael Scheffler and problem of dredge disposal and handout to advise the public Kevin Ryan. the possible effects of dropping about the existence and location In addition, Steven Goldstein the level of the reservoir. The of our conservation areas as has taken over as Chairman of CAC also advised on the well as the rules and the Commission, starting for the potential future development of regulations for use thereof. 1989 term. As with the Coastal the Bonnie Briar property. Zone Management Commission Specifically, the Commission Final Comments (CZMC), it is hoped that a pursued the idea of conducting a In this my last year as revolving chairmanship will aid survey, including a contour map chairman, I would like to variety and diversity and will of the area, to determine water express my special thanks to our maintain and hopefully heighten flow and drainage potential. fine and hardworking members, the interest of Commission In the Village of Mamaroneck, both past and present, acting members. the CAC commented on the WHS and emeritus, as well as our The CAC has also reexamined Harbor project which was before most talented staff and advisors its goals and purposes and, in the Mamaroneck Planning Board. including Cliff Emanuelson, conjunction with the CZMC, has Finally, the CAC advised the Thomas Leddy and Claudia Ng. It attempted over the year to Town Planning Board on the has been my honor and pleasure _, coordinate the functions of the aesthetic impacts of the to chair this distinguished two Commissions in order to proposed plans by Hory Chevrolet Commission which continues in maximize the overall service to place a barbed wire fence its dedication to enhance the which we can provide to the along Boston Post Road. environmental and aesthetic communities we represent. The CAC also continued to quality of the tri-municipal play an active role in region. A New Recycling Contract commenting on projects in One of our important achieve- adjacent communities which could --Robert I. Komitor ments the year was the adversely impact the environment attainment of a new and more of the tri-municipal region. favorable recycling contract Specifically, the Commission which resulted in the additional continued to express its recycling separation of opposition to the proposed corrugated cardboard and development on Davids Island, -"=1197" -*472 , 4.2 qualified the municipality to the sale of the Winston property apply for a New York State grant in neighboring Scarsdale and the ., . '. , for recycling equipment. development of the Jay property Our focus then turned to in Rye. -,-- :� ! trY,V4-, -i''' public reeducation in order to ;, - -rJ maximize the economic benefits �` ..-r !"lir '. made possible by this new ��. `�'; _ e contract. ; ,.liw1 :'4~'-. �j [ , WATER MONITORING CONSERVATION AREAS, CEMETERIES,AND SUMMER The CAC continued its monitoring this serious point pollution CONSERVATION WORK/STUDY PROGRAM of the condition of local will greatly enhance the waterways, by requesting Robert recovery of East Creek as well This year maintenance of Hohberg to reanalyze the East as improve the environmental cemetaries were handled by ARC, Creek, which drains into the quality of the interconnected the Association for Retarded F Hommocks Marsh and has been Little Harbor Sound and the Children. General maintenance y added to the list of critical Larchmont Harbor. of the trails throughout most of environmental areas. Mr. Kellogg should be the year were handled by the As reported by Dr. James M. commended for replacing 400 Highway Department, as usual. Utter in "Larchmont Harbor Salt linear feet of 18" diameter There was a sizable turnout Marsh Ecosystems" (April 1973), sewer line which was the major of applicants for the summer "The importance of an apparently point of bacterial pollution. conservation apprenticeship continual input of a significant The cost of this work came to program this year. The crew was level of coliform bacteria into $80,000, 52% of which will be expanded to allow for six the tidal river should not be funded by State and Federal students to participate: James neglected. Recommendation: assistance. Amlicke, Matthew Burke, Molly Because of this importance of The range of pH readings Dougherty, Natalie Hirsch, coliform bacteria a more (1.12) draws attention to the Jean-Paul Plumez and Kirsten systematic sampling of the change from a fairly consistent Treumen. In spite of the stream and marshes and a survey neutral pH in stations 1 through excessive heat of the summer of upstream to locate the sources 11 to a slightly alkaline 1988, the students of contamination should be condition in stations 13 through re-woodchipped and pruned back undertaken." 