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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979_11_01 Conservation Advisory Commission Minutes i'•inutes of 'TOWN OF MAMARONECK cONSERVAR'ION ADVISORY COMMISSION ME3TING A regular meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Conservation Advisory Commission was held at the Weaver Street Firehouse on Thursday, November 1, 1979. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. Members present : Elinor Fredston James Gunsalus Mildred Warnecke Vivienne Brauman Mary Anne Johnson, Emeritus Robert Barrett Eileen Mason, Secretary Also present: Tom Leddy, Town Conservationist Cliff Emanuclson, Conservation Consultant Carol Berry'' �L.T.F.E. Liz Stern Minutes The minutes of the meeting held on September 27, 1979, were reviewed, corrected and approved for distribution. Budget Mr. Leddy presented the C .A.C. budget proposals for 1980. to the Town Board and the residents ' review committee for a preliminary hearing. Two items were cut from the Water Control Commission budget: 04,000 for an Hydrologist and 05,000 for an Engineering Consultant. The reque^ted increase of 0500 for L.I.F.E. was denied. Two more public hearings are due on all budget proposals. Mr. Barrett stated that Com- mission members should be present at the hearings. In particular Fir. present to give Amlicke, . Mr. Leddy and he should be/ maximum support to the budget requests by the C.A.C . Annual Report The C.A.C. has lost the services of Pam No and is seeking an editor to replace her. Maxine Frankenfelder and Eileen Mason have been suggested to date. Mr. Barret proposed that time should be set aside at the next meeting to review the 1978 Annual Report so that Commission members can compile (2) a list to aid them in processing material needed for the 1979 report. Community assistance Program Ask- Mr. Mr. Emanuelson has all the current reports . They are awaiting typing and preparation of Mr. Amlicke 's covering letter. This quarter ' s vouchers and reportare due by November 15, 1979. Parks, Cemeteries and Conservation Areas Larchmont Reservoir - Mr. Emanuelson produced a copy of the letter re- ceived by mayor Noyer from Mr .. Del Bello, County Executive, detailing why he feels that the County should not purchase this area. (Letter attached ) . Mr. Valdernoot is preparing a letter in response to the above. Mr. Emanuelson read to the Commission the sections already completed and relayed Mr. Vandernootts request to the Co < < issidn for relevant com- ments or additions which could be included in his letter to Mr. Del Bello. In the following discussion, Mr. Leddy pointed out that the valve which is being used to successfully control downstream flooding on the Sheldrake is situated in the New Rocholle-owned section. He stated that sale of the property for uses other than for "passive recreation" would exclude the Town mom access to this valve. Mr. Barrett agreed with this, indicating that legal access would have to be sought . Mr. Whitehorn, a local resident, has been active in seeking ways to maintain the area in its present state and has been trying/interest his neighbors in a "land trust" proposal. Mr. Barrett will contact him to discuss this and other possibilities. The Commission decided that a committee was needed for the: Larchmont Reservoir situation, . ,It/con- sist:. of Iii'. Barrett, Mrs. Fredston, Mrs . Johnson and Mr. Amlicke. Mayor Noyer is to be notified of the C.A.C . decision and efforts will be made to enlist the participation of the City of New Rochelle. The two approximately sixty/acres in question are in the Town of Mamaroneck] (3) twelve acres, and the City of New Rochelle, 48 acres. It was decided further, that a designation for the reservoir as "unique" under the S.13.Q.R.A. is considered desirable . Mrs. Fredston proposed that a suitable letter be sent to the Town Board by the C.A.C. seeking this designation. Mrs. Johnson seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. Hommocks - Publicity respecting the walk and the ' new walk book and sign appeared in the "Daily Times". The new walk book costs 50/ and is available from the L.I.F.E. Center. Mr. Barrett requested that Mrs. Warnecke and Mrs. Johnson investi- gate ways of keeping a ',"Conservation Area Scrapbook" that are the least time consuming and least expensive. They are to report on this at the next meeting. Premium Marsh - The Dillon Road sign has deteriorated and will be re- placed by next Spring. Tonyts Nursery - Mr. Barrett, Mr. Gunsalus and Mrs. Johnson will report on this at the next meeting. Mr. Flood - The three meta segaias have been replaced at a cost to him of $600 per tree . Letter to Homeowners, Leaves. - Mrs . Johnson and Mrs . Warnecke received copies of Mr. Gunsalust letter to the Sheldrake residents which went out . over Mr. Vandernoot t s signature. They will use it for a similar campaign next Fall in both Villages. Leaf Composting - Village of Larchmont is continuing to use Flint Park for Fall leaf clean up. Solid Waste Management Mr. 