HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985_08_01 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes corrected
TOWN OF MAMARONECK CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
AND WATER CONTROL COMMISSION JOINT MEETING
A regular meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory
Commission and the Water Control Commission was held on Thursday, August 1,
1985, at the Weaver Street Firehouse. The meeting commenced at 8:05 P.M.
Members present: Dr. C. Alan Mason, Chairman
Susan Amlicke, CAC
Elinor Fredston, CAC & WCC
Gloria Allen, CAC
Robert Hohberg, CAC & WCC
Robert Funicello, CAC
Robert Komitor, CAC
Also present: Clifford Emanuelson, Conservation Consultant
Thomas Amlicke, Town Councilman
Thomas Leddy, Beautification Director
Administrative Matters:
The minutes for the June 13, 1985 meeting were discussed and approved
for distribution. The next meeting of the CAC & WCC is scheduled for
Thursday, September 19, 1985, at 8:00 P.M. , at the Weaver Street Firehouse.
Environment:
Mr. Amlicke discussed the new Tree Preservation Commission consisting
of the Town Highway Superintendant (Tom Leddy) , the Chairperson of the
C.A.C. (Alan Mason) and the Town Building Inspector (Bill Panessa) .
Mr. Funicello suggested the Commission correspond with the Villages in an
effort to coordinate this law on a town-wide basis.
The legislative intent of this new law states "the destruction or
damage to shade, ornamental, and evergreen trees and plants and the indis-
crinimate and excessive cutting of these trees in subdivisions and on
private property cause barren and unsightly conditions, create increased
surface drainage problems, increase municipal costs to control drainage,
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impair the stability and value of improved and unimproved real property,
and cause deterioration to the community which adversely affect the health,
safety, environment, ecosystems, and general welfare of the inhabitants
of the Town of Mamaroneck. This law seeks to correct these conditions".
Development Projects in Works:
Cherry Lawn: Dr. Mason stated appropriate detention areas would be
installed. Mr. Emanuelson reported seeing a lot of silt from Dickerman's
Pond but no fresh soil and it is being washed into the Sheldrake Reservoir.
Mr. Emanuelson recommends we close the drain pipe. Mrs. Fredston suggested
Mr. Emanuelson monitor the siltation procedure at Cherry Lawn to ensure
that siltation traps are being maintained by New Rochelle.
2155 Palmer Avenue: Plan has been approved, and oil detention devices are
in the plans. Dr. Mason will speak with Larry Gordon regarding street
lighting.
Maloney Project: The Tree Commission will see if this project is in compliance
with the new tree law.
Hoffman Building: Notice of hearing before the Planning Board is scheduled
for August 14th; Jim Santos will be asked to attend this meeting.
AUTO-SPA: the special permit before the Planning Board is presently
delayed. The hours of operation for this quick oil change business were
cut down and no Sunday hours will be allowed. A hearing is also scheduled
for August 14th.
Davids Island: Mrs. Fredston will keep Commission informed of status of this
project.
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Water courses and water bodies:
Reservoir Preservation: Mr. Emanuelson discussed the walk with the Mayor
of New Rochelle and Jim Johnson; the name of New Rochelle is now included
in the enforcement of regulations sign.
Mr. Emanuelson stated the Village of Larchmont has approved the large wooden
Welcome sign at the Reservoir with some minor changes and he hopes to
have the sign in place for the Ice Cream Social on September 22nd.
Mr. Emanuelson reported on the resident encroachments on conservation areas
siting a new shoreline dock at the Reservoir as well as several along
the Leatherstocking Trail. Mr. Emanuelson stated surveys would be needed
to establish property lines; •Mr. Emanuelson will contact the Town Engineer
to establish the lines. Mr. Amlicke requested Mr. Emanuelson furnish.a report
for the September Board meeting of these encroachments and the Town Board
will authorize the necessary person to remove these encroachments.
Mamaroneck Summer Project: Mr. Hohberg discussed that status of his
summer project; the Village Manager of Mamaroneck was contacted. The three
stations are Harbor Island beach, Union Dime Savings Bank and the Westchester
Water Works (below the dam) . Tests thus far show a high human fecal count,
suggesting an outfall is there.
Dr. Mason read correspondence from Ellen Muller regarding Ceasar Manfredi's
letter questioning the value of our consultant's work and the advisability
of sampling the river. After discussion with Dr. Mason, Ms. Muller stated
she will recommend approval. An August 28th meeting is scheduled at the
DEC office (202 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains) ; Dr. Mason, Robert Hohberg,
Robert Funicello and Robert Komitor will attend this meeting.
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Mrs. Fredston suggested that when beaches are closed in Larchmont harbor,
a warning flag should be flown; she has discussed this with Mayor Curnin.
Mrs. Amlicke made a recommendation that when the Annual Report is
addressed before the Town Council all members of this Commission should make
a presentation. Dr. Mason also recommended a joint meeting of the Town and
two Villages be held at the end of the summer on Mr. Hohberg's summer project.
