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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020_01_07 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes,January 7, 2020 Attendees: Mitch Green, Nancy Seligson,Jeff King,Steve Altieri, Sue Odierna,June Wallach, George Roniger, Todd Isberg,Arlene Novich, Kristin Andersen (Larchmont Environmental Committee), Denise Dunn, Christine Lefler, Matt Thomas, Karen Khor,, Marc Karell, Frank Owens, Mark Manley, Mark Kramer, Elizabeth Poyet, Beatrice Weinberger, Kevin Crowe (LGCA), Luke Brussel Introduced guest Bina Indelicato, Sustainability Consultant, Founding Partner Eco-Evolutions New volunteers were introduced: Peter and Tricia Bartek, Nick Zuba, Stella Gassman (Ursuline sophomore) and parent, Nicole Gassman Notes of December 3rd meeting were accepted. Reusable Bag Initiative(RBI) Nancy S. and Sue O. updated on the Town's Reusable Bag Law. Nancy mentioned she had received almost no complaints regarding the new law and that the NYS law will go into effect on March 1st Sue reported from the 3,000+bags that were distributed to residents and merchants, less than 100 remain (at Town Supervisor's office). She also reported that stores seem to be complying though it is frustrating that so many(Cosi, Dunkin and other food service/deli businesses)are exempt due to the Town following NYS sanitary code. Kristin asked about protesting in front of stores that are exempt from the law to show businesses that the public is in favor of the plastic bag ban for all stores. Nancy explained that as a Town-sanctioned committee, it would not be helpful for the Collaborative to do this. Update: in late January,the Collab sent a letter to the NYS DEC to support implementation of the NYS law as written and to strongly oppose attempts to dilute or abandon key commitments to sustainability that are part of the NYS Plastic Bag law. USGA's 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Mitch G. updated on Winged Foot hosting the US Open this June. The event is projected to bring in over 150,000 visitors plus sponsors and guests, over 200,000 people in total. Mitch reminded our group that--working with the Town—the Collab developed a wish list of items desired to make the event more sustainable, which the Town's Planning Board made part of the Site Plan Resolution as a 29-point Exhibit A. Currently the Collaborative and Town Leadership is working on an action plan to measure performance and compliance with the sustainability goals that the Planning Board has approved.As part of this plan, the Collaborative has hired Bina Indelicato, President of Eco Evolution, the sustainability consultant who has worked on the USTA's events here in New York for more than a decade. Eco Evolution is assisting the Town and the Collab in organizing and formatting a reporting summary. Steve A. mentioned that the USGA works with DeLoitte on metrics. Bina will focus on the 29 points in Exhibit A, edit them to a streamlined document, and together with the Town and the Collab we will see how our goals can meld with DeLoitte's metrics and American Maintenance's activities(the event-cleanup company). Bina mentioned that American Maintenance uses green cleaning products. She added that it might be helpful to coach vendors on how best to calculate metrics. 1 Healthy Yards June W. reported that the HY team will meet later in January. The tri fold brochure has been revised and upon approval, will be sent to printer. The spring special event on April 25th at the Larchmont Library will feature Luke Brussel on "Native Plants." Beekeepers from MHS will also be part of the program. There will also likely be a cross- promotion program on "Love your Food." Kristin A. suggested the LEC piggyback on the Collabs event as they did last year with an event just before ours. Elizabeth Poyet mentioned that interested Collabs should contact her regarding helping with a potential Larchmont Enviro Committee tie-in (epoyretpmail.cor)idea. Arlene N. and Karen K. have made progress with our schools on HY. The Collab will present a "Healthy Yards Certificate"to each school in honor of their healthy yards. The goal is to present a certificate at an event at each school. Now that the Farmers Market has moved from Larchmont Train Station to the Village of Mamaroneck's Harbor Island Pavilion, Collab volunteers will continue to have a presence on alternate Saturdays at this new location to continue to promote the Healthy Yard program as well as food waste recycling and our other initiatives. Kristin A. mentioned that new Westchester County Legislator from Yonkers, Ruth Walter, would like to pursue a county-wide pesticide law and she is asking for volunteers to assist. Nancy S. mentioned that the NYS DEC is working on legislation regarding pesticides that would start on Long Island. Luke B. asked if the Town could create legislation like this but Nancy explained that the Town is not permitted to pass laws on this issue. Diane N. is creating a Healthy Yards Map based on the approximately 140 residents who have taken the pledge, plus our six schools and plus the Town Center and Town Parks. Peter B. asked if we could coordinate this map with "Pollinator Pathways." If not, the suggestion was made that we get in contact with Bedford 2020's Filippine de Haan who knows how to get involved with this organization. Native Plant Restoration Luke B. reported that Kevin C and the Larchmont Gardens Civic Association (LGCA)are working together