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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981_11_19 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes MINUTES OF TG'.4N OF MAMARONECK CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION AND WATER CONTROL COMMISSION JOINT MEETING KIC,Ce. A regular joint meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission and the Water Control Commission was held on Thursday, November 19, 1931, at the Weaver Street Firehouse. The meeting was called to order at 8:05 P.M. Members present: Robert Barrett, Chairman, CAC & WCC Elinor Fredston, CAC & WCC Dr. Alan Mason, CAC Nary Anne Johnson, CAC 01,4C1i4`` ' / Jacques DuBaochet, WCC Robert Mohberg, CAC Orlando Ciraco, CAC Susan Amlicke, CAC Mildred Warnecke, CAC Kathryn Clarke, CAC Also present: Cliff Emanuelson, Conservation Consultant Thomas Amlicke, Town Board Representative Miriam Curnin, Village of Larchmont Trustee Scott Rosenblum, Pryer Manor Association Elizabeth Imperato, Recording Secretary Minutes The minutes for the October 15, 1981 meeting were presented to the Commission. Subject to correction, the minutes were unanimously approved and authorized for distribution. The date for the next joint meeting of the CAC and,WCC is Thursday, January 21, 1982.. Annual Report for 1981 Mr. Emanuelson reported that Daynor Printers will print two sheets within the Annual Report booklet (8 actual pages plus a new cover) for $36.00. This will make a grand total of $509.50 for printing of the Annual Report. CCNY Report A copy of the CCNY report will be mailed to Miriam Curnin for her review. Mr. Barrett requested for the next meeting, each Commission member review the CCNY report and pull out a list of ideas to study for the coming year. 0 Page 2. Water Control and Watercourses Discussion of the Premium River: Mrs. Mary Anne Johnson introduced Scott Rosenblum, a member of the Pryer Manor Association. Mr. Rosenblum addressed the Commission on proposals for the management of the tr ar River Marsh, an important adjunct to the Premium basin area. He listed several alternatives: having the area upzoned and/or retained by the City of New Rochelle permanently to preserve; the possibility of a private group buying the land to donate to a conservation group to retain, or designate as a park. Mr. Rosenblum stated the area is presently zoned for 10,000 square foot lots. Mrs. Johnson felt it would be desirable for the City.of New Rochelle to designate the " �Iw r � - Marsh as a critical environmental area. N... Barrett suggested three possible solutions: continued ownership by the City of New Rochelle with the area declared a public park (before there could be any change, the City would need the consent of legislature);joint municipal ownership by the City of New Rochelle, Village of Larchmont and the Town of Mamaroneck; for citizens to pool resources, buy the property and donate it to a conservation organization- thus the property could never be developed. There would be maintenance necessary and liability insurance, repairs of trail and vegetation care with this last choice. Mr. Barrett stated each has its advantages and disadvantages but as a group, o'x wish would be to see some form of preservation. Mr. Emanuelson stated it would be easiest if the City of New Rochelle would designate responsi- bility to the New Rochelle Conservation Advisory Commission. The Chairman thanked Mr. Rosenblum for attending our meeting and offered the Commission's assistance in this endeavor. Pollution and toxic substances Mr. Hohberg reported on dissemination of the Summer Study Report 1981: local officials, including the Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor and members of Page 3. Council; Village of Larchmont Mayor and Trustees and Planning Board; Village of Mamaroneck Mayor, Village Manager and Trustees; Friends of the Reservoir; Premium River Association and the Soil Conservation District, Department of Environmental Conservation. Mr. Hohberg's chemistry classes have sampled the waters of the lower Reservoir, Sheldrake at Bonnie Briar-Rockland Avenue-East and West Branch. Tests included hydrogen sulfide, alkalinity and hardness. Mr. Hohberg is available for personal presentation upon request. Mr. Amlicke suggested Mr. Hohberg give a verbal report to the Town Board, Village Trustees and other interested groups regarding his research; Mrs. Curnin suggested he attend the meeting to he held in January. vvvd Water Control and Watercourses Dr. Mason drafted a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers concerning proposed disposal sites in Western Long Island Sound. His letter was favorably received by Commission members and Mr. Barrett requested the letter be sent in behalf of the Commission. The Chairman commended Mrs. Kathryn Clarke on her research on the dredging proposal 4nd the formulation of the letter with Dr. Mason for the Commission's approval. Mr. Barrett reported the Soil and Water Board has decided to conduct a hydrological study of the entire Sheldrake River. Mr. Fred Zwicke and others will be touring the area this Tuesday, at 9:00 a.m. , at the Reservoir. Mrs. Fredston will attend along with the County Board of Health, Miriam Currin and Marge Piccone. Mr. Barrett suggested we would want them to see the pond above the Sheldrake, both dams and spillways, and tour the area downstream of the Reservoir down to the duckpond and beyond. Zoning and Planning Boards Mr. Amlicke advised Commission members that the Concrete Flume Project is 0 Page 4. • still active and he will keep us informed of further developments. Mr. Barrett advised the Commission that the Planning Board has met and decided to reopen the Garfield Project issue; no decision will be made as to whether an EIS would be necessary until the next meeting. He stated that the mechanics of SEQRA compliance might possibly be referred to the C.A.C. We could undertake this job but only in an advisory capacity. Budget Mr. Amlicke reported all paperwork has been submitted and that the Commission's budget requests are not excessive. Land Use, vegetation and wildlife Mr. Barrett discussed Mrs. Ina Meyer's column on Saturday concerning the copper beech tree fund. Mr. Emanuelson reported we could offer a new tree through our nursery to the Village of Mamanroneck. Mrs. Currin advised there will be another hearing on December 14th concerning possible Tree City designation for the Village of Larchmont. She stated CAC: members would be weldomed at this meeting. Solid Waste and Recycling Mrs. Amlicke reported recycling has been very good this Fall. Also, she has contacted the National Recycling Coalition, Inc. , after much research, and has ascertained that our obligation to them would be in regards to our mailing list. Parks, cemeteries and conservation areas Mr. Emanuelson discussed the use of a portion of the Premium Conservation area as a leaf composting area. The Town has free dumping privileges at the present time. The Commission agreed to ask the Town Board to request an independent study be made by the Town Engineer regarding this project. Mr. Emanuelson also discussed asphalt and concrete recycling which the Town Engineer is presently exploring. Page 5. • Coastal Management Plan A general discussion of the New Rochelle and Village of Mamaroneck plans was held. It was stressed there would be a need for a cooperative effort by the Village of Larchmont and the Town of Mamaroneck to set priorities which would affect both. `�° , The Best Management Practices Manual was discussed and the highway department is encouraged to use this manualin their operations. Historical Preservation A discussion was held concerning a workshop set for January; Mrs. Fredston will contact various consultants and will confer with Mr. Barrett. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. Dated: November 19, 1981 Slow 0 •