HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017_01_10 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes TOM Sustainability Collaborative
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes,January 10, 2017
Attendees: Mitch Green, Nancy Seligson, Steve Altieri, George Roniger, Frank Owens, Beth Radow,
Marc Karell, Mark Manley, Neha Dhanik, Sue Odierna, Michele Lewis,Tony Gelber,
Lesley Jane Seymour, Steve Moser, Mike Flynn (Bike Routes Consultant), Kristin
Andersen and Elizabeth Poyet(from Larchmont Environment Committee),Victor Tafur
(VOM Trustee),Jennifer Mebes Flagg (New Castle Sustainability Committee)
Quality of Life and Sustainability--Biking Safety
The Town Board meeting approved the$5,000 budget item for Bike Routes Consultant at the
December 7, 2016 Town Board meeting. Today, consultant Mike Flynn toured the TOM to look at
potential bike routes.
Next steps:
• Mike will put together a preliminary presentation for the Collabs for February.
• Mitch will work with Steve and Nancy to determine timing of the presentation to the Town
Board.
• Route recommendations presented to the Town Board by March.
• Implementation of bike routes by Memorial Day to coincide with "Bike Month."
Beth R. mentioned public education as a priority and asked if that would be part of Mike's
presentation. Mike responded that it is not but he did feel it's a priority item. Mike reported
that studies show design intervention and signage can influence social behavior.
Steve M. asked VOL committee members what the timeline is for Larchmont bike lanes to be
implemented. Elizabeth P. to follow up and report back in February. Kristin A. recommended
getting French community involved in publicizing as they are already active bike participants in
the Town.
Action Items: Mitch to determine what public education piece is and who to handle.
Minutes of December 6, 2016 meeting were approved.
Reusable Bag Initiative(RBI)
Frank Owens suggested hearing from the Town of New Castle about their recent RBI law.Jennifer
Mebes Flagg of the New Castle Sustainability Committee presented to the Collabs "Developing your
Reusable Bag Initiative." Basics of the new New Castle law include a ban on single use plastic bags in
most stores (grocery,convenience stores and pharmacies) and a 10 cent charge for paper bags. The
initiative was promoted as a pro business movement as it saves stores money on bag costs. The New
Castle group started working on the project in 2014 by first getting merchants on board. A local realtor
agreed to sponsor 1,500 reusable bags. They worked to get the Girl Scouts, Farmers Market vendors,
patrons (800 signature petition from visiting Farmers Market) and environmental clubs to support it.
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Information on social media sites was used to reduce perceived risks. Banners, posters and window
clings were made for merchants and retail areas.The ordinance has violation fees, but Jennifer's
research shows that municipalities don't actually charge the fees. Her committee felt the ban is much
more effective as a positive initiative (free bags, saves money, pro business) rather than using just an
environmental approach.
Collaborative member Lesley S. contributed her research regarding plastic bag bans with facts about
other municipalities who have implemented the ban both locally and nationally. Main points:
• Legislation should be uniform so village to village there aren't different regulations
• Contact Chamber of Commerce to get retailers on board
• Ensure local residents are supportive and show up at meetings, not simply elected officials
• Don't go after plastic alone; make sure paper is addressed as well.There should be a fee for
paper bags
• If possible,the Town should have reusable bag giveaways (possibly supplied by loyal retailers
who can advertize their logos on bags)
A majority of members said they were interested in pursuing a RBI.
Jennifer reported that New Castle's Sustainability group has two high school students on their Board.
The Town Sustainability Collaborative seemed interested in this idea.
Action Items: Nancy spoke with Lesley after the meeting and she is willing to lead this initiative.
Near-Zero Solid Waste TOM--Increase Recycling Efforts/Edit Sanitation Guide
Neha is working on the Recyclopedia guide that she is editing for TOM. The goal for completion
is March 2017. At that time, Neha will present it first to the Collaborative and then to the Town Board.
There is a lot of information to update and report. Henry Case, our winter intern is helping with this
effort.The Sanitation Guide was updated with input from Neha and design consultant, Barry Caro. The
guide was sent to the Printer at the end of December. (UPDATE: Guide has been mailed to all Town
residents as of 1/13/2017 and will be put on our website as well.)
Action Item 1: The Collabs will support Neha's presentation to the Board in March.
Action Item 2: Sue 0 and Neha will consider how to further publicize the TOM "Recyclopedia,"
including in educational programs at the schools, and how it might be featured at Spring 2017
Environmental Events.
Resilient Infrastructure—Microgrid
Mark M. mentioned that while attending a NYSERDA conference in December, he met a
representative from a Mamaroneck based company, Unison Energy(http://unisonenergy.com ). They
build Combined Heat and Power systems for hospitals,grocery stores and other critical infrastructure in
the size range the TOM is looking at regarding the microgrid. Mark would like to get a proposal from
Unison and he would like to send them the Booz Allen report.
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CARRY-OVER ACTION ITEMS:
Quality of Life and Sustainability—Leaf Blowers(from November/December meetings)
Action Item 1: Collabs to draft and send a letter to the Town Board suggesting the current leaf
blower law be changed to: a) make the minimum fine$150 for the first offense; b) remove a judge's
ability to reduce the fines; c) consider progressively higher mandatory fines for further violations; d)
consider placing the names of"repeat offender"gardeners on the TOM website; and e) consider a
"three strikes you are out" provision so that repeat offenders face a fundamental consequence to
continued flouting of the law.
Action Item 2: TOM to purchase,with 2016 Collab budget already ear-marked for this purpose,
a quieter gas-powered "Stihl" leaf blower to use in specific conditions.
Action Item 3: Beth and Michele suggested developing a "raking" educational program for
spring 2017,which can be demonstrated at a variety of venues and events. A preliminary proposal is
needed in time for the February meeting. George R. identified several parents who felt their teens could
be part of a raking program. ;
Action Item 4: Mitch will draft a letter to residents in January to promote quiet leaf blowing and
leaf mulching. He'd like letter to be mailed out to Town residents this spring.
Water Quality/Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study—SSES(from October meeting)
Action Item 5: Is the Collaborative still considering having an outreach event in conjunction
with the smoke-testing of sewers. (ie: "Smoke-out," potential field trip w/AP students)
The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 7th at 6pm at the VFW.
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