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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989_04_27 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes P, -; % Town of Mamaroneck RECEIVED 7 Conservation Advisory Commission NAY 22 1989 PATRICIA A.DiCIOCCIO 740 West Boston Post Road TOWN CLERK MAMARONECK Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 N.Y. 914-381-6133 MINUTES APRIL 27, 1989 A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, April 27, 1989, in Conference Room A of the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8:05 P.M. Members Present: Steven Goldstein, Chairman Charles Bernstein Susan Cavalieri Elinor Fredston Douglas Gould Robert Komitor Kevin Ryan Michael Scheffler Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus Others Present: Gladys Sherak, Volunteer Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator Caroline Silverstone, Liaison, Town of Mamaroneck Beth Hofstetter, Liaison, Village of Mamaroneck Adrienne Brownell, Resident, Hommocks Road Helen M. Brownell, Resident, Hommocks Road Tom J. Bruce, League of Women Voters Rene' Rathschmidt, Recorder Members Excused: Irma Volk ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Approval of Minutes - The minutes of March 15, 1989, were approved pending corrections. Next Meeting - The next meeting was scheduled for May 18, 1989. CHAIRMAN REPORTS Resignation - Jane Moss has officially resigned from the Conservation Advisory Commission. Claudia Ng will notify the Village of Larchmont regarding the vacancy. CAC Minutes 4/27/89 Recycling Taskforce - The chairman reports that a Recycling Taskforce is in development. The Taskforce will be tri-municipal. Participation from the municipalities, L.I.F.E. Center, and Joint Sanitation Commission is requested in order to avoid redundancy. The Taskforce will be composed of two members of the CAC, Kevin Ryan and Susan Cavalieri, and one member from the Joint Sanitation Commission, to act as a liaison. Also L.I.F.E. Center will be appointing two members. A representative from the the Village of Mamaroneck will be requested as well. Funding from grants will be utilized. The Chairman stated that once the Taskforce is in full effect the CAC's focus on recycling will become diminished. He also stated the goals of this Taskforce will be to establish plans, policies, and procedures which will be applicable to all three municipalities. Elinor Fredston suggested having participation from the local high schools, perhaps recruiting a student to serve upon the Taskforce Commission. The CAC concurred and action upon this idea will be forthcoming. ' The first meeting for the Taskforce is scheduled for May 2, 1989. RECYCLING SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Local Resource Reuse and Recovery Program (LRRRP) - Kevin Ryan inquired of the Commission as to whether or not an extension could be granted in regard to the LRRRP Grant. Claudia Ng was able to respond with the following information received from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) . Because funding has been decreased, DEC expects the CAC to revise the proposal and, therefore, changes in the work plan can be made and submitted at this time. Leeway has been granted by means of a 3 year contract with the State. Ms. Ng proposed to the Commission that the scheduled time frame be shifted to the Fall rather than the Spring in order to enable more time for adoption of mandatory newspaper recycling. Kevin Ryan distributed articles from the New York Times, dated April 27, 1989, which concerned recycling. He also stressed to the Commssion that policy be established before publicity. Susan Cavalieri reminded the Commission that April 28 is the scheduled date for the aluminum drive at the elementary schools and the 29th at Maxwell Avenue. County Municipal Recycling Coordinators Meeting - Claudia Ng reported to the Commission the information she obtained from the County meeting which she attended on April 24, 1989. Ms. Ng stated that the County has established a direct payment program which will give back $17.00 per ton to municipalities which were able to save tons between 1988 and 1989. However, penalties will still be assessed for those not submitting the required amounts to the incinerator under the prior solid waste agreement. The County received $250,000 from the LRRRP Grant for public education. They will use this grant to formulate camera ready materials for municipality use and to do radio spots, news ads, and mailings which will identify recyclable materials. Ms. Ng also stated that monies from the County Loan Grant have been distributed to the Town and Village. The County's MARKET DEVELOPMENT STATUS is as follows: Tires: a market for tires has been secured. Approximate disposal cost was established at $0.60 per tire. Once collected the tires will be shredded and then taken to a tire burning facility. Metals - The County will be contracting with Pascap & Brookfield. Reimbursement will be $0.30 per one hundred pounds. Office Paper - The County has contracted with Recycle Material Incorporated. The -2- • CAC Minutes 4/27/89 company, located in Portchester, will supply a container, free pickup, and also pay $10.00 per ton for good office paper. Comingled Materials - contracting for commingled materials is still in the signature stage. Glass - the County has contracted with Bass which will no longer be charging for pickup. Newspapers, Plastics, Composting - No companies have been chosen as of yet. PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM - another exposition on recycling is scheduled for October. MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITY - the facility is a place where all comingled materials will be brought and then separated by labor and by machines. The County will be analyzing the effects of such a facility on each municipality's collection methods and equipment. COMPOSTING EQUIPMENT AND RENTAL PROGRAM - The County is investigating the possibility of purchasing equipment which can be in turn leased out to the municipalities as needed. EDUCATION/LEGISLATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Mandatory Newspaper Recycling - Robert Komitor reported that the Education/Legislation Subcommittee met and focused its concern upon the question of a mandatory newspaper recycling law. They discussed whether such a law was appropriate and if so how it should be written. After careful deliberation the Subcommittee agreed upon the appropriateness of such a law. Further discussion was based upon how such a law could be implemented and how to obtain community participation. The Subcommittee suggested the use of newspaper bins. The bins could be purchased in bulk and then distributed to community residents. A deposit could be required for each bin distributed in order to cover the cost of the bins. Other proposals included making the law tri-municipal. This proposal would include