and that LGCA is very supportive of the Native Plant Restoration effort. Also, they have dozens of volunteers from Mamaroneck High School and lona College to help. Elizabeth P. asked how we keep volunteers engaged. Nancy S. suggested that since she often gets emails from students wanting to volunteer, it would be helpful for Luke B. to email her with what his needs are. Nancy encouraged other Collabs to email her as well should they need volunteers for various tasks. George R. asked what the difference is between native and non-native plants. Luke explained that native plants are plants that have been in the local eco-system for generations, and so are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. Over 90%of insects need native plants and, unfortunately 70%of insects and 30%of birds have died off. Invasive plants are those that come from elsewhere. Many of these non-native plants are aggressive species and displace native plants, reducing the flora available to insects and pollinators. Luke B. mentioned that George Latimer issued an executive order that only native plants can be planted on county property. Community Solar Steve A. reported that the Town Board approved the Community Solar Agreement on December 18th and thanked Mark M. and Frank O.for all their work in making this happen. Steve said there would be a meeting later in the week regarding starting the project. Low to moderate income residents will be contacted first. Sunlight General, the solar developer, will work with Con Edison on the interconnection to the electrical grid. Construction to begin in spring. Nancy S. added that we are only the second community in Westchester to have community solar. As the Town Board passed the resolution on Nancy's birthday,she expressed gratitude for this "present." 2 Nancy also explained that we actually received two other"gifts"that day—the Town received a grant for$1 million to install green infrastructure to redesign Madison St. near the entrance to 1-95 South, and the Town also received a$3.2 million grant for Westchester Joint Water Works(WJWW)—to implement and install new ultraviolet treatment for the Rye Lake Intake. Mobility/Complete Streets/Electric Vehicle (EV)Charging Regarding EV Charging Stations, Denise D. has researched parking ordinances in other municipalities and presented the Town Board with her results. Nancy S. added that it's a draft to be discussed at the Town Board meeting tomorrow and that this is a parking ordinance requiring that ONLY Electric Vehicles(EVs)can be parked at the Charging Stations. This ordinance does not look at fees for parking;that will come next. Denise D. reported that Mark M. as well as Christine L. have joined her and they are working on a communication plan to reach out to private institutions such as stores to encourage installation of EV Charging Stations, also apartment buildings. This is a new grant program from the State, which provides up to 80%of the cost of Charging Stations to private property Owners. This grant program could be a great benefit to local merchants with parking lots(e.g.,Stop n Shop or Trader Joe's)or our social clubs(e.g., Larchmont Yacht Club or Bonnie Briar Golf Club). Update: The Town Board passed the law entitled "Parking for Electric Vehicles only"on January 8,2020 and at the February 5th TB meeting,they will discuss the law imposing fees for EV usage. "Love your Food" DEC Grant/Food Waste Recycling Karen gave background on the DEC grant and suggested for the many new members who don't know about it that they check out the lively and informative website: w w.lw Y urfoodny.orq,. She also mentioned the Love your Food PotLuck Lunch to be held on Saturday,January 11th at the Mamaroneck Senior Center for those interested in learning more. Karen also reported that the Mamaroneck School District Board of Education now has a "Sustainability Statement of Purpose"so they're not simply teaching about sustainability, they're encouraging students to become involved in sustainable practices. This can open the door for other Town sustainability initiatives to be introduced to the school. Frank O. said perhaps solar panels on the schools are next now that they will be constructed on the Hommocks Ice Rink. Nick Z. said this could be a great STEM initiative. Karen also mentioned the next Compost Giveback will be on Saturday, May 2nd at Maxwell Avenue and to add to our calendars to save the date. This will be the third annual Compost Giveback Day and is a great way to thank our food waste recyclers(and potentially,future food waste recyclers)for participating in the program by giving back to them. Steve mentioned that the Sanitation Commission has now purchased a shed and a scale to weigh food waste. On average, we are collecting 3,000 lbs. of food waste weekly;this weight does not include school drop-offs. Healthy Clubs Healthy Community Update Mitch reported for Lisa McDonald about progress with efforts to get the golf and yacht clubs to be more environmentally healthy. This could include not only the Healthy Yard program, but introducing food waste recycling, not using single-use plastic cups, discontinuing use of straws, etc. There will be a Healthy Clubs, Healthy Community Volunteers meeting on Tuesday evening,January 28 at 7PM at Vintage 1891 on the Post Road. Those interested in attending should please contact Lisa McDonald. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM. The next Collaborative meeting is Tuesday, February 4,2020. 3