HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991_04_11 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes C
Town of Mamaroneck
Conservation Advisory Commission
740 West Boston Post Road
Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 914-381-6133
MINUTES
APRIL 11, 1991
A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory commission (GAC) was held on
Thursday, April 11. 1991, in Conference Room A of the Town Center, 740 West
Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8: 15 P.M.
Members Present: Kevin G. Ryan, Chairman
Charlie Bernstein
Sandy Feldman
Edward M. Hindin
Michael Scheffler
Others Present: Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator
Nick Bianco. Yorktown Conservation
Jeremy Barrows, Mamaroneck High School
Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus
Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator & recorder
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Approval of Minutes - The minutes of March 14, 1991 were approved with a
minor correction on page 3.
Next Meeting - The first Thursday of the month--May 2, 1991.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT
At the CAC's request, Nick Bianco came to describe Yorktown's environmental
enforcement program. A retired police officer from Yonkers, Mr. Bianco moved
to Yorktown where he became involved with their CAC and then was hired on a
part-time basis to help enforce certain regulations relating to pollution of
the environment.
He explained that there was a need for checking up on projects that had
undergone planning board review to make sure they were implementing
everything that was required. Furthermore, Yorktown has a wetlands law and
an erosion and sediment control ordinance that need enforcement. The limited
staff could not handle it all since Yorktown was undergoing a building boom.
Mr. Bianco inspects sites on Saturdays and usually gives notices ordering
remedy of the violations first. He would usually consult with the Town
inspectors and/or the Town prosecutor before issuing a summons. The building
® permit is then witheld. Mr. Bianco felt that this method was better than
witholding a Certificate of Occupancy, which just holds up the customer, and
easier than pulling the performance bonds.
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CAL Minutes
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Page 2.
O Yorktown's wetlands permit lasts for only one year. This forces
applicants to come back to renew and allows new regulations to he
implemented. By law. developers must submit an environmental systems plan as
well as periodic inspection reports. Yorktown will supply an applicant with
a list of companies that will inspect them for compliance. Buffer zones of
100 feet are enforced.
Mr. Bianco recommends that an environmental officer have law enforcement
experience and should carry a camcorder to document everything. He showed us
videotapes of some of the projects that. had been in gross violation of
erosion control. one of which caused a trout stream to be ruined by siltation
and resulted in a fine of $25,000 plus cleanup costs amounting over
$100,000. He also noted that inspectors should require and look for
dumpsters on the site, because often developers just bury their debris
underground.
The CAC thanked Mr. Bianco for coning.
TASKFORCE REPORTS
Conservation Areas/Work Plan - Copies of the final draft of the letter to
the Town Council regarding the CAC's work plans on the Hommocks and Premium
areas were distributed. Mr. Scheffler will try to arrange a followup walk of
the Leatherstocking Trail for the weekend of April 27.
Landscaping/Maintenance Pamphlet - The letter to the gardeners suggested
® by Mr. Bernstein was discussed. Mr. Bernstein had drafted a letter after the
last meeting, which was circulated to CAC members for immediate comment. Mr.
Bernstein said that he received comments from only two members. Mr. Hindin
said that he never received a copy. Some CAC members expressed their thought
that gardeners would not pay much attention to it. Others noted the need to
he very careful of the facts. Since the optimum time for sending out such a
letter was passed, the matter was put into the subcommittee to be rehandled.
NEW OR OTHER BUSINESS
Mamaroneck High School Recycling Project - Jeremy Barrows, a high school
senior and member of the school's recycling club. came before the CAC to
request funding assistance for the construction of a shed on school grounds
to store recyclables. Currently, through student efforts, they are recycling
soda cans and bottles, which are taken back for returns, and office paper,
which are being taken to Rye Neck High School because it has an outdoor
collection bin for waste paper. They are also trying to recycle computer
paper on a limited basis.
The school's biggest problem right now is lack of storage facility.
Students approached the architecture design class to come up with a shed
design, which Mr. Barrows presented to the CAC. He showed the Commission
blueprints, which have already been reviewed by a licensed architect, as well
as a model of the proposal. Estimated cost is $4,000. Most of the cost
would be for materials. They are planning to get volunteers to do the
o labor. Funding sources include the Senior Class gifts of 1990 and 1991, the
Recyclists Club, Key Club, PTSA. school board, money from deposits, and
individual donations.
CAC Minutes
4/11/91
Page 3
When the building and paper recycling program is established, the school
custodians will eventually he responsible for collection. The school has
already agreed to accept this responsibility. Any revenue from recycling
will go back to supporting the program. Mr. Barrows explained that
regulations have been looked into: (1) no Town permit. would be needed
because it will he under 300 square feet and (2) fire codes would not apply,
although they will be incorporated anyway.
The paper market R.I.C. charges $6 per bin per month. However, according
to Rye Neck High School, they get more revenue than it costs. Mrs. Cavalieri
noted that she heard that R.I.C. may lower its price and that they must also
consider the savings from garbage pickup into the cost analysis. The CAC
also suggested that R.I.C. be given a chance to review the blueprints to make
sure it will be compatible for them.
The CAC requested Ms. Ng to see whether there was a possibility to move
money between budget line items. Given that, the CAC was pleased to pledge
$500 from the donations received on Earth Day to the project on the
contingencies that there is sufficient funds and school commitment. Ed
Hindin agreed to draft such a letter to he sent to Mr. Barrows.
Beautification Day - Mrs. Johnson announced that Beautification Day will
be April 20th this year and encouraged CAC participation.
HILLTOP ROAD CONSERVATION AREA
The letter to be sent to the Town Council outlining the recommendations of
the CAC regarding the public property on Hilltop Road was drafted by Herbert
Calman, who could not he here tonight because he was entering the hospital.
Mr. Scheffler suggested some major changes, which was discussed and agreed
upon by the members, and submitted them to Ms. Ng for retyping. Mr.
Scheffler and Mr. Ryan will review the final draft by fax.
The meeting adjourned at 10:35 P.M.
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