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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991_10_10 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes r--ALFtrCEIVED 'JAM!.25 1992 Town of Mamaroneck PATRICIA A.DICIOCCIO TOM CLERK Conservation Advisory Commission VAMAROrN'ECK N.Y. 740 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 914-381-6133 MINUTES OCTOBER 10, 1991 A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, October 10, 1991, in Conference Room A of the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. Members Present: Louise Perez, Chairperson Charles Bernstein Sandy Feldman Edward M. Hindin Martha Kaufman Mary Landrigan Others Present: Robert Hohberg, Water Monitoring Consultant Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus member Angel Martin, CZMC liaison Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator & recorder Kathleen O'Flinn, Town Councilwoman ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Minutes - The minutes of September 19, 1991 were approved. Next Meeting - Re-established on the first Thursday of the month -- November 7, 1991. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Long Island Sound Taskforce is sponsoring a forum on the nitrogen cap issue on October 15, from 1-3 p.m. in the Town Center Court Room. 2. NYSACC Conference - the New York State Association of Conservation Councils is holding their annual conference during the last weekend of October. No CAC member volunteered to attend. 3 . Environmental Citizen Action Forum 1991 - Saturday, November 9, White Plains. CAC Minutes 10/10/91 Page 2 OLD BUSINESS DGEIS - Golf Club Properties - Ms. Ng reported that she hand delivered CAC's comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement to the Administrator's office. The CAC asked for an acknowledgement of receipt. Mary Anne Johnson did not receive such a letter either. Ms. was asked to follow up. Locust Ridge Road Properties - The Town Board's letter of October 7 to residents near Locust Ridge Road was read to the Commission. It stated that both the CAC and CZMC have recommended dedication of the properties as conservation land and that the Town Board will be looking into this matter. The CAC asked Councilwoman O'Flinn whether the Town Board has yet created review procedures. She replied that nothing has been formalized. CONSULTANT LIAISON REPORTS Water Monitoring - Robert Hohberg reported that he finished taking his last sample of East Creek. He found coliform counts around 5,000 from the railroad station until it crosses under Boston Post Road, where it jumped to 16,000 organisms per milliliter. The counts went back down to 9,000 by the Hommocks outfall. There are three possible causes for the high count: (1) the sewers were not completely repaired following the last discovery of leaky pipes; (2) the County force main pump out into this stream; (3) there is an illegal connection. The County Health Department was notified twice, each time sampling showed high counts. Mary Landrigan will check into the County's progress and inform Councilwoman O'Flinn who will tell the Town Administrator to follow up with a letter. Mr. Hohberg stated that he is again taking his science classes out this year to do qualitative sampling. He reported finding lots of debris, such as tires, pipes and car seats, in the Sheldrake River along the stretch by the Mamaroneck Village Yard. Mrs. Johnson noted that in prior years the Village of Mamaroneck had volunteer river cleanups, but that stopped when the original organizers moved out of town. The CAC wanted to know how they should proceed in getting the area cleaned up now to which Councilwoman O'Flinn suggested that Mr. Hohberg provide CAC with a written report and CAC should send a letter to the Village of Mamaroneck. Mr. Hindin agreed to draft a letter for the chairperson's signature. TASKFORCE REPORTS Landscaping/Maintenance Pamphlet - The fall article was completed on schedule and the newsletter has just been distributed by mail. Mrs. Johnson will be drafting the next piece on winter tips for the December/January issue. It was mentioned that Cornell Cooperative Extension has come out with a set of information sheets entitled "Sound Gardening," for $2 each. 0 CAC Minutes 10/10/91 © Page 3 Children's Guide to Conservation Areas - Mrs. Kaufman said that she has not proceeded on this project because she and other members felt that the CAC should concentrate on the Golf Course Study first . Golf Course Rezoning Study - Mr. Hindin reported that he, Martha Gershun, Sandy Feldman and Martha Kaufman met on how the CAC should assist in this important Town-wide concern. Some of the members also attended the informational meeting on Tuesday night sponsored by the League of Women Voters, where Town Attorney Steven Silverberg explained the overall issue and the environmental quality review process. He explained that the Town Board has no predetermined position and he estimated that it will take at least another year or year and a half to finish the review process, which will include supplemental and final environmental impact statements with associated hearings. The members noted that Mr. Silverberg gave such a clear presentation of the Bonnie Briar issue, the SEQR process, with definition of terms and timetables, that they felt it should be summarized and made available to the public, such as via the Town newsletter. After speaking briefly with the Town Supervisor and Mr. Silverberg, the members determined that it would be appropriate for the CAC to hold additional nonpartisan public forums that delve further into specific concerns needing elaboration. Mr. Hindin estimated that the CAC has approximately $6,000 of uncommitted funds (e.g. , for consultant, printing) . This money could be used to sponsor three to four forums over the year. The subcommittee will reconvene to develop more concrete ideas for the entire Commission to consider. Mrs. Feldman mentioned that there is a fundraiser being held on October 20 at Bonnie Briar Country Club by the Bonnie Briar Taskforce of the Council of Neighborhood Associations. Conservation Areas - Ms. Ng reported that she was able to speak to the former highway superintendent who estimated that rebuilding the Premium Conservation Area boardwalk would cost about $9,000. He recommends doing it over three years. Therefore, $3,000 was placed in the budget. ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR REPORTS Osprey Nest for Crab Island - Ms. Ng told the Commission that former CAC chairman Steven Goldstein has moved into the Village of Mamaroneck and now has sole access to a piece of land that gets submerged during high tide called Crab Island. He has noticed osprey in the area and thought the CAC would be interested in erecting an osprey nest similar to that put up at the Larchmont Reservoir. Mr. Goldstein has already obtained construction plans from the Department of Environmental Conservation. His deed shows that he has "right, title and interest" to the island and the causeway connecting to it. He said that he would allow access for the CAC to build the nest and would be willing to assist monetarily if needed. Because the land is not Town property, Councilwoman O'Flinn felt that Town crews could not be used. ® The CAC agreed that it could endorse the project, but felt they could not provide assistance. Mrs. Kaufman will draft the letter to Mr. Goldstein. CAC Minutes 10/10/91 Page 4 Federated Conservationists of Westchester County - The CAC approved renewal of membership. Tree Preservation Law - A new amendment changes the composition of the Tree Commission to replace the Highway Superintendent with the Environmental Coordinator and to allow the CAC chairperson to assign a designee. Martha Kaufman and Sand' Feldman volunteered assistance if the CAC chairperson was unavailable. NEW OR OTHER BUSINESS Coastweeks Environmental Event - The annual event sponsored by Premium River-Pine Brook Association and LIFE Center will be held in Lorenzen Park if it does not conflict with the soccer league. The CAC chairperson was asked to speak. She can request neighborhood assistance in monitoring the Premium Conservation Area against vandalism and to discourage against garden dumping. CAC/CZMC Coordination Work Session - tabled to next meeting. Village of Mamaroneck Parks & Trees Public Hearing - also tabled. Storm Drain Stenciling - Sea Grant provided the Town with two ready-to- use stencils that say "DON'T DUMP. DRAINS TO L.I. SOUND. " Hommocks School teacher John Zappala also received several stencils for his classes to participate. Mrs. Perez noted that Scout troops, neighborhood associations, and, according to the Town Administrator, perhaps even the fire department could be enlisted to help. Approximately six adults would be needed to supervise children groups. An overall organizer/coordinator is needed. When no member present volunteered, the Chairperson stated that she will ask Michael Scheffler or Susan Cavalieri. Meeting adjourned 10: 30 P.M.