Mr. Hohberg discussed the problem of incorrect connections.
Solid Waste Disposal:
Status of Town Yard: Mr. Leddy stated the County is not coming in.
The Recycling Committee meets next week at the Amlicke residence.
Historic Preservation:
Mr. Emanuelson read Mrs. Johnson's report concerning the Indian Shelter
Dig, Oil and other pollutants (Neil Schoenfeld's call) and the Beaver
Swamp Brook. Copy of this report is attached.
Recycling Committee Report:
Mrs.Allen presented her findings and recommendations on recycling
to Commission members. Copy of this report is attached.
Communications to Commission:
Federated Conservationists: It was determined that membership fees were
mailed in to the Federated Conservationists in March 1985.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
Dated: August 1, 1985
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Report of Gloria Allen
Recycling committee met on June 27th and July 11th.
Leaf Composting: Leaves were not turned and treated for the past 2 years but
they will be turned and treated three times this year at a cost of $25,000 to
$30,000.
Newspaper Recycling: Mandatory recycling was discussed. We now get $30 a ton,
down from $48 a ton. Many towns now get $20 a ton. We have a one year contract.
We want to increase publicity of recycling. We will put it in the town newsletter.
The LIFE representative has been asked to begin their presentations in schools and
for organizations.
Metal Recycling: We do not get paid for metal, but we do not have to pay to
cart it and tip it. We discussed getting a metal crusher, but there is no grant
money available and it is very expensive.
Glass Recycling: We discussed mandatory glass recycling, but it is not feasible.
People would have to separate it into brown, green and clear glass. We would
need departmentalized trucks which are very expensive. There might be breakage
on the streets. It was suggested that during the weeks with a holiday, newspaper
collections not be done that week because they' have to be done by the men who work
for the highway department. It was also suggested that newspaper recycling be done
only once a month and rubbish be collected the other three Wednesdays to free up
the highway workers who now collect rubbish every Tuesday and Friday.
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REPORT OF MARY ANNE JOHNSON DATED 8/1/85
I talked this morning (8/1/85) with Russ Keller- DEC White Plains.
Regarding the status of the Bulk Storage Law: the hearings ended in June,
revisions are in process with final version expected in September. We should
see some activity around here after October 1. The law requires registry
of all tanks over 1100 gallons, includes testing the age of tanks. This
includes apartment buildings (multi-family locations) . Rockland County
experience was that it took a year just to complete registry, beginning with
gas stations, then industries, then apartments. Cooperation from the
municipalities is of prime importance. On the spills from the Fountainhead
Restaurant and Getty Oil at North Avenue and Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle,
three years ago there was good cooperation. Now the Deputy Commissioner
(Bailey) who knew where everything was and how to get things done is retired
and DEC has to deal with a newcomer. (Federal legislation,effective in
1984, covers all chemicals as well as oil - LUST= Leaking Underground Storage
Tanks: N.Y. State law, which took 3 years to develop, only covers oil. State
now has to reconcile with the new Federal legislation.
On other pollutants in the waterways, Neil Schoenfeld of Scarsdale
Audubon called to report that, except for Camatone in Mamaroneck which received
a $100 fine, the other problems are still there. He says the state is putting
pressure on the communities. He would like to see more help from state DEC,
asked how to stir up the Department, perhaps by a letter-writing campaign?
He reported: Sewage coming from a Frank Nask pipe, from dumping from a trap
on weekends. Staropoli (Northrup) : cleaning trucks with a steam cleaner with
no drain next to them. Suburban Carting material dripping into the river.
In New Rochelle: oil still coming out of Stephenson drain. (Russ Keller will
investigate again. He would be glad to attend CAC again or help in any other
way appropriate.
Indian Rock Shelter- MALFA still working. Would like to get deeper, below
a rock fall where they are sure there must be artifacts not now accessible
without heavy equipment. Their last day for the present will probably be
Sunday, August 11. MALFA will report to Village of Larchmont.
On Indian Cove, Mamaroneck: a workman he knows from the project claimed
plywood was used in interiors that had been banned for interior use because
of formaldehyde. Poor materials used at the base will not hold up in a storm
and may allow leakage into the harbor and should be checked.
On the Benson property (Village of Mamaroneck) adjacent to Beaver Swamp
Brook on environmental and historical questions: I attended both July 6 and
July 18 ZBA meetings. Spoke on June 6, wrote to Chairman Philip Messina
and later to former CAC member now attorney for ZBA Joe deSalvo, and also
spoke several times to Laura Tessier and Steve Peterson of the Soil and Water
Board, Kathy Clarke, Mildred Warnecke, Marge and Bill Richards. Ellie has
copies of Soil and Water Board report and correspondence. ZBA is studying
Soil and Water Board recommendations and will consider at August 15 meeting.
Mary Anne Johnson