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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987_04_23 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes (2) X04 t,.i .41_;1411C Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission Area Code 914 740 West Boston Post Road `4921=4929 Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543 698.-3441 MINUTES A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on Thursday, April 23, 1987, at the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 7:50 P.M. Members present: Steven Goldstein, Acting Chairman Gloria Allen Susan Amlicke, Emeritus Charles Bernstein Mary Anne Johnson James Santos Others present: Clifford Emanuelson, Conservation Consultant Robert Hohberg, Water Monitoring Consultant P. Thomas Leddy, Beautification Director Claudia Ng, Environmental Assistant George Roniger, Town resident, 50 Stoneyside Dr. Caroline Silverstone, liaison, Town Council Irma Volk, liaison, Environmental Management Council Administrative Matters Approval of Minutes - The minutes of February 26, 1987 were approved. Next Meeting - The next CAC meeting was scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 1987. In addition, the following meeting was tentatively scheduled for June 11, 1987 to avoid conflicts with graduation and the end of school. Environment Litter Law - A new Town litter law was proposed (copy appended). Mr. Emanuelson reported that Bob Funicello had sent a letter to the Town Supervisor opposing the new law on the grounds of its impingement on constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech and to campaign door-to- door. There was a debate as to which part of the legislation was the unconstitutional part. All that may be necessary is to revise the improper sections. Mrs. Silverstone urged the CAC to concentrate on the environmental implications. Mr. Emanuelson expressed concern about dumping and infringement on conservation areas. Dumping is hard to enforce because the • violators need to be caught in the act. Aerial photographs could be used to identify encroachments, Mr. Goldstein suggested, and then these people could possibly be sued. A more accurate survey may be needed. CAC members could CAC minutes - 4/23/87 report violations to the Town attorney who could then write letters to the owners. Mr. Santos noted that in one town, he had seen signs indicating extremely high fines for littering--i.e. , $2,500. The discussion was suspended to the next meeting. Development Projects Davids Island Project - A new coalition was reported to be developing. It will be meeting this Friday at the Village of Mamaroneck Hall. The New York State Department of State has also sent in comments on the proposed development, pointing out similar concerns. Mrs. Amlicke wrote in (copy of letter enclosed) noting the lack of consideration for the increasing problem with disposing solid waste. Fenbrook Subdivison - The three proposed catch basins have been installed. Mrs. Johnson noted that she recently observed the East Branch of the Sheldrake River to be very clear. Mr. Emanuelson, noted however, that a lot of debris has accumulated at the entrance of the catch basin and needs to be removed. Westchester Day School Playing Fields - Mr. Bernstein reported that the Westchester Day School has made a field approximately 150 x 150 yards. Supposedly a 50 foot buffer strip will be left along Bleeker Street. Mr. Emanuelson, Mr. Leddy, and Ms. Ng will follow up on this development. Water Courses and Water Bodies Hohberg's Water Quality Monitoring Project - Mr. Emanuelson reported that the Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC) could not commit itself to hiring Mr. Hohberg for doing analysis for the Premium Feasibility Study since they were just putting together the Request for Proposal correspondences. The CAC, therefore, approved Mr. Hohberg to work on Guion Creek this year. Code Enforcement Officer - The Town Administrator requested that the CAC draw up a defined list of codes and statutes, that it would like Mr. Hohberg to enforce. Mr. Goldstein and Robert Funicello were authorized to follow up on this. Mr. Hohberg said that he was particularly interested in point pollution enforcement. Mrs. Silverstone told the Commission that the Town Council must appoint such an officer. EMC Workshop - Mrs. Volk reminded the Commission that the workshop was scheduled for the upcoming Saturday from 9 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. The program will consist of a lecture and tour, lunch, and then another lecture and tour. Sites to be visited include the Larchmont Reservoir, Saxon Woods, Washingtonville and Columbus Park. Some hope was expressed that Bob Wasp, assistant commissioner of the County Health Department, would be encouraged to have something done about the Washingtonville pollution after touring the area. Mrs. Amlicke suggested that CAC write to the appropriate agency requesting a conservation