HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992_02_06 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes C C
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APPROVED
Town of Mamaroneck
Conservation Advisory Commission
740 West Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 RECEIVED 914-381-7845
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FEBRUARY 6, 1992
A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held
on Thursday, February 6, 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: Louise Perez, Chairwoman
Charles Bernstein
Susan Cavalieri
Sandy Feldman
Edward M. Hindin
Martha Kaufman
Michael A. Scheffler
Others Present: Angel Martin, CZMC
Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator
Maureen Nobile, Village of Mamaroneck Observer
Kate Weingarten, Village of Mamaroneck Trustee
Phyllis Wittner, CZMC Chair
John Varvayanis, Westchester Greenway Coordinator
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Minutes - The minutes of January 9, 1992 were approved with one
correction.
Next Meeting - March 5, 1992
OLD BUSINESS
Greenway Trail - Kate Weingarten, Mamaroneck Village Trustee, stated
that she spoke with Chairwoman Perez and read memos from the last meeting
in which it was thought that perhaps the Robertsons could be persuaded to
change their minds or that the Village should insist that the driveway be
made a public thoroughfare again. After speaking with the Village
Attorney who attended some meetings and reviewed the maps, she reported
that neither she as an elected official nor the Village were in a
position to convince the Robertsons to give an easement. Also, even
though they support CAC in this matter, the issue is between the AMC and
Village of Larchmont • Unincorporated arca of the Town of Mamaroneck • Village of Mamaroneck
Printed on Recycled Paper
CAC Minutes
February 6, 1992
Page 2
a private individual. Therefore, the Village Attorney was not
responsible in either rendering a decision or doing research into the
easement matter. She suggested an attorney from the AMC be consulted.
Mr. Varvayanis, Mr. Hindin, and other members of CAC disagreed noting
that this is a community issue, and that they are seeking a permanent
public solution to establishing a trail system that would be a
recreational benefit to the Village of Mamaroneck as well.
Mr. Bernstein reported that Mr. Lipton has now retracted his
permission to use his half of the road. Mrs. Weingarten suggested trying
to find out why he changed his mind, and Mr. Bernstein said that he would
try again with Mr. Lipton. He suggested perhaps the Village give a small
property tax relief to both the Robertsons and Mr. Lipton as an
inducement. Mrs. Weingarten said she would think about it. She will
also attend the on-site meeting this Saturday with Mr. Varvayanis, County
Legislator George Latimer, and possibly other key figures.
Mr. Varvayanis announced that on Sunday, March 29, 1992 at 9:15
a.m. , the AMC is going on an 8 mile hike starting at the Weinberg Nature
Center.
L.I. Sound Water Monitoring - Mr. Bernstein reported that the Long
Island Sound Task Force will be teaching how to operate the water
monitoring equipment in March. He plans to attend along with someone
from the Orienta Yacht Club. Bob Hohberg also wants to attend. He will
be called when the class is ready to start.
Recycling of Nursery and Landscape Plastics - Mr. Hindin drafted a
letter to be sent to the local nurseries encouraging recycling of
plastics and listing the address and phone number of a recycling
company. Ms. Ng distributed copies to the members. It was suggested to
add a sentence asking the nurseries to accept plastic pots from their
patrons for recycling. The Commission were in agreement to send the
letter.
Hammocks & Premium Conservation Areas - Mr. Scheffler suggested that
his letter to the neighbors in the Premium Conservation Area be kept to
one page as anything longer might discourage people frau reading the
entire letter. He then read the letter to the Commission. Mrs. Wittner
said that she will give Mr. Scheffler a list of residents for mailing.
Mr. Scheffler wants to start with a small mailing to accomplish one task
and then do a larger mailing. When the lists are received, prioritizing
will be done to mail out the most important ones first.
Letters to Ad Hoc Members - Chairwoman Perez wrote a letter to
Dr. Gillman which she read to the Commission. They agreed on sending the
letter. Letters were also written to Irma Volk, Jackie Plumez,
CAC Minutes
February 6, 1992
Page 3
Gene Tashoff, and Shirleyan Price. It was decided to add an
acknowledgment in Irma Volk's letter on her past membership in CAC. Mr.
Scheffler felt that only people who would be available to attend meetings
should be asked to join as ad hoc members. It was suggested that the
wording in the letters be changed to state that CAC needs them to attend
the meetings instead of whenever the ad hoc member felt it was necessary.
Also, stress the fact that all members are volunteers and CAC needs their
help. Chairwoman Perez agreed to change the letters.
FMC Water Policy - The committee on the County's Environmental
Management Council asked the Town Board for comments and suggestions who
in turn asked the CAC for comments. It was asked if there were any
critical environmental areas. Four areas were mentioned: Hammocks,
Premium, Country Clubs and the Sheldrake Watershed. Mr. Scheffler
suggested that Bob Hohberg look over the policy as he is CAC's expert on
water quality.
CORRESPONDENCE
(1) Letter from Martha Kaufman to George Latimer regarding the Jay
Property/Bald Mt. Mrs. Kaufman received a reply from him which
she read to the members in which he offered to moot with the
CAC.
