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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992_01_09 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes CLC- . /, 02- r oCc C C Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission 740 West Boston Post Road 4 Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 2ECEJVED 914-381-7845 FEB 10 1992 RSI:fiCIA A.DiC1000IR MINUTES LTOWN CLERK AR4NECK N.Y JANUARY 9, 1992 A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, January 9, 1992 in Conference Room A of the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York 10543. The meeting commenced at 8:10 p.m. Members Present: Louise Perez, Chairperson Charles Bernstein Susan Cavalieri Martha L. Gershun Edward M. Hindin Martha Kaufman Michael A. Scheffler Others Present: Jane Berger, LIFE Center William J. Bruce, League of Women Voters Robert P. Hohberg, Water Monitoring Consultant Mary Ann Johnson, Emeritus Sandra Marraffino, LIFE Center Angel Martin, CZMC Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator Kathleen Tracy O'Flinn, Liaison, Tawn Council Sue Serphos, Village of Mamaroneck Resident Ellen Morse, Recorder ADMINISTRATIVE MA!rr KS Minutes - The minutes of December 5, 1991 were approved without correction. Next Meeting - February 6, 1992 OLD BUSINESS Greenway Trail - Mr. Bernstein reported that Mr. Lipton spoke to Mrs. Robertson, but she is unwilling to rescind disapproving use of their property. In a prior communication mtunication frcxn the Village of Mamaroneck to John Varvayanis, Angela Grillo, Asst. Village Mgr. at the time, suggested investigating the possible use of Rockridge Rd. Although the road is a private road designed for auto traffic only, the properties abut in the ti14, Village of Larchmont • Unincorporated area of the Town of Mamaroneck • Village of Mamaroneck Printed on Recycled Paper CAC Minutes January 9, 1992 Page 2 middle of the road, and perhaps Mr. Lipton's share of the road could be used to walk on. Ms. Ng obtained a copy of the easement agreement for the road which she believes was made in order to allow for the current subdivision. Chairperson Perez spoke to Kate Weingarten who assured her that she would try to solve this matter. Councilwoman O'Flinn suggested a copy of the easement agreement be sent to Ms. Weingarten so she could work with the Village Attorney. Mr. Scheffler will be given a copy of the deed to review as well. Mr. Bernstein said Mr. Lipton might be interested in working with CAC on this matter. It was suggested he be invited to the next CAC meeting. Hummocks & Premium Conservation Areas - Mrs. Johnson pointed out that when the Hammocks school was built, a certain amount of acreage was needed to fulfill State requirements. She suggested talking to Chris Helwig who worked on it at that time. Ms. Ng spoke to Steve Altieri regarding the bleachers. He said the Town owns most of the property, but there is an agreement with the school to allow them to use it. The soccer league, who also uses the land, asked for the bleachers. Mr. Altieri mentioned that CAC might consider making the boundary where it is now so it does not conflict with the Recreation Commission's work and put this in writing. His belief is that the only deed restriction is that the land not be built on. It was discussed whether the land had been dedicated as a conservation area. Mrs. Johnson replied that it had been dedicated back in the 1960's, although Ms. Ng has no records as such. Councilwoman O'Flinn replied that if the land had been dedicated, it must have been surveyed. Mr. Hindin made a motion that survey records be researched, and failing any prior designation specifically delineating a portion of that land as conservation area, it should be staked at its current boundary where it meets the wild growth and properly designated as conservation area forever. CAC should recommend as such to the Town Board. All members were in agreement. Ms. Ng was asked the status of other conservation areas for dedication. She replied that a list has been written up but needs proofreading. She will try to have it ready for next month's meeting. Bald Mt. - First mentioned at the last meeting, the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County asked CAC to support them in requesting the County to purchase Bald Mt. which is in danger of being developed. It was asked whether CAC had gotten involved before in issues outside of its boundaries. Mrs. Johnson replied that they had in Scarsdale, and Ms. Ng noted CAC helped also with Davids Island and the Jay property issues. Mr. Hindin suggested making a motion that CAC go on CAC Minutes January 9, 1992 Page 3 record and suggest to the County that the acquisition of the Jay property be completed. Also, that the County do everything possible to acquire as much open space as it can including Bald Mt. as a prime example. Martha Kaufman agreed to draft the letter to our new County Legislator, George Latimer. All Commission members were in agreement. L.I. Sound Water Monitoring - Mr. Bernstein reported that the Orienta Yacht Club has organized an environmental committee to prevent any of the club's waste fLLxu going into the Harbor. A biologist and Al Lipton of the Club are interested in taking water samples. Mr. Bernstein reviewed the videotape which refers to an unnamed L.I. Sound harbor. He needs to speak to someone from the L.I. Sound Task Force to find out exactly what they need us to do. He also does not know what facilities we have or if our equipment can do the work of determining the oxygen level in the water. Mr. Bernstein stated that the water monitoring of Mamaroneck Harbor can easily be organized and will be covered. He will try to get Larchmont Harbor covered and suggested one of the Horecchoe Harbor clubs be visited to see if some people there could help. Recycling of Nursery & Landscape Plastics - Mr. Hindin to work on. NEW BUSINESS Conservation Areas Guide - Sandra Marraffino, LIFE Center Board member, discussed her ideas about creating a conservation area guide booklet for our ca mtunity based on a Staten Island Walk Book dated 1962 which she showed. Areas suggested for inclusion were Hammocks and Premium Salt Marshes, Sheldrake River and Leatherstocking Trails, Manor Park, Larchnont Reservoir, and Harbor Island. It was asked if other areas should be included such as Guion Creek in Mamaroneck and the Greenway Trail. Non-conservation