HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986_12_18 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes Cot reefed
TOWN OF MAMARONECK
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
A regular meeting of the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC) was held on
Thursday, December 18, 1986, at the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road.
The meeting commenced at 7:55 P.M.
Members present: Charles Bernstein, acting chairman
Suzanne Carpenter
Elinor Fredston
Steven Goldstein
Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus
Also present: Clifford Emanuelson, Conservation Consultant
P. Thomas Leddy, Beautification Director
Jane Moss, Director, L.I.F.E. Center
Irma Volk, liaison, Environmental Management Council
Claudia Ng, recorder
Administrative Matters
Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the previous CAC meeting--November 20,
1986--was approved.
Next Meeting - The first meeting of the new year was scheduled for
Thursday, January 15, 1987.
Environment
Premium Oil Spill - The oil spill from the MacLeay Housing Project in New
Rochelle is now well under control. However, the contamination may have been
behind the disappearance of some herons and bitterns from one resident's
shoreline, Mrs. Johnson reported. New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation has been analyzing the soil around the immediate area of the
spill. Mrs. Fredston reported that some county water resource agencies
expressed interest in assisting us with the spill problem. In addition, Mrs.
Fredston will obtain a list of the people in the home-owners association on the
New Rochelle side of the Premium and provide it to Mrs. Johnson. A letter has
already been sent to the mayor of New Rochelle from the Town Supervisor and the
chairmans of the CAC and CZMC (Coastal Zone Management Commission) recommending
that funds be set aside to help clean up the impacts of the spill and to repair
the problem sources. Diane Negvesky, a resident of New Rochelle, has also
written a letter of concern to Mayor Paduano regarding the oil spill.
Premium Gas Spill - It was reported that another spill had just occurred on
Tuesday, December 16, 1986, in which 200 gallons of gasoline overflowed from an
Amoco storage tank in Larchmont, flowing down Boston Post Road and eventually
into Premium River. The Coast Guard directed firemen to flush out the stream
to avert a fire hazard. Mr. Leddy will contact the Coast Guard to obtain an
update.
CAC minutes - 12/18/86
Development Projects
Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center - Mr. Emanuelson reported that he had
visited the site and noticed that a tributary of the west branch of the
Sheldrake River comes out from under a culvert along one of the open sides of
the L-shaped shopping center. He noticed that there were many large pipes
lying beside the tributary where the culvert had been discontinued during the
original construction of the shopping center. The proposal to extend one end
of the store building along with the extension of the parking lot will result
in increased runoff as well as sedimentation during construction. In its Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (D.E.I.S. ) and Stormwater Management Plan, a
provision for a large detention basin was made to reduce the rate of runoff for
as much as a 100-year-storm and barriers were proposed to deter erosion from
the stream during construction. Provisions were even made for hosing down
trucks before leaving the construction site and the replanting of evergreens to
screen the shopping center from the stream. Mr. Emanuelson cautions against
the lack of a maintenance provision for the detention basins. Increased
traffic and oil deposition may also be a problem. Mr. Emanuelson will confer
with C. Alan Mason from CZMC, who has attended the hearings on this proposal.
Mrs. Fredston suggested that the CAC send a letter to the Village of Scarsdale
to make them aware of the Town's concerns and to encourage careful supervision
during construction.
Fenbrook Subdivision - Mr. Goldstein inquired as to the status of the
erosion protective measures for the Fenbrook Subdivision construction, because
upon visiting the site, he found the area to be quite puddled. Mr. Leddy told
him that two of three soil detention basins have been completed and that he had
checked on them today. He believed that the derelict appearance may be the
result of the excessive rainfall.
Larchmont Professional Center - Mr. Emanuelson reiterated his
recommendations of having oil separation traps installed in the retention
system and provisions for maintenance of these basins. Aesthetically, the
proposed landscaping would be a substantial improvement to the site, because
many different trees and shrubs will be emplaced on the presently barren land.
Some concern arose regarding the lighting situation. Some feared that the-
proposed street lamps may be too bright and would disturb nearby residents.
Mrs. Johnson informed the Commission of the upcoming Town Planning Board
meeting during which this proposal will be considered and of CZMC's special
meeting scheduled for January 6, 1987, to draft comments for submission to the
Planning Board. She, also, reminded them that the East Creek borders both the
Village of Larchmont as well as the Town of Mamaroneck, so both municipalities
must jointly work to protect the creek.
Water Courses and Water Bodies
Gardens Lake Dredging - Mr. Leddy reported that Gary Trachtman, Town
engineering consultant, will be receiving the results of the sediment analysis
very soon. Construction of a permanent catch basin just upstream of the pond,
which would reduce the siltation rate, is being considered as a more
cost-effective method for future maintenance of Gardens Lake.
-2-
CAC minutes - 12/18/86
EMC Water Resources Workshop - Mrs. Volk relayed to the CAC the interests
of the County Water Resources Committee regarding the stream/basin management
workshop to be held in Mamaroneck. The Committee hopes to schedule the
workshop for a Saturday in mid- to late April. It will need CAC assistance to
better understand the local geography, to develop a tour route, to locate a
convenient meeting facility, and, in general, to provide background
information. The seminar will consist of an in-house presentation/discussion
on problems and techniques, a luncheon, and then an afternoon field review of
example areas of the Mamaroneck-Sheldrake drainage basin that need to be, have
been, or are in the process of being improved. A county representative will be
comming to Mamaroneck to make a preliminary siting. The Beaver Swamp Brook
Project was mentioned as an example of a stream management plan that is in the
implementation phase.
Riverwatch - Robert Hohberg, water quality consultant to the Town, will be
meeting with Dr. Barbara Dexter of Riverwatch, an organization aimed at aiding
local residents in monitoring water courses in their area, on January 12, 1987
at Mamaroneck High School to discuss what further coordination can be
established. Mr. Bernstein will also confer with Ms. Dexter.
Solid Waste Disposal
Leaf Composting - Mr. Leddy reported that the leaves for this year have
been taken care of. There is still a possibility of working out a future
arrangement with Scarsdale, which Mr. Emanuelson and Mr. Leddy will follow up
on.
Historic Preservation
Quaker Historian - Mrs. Johnson commented about a Quaker historian from
Scarsdale who spoke at a meeting of the Historic Society. She noted the
woman's impressive knowledge of the history of the Larchmont Reservoir.
Jay Property - Mr. Bernstein mentioned that he had visited the Jay property
and noticed that the area had been quite developed in the past.
Communications to Commission
CZMC - Mr. Schoenberger and Mr. Komitor met and it was decided that it
would be best for CZMC to work separately, at least initially.
New or Other Business
Annual Report - Mr. Goldstein made several suggestions for this year's
annual report (refer to attached memo). Ann Tannen was recommended as a person
who could assist in making the graphics for the anuual report. Mr. Goldstein
will confer with Mr. Emanuelson and Ms. Ng to work out the details and will try
to contact Ms. Taylor.
-3-
CAC minutes - 12/18/86
Astrove Property at Larchmont Reservoir - Jim Johnson, of the Friends of
the Reservoir, and Mr. Emanuelson visited the property of George Astrove and
reported that the owner's deck has been removed. Removal of the electrical
wiring is also planned. They found Mr. Astrove very cooperative. He is
willing to pay for the cost of the plants to create a live hedge to separate
his property from Reservoir land. The tenant, however, appears to be a little
wary of having a trail along the edge of the property and may want a chain-link
fence erected. Details have yet to be established with Mr. Astrove.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
-4-