HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019_05_14 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes, May 14, 2019
Attendees: Mitch Green, Arlene Novich, Sue Odierna, Mark Kramer, Marc Karell, Matt Thomas,
Colin Goldberg, George Roniger, Karen Khor,June Wallach, Katherine Pannell, Mark
Manley, Elizabeth Poyet,Todd Isberg, Karin Weisburgh,Todd Isberg, Steve Altieri
First-time attendees were introduced: Jenny Geer, Mary Conway and Beatrice Weinberger—
Welcome to the Collaborative!!!And welcoming our MHS spring interns as well, Chelsea, Lily and
Franco
Minutes of April 2nd meeting were accepted.
Food Waste Recycling
Karen K. reported to the group that we are still waiting to hear back from NY State DEC regarding the
awarding of the food waste grant. Steve A confirmed that the State has not contacted us yet and that
this delay is not unusual for NY State.
Karen K. met with Dr. Shops and other representatives of the Mamaroneck School District to help
develop the framework for a Sustainability Mission;a plan that would look at the district in its entirety in
order to produce a more sustainable culture throughout the six schools. Next step is for the School Board
to approve. There was discussion regarding the "can do"attitude in the elementary school and
Hommocks and that, by comparison, MHS is a bit behind. The interns vouched for this and Karen K.
agreed that this is her next challenge.
Karen K. also reported that the compost giveback days were a big success, with about 70 resident
families participating on the first day, May 4th and more continuing to arrive the following weekend(May
10th and May 11th). Overall more than 100 families participated in the giveback.June W. mentioned it
was great to link the Healthy Yards project with the Food Waste Recycling/compost project since they're
a natural match. The giveback was used as an opportunity to advise those taking compost about the
food waste recycling and healthy yard programs. When asked, many seemed to have heard about the
Giveback through social media sites(ours and Love Larchmont and other area FB pages).
Karen K. reported that Larchmont Farmers Market opened on April 27th with a nice presence by our
volunteers promoting the Healthy Yards and Food Waste Recycling projects. Volunteers to have a table
at market on alternate Saturdays in coming weeks. NO food waste drop off at market this season.
There was also discussion about trash/recycling pick up days and Mark M. suggested we swap out a
trash pickup day for an additional recycling pickup day. Steve A. reported that the Sanitation
Commission has met on this issue and has also discussed potentially picking up Food Waste on one day a
week. The cost is the main obstacle, as food waste disposal fees, due to the lengthy transportation
required, are roughly 2.5 times the price per ton than the current garbage tipping fee of about$28/ton.
Steve A. sits on the County Refuse District Advisory Board, and reported that the County is looking for
ways to "level the playing field"including discussion on purchasing "anaerobic digesters"which could be
located at sewage treatment plants. This could be an effective and more realistic alternative to the+/-
100 acres of land Westchester County would need for compost area, as Westchester County doesn't have
the acreage of Ulster County(TOM's current food waste destination). Steve A. did not expect these
decisions to be made soon but was hopeful changes could be implemented in the sanitation system
within a year or two. Mark K. reported that he and other"Collabs"attended the County's public meeting
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in which comments were solicited re:Food Waste Study that DEF commenced back in February to
determine how much food waste can be diverted from the waste streams. All potential technologies are
being reviewed. Mark K encouraged Collabs to send their comments to the County by May 16th or note
them at the meeting and Mark would submit.
Action Item 1: Karen K to continue to monitor school district progress regarding district-wide
sustainability policy
Action Item 2: Mark K was to send comments to County regarding food waste study/solutions(Mitch
G provided comment on behalf of the Collab)
Action Item 3: Steve A awaiting email from NYS DEC regarding the awarding of the food waste grant
Repair Café
George R. reported that he had read about a "Repair Café"in Hastings where folks could bring household
items for repair,free of charge. He brought a long-broken appliance and was impressed with the
community spirit of the place. In George's words, "Everyone seemed so happy!" There was discussion as
to whether a repair café could be run here in the Town. Would residents volunteer a day a month or so
to fix others'broken items?What kinds of items could be brought for repair?Can you make
appointments?Sue reported that she and Nancy had looked into this environmental concept(don't
throw it away;fix it!)about a year ago and found it to be mostly an up county/rural initiative(except for
Ossining and Hastings).
Action Item: Sue to provide additional information (see below).
The concept started in Amsterdam about 10 years ago and has spread worldwide to over 1,800 locations
as both an environmental project--fixing/reusing rather than throwing in trash --and also a way to
bring people together through community and volunteerism. From their website,
https://repaircafe.org/en/, here is some additional info: "You can bring the following to the Repair Café:
electrical appliances, clothing,furniture, crockery, housewares, bicycles,toys etc. Anything that's broken
(and which you can manage to carry on your own to the Repair Café) is welcome and has a good chance
of getting properly repaired. If you wish to know for sure whether someone will be available to help
mend your broken item, please get in touch with the organizers of your local Repair Café." The website
lists locations, FAQ's and helpful FB pages and contact info for the various locations.
Action Item: George R.to do further research and report at our June Meeting
Sustainable Energy-Community Solar
Steve A. reported that he is working with Mark M. and Frank O. on the Community Solar agreement.
They are working on clarifying the lengthy and complicated paperwork especially regarding termination
fees and Town liability;concerns of the Town Attorney. If there are not enough subscribers to the
program at the Hommocks Park Apartments, there will be a tiered system in which other TOM residents
could be invited to participate.
Mobility/Complete Streets/Electric Vehicle (EV)Charging Stations Steve A also reported on the EV
Charging Stations. The Charging Station Installation RFP went out about two weeks ago. The consultant
will take the bidding contractors on tour of the four locations in the Town. We hope to have the charging
stations up and running this summer.