areas such as Flint and Myrtle Parks were also mentioned. It was agreed to do the conservation areas first, and if enough space is left, include Flint and Lorenzen Parks. Mrs. Marraffino described a layout for the brochure and asked haw the CAC could help in publishing it. Ms. Ng suggested in-house printing in the beginning, and if the parks are included, perhaps seek financial assistance frau the Recreation Dept. Real Estate agencies could also be solicited since they could distribute these booklets to potential clients. Mrs. Kaufman suggested also asking the Jr. League for financial aid through their grants. Mr. Scheffler offered to look into the Jr. League because his wife belongs to this organization. Mrs. Marraffino suggested that individuals could contribute by writing on one particular area which they are knowledgeable about. Local historians were also mentioned as contributors. CAC agreed to the creation of this booklet, and Chairperson Perez appointed Mrs. Marraffino as Chair for the project. Mrs. Marraffino will work with Ms. Ng and submit a draft to the CAC in three months. CAC Minutes January 9, 1992 Page 4 CORRESPONDEN('RS - None. CONSULTANT/LIAISON REPORTS Water Monitoring - Mr. Hohberg reported that most of the statistical tables are done and only the graphs and conclusion with a formal report need to be completed. Regarding the progress of the research students for the Sheldrake River - they covered 9 stations. Five of those had coliform counts over 16,000 organisms per 100 ml. (2,400 per 100 milliliter samples closes the beaches) . He proposes for this summer picking up where he left off at the Sheldrake and continuing down into Columbus Park. In addition, he wants to take his research students into the Pine Brook Premium Marsh area. He would like someone in there before dredging is done to get base data to reflect back on, if and when they enter that area again after dredging. Chairperson Perez noted that it was through Mr. Hohberg's efforts that the matter of the sewer leak at Nassau Rd. & Forest Park Ave. was resolved. She commented that it took two or three phone calls and a letter to the County before the matter was resolved. Other areas that are being looked into are the Sheldrake River by the industrial area in Mamaroneck Village and Fast Creek. A letter was sent to the Village regarding the Sheldrake, but no reply has been received. Regarding the East Creek area - Councilwoman O'Flinn spoke to Steve Altieri who said it would be gotten to in late Spring. ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR REPOR'T'S 1992-93 Work Plan - This report must be submitted each year to NYS DEC who then reimburses CAC at varying rates. This plan goes by the State's fiscal year from April '92 to March '93 and is due by January 15th. Changes were discussed and noted. Annual Report 1990-91 - Since the 1990 Annual Report has not been coppleted yet and since many of the projects continued into 1991, Ms. Ng suggested combining these two years into one report. She drafted preliminary summaries of each topic and requested that each member take a different page and further expand on what was done and/or what they would like to see done. Some of the topics include conservation areas, environmental gardening advice, water monitoring, review of proposed laws, recycling, storm drain stenciling, environmental education curriculum, Town surplus lands, environmental events (ex. Larchmont Centennial Parade and Mamaroneck Waterfront Environmental Fair) . Those working on the various topics are: Conservation Area - Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Sdheffler; Environmental Gardening Advice - Mrs. Cavalieri, Mr. Hindin, and Mrs. Johnson; Old Mill Site - Mr. Bernstein and Mrs. Kaufman; Earth Day '90 - Sandy Feldman; DGEIS - Ms. Gershun; Storm CAC Minutes January 9, 1992 Page 5 Drain stenciling - Mrs. Cavalieri; Town Surplus Lands - Mr. Hindin and Mrs. Johnson. It was mentioned to add PPPA and CAC's cosponsored bird walks and Beautification Day. These draft reports are due back to Ms. Ng a week before the next mooting for distribution. TASK FORCE REPORTS EMC Bulletin - The Dept. of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation organized groups around the State to draft a plan on what New Yorkers want to do with their open space. They are asking the CAC's to review and give feedback on it. They are holding public hearings next week in N.Y. City and meetings are taking place on January 15th and 16th throughout the State. Written comment can be submitted until January 27th. Liaison O'Flinn commented that if the focus of the report is on the upper Westchester area and upstate, CAC might want to reemphasize the importance of the downstate areas and greenways. Chairperson Perez asked for scene members to review it for possible comments by CAC. Mr. Bernstein will review it for CAC. Councilwoman O'Flinn will draft comments as a member of the Town Board. Conservation Areas - Mr. Scheffler distributed a draft of a letter to the neighbors at the Premium Conservation area to discourage garden dumping. It will be discussed at the next meeting. Golf Course Rezoning Study - Councilwoman O'Flinn received a second preliminary proposal for the supplemental environmental impact statement. The initial proposal was quite costly. They have been able to secure the services of many local volunteers who are experts in their field (ex. Phyllis Wittner who can help with LWRP) to bring the cost down. Mr. E. Parish proposed three different alternatives, one of which he claims preserves the golf course. The others cannot be considered - they crane close to the worse case scenario. There is a tentative date for sometime in June for completion of the supplement and a public hearing. It was noted that the final impact statement will be an additional sum. Town Surplus Public Lands - Councilwoman O'Flinn reported that the Town Board received a stack of surplus property maps to review. Once the Board has reviewed it, the CAC will be given copies to review. Storm Drain Stenciling - Mrs. Cavalieri reported that the Village of Larchmont Town Board agreed to paint the stencils on Larchmont Ave. also. EMC's Water Resources Policy - Chairperson Perez tabled it to the next meeting. She asked for members' comments on how it would apply to CAC for use as a reference guide in the future. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.