(2) Letter dated January 21, 1992 twin Councilwoman O'Flinn to NYS
Dept. of Environmental Conservation regarding the draft on the
Open Space Conservation Plan.
(3) Letter dated January 24, 1992 front Charles Bernstein to No. (2)
above.
(4) Letter ftoxu Claudia Ng dated January 10, 1992 to NYS DEC
regarding LEAP funding application.
CONSULTANT/LIAISON REPORTS
Chairwoman Perez reported for Councilwoman O'Flinn that the Golf
Course Study Scoping document by Ferrandino & Associates has been
approved by the Town Board. The cost is down considerably to about one
half the original estimate because of local experts who will take over
researching part of the study. The scoping document is available at the
Town Center for anyone interested in reading it.
Chairwoman Perez mentioned that at the Town Board it was suggested by
Phyllis Wittner that the Board contract with a company, Blasland and
Bouck, to put in and maintain an oil and sediment screen to catch
pollutants from going into the Hammocks Marsh. This company will clean
the boom four times a year.
Councilwoman O'Flinn reported to Chairwoman Perez that she needs a
third person to cochair Beautification Day to be held near the end of
April, preferably from the Village of Mamaroneck.
CAC Minutes
February 6, 1992
Page 4
ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR REPORTS
Annual Report 1990-'91 - Claudia Ng asked for the rest of the
members' continents or changes on the draft articles for CAC's annual
report. No one had any additional comments or changes. Ms. Ng passed
around the list of CAC Membership Appointments to update the list. She
asked that each member check their dates.
List of Conservation Properties - Ms. Ng reported that the property
cards do not always agree with what is shown on the maps. She tried to
list all the lots and properties and if one was combined into three, she
listed all three. Ms. Ng asked if anyone wanted to see the tax lot
maps. If not, she would pass it on to the Tawn Board and notify them
that CAC would like to designate as conservation areas the
Leatherstocking Trail, Hammocks, and the Premium areas. Ms. Ng was
directed to send the list with a memo to Kathleen O'Flinn and ask for its
review by the proper officials.
As for the Hammocks Conservation Area boundary, MS. Ng reported that
there is an agreement with Hammocks school for use of the adjoining
fields. In addition, the Soccer Teague was allowed use of the soccer
field by the Town's Recreation Commission. Town Administrator S. Altieri
suggested establishing the boundary where the soccer field currently
ends. The CAC agreed.
TASK FORCE REPORTS
Landscaping/Maintenance Articles - Mr. Hindin announced that the next
article was ready for publication. MS. Ng reported that it was announced
at the Staff Meeting that the Town hopes to send out the next newsletter
in March.
Golf Course Rezoning Study - There have not been any meetings.
Chairperson Perez asked if someone wanted to read the scoping report.
Several members agreed to read it. Ms. Ng will bring several copies to
the next meeting.
Storm Drain Stenciling - Mrs. Cavalieri reported that the stenciling
is on hold because of the cold weather. As there are not many stencils,
the stenciling will have to be staggered. Mrs. Cavalieri thought that
the schools could do stenciling during the week and Hammocks during
Beautification Day.
OTHER BUSINESS
Phyllis Wittner, CZMC Chair, attended the meeting and reported on a
grant she read about in the NY State Speaker of the Assembly Newsletter
from the Federal Small Business Administration administered through DEC
for tree plantings. It is required that the tree plantings be bought
CAC Minutes
February 6, 1992
Page 5
from local nurseries and that they do the planting. They have extended
the date for applying for the grant frcan March 1st to March 10th. There
are certain stipulations that rust be met including a 3 yr. maintenance
plan and matching funds frcxn the Town. The maximum grant that the Town
could receive is $5,000.
The entranceway to the Premium Conservation Area looks 100% better
now that the Highway Department removed and then replaced the telephone
poles and wood chips. In order to decide what should be planted in that
area which periodically floods, Mrs. Wittner tried to think of the
different criteria one would need for plantings in that area. Some areas
are sunny, others are in partial shade, and plants should be able to
withstand dry periods. The main consideration is that they should be
indigenous to this upland marsh area and also that they attract birds and
wildlife. She met with Jo Ann Grossman from Larchmont Nurseries today
and prepared a rough draft of a planting plan based on extensive
reading. Ms. Ng measured the site which is about 200 feet with Mrs.
Wittner on Monday. Clean up and preparation of the site would be done by
the Town.
Mrs. Wittner asked for CAC's opinion as to whether they agree with
the types of plantings and if they're in agreement to submit the grant to
the Town Council. Chairwoman Perez made a motion to support Mrs.
Wittner's plan and all members were in agreement. The plan could be
presented as a two-phase project.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Development Rights and Water Body Protection Conference - Notice in
the January 16th EMC Bulletin about a conference sponsored by Pace
University School of Law and the Real Estate Law Society on February
19th. Originally, Steve Silverberg was going to attend but felt it was
geared for lay people so is not attending now. Irene Saltzberg from LIFE
Center is attending. Chairwoman Perez asked if anyone would be
interested in attending. Ms. Ng said she would see if she could attend
and if anyone else from the Town plans to attend.
Recycling Meeting - League of Women Voters is giving an informational
meeting on recycling in conjunction with the LIFE Center.
Meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.