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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989_08_17 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes • Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission 740 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 914-381-6133 MINUTES AUGUST 17, 1989 A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, August 17, 1989, in Conference Room A of the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8:00 P.M. Members Present: Steven Goldstein, Chairman Charles Bernstein Susan Cavalieri Sandy Feldman Douglas Gould Kevin Ryan Michael Scheffler Irma Volk Others Present: Tom Leddy, Town of Mamaroneck, Highway Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator Rene' Rathschmidt, Recording Secretary ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Approval of Minutes - The minutes of July 20, 1989 were approved. Next Meeting - The next meeting was scheduled for September 21, 1989. CHAIRMAN REPORTS Resignation - Steven Goldstein tendered his resignation as Chairman of the CAC effective immediately. He stated the decision came to be as the result of his appointment to the Planning Board. All members present congratulated and wished Mr. Goldstein well. As a final offer of advice Mr. Goldstein stated that he felt that the CAC chairmanship should change at least every two years in order to avoid stagnation of ideas. Correspondence - The following correspondence was distributed by Mr. Goldstein for review by interested members: 1. Solid Waste Management Technical Assistance Report for 1988 - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. CAC Minutes - 8/17/89 2. Application to remove trees re: Fenbrook Drive - Approved by Mr. Jakobowski and Mr. Leddy. 3. Letter from County Executive Andrew O'Rourke re: Critical Environmental Areas (CEA) - August 15, 1989. 4. Position Paper - Department of Agriculture and Markets re: Protecting Active Farms from Sitings of Municipal Solid Waste Management Facilities. 5. Memorandum to all New York State Association of Conservation Commissions from Pat Mc Connell re: 1989 Conference of the Environment. 6. Flyer - 1989 New York State Conference on the Environment - September 22-24, 1989. EDUCATION/LEGISLATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Letter to Residents near Conservation Areas - The Commission reviewed a second draft of a letter targeted to residents who live near conservation areas. The members present suggested making the wording a little stronger and the context more concise in order to achieve and maintain the readers interest and cooperation. Douglas Gould completed the changes and submitted the draft for retyping. School Project - Charles Bernstein reported no activity regarding the involvement of school classes in making signs for the conservation areas since the main people to whom he needs to speak with are still away on vacation He stated he will continue to pursue this topic once all concerned parties are available. Tree Preservation Law - Claudia Ng displayed a zoning map for all those present to see and the subcommittee distributed a draft of the proposed law. During the discussion which ensued Mr. Goldstein suggested having the minimum square footage clause reduced to zero. Mr. Leddy responded that he would be hesitant to agree with this suggestion since it would double the work load. Mr. Goldstein suggested having the number of people on the tree committee increased in order to handle the extra work. Mr. Leddy said that if that were to happen then Mr. Goldstein's suggestion would be more feasible. Further discussion concerned "permitted use" , requirements for contour maps of sites for new subdivisions, performance bonds, and cutting permits. The draft was returned to the subcommittee for revisions. Once the revisions are completed the draft will then be submitted to the Town Attorney and then in turn to the Town Council. Westchester Day School - Charles Bernstein reported to the Commission that he once again looked at the construction site of the new playing field located at the Westchester Day School. He said that the land had been graded and the road widened. He stated that a chain link fence had been constructed which he felt might not be within the height requirements of the Village. He also said that he felt that the plantings that were evident were insufficient -2- CAC Minutes - 8/17/89 for the area. The Commission then looked at the draft letter in regard to this subject. Some suggestions on additional wording were mentioned& and Mr. Gould revised the draft and has submitted it for retyping. OPEN SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Work Plan Update - Mr. Leddy reported to the Commission that the pruning and woodchipping for the Sheldrake has been completed. He stated that the Premium entrance has had holes filled in and that the Highway department will be widening the sewer easement into the marshland. Mr. Scheffler asked Mr. Leddy if the CAC could help with the remaining items that need to be done since the summer is nearing it's end. Mr. Leddy said that this was not necessary. Mr. Scheffler asked Mr. Leddy if he could look at the memo and give target dates for completion of the remaining items. Mr. Leddy agreed and will submit them for review by the Commission at it's next meeting. RECYCLING TASKFORCE Updates - Kevin Ryan and Susan Cavalieri reported the results of the last Taskforce Committee Meeting. A draft mandatory newspaper recycling law was proposed and discussed. Mr. Ryan stated that the Law would allow the Joint Sanitation Commission to determine the exact regulations. There was some debate as to who should be exempted and how to allow for exemptions. In addition, the Taskforce have reviewed proposals from three advertising agencies to manage our recycling campaign. Ms. Cavalieri reported that the school recycling project, involving the establishment of paper recycling in all the schools in the district, is moving along. Dr. Schlick, assistant Superintendent, has written a letter to each principal endorsing this project. She also said that the Traffic Commission has agreed to the placement of the sign at Maxwell Avenue and that the Taskforce is waiting upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of Larchmont in regard to the signs which are proposed for the Village. Ms. Ng informed the Commission that Alice Model, a volunteer, is in the arc-P-c of completing a video on recycling. Ms. Ng said Mrs. Model has t-ken shots of shoppers, the depot and homes for the video. Ms. Ng stated if anyone would like to help or had additional ideas for the video to just contact her and she would pass them on to Mrs. Model. Mr. Goldstein mentioned that it might be useful to obtain copies of videos which have already been done such as, the educational shows shown on Sesame Street. The members concurred and the Education/Legislation Subcommittee will follow up on his suggestion. ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR REPORTS Sheldrake Watershed Study - Update - Ms. Ng displayed a natural resources inventory (NRI) map which was completed in 1977 which showed parks, schools, flood and marsh areas. Ms. Ng stated that the map needed updating and was not detailed enough for the study. She stated that Mr. Altieri suggested finding other alternatives to making a new topographic map since the cost factor is high. Ms. Ng stated that Mr. Tomecek is in the process of looking -3- CAC Minutes - 8/17/89 for other maps which may be sufficient enough for the level of detail that we want but, as of yet has not been able to locate any. She mentioned that the consultant engineer feels the proposed actions are worth the cost since the town has already had half of the map made. Ms. Ng also stated that the CAC needs to choose what parameters they want for the new NRI map in order to determine what scale map will be necessary. CONSULTANT/LIAISON REPORTS Reservoir - Mr. Hohberg was unable to attend the meeting but, had relayed that the studies have been completed for the reservoir. He stated that he will be doing some additional testing at the end of the summer and will also report these findings. ONGOING Golf ball Ocean Litter - No Update. Trapping - No Update. Livingston/Hilltop Road - No Update. Inventory of Streamside Properties - Michael Scheffler stated that he will be meeting with Ms. Ng to discuss this topic. Jay Property - No Update. Pesticides - No Update. Historical Pamphlet of the CAC - Steven Goldstein asked the Education/Legislation to look into this topic and come up with ideas for topics to enable for this item to move ahead. NEW OR OTHER BUSINESS Meeting Adjourned - 9:50 P.M. Mr. Goldstein expressed his thanks and appreciation to all those on the Commission and stated that he was glad to see a change for the better in regard to commitments and accomplishments on the part of the CAC. -4-