equipment sharing and the like. These findings, as proposed by the Subcommittee to the CAC, will be drafted in written form for submission to the Town Board. Tree Preservation Law - Comments made by the Town Building Inspector, William Jakubowski were distributed and discussed by the Commission. Robert Komitor informed the CAC that the law applies to more recent developed lands and does not apply to 1/2 acre or less. Pesticides - Caroline Silverstone had reviewed and revised the letter concerning pesticides and Ms. Ng informed the Commssion that it has become Court enjoined. OPEN SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Michael Scheffler reported the following results of the Open Space Subcommittee tour of the Hommocks Conservation Area, Premium Conservation Area, and the Leatherstocking Trail. Hommocks Conservation Area - Mr. Scheffler reported that litter was a main problem in the Hommocks. One suggestion agreed upon by the Subcommittee was to post signs educating the public to the fact that this area is a conservation area and litter is not permissible. Other suggestions made by the Subcommittee were as follows: A fence to be erected to discourage the public from leaving the boardwalk. The woodchipping should be replaced as needed rather than on any kind of periodic basis. Also dead tree replacement was investigated. -3- CAC Minutes 4/27/89 r Premium Conservation Area - Mr. Scheffler reported that the Premium Conservation Area was in the poorest shape of the three areas visited. Suggestions made by the Subcommittee were as follows: narrowing the right- of-way and creating a stone or log border separating the bordering properties from the right-of-way, which would discourage the use of the right-of-way for parking cars. Also discussed was the possibility of sign placement in this area reflecting the same information posted in the Hommocks Area. Mrs. Johnson noted that two large signs have been vandalized in the past. Repair of the boardwalk was also mentioned. Leatherstocking Trail - Mr. Scheffler reported that two signs which announce the Trails existence are badly in need of repair. In addition to sign repair the Subcommittee feels that other signs be erected at each public road that crosses the Trail in order to provide information to the public about the trail system. Woodchipping and litter problems where also evident on the Trails. The above information and suggestions, in greater detail, along with other comments were submitted to the CAC in written form and further discussion and distribution will be forthcoming once all CAC members have had a chance to review these proposals. It was also mentioned that "ad hoc" members should be added to the subcommittee to increase its effectiveness. Resident Input - Adrienne and Helen Brownell discussed their experiences as residents near the Hommocks Conservation Area. They reported on how teenagers often party in the area at night, resulting in litter, bon fires, and occasionally vandalism. They reported that waterfowl have been found killed by stone throwing. They noted that many residents along Hommocks Road assist in picking up litter and that they felt many trees were being strangled by vines. Mr. Ryan suggested employing a ranger to deal with these problems. Mrs. Fredston suggested informing the school superintendents and the Mayor and Supervisor, requesting enforcement of the open-beverage law and drinking age limit. ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR REPORTS CAC 1988 Annual Report - The CAC'S annual report was distributed to the CAC by Claudia Ng. The report met with the CAC'S approval and Ms. Ng reported that scheduling for presentation to the Town and Village will be forthcoming. ONGOING Residential Development - 746 Mamaroneck Avenue - The Village Planning Board has distributed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) . Since the Board was scheduled to meet on April 27, no comments made by the CAC could be incorporated at this meeting. Golfball Litter - Mary Anne Johnson reported to the Commission that golfballs have been found at the Premium. Steven Goldstein suggested sending a letter, much like the previous one sent to the Village of Mamaroneck Police © Chief, to the Village of Larchmont's Police Chief. The Commission concurred. -4- CAC Minutes 4/27/89 r Trapping - No comment/update. Livingston Hilltop Road - No comment/update. Inventory of Streamside Properties - No comment/update. Sheldrake Water Study - The County Soil and Water Conservation District has turned down the CAC's request for their services to prepare a hydrologic computer simulation model for the Sheldrake Watershed, therefore, placing the study at a standstill for the moment. Ms. Ng reported the reason for rejection was the fact that the study only involved the Town of Mamaroneck and no other municipalities. She also stated that they would reconsider if other municipalities in the watershed were to become involved and if these municipalities would commit themselves to implementing the suggestions made by them. Jay Property - Caroline Silverstone informed the Commission that a Press Conference was held regarding the Jay Property. The Jay Coalition demanded that the Jay Property be condemned. Claudia Ng recited a letter received from State Representatives, Suzi Oppenheimer and Ronald Tocci, stating that New York State has publicly committed $4 million dollars towards acquiring the Jay Property. Historical/Background Pamphlet of the CAC - Caroline Silverstone reports that one will be forth coming. NEW BUSINESS Beautification Day - Steven Goldstein encouraged all members of the CAC to participate in Beautification Day which has been scheduled for April 29 with a rain date slated for April 30th. The scheduled site for CACs participation is the woods on the east side of North Chatsworth Avenue, across from the Carleton House, just North of Myrtle Blvd. Mute Swan Population - Mary Anne Johnson reported to the Commission that the Mute Swan populations have increased County wide. She stated that the Swans continue to destroy local habitats by uprooting useful plant life. She also noted that these Swans are not indigenous to the area. Mrs. Johnson spoke with Brian Swift of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and reported the following from their conversation. Mr. Swift stated that a state wide control program was still in developmental stage. Because this program is still developing, implementation for this years nesting season has become impossible. Mrs. Johnson reported that Rhode Island limits mute swans by addling the eggs. New York State Water Week - New York State has schedule this years Water Week Events for May 1-7. Since notification of this year's scheduled dates were so late in coming the CAC was not able to schedule participation. This year's focus is based mainly on non-point source pollution. 41: Meeting Adjourned at 10:30 P.M. -5-