HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992_07_09 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes Yhft, 11
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740 West Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 914-381-6133
APPROVED
MINUTES
JULY 9, 1992
A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held
on Thursday, July 9, 1992 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: Susan Cavaliers, Acting Chairwoman
Charles Bernstein
Sandy Feldman
Edward M. Hindin
Martha Kaufman
Others Present: Ralph Gutmann, New Rochelle CAC
Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus
Angel Martin, CZMC
Kathleen Tracy O'Flinn, Liaison, Town Council
Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator
Ellen Morse, Recorder
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Minutes - The minutes of June 4, 1992 were approved after minor
changes to pages 2, 3 and 4.
Next Meeting - It was decided to cancel next months' August 6 meeting
unless an important issue arises in the meantime. If so, the members
will be apprised of the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Long Island Sound Water Monitoring - Mr. Bernstein reported that the
monitoring is at a dead stop because the person who has the monitoring
equipment was away on vacation and could not be contacted. Also, this
equipment is being shared with Rye Harbor who have not done any testing
as yet. Also, the L.I. Sound Task Force people are waiting for the
registration of the boat. It was decided to have Mr. Bernstein write a
letter to the President of the L.I. Sound Task Force expressing CAC's
concern about the start-up delay and the timing of the testing as this is
a critical time of the year when there is depletion of the oxygen in the
water.
CAC Minutes
July 9, 1992
Page 2
CORRESPONDENCES
Outgoing:
June 17, 1992 - Letter to County Executive O'Rourke re: Cranberry
Lake.
June 18, 1992 - Letter to local dry cleaner businesses on Recycling
of Dry Cleaner Bags.
June 1992 - Letter to local homeowners in TOM explaining how to care
for newly planted street trees.
CONSULTANT/LIAISON REPORTS
Street Trees - Councilwoman O'Flinn reported that the Town will
initiate a tree inventory program this Fall with the help of the DEC.
Tree information to be gathered: total amount, types, condition, and age
of the trees. This program will help in maintaining the trees and in
budgeting for future plantings and removals. At present, the Town does
not know if they are planting the best variety of species and if planting
enough. The trees will not be mapped out as this would require setting
up a data base and maintaining a current inventory. The Town will have
residential volunteers do the survey who will receive brief training in
identifying and tallying the trees. Depending upon when volunteers are
available, it is hoped to do the survey in early Fall or late next
Spring. The Town hopes to complete the survey within a weeks time
requiring 3-5 hrs. each day. Councilwoman O'Flinn asked the members if
they know of any people who might be interested in doing the survey.
TASK FORCE REPORTS
Landscaping/Maintenance Articles - As the Town is planning to mail
out a newsletter in early September, it was discussed how much space
would be available for CAC's report. They are planning to write an
article on winter preparation.
Golf Course Rezoning Study - Councilwoman O'Flinn reported that there
will probably be a public hearing in early Fall.
Storm Drain Stenciling - The project is on hold for the summer.
Susan Cavalieri reported that she has the names of two boy scouts whom
she hopes will help in the Fall when stenciling resumes.
CAC Minutes
July 9, 1992
Page 3
ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR REPORTS
Summer Conservation Program - Ms. Ng reported that three students
were hired, two of whom are being sponsored by The Friends of the
Reservoir who is reimbursing the Town. They have done pruning in the
trails, started wood chipping and did more work on the Reservoir in terms
of new projects. They will work with a Highway person to fix broken
boardwalks. CAC had requested that the Premium boardwalk be rebuilt, but
since dredging will be going on in that area this winter, Ms. Ng
suggested that the boardwalk repair work not begin until the dredging
work is completed. She asked for CAC's approval to use the allocated
funds to repair the Hammocks boardwalk. It was requested by Mrs. Johnson
that trees along the Hammocks wall by the marsh area be removed. Ms. Ng
will request that a Town Engineer examine the area.
Trap Shooting - Ms. Ng reported that Steve Goldstein former CAC Chair
said that trap shooting with lead shot is still going on in the Village
of Mamaroneck at the Orienta Beach Club at Flagler Drive. He requested
a letter be written by CAC stating that CAC urge the Village to ban lead
shot. Ms. Ng drafted the letter to Mayor Noto with revisions from Mr.
