HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016_04_04 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes TOM Sustainability Collaborative
2016.0404
Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Minutes, April 4, 2016, 6PM —8PM,
Attendees: Nancy Seligson,Steve Altieri, Mitch Green, Marc Karell, George Roniger,Stephen Moser, Tony
Gelber, Beth Radow, Mark Manley, Michele Lewis,Sue Odierna
6:20 PM Greetings &Call to Order
6:25 PM Minutes of March 3, 2016 Meeting—Approved
Quality of Life&Sustainability—Water Quality
6:25pm Nancy S. updated group on concerns about water safety in light of Flint, Michigan headline news
regarding lead in drinking water. Westchester Joint Waterworks(WJWW) treats water for lead leachate and
does regular water testing. The WJWW website includes annual water quality reports. It was noted that TOM
water comes from the same location as NYC water.
The Collaborative asked if a piece about water quality could be posted to our Facebook page, linking it to further
information on WJWW's website. (This has been done.)
Quality of Life&Sustainability—Fairway Green
6:40pm Nancy S. updated group on her visit to the Fairway Green Board Meeting to discuss the neighborhood
being the first organic landscape neighborhood in the Town. Nancy reported it's going to take time to get them
on board. The current landscaper was present and said he does not use pesticides. Next step is for the Board to
meet with organic landscapers and scope out what can be done on this property and at what cost;what the
current landscaper can/should do going forward and what changes need to take place.
Sustainability—Grow it Green Event(GIG)on April 10,2016
6:50pm Michele L. updated the group on the latest news regarding the above tri-municipal event. Rain barrels
are being delivered to Town Yard and then to Larchmont Temple Friday. Residents will be able to purchase at
Grow it Green and following the event, at the "Yard"on Saturdays,per Steve. Rain barrel demo and sales will be
part of the GIG event. Beth also to coordinate with Michele to have a rain barrel demo at the League of Women
Voter's event on Friday. Sue to email list of shifts to Collab volunteers.
Quality of Life&Sustainability—Bike-able,Walk-able Update
7:15pm Steve M. reported on presentations to the TOM Traffic Committee regarding ideas for bike lanes in the
Town. He reviewed VOL Sharrows to be painted and showed TOM maps with various proposed bike lane routes
to determine what will be the first pilot project for bike lanes in the TOM. The Collaborative suggested we start
with lanes on roads that we have total control over, so that we don't have to deal with the State or County on
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TOM Sustainability Collaborative
2016.0404
their roads. It was suggested that Steve M and his team look at Myrtle to North Chatsworth to Rockingstone to
Forest.
Resilient Infrastructure—Microgrid Initiative
7:30pm Steve A. reported that Booz Allen claims that the micro-grid is not economically feasible(based on it
being an investment that people make money from). It was noted, however, that ConEd may be exerting
considerable influence on the process and that, as ConEd has pressing needs in Queens and Brooklyn that Micro-
Grids might solve at considerably less cost and time than new conventional power stations, the overall frame of
reference may not be what was represented at the outset of the study.
Steve A. and Frank O. had spoken with Booz Allen and that—construction-wise—our proposed micro-grid:
• is feasible as it's a small areas
• contains many critical facilities, ideal for micro-grid applications
• has the ability to expand easily to nearby critical retail(drugstores)or affordable multi family housing
In the present situation, it is not clear that:
• judged on its own merits, independent of larger policy issues, whether investors would be interested,
• whether a microgrid the best way to go or
• should the Town,School and Sara Newman develop emergency power systrems instead,for example
using Honeywell?
Tony suggested using generators is easier and less expensive. The Collaborative concluded:
• Obtain the full Booz Allen study as soon as possible
• Enable knowledgeable third-parties(such as Mark Manley's organization)provide second opinions
• Meet with interested parties and determine a best course of action,perhaps independent of NYSERDA
8:00 PM Next Meeting—Tuesday, May 3, 2016 @ 6PM—VFW
8:10 PM The meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM
2016 Priority Initiatives—Task Force Leaders
• Air& Noise Pollution George R
• Walk-able, Bike-able Mamaroneck Stephen M
• Improve Water Quality Nancy S, Michele L, Beth R
• Maintain & Improve Infrastructure Steve A, Frank 0
• Improve Community Preparedness Tony G
• Renewable Energy& Local Energy Frank 0, Marc K, Mitch G
• Near-Zero Waste Community Mitch G, Steve A
• Education &Awareness Michele L, Beth R
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