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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989_05_18 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission 740 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 914-381-6133 MINUTES May 18, 1989 A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, May 18, 1989, 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. Steven Goldstein, Chairman Charles Bernstein Kevin Ryan Michael Scheffler Irma Volk Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus Others Present: Benson Bieley, Reporter, Sound View News ® William Bruce, League of Woman Voters Herbert Calman, Ad Hoc, CAC Bob Hohberg, Consultant, CAC Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator Rene' Rathschmidt, Recorder Members Excused: Susan Cavalieri ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Approval of Minutes - The minutes of April 27, 1989 were approved. Next Meeting - The next meeting was scheduled for June 15, 1989. CHAIRMAN REPORTS Resignation - Robert Komitor has officially resigned from the CAC and consequently as Chairman of the Education/Legislation Subcommittee. A new chairman will be forthjoming. Long Island Sound - A copy of the update on the Long Island Sound Study was made available by Steven Goldstein. CAC Minutes - 5/18/89 OPEN SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Michael Scheffler distributed a draft memo to the Commission which summarized the results of a meeting he had with Ms. Ng, Tom Leddy, the Highway Superintendent, and some highway personnel in regard to improvements needed in the Hommocks Conservation Area, the Premium Conservation Area, and the Leatherstocking Trail (see attached) . The Commission discussed the recommendations and concurred on their necessity. The Chairman also suggested undertaking a sign project, with the help of local high schools, in regard to the Hommocks Conservation Area. The Members present agreed and Michael Scheffler will be following up on the suggestion. The aforementioned recommendations will be revised and given, with some minor additions such as woodchipping a specific area, noting that the boardwalk at the Premuim will have to be higher and trees should be planted at the Hommocks, to Mr. Leddy for implementation. Mr. Scheffler also stated that a report on the remaining trail systems will be forth coming. He also said the subcommittee will monitor the results of their' recommendations in all the open space areas and report back to the Commission with their findings. He mentioned that the Open Space Subcommittee will need to work with the Education/Legislation Committee on educating the public about conservation areas. EDUCATION/LEGISLATION SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Charles Bernstein stated that a large problem the Education/Legislation Subcommittee is facing is in ways in which to heighten public awareness of their goals. He stated that the subcommittee has suggested placing posters in local store fronts, utilizing newspaper ads, going through neighborhood associations and schools, and doing mailings in order to inform the public of specific programs and projects the subcommittee is and will be undertaking. Mr. Calman thought that we should print little informative articles on recycling such as providing statistics. Mrs. Volk added that she had some A information as to the number of trees that are destroyed to make one run of the Sunday Times. Mr. Benson Bieley, a reporter present, from Sound View f News, told the CAC that he would print any information that they would like 0,04,, , to submit for publication. He reported that the Sound View News currently „nom„ prints 1,000-1,500 copies per edition, including residents of the Village of CP Larchmont, the Town of Mamaroneck, and 1/2 of the Village of Mamaroneck, therefore, and any information submitted by the CAC would reach at least these people. He gave the following address for articles to be submitted: SOUND VIEW NEWS - P.O. Box 85, Larchmont, New York. Tree Preservation Law - no update. RECYCLING SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Kevin Ryan reported to the Commission the results of the Recycling Taskforce meeting he attended on May 2, 1989. Present was the Town Supervisor, Steven Altieri, L.I.F.E. Members, and Claudia Ng. He reported that Supervisor Battalia concurred on the necessity of a recycling law and express that she would like to see a law instated forthwith. Mr. Ryan said that he will be working along with the '6 �.. fir.s t+�utv4 -2- CAC Minutes - 5/18/89 Town Attorneys during the summer months on the law's actual legislation. The recycling publicity drive and the mandatory newspaper law is targeted for the fall. Mr. Ryan also reported that the following issues were addressed: 1) the use of bins for newspapers and commingled materials (he stated that although the consensus for the use of bins was inconclusive at this meeting, he feels the debate will end shortly since the County will be using an intermediate center in which bins will be used as part of the program) ; 2) the need for a recycling study (Mr. Ryan said that the subcommittee will continue to address this issue to see whether or not there is a need for this service). Ms. Ng interjected and informed the Commission that the Village of Mamaroneck was in receipt of grant money for the purpose of a recycling study. The topic of recycling was further discussed among the members present and the following comments and suggestions were made. Mr. Calman suggested placing newspaper recycling bins in the exit ways of the train station to encourage the public to recycle their newspapers. Mr. Ryan will investigate as to whether or not this is feasible. Mr. Ryan also suggested that when designing a publicity campaign the information provided be flexible to change since public hearings and time might result in the need for revision. Mr. Ryan also informed the Commission of a Press Conference scheduled for May 22, 1989, which will address the County's plan for a Materials