21. The latter allows for the the Sheldrake/Leatherstocking This project undertook that emulsification of oil borne out Trails and removed debris and challenge as had the 1984 study by the readings on ppm oil brush left by inconsiderate and has identified the Post Road concentration for stations 13 gardeners and homeowners. They outfall of East Creek as a major and 15. The mode of 7.2 is helped fix some of the catwalks source of both coliform fairly consistent with a at the Hommocks Conservation (920,000/100m1) and Fecal freshwater creek. Area and assisted in the further (240,000/100ml) count Turbidity analysis indicates improvement of the new Dennis contamination. Immediate report that the waters of East Creek at Drive trail at the Larchmont of the point pollution findings the Hommocks Marsh outfall are Reservoir/James C. Johnson, Jr. were given to Richard Doran of carrying the largest amount of Conservancy. In addition to the the Westchester County Health particles. In general, the crew work, Matthew Burke, an Department for investigation. stations upstream of the environmental science student at Copies of this report were entrance to the culvert at the SUNY Plattsburgh, drafted a forwarded to Cesare Manfredi, Hommocks parking lot exhibit trail guide for the new trail. chief water engineer for region more turbid waters than the This year also marked the 3. stations downstream of 7 Spanish opening of the "Westchester Subsequent joint Cove Road. Greenway Trail," a monumental investigation by Richard Doran Salinity readings are classic achievement by John Varvayanis and Bob Hohberg confirmed the for this small estuarine which connected our Reservoir findings of the report and system. The tip of the and Leatherstocking trails with resulted in the assignment of halocline presents itself at 99 Ward Acres Park in New Rochelle, Tim Anderson of the health meters downstream of the Post Saxon Woods Park, and the department to perform the Road outfall. The low tide Weinberg Nature Center in necessary dye testing of the readings in Little Harbor Sound Scarsdale. Our summer crew contiguous sewer lines along indicate the freshwater input of helped create a permanent trail Nassau Road. Fred Kellogg, East Creek. which extended the 'cLarchmont Village engineer, was Future sampling of East Creek Leatherstocking Trail pass Old requested to have the sewer line should be performed to ensure White Plains Road, through the televised for location of the integrity of the repairs Village of Mamaroneck. The damage. The outcome of these performed on the sewer lines and trail eventually hooks up to efforts has been the replacement to further monitor emulsified Saxon Woods Park at Gedney Pond. of the broken sewer lines in oil levels. Nassau road. The elimination of --Robert Hohberg --Tom Leddy & Claudia Ng PESTICIDE & FERTILIZER CONTROL 1988 was the year of the big The CAC and the CZMCs are fish kill, a five-week hot serving as watch dogs of the spell, and the longest beach Sheldrake and Mamaroneck River closing that our harbor has systems to prevent violations of experienced. It was also the disposal laws. However, year when pollution of our cooperation from the public is "iik waters reached the highest level essential to maintain the in many years. cleanliness of our waters and One source of pollution stems the CAC is working to get that 1111, 1 from the overuse of fertilizer public support. and pesticides on our lawns, golf clubs, and school fields, -- Charles Bernstein ________ Rr all of which eventually end up in our harbors. The extraordirwjay hot weather combined with these pollutants continue to stress Long Island Sound. Where harbors have 1 narrow entrances, such as Mamaroneck Harbor, there can be RECYCLING as little as a 40% turnover of water with each high tide. This Recycling expanded this year in a number of ways. Tonnages increased in slow rate of dilution builds up each category of recyclable materials (excluding leaves, which have not concentrations of all been recently evaluated) as shown below. We switched paper recycling pollutants. markets in September, which allowed for the additional separation of Concern about the dangerous corrugated cardboard and we applied for several matching grants from New effects of