HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019_10_01 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes, October 1, 2019
Attendees: Steve Altieri, Mitch Green, Frank Owens, Sue Odierna, Mark Kramer,, Karen Khor, Karin
Weisburgh, Elizabeth Poyet,Todd Isberg, Matt Thomas, Marc Karell, Katherine Pannell,
Beatrice Weinberger,Jeffery King, Steve Moser, Diane Neff,June Wallach, Elizabeth
Poyet and Lisa McDonald & Kristin Andersen (from Larchmont Environmental
Committee)
Minutes of September 10th meeting were accepted.
Mobility/Complete Streets/Electric Vehicle (EV)Charging Stations
Steve A. updated the group that three of the EV Charging stations(Town Center, Myrtle Blvd and
Baldwin Ave.)are installed and running. The Hommocks Ice Rink/Pool parking lot station needs to be re-
engineered due to an electrical issue and they are trying to determine if this can be done or if the station
should be moved elsewhere. Electrical charging will be complimentary for the first few months,
appropriate fees to be determined. Steve also said the Town is applying for reimbursement of grant
money. Mitch suggested we should perhaps have an event to celebrate the charging stations.
Steve A. also mentioned the Rec/Fire Department's Food Truck Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5th. There will
be 17 different types of food trucks. There will be music and activities for children;the USGA will be
showcasing the U.S. Open Trophy
Regarding sharrows, the streets have been identified, quotes will come in from two contractors in next
two weeks;plan is to paint the sharrows in October. Steve mentioned that he and Nancy think it's best
to publicize to the residents who are living on streets where sharrows will be painted by letter.
Wasted Food Reduction DEC Grant/Food Waste Recycling
Karen K. reported that the third Grant meeting would be held this Thursday and that the Chairs of
Environ committees and Administrators of Villages would be attending. "Eat,Share and Compost the
Rest"is the tag line to accompany the Love your Food campaign. Nancy's October E-Newsletter will have
another blurb about the program and in November, her mailed-out, twice/year newsletter will go to all
residents and will contain an insert explaining the program. Karen also clarified the roles of those
involved;she is working primarily with the schools, Elana with the DEC and Beth with the communication
consultants. The plan is to launch the new website in November. Mark K. requested finding out weight
of food waste per school. Karen would like to know how many food waste kits have been sold. Clarence
and Frank are to be asked to email prior month's amount of food waste during the first week of each
month.
USGA's 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot
The USGA Golf Open to be held at Winged Foot, here in the Town will occur on June 15—21, 2020. Mitch
reported that the USGA has met with the Town. Mitch has met with representatives of Winged Foot to
see how event can be more sustainable. Mitch circulated a memo describing ways in which we can
engage with tournament—promoting sustainability and the Town. Frank and many Collabs liked the idea
of bringing people in the community together through this tournament to discuss best environmental
practices,such as getting the golf and beach clubs involved;Mitch suggested this would be best achieved
by reaching out to members of such clubs, not the Management. Marc K. suggested Mitch speak with a
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sustainability manager he knows who specializes in bringing sustainability to sporting events. She has
run the US Open (Tennis)for at least nine years. Marc K. to give her contact info to Mitch. Also
suggested was Ellen Martin of Larch Enviro Committee who has run the Larchmont Yacht Club Race
Week events sustainably. Suggestion was made that she could look over Mitch's plan and perhaps
assist. Questions were asked about pesticides, i.e. does Winged Foot use them? Mitch attended the
Town's Planning Board meeting and talked with some of the USGA people and saw some interest in his
ideas. However, Mitch said that Nancy and Steve need to solidify arrangements with the USGA;they're
awarding their waste contracts currently.
(Update: on October 2, 2019 the Collaborative submitted a letter to Town Leadership outlining three
streams of engagement with the USGA on the Open: sustainability, educational opportunities, and
community outreach. 20 members of the Collaborative endorsed the letter)
(Update: at the Planning Board Public Hearing on the U.S. Open on October 17, 2019, the Planning
Board suggested that the USGA and the Collaborative meet to discuss how to move forward.The first of
these meetings will be held on Tuesday, October 22)
Larchmont Environmental Committee(LEC) Update
Lisa McDonald, new Co-chair of LEC reported on what they are working on:
• Developing a 5-year plan of items that are important and how best to communicate these
• Finding out who the counterparts in the County are to better network re:enviro issues
• Westchester Green Schools—to better network within area schools(CT has a system like this)
• Ongoing projects—Leaf Blower Law,Zero Waste, Healthy Yards
• Greening the Building Codes
• Transportation Issues—car free days, bike lanes, etc.
Mark K. suggested they get in touch with the County's Climate Task Force. Mitch mentioned we should
plan another Tri-Municipal environmental meeting.
Reusable Bag Initiative(RBI)
Jeff reported that after two public hearings, the Bag Waste Reduction Law was passed by the Town
Board. Law goes into effect on 12/1/2019 and bans single-use, carry-out plastic bags from Town
businesses, and charges 5 cents for paper bags. Exempt businesses include food establishments such as
restaurant, delis, taverns;they may still pack their"to go"foods in plastic bags. Nancy sent letters to all
affected businesses offering a meeting with merchants. Mitch asked what our messaging is and Jeff and
Sue reported that we are waiting to hear back from merchants to determine next steps but that we do
have over 3,000 reusable bags to distribute.
Update: Nancy and Sue met with Manager of Stop and Shop who didn't think it would be too
problematic,though he said the seniors wouldn't be happy. He said he would be happy to have us
distribute bags and that corporate would likely make up signs, but he'd be happy to see what we'd like
to provide too. We are to get back to him when we have materials and ideas of when/how we'd like to
distribute bags.
Healthy Yards
June updated that we have 120 HY pledgers. Rye, who has been working on the same initiative for
several years longer has 140 pledgers,so we are doing very well! Diane would like to make a map of HY
addresses to get a sense of where our healthy yards are. Diane also reported that in the Village of
Larchmont, there is a 90 day limit for residents placing signs in their yards. Mitch asked if the Village of
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Larchmont's parks have any chemical applications;Diane said they do not. VoL personnel will now use
only electric leaf blowers when gas-powered are banned.
Mark K. suggested the Town use a telephone system like the "311"system so that calls can get routed to
the correct department more quickly and efficiently and/or have an email address where residents could
send their concerns to. Sue replied that residents generally email the Town Supervisor or Town
Administrator with these issues.
The meeting was adjourned at 8PM.
The next Collaborative meeting will be rescheduled to MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4. It will not be on
November 12t". Apologies for the inconvenience.
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