officer of some sort. Mr. Hohberg mentioned the need for raising the level of consciousness about the pollution problems. CAC minutes - 4/23/87 Solid Waste Disposal Resource Recovery - Dolores Battalia relayed to the CAC that the State is entertaining a legislation proposal to appropriate $2 million to DEC to prepare two alternative plans of incineration plants that will convert solid waste to energy. These plans are to faciliate municipalities that want to install their own plant. The Town administrator stresses the need for the State to find backup landfill sites instead, Ms. Ng reported. New York Public Interest Research Group, Inc. (NYPIRG) has voiced opposition against incineration. Mrs. Amlicke reported some additional problems with the Charles Point facility. More restrictions as to what will be accepted are being made. A supplemental tonage agreement provision is being considered to allow the acceptance of extra garbage; however, the faciltiy will retain the right to deny extra loads when necessary. Recycling - Incentives are needed to support recycling. The State offers financial assistance of up to 50% reimbursement, Ms. Ng reported. There is a problem; however, with securing the required two-year contract with those who take the recyclables because most companies refuse to engage into such a long-term contract. It was proffered that we could write to DEC to protest the two-year contract requirement noting that we have an excellent track record of transferring our recyclables. Mrs. Amlicke agreed to read through the documents with the specifics and report back her recommendations. Ms. Ng will find out how many municipalities have qualified for this reimbursement. With New Jersey recently imposing a mandatory recycling law, Mrs. Silverstone expressed concern over the greater need to get contracts in order to protect our markets. Aluminum Day was held at Hommocks. Although there was some participation, it could have used greater publicity. The need to inform people as to what materials are acceptable for recycling and what is not was expressed. The secretary to the Town supervisor is putting together a flyer that would help educate people on this matter. A state representative is coming down to Pace University in June to speak on conservation and recycling issues. Mrs. Amlicke will be attending the seminar. Mrs. Allen reported that the Recycling Poster Contest program was aired on cable as a call-in program. The manager, Mr. Witsh, is thinking of creating a regular recycling show and is presently searching for a producer for it. Other video programs on recycling have been made. For example, high school students interviewed workers at Finast Supermarket to see if they recycle, even Murray Avenue Elementary School students conducted some interviews on this topic. Historic Preservation Davids Island - An article in the April 10, 1987 issue of the local newspaper told of an increased awareness of historically significant items on Davids Island. New or Other Business Tree Removal - Mrs. Amlicke informed the Commission that additional trees -3- CAC minutes - 4/23/87 have been taken down at the Gordon property, corner of Beech and Woodbine Streets, where a house is proposed. Mrs. Allen will notify the Village of Larchmont to check up on potential violations. Annual Report - Mrs. Amlicke felt that all the members of the CAC should attend the Town Council meeting to present this year's annual report. Ms. Ng will request that this presentation be placed at the beginning of the agenda for the Council meeting of May 20th. She will also extend invitations to non-member contributors of the annual report to come and make a presentation should they so desire. CAC Tour - Mrs. Johnson suggested familiarizing new members with the area by giving some type of tour. This subject was postponed to be discussed during the summer for the arrangement of an autumn tour. Ms. Ng could send out maps denoting environmental aspects of the Town to CAC members. Mrs. Amlicke further suggested that they sponsor a forum in order to promote publicity for conservation. Mrs. Johnson commented on the effectiveness of rotating publicity methods. Lorenzen Park - Mrs. Johnson reported that some trees along the water's edge have been destroyed. Mr. Emanuelson commented that the Village of Larhmont's dumping of snow with rock salt was probably the cause of their death. Mrs. Johnson will notify Frank Webbers, Chairman of the Village's Trees and Parks Committee, to see what can be done. New Planning Procedures - Ms. Ng explained the proposed new Town planning procedures. The Commission commented that they would like to be incorporated earlier into the planning time-frame and that they would like to be consulted for all cases affecting drainage and clearing of a substantial size, impacting or bordering on conservation areas, and those that conflict with historic preservation. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06. -4-