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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018_01_09 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes,January 9, 2018 Attendees: Mitch Green, Frank Owens,Tony Gelber, Michele Lewis, Marc Karell, Beth Radow, Arlene Novich, Steve Altieri, Sue Odierna, Karen Khor,June Wallach, Colin Goldberg (VOM), George Roniger, Mark Manley,Judy Caputo, Elizabeth Poyet(VOL) Minutes of December 2017 meeting were approved. Mitch suggested having a tri-municipal environmental committee meeting and after discussing dates with Elizabeth P(VOL)and Colin (VOM), the tentative date reached was Tuesday, March 6th. The meeting would take place at the Collaborative's regularly scheduled time and place—so volunteers were asked to hold the date of Tuesday, March 6th at the VFW/Senior Center from 6pm—8pm. (Update: Nancy has approved and Mitch to organize w/other Chairs.) Collaborative Presentation to Town Board Mitch summarized the presentation to TB on Dec 20th He discussed Collab accomplishments in 2017 and reported that the volunteer base doubled.June added she was excited to find out Town had an environmental committee and she wanted to get involved. Suggestion was made that Collabs come to a TB work session in February(potentially Feb. 7`h) to introduce new members and discuss 2018 goals. Frank suggested the TB rank our accomplishments from 1 to 10; George agreed this was a good idea. Steve A was asked what will help TB to go along with more of our initiatives. He felt energy and resilience issues are most important to TB probably because they have a financial benefit. Action Item 1: Sue to send TB meeting calendar to Collabs members so they can decide who will attend which meeting(s). (first att.) Action Item 2: Please see 2018 Goals and Budget(second att.)and send Sue your input re any edits Leaf blower Initiatives George spoke with Bedford's Leaf blower Task Force who organized a meeting with landscapers and made a pitch to mulch and/or rake vs blowing leaves. Bedford is initiating a community communication program much like Larchmont Village did this past summer. Beth suggested George involve Cornell Cooperative Extension in discussions regarding leaf blowing. Steve A suggested George call Ron Kamen of Sustainable Westchester regarding a new municipal agreement in which SW offers electric equipment such as leaf blowers, lawnmowers, etc. at a reduced price if many municipalities participate. Action Item 1: George reach out to Cornell Cooperative Extension and Sustainable Westchester. Biking Lane Network Steve A updated the group on progress regarding sharrows. The Highway Department will measure the distance between the curb and the existing white (shoulder) line to determine how far line can be moved out and still leave 13'for car/bike lane (sharrow). This cannot be done on every street, but it likely can on some. Streets being looked at include Forest, N. Chatsworth, Fenimore, Rockingstone, Rockland and perhaps Palmer(County Street). Steve also reported that two Electric Nissan Leaf vehicles (2018) have been leased. They will be used by the Building Inspector and the Parking Inspector. Action Item: TOM Highway Dept to work with Steve A to measure curb-to-curb distances on streets identified for potential "signs and sharrows" routes and report their findings to Collab as soon as possible given winter weather activities Food Waste Recycling Beth reported that she has been talking with the company behind the "Wasted"film and that she is working with them to try to book one of the Directors of the film to speak at our event. (Update: BOTH Directors have been booked for a total fee of$400 plus train fare; Sue to arrange payment.) Event details are that the film will be shown at the Larchmont Library on Saturday, March 3rd at 2pm. Cost to purchase film is$400 and Sue is working with contact there to order/pay for film from Sustainability Collaborative budget(Update: Sue has ordered DVD,cost$400). Beth is working with Monroe College to confirm culinary students will prepare food for event. Regarding general publicity/communications for Food Waste program (and other programs),June is going to meet with Nancy/Sue to discuss strategies. Sue has ordered banners/signs promoting program for VFW wall,TOM Kiosk at Myrtle/Chatsworth corner and sign for Weaver/Palmer corner. Regarding Food Waste program, the Sanitation Commission is collecting 9-11 barrels of food waste per week;this is up from 2 barrels per week at the beginning of the program last September. Colin reported that the Village of Mamaroneck adopted the program at its last Board meeting and now, have to get the operational aspects confirmed so they can launch the program. Action Item 2: Should a survey be created to see why residents sign up? Marketing/Communications strategy going forward? Nancy and Sue to discuss with June Action Item 3: Send Marc K. email addresses of VOM residents interested in program(DONE) Action Item 4: VOM volunteer Colin asked about picking up restaurants'food waste.VOL restaurants get their trash picked up by Joint Commission so this could work. Steve Altieri is working with one restaurant to be the"pilot"for this initiative. Action Item 5: Could compostable bags be sold at local stores such as Foley's? Action Item 6: Karen is speaking with Bedford 2020(and Town IT Head)to see if we could replicate their food waste info on our new Sanitation Website? Reusable Bag Initiative(RBI) Gabrielle A is leading up the RBI. Next step is Bag Design Contest for interested kids and adults. Contest to start in early 2018. (California schools use reusable bags as school fundraisers and programs are very successful.) Gabrielle to update us at Feb. 2018 Collabs meeting. Action Item 1: Sue/Nancy/Gabrielle to schedule phone call to figure out next steps Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory(Follow up from Collaborative Retreat) Collabs had asked how much energy the Town uses(including residents and businesses). Is an individual carbon footprint survey possible?Michele spoke about an individual survey she found online that might be a good way to start this—can send out to Collabs to fill out first and go from there. Marc K to review energy usage info sent from TOM contact Europa McGovern of the Hudson Valley Regional Council(she consults with NYSERDA);he has questions regarding the data handed out at meeting—i.e. does "Town of Mamaroneck'; include unincorporated only or includes Larchmont and part of VOM? And was the data from Con Edison or was it demographic study of"typical"suburban area? Marc to contact Europa to clarify. Separately, Marc mentioned NYSERDA is considering a "Clean Heating and Cooling"program that uses Solarize-type incentives—a free energy audit—in order to promote energy saving upgrades(better lighting, insulation, more energy efficient windows, etc.) Update from Marc following the Collaborative meeting: on closer look,this program will focus instead on lesser known energy saving technologies such as geothermal, air pumps, and solar thermal. NYSERDA does need letters of support as they have not yet committed to initiating this program. Frank to meet with new Assistant Superintendent for School District to discuss opportunities regarding the Dashboard at MHS. (The Dashboard gives real time energy production and usage info to students and faculty.) Frank also reported that he is to meet with the Board of the Hommocks Housing Authority regarding tenants switching to solar power—power to be supplied by solar panels to be installed on Hommocks School roof. Frank also handed out an updated Environmental Accomplishments document and asked for comments, edits so he can revise. Action Item 1: Michele will send out survey for individuals to calculate their carbon footprint Action Item 2: Nancy to submit a letter of support from the Town for NYSERDA program Action Item 3: Marc to speak with Europa McGovern and clarify energy data The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.The next Collaborative meeting will be Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 6 pm at the VFW/Senior Center in the large dining room.