HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017_06_06 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes TOM Sustainability Collaborative
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes,June 6, 2017
Attendees: Mitch Green, George Roniger, Steve Moser, Frank Owens, Beth Radow, Lesley Seymour,Arlene
Novich, Marc Karell, Nancy Seligson, Steve Altieri, Sue Odierna, MHS Senior Interns Henry
Harwood and Sam Mollin, College Intern Ben Morris, VOL Enviro Comm member Kristin
Andersen, Guests: Shannon Purdy, Sandra Espada, Monica Trujillo and son, St.Augustine: Lu
Doyle, Karen Khor, Courtney Hewson, Ruth ?
Minutes of May 2, 2017 meeting were accepted.
Meeting Dates for Remainder of 2017:
Tuesdays July 11th,August 8th,September 12th,October 3rd, November 14th and December 5th
Biking Safety
Steve M gave an update on his May appearance with Mitch G on LMC-TV's "Local Live"(click here to view and
fast forward to 9:30)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCAeKviQIYY. The Journal News had a front page
article on the proposed bike lanes. Click here to read:
http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/2017/05/11/mamaroneck-bike-lanes/101166968/. The
VOL Tour de Larchmont was another opportunity to get the word out about the Town's bike lane initiative.
The Town has collected signatures on support letters from approximately 50 residents re bike lane creation.
Mitch explained that despite the above publicity and events, it became clear that in order to move forward with
support from the Town Board, they needed to present a more "granular"approach including the necessary
width of the streets, how many parking spaces might be affected, and other specifics for just two routes.
Kristin mentioned the newly created Larchmont Avenue Bike Lane is getting usage, both by pedestrians and
bicyclists. She said diagonal spaces are a bit problematic and that the Town should plan for better signage. Steve
M mentioned the Rye YMCA was instrumental in getting bike lanes created both in Rye and on Larchmont
Avenue.
Mitch and Steve's "Next Steps"proposal narrows the scope and reduces the cost of the original proposal from
Mike Flynn by limiting this round of bike lanes to two areas—Palmer Avenue and Larchmont Train Station to
Murray/Forest intersection --and by having consultant Mike Flynn focus on technical studies/cost estimates,
traffic counts and more detailed renderings. This detailed planning proposal asks the Town Board to approve
$18,500 for Consultant Mike Flynn by June 30th. Steve A. suggested adding "Safety"improvements to the list of
benefits. New member and Transportation Professional,Shannon P thought having the Collaborative offerto do
all the work seemed like a good way to get Town Board agreement. Frank 0 asked Shannon if there are State
funds available for biking projects. Shannon suggested low cost/free workshops and said she would email the
group the relevant information. Nancy suggested she, Mitch and Steve M meet with Steve A to go over proposal
and then bring to the Traffic Committee prior to Town Board.
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Action Item 1: Have Sustainability Collaborative endorse the "Next Steps" proposal. (Endorsed at June 6th
meeting)
Action Item 2: Present to Traffic Committee on June 14th
Action Item 3: Request approval from Town Board at next meeting on June 21'to move ahead
Recyclopedia
Nancy updated the group that Neha Dhanik, our Zero Waste Consultant, had completed the Recyclopedia.The
next step is formatting. Neha, Nancy and Steve A had a conference call with a company called Recollect that
creates sites within websites where the Recyclopedia could "live"along with additional information re:sanitation
collection/schedule, etc. They also offer an "app." Recollect will submit a proposal to Town. Town hopes to
launch the Recyclopedia in September. Lu Doyle mentioned another company that has a recycling app called
"Intellibins"but this seems to be a listing of where to find facilities for recycling. Not known if they would also be
able to house the Recylopedia.
Zero Waste/Municipal Composting
Nancy spoke about her visit to Scarsdale's sanitation facility with Beth R,Steve A and MHS Intern Sam M. The
Scarsdale food waste goes to CT and Ulster County and is composed. The finished compost is returned to
Scarsdale and and offered to residents a couple of times per year. All were very impressed with the operation
and Nancy said that 5 or 6 residents came to the facility with their compost in hand while they were there and
offered praise for the program. Nancy also spoke about her visit to St.Augustine's in which she met parishioners
involved in the church's zero waste efforts. St.Augustine's has held zero waste events and Karen Khor and Lu
Doyle offered to volunteer for the Town to help with these efforts. Nancy thanked Lu and Karen for stepping up
and announced that Karen K and the Collaborative's own Beth R will co-lead the Food Waste Composting project
in the Town with assistance on the from our college summer intern Ben Morris. Ben will contact the Scarsdale
staff and volunteers and take a tour of the facility with Joint Sanitation Commission Assistant Foreman, Frank
Giordano.
Reusable Bag Initiative(RBI)
Nancy and Sue explained to the large group that the Town was beginning a Reusable Bag Initiative to
reduce/eliminate single use plastic and paper bags. We began with an RBI contest which was promoted via the
website and our Facebook pages. Our MHS interns also posted the flyer in locations around town and on the
walls of MHS. We also received help from MHS Video Teacher Emily Dombroff and AP Enviro teacher Sophia
Andrews. We received eight entries and viewed them all at the Collaborative meeting. Votes were tallied and
winners were selected. First Prize$200,Second Prize, $100, Third Prize$50.
Action Item 1: Winners to be notified and presented with their checks at TB meeting on June 21'(this has been
done; all three confirmed they can make it.) Videos/Slideshow to be shown at meeting
Action Item 2: All videos/slideshows posted to our Facebook sites (this has been done)
Action Item 3: Have Sustainability Collaborative affirm its support for the Town's Reusable Bag Inititative (RBI).
(Endorsed at June 6th meeting)
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm.The next meeting will be Tuesday July 11, 2017 at 6 pm at the VFW.
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