what we intentionally York State. One of the grants would assist in the purchase of a new put into the environment has led trailer and 2 extra storage containers for g paper recycling. The others New York State to pass a law would help fund the implemention of a large publicity drive. The CAC's that requires all commercial publicity plan includes a new brochure, an informative video, additional gardeners using pesticides and signs, newspaper ads and post card mailing reminders. fertilizers to be certified and In November, we participated in Westchester County's Recycling provide adequate notification of Conference and Exposition. The Town shared an exhibit booth with the LIFE the chemicals they use. The CAC Center. Fred Kellogg, sanitation superintendent, and the current recycling hopes to bring this to the coordinator spoke at one of the workshops. attention of the homeowners as The CAC is exploring other avenues of curbing our solid waste, such as well as the gardeners. We would placing restrictions on plastic. With the advent of new waste reduction like to encourage the homeowner mandates of the New York State Solid Waste Management Act of 1988, the CAC to make sure that their own will be working even harder on ways to help the municipalities reach the gardeners are using the least State's goals. amount of harmful chemicals --Claudia Ng possible. One upcoming project of the CAC is to develop a Savings on "Streamside Owners Manual" to Hauling inform residents of how they can Tons Sale and/or Less Net contribute to the health of our Collected Revenue Dumping*** Cost Savings waters. The CAC is happy to report Newspaper 818.27 24,716 16,979 31,964 9,731 that boatyards and yacht clubs Glass 86.92** 1,121 1,804 4,088 -1,163 appear to be becoming more Metals 269.49 2,186 5,592 2,695 5,083 considerate of the environment. Leaves 3,400*** -0- 70,550 32,353* 38,197 Visits made to waterfront establishments have shown that 4,574.68 $28,023 $94,925 $71,100 $51,848 they are fulfilling their responsibility to prevent engine *Includes regrading, stockpiling, and removal of several years of compost waste, oil, and paint from **Missing August figures entering harbor wateuS. ***Estimate CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEMBERS Term Name Resident Expires Main Functional Occupation of 12/31 Assignment/Interest Robert Komitor M 1989 Chairman, Environmental Laws Attorney Charles Bernstein M 1989 Waterfront Meteorologist Suzanne Carpenter L 1988 Preservation & Conservation Professor, Financial Planner Elinor Fredston L 1988 Wetlands & Watercourses Environmentalist, Consultant Attorney Steven Goldstein T 1990 Planning Attorney, Planner Jane Moss L 1989 Recycling Appraiser James Santos T 1988 Planning & Zoning Engineer Irma Volk T 1990 Environmental Education Environmental Educator, & Open Space EMC Member Susan Amlicke T Emeritus Recycling & Litter F.I.R.S.T.*, County Refuse Disposal Advisory Board Mary Anne Johnson L Emeritus L.I.F.E. Center Environmental Educator T-Town Unincorporated Area; L-Village of Larchmont; M-Village of Mamaroneck *Family Information and Referral Service Team CAC Liaisons and Consultants Robert Hohberg -- Water Monitoring Consultant P. Thomas Leddy -- Beautification Director Claudia Ng -- Environmental Coordinator Caroline Silverstone -- Town Council Liaison Cheryl Lewy -- Larchmont Village Board Liaison Beth Hofstetter -- Mamaroneck Village Board Liaison CONSERVATION BUDGET 1988 Personal Services $30,376.56 � ,� Consultants �11/ Water Monitoring 4,000.00 etI �� Water Monitoring Supplies 3,506.18 F'' L.I.F.E. 3,700.00 \ 11 F�* Equipment y Maintenance, Operational and Rental 805.69 � � 4"14 ,� Tools, Lumber, and Hardware 1,886.34 � IPlants, Trees, and Mosquito Control 1,799.04 �� Telephone 846.47 Office Supplies 269.25 r` 1 Operating Supplies 92.84 ` Annual Report 350.00 t Printing & Stationery 14.84 Photo Supplies 27.48 Publications 121.00 Seminars 269.06 $48,064.75 I AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS Environmental Education LIFE co-sponsored a talk and before it gets into the lake, and L.I.F.E. Center slide show of tidal marshlands preferrably somewhere around the Approximately 4,000 adults and by Chuck Hamilton of NYS DEC spillway at the base of children participated in LIFE following a naturalist guided Dickerman's Pond, and to the sponsored programs. walk of Manor Beach. LIFE also removal of silt accumulated just Volunteer naturalists led participated in the Premium below