Goldstein. She then read the letter to the Commission. She is awaiting
additional information to enclose with the letter. It was discussed
whether steel shot is a viable alternative because it rusts in the
water. As more information is needed on the effects of steel shot, it
was suggested that Ms. Ng and the Chair after reviewing the information
received decide what position CAC will take. If steel shot is found to
be a significant environmental hazard, suggest no permits be issued; but
if steel shot is not a hazard, request using the steel instead of lead
shot. Ms. Ng stated that if she receives information according to the
former, she will present it to CAC for a vote and a revized letter.
Westchester Land Trust - Phyllis Wittner and Ms. Ng met with
representatives of the Westchester Land Trust, based in Bedford, who
would like to work with lower Westchester coiiuuunitiPs. Mrs. Wittner and
Ms. Ng were informed of work they have done, e.g. , the Mianus River
Watershed project. They would like to know if CAC has any specific
project they can assist with: research, planning, watershed, etc. CZMC
would be interested if CAC would have a joint session with them and the
Land Trust representatives. It was suggested that before deciding if
there is any interest, the Commission should spend time in the Fall to
plan next years' projects and budget by looking over last year's list
which Ms. Ng will distribute.
Recycling Update - Ms. Ng reported that there will be a public
hearing on Monday, July 20 on the proposed County Recycling Law.
CAC Minutes
July 9, 1992
Page 4
Ms. Ng reported that it is still undecided whether recyclables will
be picked up at curbside or at the back door. There's a loud contingent
who prefer back door pickup. The Town is in the process of reworking the
routes and schedules to add one additional pickup for recycling. Glass,
metal and plastic will be commingled. Corrugated cardboard could be
added to the newspaper pickup. It is undecided whether to use special
plastic bags or labels. The Commission members felt if plastic bags are
used it would be sending the wrong message and defeating the purpose.
Leaves will still be picked up separately and garden/yard waste will be
prohibited from going to the County materials recovery facility. Mrs.
Johnson questioned why schools are not on the list for recycling. Ms. Ng
said she would look into the matter. Ms. Ng said there will be a public
hearing on July 22 for the proposed local recycling law which does not
include the pickup procedure. It sets out a mandate that the Town and
residents will be required to separate garbage but leaves procedural
details to the discretion of the Sanitation Commission. Councilwoman
O'Flinn reported that because the County law needs revisions, penalties
will not be imposed for two years after the effective September 1 date.
This should provide the Town with enough time to develop an effective
recycling system.
Town Planning Board Update - The DiForio's have not responded yet to
comments for the DEIS. The Town has submitted a site plan for the
Hammocks Park apartments to the Planning Board who are looking at the
parking issues and CZMC who are looking at drainage issues. These
apartments will be composed of 54 units, three stories high in a "U"
shape with grassy walkways in between. This site plan will come up again
before the Planning Board in August. The architect has suggested
privatization as opposed to more common areas to discourage undesirable
gatherings.
NEW OR OTHER BUSINESS
Community Recycling Awards - Acting Chairwoman Cavalieri suggested
discussing this when CAC does their overall planning in September. She
spoke with three people from the Citizens to Promote Recycling who are
from the Village of Tarchmont about working on the Community Recycling
Awards. All are too busy at the moment. She did not speak to Lynn
Reichgott.
Town Surplus Lands - Councilwoman O'Flinn reported that the Town is
putting together a property list comprised of 30 properties - some large,
some slivers. She asked Steve Altieri to get the market values. The
Town Board thought the Chairs of both CAC and CZMC should go through the
list and determine what properties they are interested in. Upon
Chairwoman Perez's return from vacation, Steve Altieri will meet with
her.
CAC Minutes
July 9, 1992
Page 5
School Program - Martha Kaufman showed the reusable, three piece
"litter-less" lunch kit and canvas bag to be sold to students in the four
schools in September for $4.00. They have enough for 125 per school and
hope to purchase more with the proceeds. They would like to eventually
sell to the Hommocks Middle School were all the students must stay for
lunch. New parents in the community will receive a flyer on this, and
all students will receive a notice in the August mail included with their
class assignments. Representatives will be at the schools on the first
day to explain the contract, and they will also present it to the PTA
(day and evening) meetings. Two teachers will be recording the
quantities of garbage to track its decline.
Organic Gardening - Mary Anne Johnson showed a news article on
chemical free lawns from a company called "Organic Solutions." This
company is presently working along the Mianus River making sure the
properties there are as chemically free as possible. They estimate that
it takes three years to restore a lawn. If someone signs a contract for
one year with them, they send bulletins for each step of lawn care with
information on watering, seeding, and information on seasonal changes in
the lawn.
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The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.