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Home My WebLink About2017_03_07 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes TOM Sustainability Collaborative 2017 0207 Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes, March 7, 2017 Attendees: Steve Altieri, Frank Owens, Marc Karell, Mark Manley, Sue Odierna, Michele Lewis,Tony Gelber, Steve Moser, Elizabeth Poyet, MHS Seniors Matt Loebel,Jack DeMasi and Henry Harwood Minutes of February 7, 2017 meeting were accepted. Quality of Life and Sustainability--Biking Safety Steve M. gave a short history and synopsis of the Bike Lane plans for the benefit of the MHS students. He updated us on Mike Flynn's "Draft Preliminary Recommendations" presentation from last month. Steve M and Mitch G. have been in touch with Mike re: moving forward and will send us the next revision of the bike route plan. The recommended first routes are Palmer Ave and Chatsworth with the goal to have "paint on the ground" by springtime, sometime in May. Mike Flynn has asked for the parking regulations along these routes. There was also discussion about how to fund a study regarding Boston Post Road so we could include bike routes there at some point in the future. Finally,we discussed the educational/marketing piece (which is not part of Mike Flynn's work). Several ideas were discussed including: • LMC-TV Show • Press Release • Robo-calls and/or door to door visits to residents on affected streets • Using some marketing materials that Safe Routes to Schools uses to promote benefits of biking/bike lanes • Homeowner Associations • "MHS Info" Action Item 1: Steve A. to send parking regulations on Palmer and Chatsworth to Mike Flynn and will cc Steve M and Mitch G. Action Item 2: Tony G. to call Matt Sullivan of LMC-TV to get his input on best way to use LMC-TV to publicize bike lanes' arrival Action Item 3: Steve M. to send the Collabs the next version of Mike Flynn's Bike Routes plan Quality of Life and Sustainability--Reusable Bag Initiative(RBI) Sue reported for Lesley that she has been collecting information on other municipalities' strategies and successes with the RBI. Based on the success of both the New Castle and Larchmont RBI initiatives, Elizabeth P's suggestion was that we skip the survey,therefore avoiding potential naysayers'views and instead start with a positive education campaign to get both residents and local businesses interested. Suggestions were an RBI petition (going door to door and/or having it at Town Cleanup/Sheldrake event) and initiating a poster contest. Lesley had also previously suggested a video could be made to show plastic bag pollution all over the Town. The MHS students said they were interested in helping out with the RBI. Action Item 1: Follow up with Lesley S. to see if she can work with students to get petition and contest ideas started and present ideas to Collabs in April. 1 TOM Sustainability Collaborative 2017 0207 Quality of Life and Sustainability—Leaf Blowers Continued discussion about how to lessen use of leaf blowers by encouraging mulching and/or using quieter leaf blowers and also by creating a minimum fine amount. Mitch had suggested that we get a letter out to residents this spring regarding leaf blower(new) policies and suggestions of alternatives. Action Item 1: Marc K. offered to draft a letter to the Town Board. Suggestions are that 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: George R and Mitch G should attend the TB meeting to demonstrate the importance of this issue with the Board. Action Item 3: There was interest in getting "asthma/allergy numbers"that are a reflection of leaf blower damage to humans, and especially children. Solid Waste--Increase Recycling Efforts/Creation of a"Recyclopedia" Neha is working to complete the Recyclopedia guide that she is editing for TOM. She is meeting with Steve A. weekly and the goal is to complete the guide this month. Marc K. suggested the Collabs have additional "subject" meetings where focus is on one subject when needed. This would enable the regular monthly meetings to move more quickly with updates on each subject. Members would not necessarily attend all of the specific meetings,just when it is a topic of interest to them. Action Item 1: Neha would like help from one or more of our MHS members to complete the final editing by visiting or calling stores to fact check which items they will accept Action Item 2: Neha will present to the Collabs at a special additional meeting in April and then,to the Town Board at the end of April or beginning of May Action Item 3: Sue 0 and Neha will consider how to publicize the TOM "Recyclopedia," including in educational programs at the schools, and how it might be featured at spring 2017 Environmental Events. Water Quality Issues a. Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study—(SSES) sewers have been smoke tested, cleaned and televised in New Rochelle and Larchmont,TOM needs to be completed. Michele L and Frank 0 suggested visuals would be very helpful in showing the sewers. b. Town Center parking lot renovation is underway;to be completed in June. Nancy inquired about landscaping RFP. Michelle said she would follow up with Mitch. c. Federal environmental budget has been slashed so State (and local) legislation is critical. Nancy to travel to Albany to lobby for clean water efforts d. Sustainable Westchester re Municipal Solar Buyer's Group (MSBG)—waiting on analysis for solar power, delayed about two months e. Healthy Yard Initiative—Rye Sustainability Committee has residents complete a yard checklist to qualify to be a "Healthy Yard" and receive a sign (coming spring 2017). There was serious interest in this program for the Town. Action Item 1: Michele and Mitch to work on RFP from Landscapers regarding TC parking lot 2 TOM Sustainability Collaborative 2017.0207 Action Item 2: Is the Collaborative still considering having an outreach event in conjunction with the smoke- testing of sewers. (i.e.: "Smoke-out," potential field trip w/AP students) Action Item 3: Sue will reach out to Rye to determine how to run Health Yard program. Resilient Infrastructure—Microgrid Mark M. update re last month's presentation from Unison. Mark received energy data from schools, now needs to sort through it and analyze. Discussion that their equipment works best when heat is running all the time. Only Hommocks Ice Rink/Pool runs 24/7. Steve A. thinks it might be worth it get a proposal from Unison Action Item 1: Mark M. will send Unison the Booz Allen report(not sure if this happened already?) Other discussed items: 1. Marc K. to look further into electric charging station grant that is due March 31' 2. Michele L. asked if anyone has knowledge of solar finance programs for religious institutions 3. TOM Spring Cleanup on Earth Day, Saturday,April 22nd 10am-12pm at Hommocks Conservation Area 4. Sheldrake Spring Festival also on Earth Day, 11am-3pm Action Item: Volunteers needed for table at Sheldrake The meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm. The next meeting will be Tuesday,April 4,2017 at 6pm at the VFW—in the dining room. 2017 Priority Initiatives—Task Force Leaders • Air&Noise Pollution George R Renewable Energy&Local Energy Frank 0,Marc K,Mitch G • Walk-able,Bike-able TOM Stephen M Near-Zero Waste Community Steve A,Neha D • Improve Water Quality Nancy S,Michele L,Beth R Education&Awareness Michele L,Beth R • Maintain&Improve Infra Steve A,Frank 0 Climate-Smart,Zoning&Codes Nancy S • Community Preparedness Tony G 3