Action Item: Regarding mobility/bike lanes,Steve A, Nancy,Steve M.and Karin W.will meet May
15th on next steps.(Update: Steve M.and Matt met with Steve A&Nancy and then Karin and Matt
presented the ideas to the Traffic Committee on May 20t". The Traffic Committee agreed that the
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placement of sharrows on specific Town roads would,most likely, produce a calming effect which
would make it safer for bicyclists. The placement of sharrows should be considered on the following
Town roads; North Chatsworth Avenue, Rockingstone Avenue, Forest Avenue, Myrtle Boulevard and
Fenimore Road. At the Town Board meeting on May 21st,there was agreement to proceed with this.
Reusable Bag Initiative(RBI)
Sue reminded the group that effective March 2020,stores will not be permitted to provide(or sell)carry-
out plastic bags to customers. The County is expected to opt in to the 5 cent fee for paper bags which
would go to NY State for the Environmental Protection Fund(3 cents)and stay with the local municipality
for the purchase of reusable bags(2 cents). The question now is, does the Town go ahead with their
draft legislation despite the fact that the State/County law will likely supersede it come next spring?
Supervisor Nancy S.feels it is better to change behaviors now rather than wait for NYS to act and asked
that if the Collabs agree, they send along a memo indicating this so the Town Board could discuss.
The Collabs considered the Supervisor's request and voted to send a letter to the TOM Board urging the
immediate adoption of an RBI Law including a 10-cent fee on paper bags. Mitch G. to draft and submit
on behalf of the Collaborative
Sue is working with Katherine on the second order of 1,000 reusable bags which will be given out to
residents upon passage of reusable bag law. Katherine has been helping with the art design and expect
to place order by mid-May. Price quote is about$1,600 for 1,000 bags and we have a sponsor to pay for
them. New Collab volunteer Todd I. of"Center for Green Building"has also offered to sponsor an order
of bags with his company logo on one side and winning student artwork on the other side;details/pricing
tbd.
Action Item 1: Mitch to draft a letter requesting the Town Board to go ahead with reusable bag
legislation for the Town.(letter completed and transmitted; please see Letter attached)
Action Item 2: Sue to place order for second order of 1,000 reusable bags,sample to be displayed at
June meeting(bag order placed May 211
Action Item 3: Sue to coordinate next order of reusable bags with Todd I.of"Center for Green
Building"in Mamaroneck
Healthy Yard Initiative
Arlene N. reported that the Healthy Yard(HY)sub-committee launched their kick-off event at Larchmont
Library on April 27th at 2pm with Sandy Morrissey, President of the Bronx River-Soundshore Audubon.
Her presentation on Monarch Butterflies received a good-sized crowd of about 45 and several attendees
signed the HY pledge and took home HY signs for their yards. Earlier in the day, the Tree Walk(led by
Jenny Geer)led many folks to the VOL library;a nice environmental tie-in. The HY program was also
promoted at the Compost Giveback Days at Maxwell Avenue Recycling Facility where volunteers talked it
up,pledges were made and signs were taken.
Yard signs are available for pickup at Town Center. Interns volunteered that they would be happy to
deliver signs to those who haven't picked up. For the next batch of tri fold printing, it may be best to
delete Maxwell Avenue as a sign pickup location as it is simply too busy there for the sanitation Foremen
to take this on. Residents can take the "healthy yard pledge"on the webpage or by signing on at events
where the tri fold brochures are available and then display their sign on their lawns to help us promote
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this program. Discussion ensued about upcoming events in which to promote this program,for example
the summer concerts at Memorial Park. Also, how do residents get the word out to their gardeners
about this program?How can the MHS senior interns help with this project?
Discussion of how the Mamaroneck Schools deal with their landscaping and fields—would our schools
qualify as "Healthy Yards"locations?Several Collabs thought this was probably true. The Collab
requested that the Interns(See below)investigate this question on a school-by-school basis and report at
our June meeting.
The impact of having some/all of our schools qualify as "Healthy Yards"would give our HY Program a
considerable boost. The potential for"crossover"endorsement from the schools(as childrens'"public
spaces") to our families(as childrens'"private spaces")would be significant. If this is possible, the HY
Program could organize "Healthy Yard Pledge and Sign-Posting"events at participating schools this fall.
Action Item: Healthy Yard committee to meet with Chelsea, Lily and Franco to coordinate their work
(meeting scheduled for Wed., May 29th at Town Center)
Action Item: Interns to verify,school-by-school,whether any/some/all of our schools qualify as
"Healthy Yards"
MHS Spring Internship Update
Chelsea, Franco and Lily reported that they are working on the Healthy Yards project including:
• Creating spreadsheet of organizations to target to help spread the HY word(pediatricians, real
estate agents, gardening shops,pet shops, Vets)and drafting script to use for this community
outreach,
• Researching a "How to Talk to Your Gardener"piece to go on HY webpage
• Gathering content for future items to post to webpage which should change monthly
• Creating a spreadsheet of those who have taken the pledge including names/addresses/email
addresses
• Interns to check on whether our schools'yards are "healthy?" If so, would they agree to post our
signs?
• Discussion ensued regarding how could we target gardeners with a "Healthy Yard package"so
they know the specifics of what constitutes healthy. This should have a very detailed list of
"Do's"and "Don'ts"
Action Item: Interns to produce draft script to be approved by Nancy and discuss community outreach
strategies with June and HY committee
Action Item 2: Interns to call schools to investigate if their yards are"healthy."
The meeting was adjourned at 8PM.
The next meeting is Tuesday,June 4, 2019, at the TOM Senior Center/VFW on the Boston Post Road
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