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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993_02_04 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes R 'GE 1CSC c ��R 7 993Ep PATRICIA A.PiCIOCCIO Town of Mamaroneck MAMMON+ECK Conservation Advisory Commission N.Y. 740 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 914-381-7845 MINUTES FEBRUARY 4, 1993 APPROVED A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, February 4, 1993 in Conference Room A of the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8:10 p.m. Members Present: Louise E. Perez, Chairwoman Charles Bernstein Edward M. Hindin Lynn Reichgott Others Present: Sandra Abreu, Mamaroneck High School Research Student Stephen Coleman, Environmental Consultant Robert P. Hohberg, Water Monitoring Consultant Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus Lee Leitner, Earth Smarts, Inc. Virginia Neumeister, Village of Mamaroneck Trustee Kathleen Tracy O'Flinn, Liaison, Town Council Judy O'Gorman, Liaison, Larchn nt Village Tracey Pizzarello, Mamaroneck High School Research Student Dr. Myrna Thomas, Science Department, Mamaroneck High School Richard Ward, CZMC Liaison Phyllis Wittner, CZMC Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator Ellen Morse, Recorder WATER MONITORING REPORT BY RESEARCH STUDENTS Mr. Hohberg introduced two biology research students who did work at the Premium Marsh, Pinebrook River and the Premium River last summer. Mss. Abreu and Pizzarello gave a presentation with graphs of their findings. They found a lot of debris near a bridge located close to Boston Post Road that had the highest coliform count compared to two other areas by the Larchmont Diner and Lorenzen Park. Mr. Hohberg said that a new course called ',Chemical Ecology" is evolving at the high school as a result of his water testing. Dr. Thomas explained that Toyota is sponsoring grants through the National Science Teachers Association which they have applied for to aid in their research. The Science Department has also designed a cooperative effort between same advanced biology research students and sane general chemistry students along with four science teachers. t4 Village of Larchmont M Unincorporated area of the Town of Mamaroneck • Village of Mamaroneck Printed on Recycled Paper CAC Minutes February 4, 1993 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Long Island Sound Water Monitoring - Report - Mr. Bernstein reported on the work being done by the group which was formed through the L.I. Sound Task Force. They tested the oxygen content in Mamaroneck Harbor. This testing was done once a week between 6-7:00 a.m. and 4-5:00 p.m. during June, July, August and part of September. The stations were measured from the surface at one meter intervals. Mr. Bernstein gave an overview of the water's health and stated that most of the pollution is in the form of coliform coming from storm water and sanitary sewer overflow. Mr. Bernstein stated that all kinds of weather factor into the testing, e.g., humidity, wind, pressure and temperature. When they get readings below 5, the water is unhealthy. Mr. Bernstein also explained the process by which oxygen increases in the water. HONIIOCRS MANAGEMENT PLAN - STEVE COLT Environmental Consultant Steve Coleman was invited to appear before the CAC to further elaborate on his management plan for the Hammocks Conservation area. Mr. Coleman stated that he originally developed a management plan for the critical areas of the Reservoir, Sheldrake and Leatherstocking. The proposal for the Hammocks area was submitted later to Mrs. Wittner and C. Ng in November 1992. Mr. Coleman then described the plan and its advantages. He explained how baseline data, e.g., examining the water, it's components and their fecal coliform, help in evaluating what the critical needs are for an area and enable him to give recommendations for improvements. Mr. Coleman explained the need to also examine the plants and animals and the change of each over time. He suggested training people such as the CAC by taking them out to the various sites and showing than what work has to be done. Also, he suggested educating the public through the schools using the LIFE group and having than help with the work. As the budget line for consultant is $2,000 and Mr. Coleman's estimated work is over that amount, he stated that he can only do the inventory work now and the management recommendations will have to wait. The CAC discussed how to obtain more funding by seeking donations, checking same State agencies and foundations. It was suggested to describe this project in the Town's Newsletter to seek financial assistance. It was also suggested to seek the assistance of the Hammocks Association by asking them to join the CAC's subcommittee on overseeing the project. The CAC voted in favor of using their budget of $2,000 for the inventory work and the second part which will be the management plan will be financed later. Since Mr. Coleman recommended taking the CAC on a site visit, it was suggested and agreed that when the new CAC members begin, the CAC will organize an orientation and will include site visits. CAC Minutes February 4, 1993 Page 3 ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Approval of Minutes - The minutes of January 7, 1992 were approved. CORRFSPO NDEAaG',E Incoming Chairwoman Perez sent the members a conference notice on L.I. Sound to be held in Stamford, CT on Saturday, February 6. Mrs. Johnson plans to attend in the morning. Chairwoman Perez received a letter from the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation. The Committee is asking CAC's to submit nominations for their awards in "Planning Achievement" and "Citizen Planning." It was decided not to participate at this time. 1/93 - Magazine fram the N.Y. Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. Ms. Ng has past issues for perusal. 1/93 - Newsletter from Federated Conservationists of Westchester County on "Westchester Environment." 1/7/93 - From NYS DEC 7th Annual Evaluation of the NYS Hazardous Waste Site Remediation Program by State Superfund Management Board. 1/8/93 - Fran WM. J. Schneider, Westchester County Bureau of Environmental Quality re: Receipt of B. Hohberg's Sheldrake River Report. 1/12/93 - From NYS DEC report "Utility and Effectiveness of Environmental Managanent Councils and CAC's in Local Government". ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR REPORTS Previously it was discussed to ask the Sanitation Superintendent Steve Altieri to appear before the CAC to give an update on the recycling program. Instead, Councilwoman O'Flinn suggested that when the Town Board has their work session on recycling, she will inform the CAC so that they may attend. Ms. Reichgott will meet with CAC's subcommittee on recycling before next months Board meeting. Chairwoman Perez gave Ms. Reichgott Martha Kaufman's guidelines for CAC's recycling award program for the subcommittee's use. Ms. Ng gave an update on the Hilltop Road entrance to the Sheldrake trails. The engineer got a survey estimate of $900. It was suggested that the Tam Highway Department pour the cement for the monument (survey markers) in the Spring after the surveyors stake it so it will be permanent. NEW OR OTHER BUSINESS Phyllis Wittner asked the CAC if they know of anyone who is qualified to sit on the CZMC for the Town as they have one opening. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.