'aanuelson reported that he had visited the Resource Recovery System, Inc. plant in Connecticut . (See attached material) Following his inspection and meeting with Mr. Karter, he met with Mr. Kellogg to discuss the system. Mr. Kellogg pointed out that the (4) price per ton was a lot less than what we are receiving under our present system. The Commission agreed that further investigation was needed before • any proposal is made to the Town Board. Aluminum - Murray Avenue School will transfer their aluminum to the Town Yard more frequently than in the past for hygiene reasons. Mr. Emanuelson said that the High School is attempting to start its own aluminum program. The price for recyclable aluminum has gone up to approximately 235/ per lb. In response to a query from Mr. Barrett, Mr. Emauelson replied that the tax-savings notices to be sent out by Larchmont Federal Savings and Loan Association are being prepared for mailing and that he will call the Association shortly about this. Energy Mr. Barrett reported that he accumulated material to assist the Com- mission in formulating regulations for building permits relating to solar energy installations. Environmental Legislation - Tabled Wetlands and Watercourses Mrs. Fredston reported that a meeting on Coastal Zone Management is to be held in New Paltznext week but is unable to attend . Someone from F.C.W.C . will go and report to Mrs . Fredston. The Freshwater Wetlands Act appears to still be in commit5ee . Water Monitoring - Tabled Zoning and Planning nomads Mr. Gunsalus reported that he received a copy of the letter that Mr. Amlicke sent out together with a request that he get in touch with Larchmont Village respecting the proposed "IIini-Mall" on Palmer Avenue, adjacent to Daitch-Shopwell. (s) 1 The Commission agreed that the plan appears to be an improvement for the area but has the following concerns : 1. during any proposed construction work procedures and storage of materials could result in excessive sedimentation in the Pinebrook River and further downstream at the Premium Marsh. It should, therefore, be carefully monitored; 2. ; removal of existing oil storage tanks (property was a gas station) could cause pollution through spilling of residue; 3. possible environmental pollution due to increased traffic flow. A motion was made by Mrs. Johnson stating that a lotter be sent to the Village of Larchmont planning Board stating the above concerns and requesting that they be taken into consideration during the planning. Mr. Gunsalus will draft the letter to be sent nut under Mr. Alickets signature. Land Use Planning and Acquisition . Mrs. Warnecke was asked to report on new developments respecting the Taylors ' Lane properties. She said that with respect to the office building at the junction with the Post Road (Ginsberg property) she had heard indirectly that the building plans were being revised and that she had nothing definite concerning Mrs. Millstein' s proposal for cluster housing on the "Magid" property. She hopes to report more at the next meeting. Mrs . garnecke was disappointed that her efforts to educate the public respecting new terminology for wetlands through articles written for had been thwarted . the "Daily Times"/ Her most recent article had described the term "geographical area of particular concern, (G.A.P. C. )" in connection with Otter Creek but editing had deleted this portion of her article. Nevertheless, Commission members were agreed in congratulating Mrs. Warnecke on a very good article. Undaunted, she plans to send copies of the story to various people and agencies in the County to pub- licize the situation surrounding Taylor ' s Lane and the Otter Creek pro (6) z ) posed construction. Miscellaneous 1. The L.I.F.E. Center in conjunction with the Scarsdale Audubon A Society is sponsoring a program at Hommocks on Tuesday, November 8 at 8:00 p.m. in the MGT. Skip Crane, Naturalis94 il]. present a slide show and talk, "Ecology of L. I. SOUND and Mants Effect" . 2. Mr. Hohberg will report on the NYSACC ArInual Conference at the next meeting. 3. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 29, 1979. There being no further business to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned. Dated : November 1, 1979