the Pinebrook Blvd. bridge approximately 1600 children in River-Pine Brook Preservation before it washes further out ant indoor and outdoor educational Association's annual program at becomes much less accessible. programs. LIFE held a nature the Trinity Retreat. Lectures and walks based at cartoon contest, in which chil- The LIFE Center co-sponsored the Potting Shed covered such dren were encouraged to view several other community events, subjects as birds, wildflowers, nature from another dimension. such as the Reservoir Weekend wildlife, wildlife tracks, Their posters were exhibited in Walks and the Ice Cream Social bones, drinking water supply, the libraries. A lunch time with the Friends of the flooding and water quality in nature origami club was also Reservoir, and provided the Sheldrake River watershed. held. Other programs for information to countless The three-part series on the children included an afterschool residents during the Emelin watershed culminated in a Ranger Rick program for K - 1st Street Fair and at a Taste of meeting in the Town Center led grade students and a summer Mamaroneck. LIFE's programs and by a panel of experts and toddler program held at the activities have been publicized attended by an impressive number Larchmont Reservoir. in three issues of its own of officials from the communi- Scholarships to environmental newsletter and in the local ties involved as well as education camps were extended to press. representatives of interested 4 students this summer. --Sigrid Davis communtiy organizations. A live animal show was given Substantial progress was made by Bill Robinson, which taught on the multi-year project of children how to respect and The Larchmont Reservoir cleaning up and refurbishing the maintain wildlife populations. Flood control, water quality, 1929 filter plant so as to make The program was videotaped and outdoor education, and an it useable for education and shown on local cable. opportunity to enjoy quietly a other purposes. The annual Beautification rare and beautiful setting were A Westchester County Beauti- Day, involving numerous indivi- all given significant attention fication Award was given to the duals, community and school during 1988. Men's Garden Club of Westchester groups in a community wide clean The installation of equipment and the Friends of the Reservoir up, was once again one of LIFE's to automate the valve to better for their successful vegetable most worthwhile projects with regulate the water level in garden program, which provides approximately 300 children and Sheldrake Lake for downstream produce for meals for the 100 adults participating. flood control is nearing homeless. Recycling was also promoted by completion. The wildflower garden project LIFE's 2 cent a bottle program Because of the need for (the National Wildlife Federa- offered for the redemption of dredging Gardens Lake, the water tion's Planting an Oasis for glass. For this work, LIFE level of Sheldrake Lake was Wildlife) showed spectacular received a Westchester County lowered and maintained at 5 to 7 results in May and June, but Beautification award. feet below normal. Advice as to needs more work to be equally Community programs and timing and mitigation was beautiful in summer and fall. activities organized to foster provided by faculty members of The improvement of the environmental awareness included the Environmental Science Sheldrake Lane access to the 30 Wednesday walks for 306 resi- Program at SUNY Purchase. Conservancy and the removal of dents. Open to all residents in The lowered water level trees that were dislodging the community, LIFE naturalists provided opportunities for stones in the lower dam were led groups on tours of the many archeological exploration and among many other important critical environmental areas in clean-up of years of trash measures given attention by the the Town of Mamaroneck and accumulation in the lake. It Town maintenance crews. neighboring communities. Project also showed that there has been Of particular importance for Riverwatch, a water quality a dramatically large buildup of future planning was the initia- monitoring program, continues to silt in the lake as a result of tion by the Village of Larchmont be conducted at the Larchmont construction upstream. Early to survey and mark the bounda- Reservoir. attention must be given to ries of the Conservancy. During Coast Week in October, measures to trap trash and silt -- James G. Johnson, Jr. I