Recovery Facility (MRP) . A plastics bin will be placed at the Town Yard after Ms. Ng obtains the list of available plastics and makes a sign for it. Mr. Ryan noted that as of February 1989, Chlorourocarbons are no longer used in the making of polystyrene. He also mentione that he had spoken with John Yvars from the County recycling division who had told him that glass, batteries, and hearing aids need to be removed from the waste stream because they cause problems to the incinerator. CONSULTANT/LIAISON REPORTS - Bob Hohberg reported his findings to the CAC in regard to the water analysis he performed at the Premium River at the request of the CZMC. The site tested was located behind the Larchmont Diner and was performed after 4 days of rain. Mr. Hohberg reported that the chemical tests showed a turbidity of 4.8 NTU; salinity 0.0 00/100; emulsified oil 0.5 p.p.m. ; and pH 8.0. He also informed the Commission that bacteriology indicates a total calvarium count of 33000/100 ml and a fecal count of 8000/100 ml. He said that the chemical analysis does not indicate any severe non-point pollution levels, and the emulsified oil is well below the 15.0 p.p.m. tolerated in this district. Mr. Hohberg indicated that the bacterial levels are somewhat high. He also stated that the fecal count may warrant further testing in the future but, does not approach the levels he has seen in sewer line breakage. The topic of Guion Creek was also discussed and Mr. Holberg informed the Commission that the calvarium count has remained high, therefore, he suggested checking for illegal connections. Mr. Hohberg will be studying the Larchmont Reservoir this summer. ONGOING Residential Development - 746 Mamaroneck Avenue - Claudia Ng reported that the Village Planning Board has distributed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) . She stated that they had incorporated CAC's letter in the appendix and in the text. She also said that the Planning Board had -3- CAC Minutes - 5/18/89 acknowledged all of the Commissions concerns, although some of the comments were not as adequately addressed as others. Ms. Ng reported that they had said the lighting as proposed would not affect area residents and they agreed to install oil separators. �-- - Golf Ball Ocean Litter - The Chairman stated that he had received only one response in regard to the CAC letter which was addressed to area golf clubs concerning golf ball litter. Mr. Goldstein stated that the response received was from the Hampshire Country Club. He said the representative of Hampshire has denied the dumping of golf balls in the sound. Trapping -(refer to Livingston/Hilltop Road) Livingston/Hilltop Road - Ms. Ng mentioned that the Town has hired a new attorney, 40e-whom she will have to update on these issues. Inventory of Streamside Properties - No update. -• Sheldrake Watershed Study - The Chairman reported that a meeting has been scheduled for Monday, May 22, 1989. Those scheduled for attendance are CAC Chairman, Steven Goldstein, Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC) Chairman, Phyllis Wittner, Private Consultant, Steven Tomecek, Town Administrator, Steven Altieri, and Environmental Coordinator, Claudia Ng. Jay Property - Mary Anne Johnson reported that the subdivision approval process has been completed and that an assessment of the property turned out to be very high. She stated that County Legislator, Diane Keane has agreed to use local Realtors because she, too, felt the price was excessive. Mrs. Johnson informed the Commission that the property is located in the Town of Rye School District and is an undeveloped parcel. She said these facts should make a considerable difference in the price. The Chairman suggested that in light of this new information the CAC should contact County Executive, Andrew O'Rourke and approach the topic of condemning the property. Pesticides - Steven Goldstein reported that he has found applicators to be very sensitive on this issue. Discussed was an article printed in the Times. Kevin Ryan will give information regarding regulations on commercial gardeners to the Education/Legislation Subcommittee He believes the Court has recently ruled in favor of the regulations. Historical/Background Pamphlet of CAC - No update. OTHER BUSINESS Beautification Day - Mary Anne Johnson participated in Beautification Day and reported to CAC that the statistics concerning the results of the day's progress was unavailable at this time. Lyme Disease - Mary Anne Johnson distributed flyers on Lyme disease that L.I.F.E. Center made. A special series on it was printed in the Daily Times this past week. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. -4- cac Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission 740 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 914-381-6133 MEMO TO: CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION FROM: OPEN SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE RE: CONSERVATION AREAS WORK PLAN DATE: MAY 18, 1989 Hommocks Conservation Area 1. Check triangular pipe structure to see if can be removed. 2. Highway Superintendent will check if any dead trees need removal. Premium Conservation Area 1. Use large boulders with metal plaque as entrance sign. 2. Put up a tow-a-way sign instead of just "no parking. " 3. Narrow entranceway to 9 ft. by putting row of cut telephone poles and prickly plants along either side. 4. Fill all holes with gravel, then spread over with woodchips. 5. Clean out tidal ditch and finish cleanup of area. 6. Start planning and possibly construction of boardwalk if workforce is available. Leatherstocking Trail 1. Reinforce sign on Country Road. 2. Replace sign on Weaver Street. 3. Obtain addresses of garden dumping violators for CAC to followup with letters. 4. Construction of new catwalks over extremely muddy areas. �^ 5. Install erosion control logs with anchors on steep portion of trail 6. Repair first step of catwalk on section near Old White Plains Road. 7. Boulders between Fenimore and Avon needs graffiti removed.