Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_08_10 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2021.0810 Collab Meeting Notes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes, August 10, 2021 (Meeting Live, Senior Center, 6pm – 8pm) Attendees: Mitch Green, Jeff King, Sue Odierna, George Roniger, Arlene Novich, Michelle Lewis, Nick Zuba, June Wallach, Beth Radow, Frank Owens, Mark Kramer, Karen Khor, Jim Call, Jacob Levitt and intern Sebastian Gold Volunteer Nanci Nubile joined us. Notes of July 2021 meeting were accepted. MINIMIZE WASTE Repair Café George Roniger updated us that he is getting in touch with volunteers who had signed up for our Covid-cancelled Repair Café of March 2020. There were 31 volunteers slated and he and Kevin have begun to reach out and plan a meeting for the rescheduled first-ever Town of Mamaroneck Repair Café to take place on October 16, 2021 from 12 noon – 4pm at the Senior Center. Both Villages have offered their assistance. So far the potential repair tables are: woodworking, sewing, electronics, electrical appliances, sharpening, mechanical, editing/writing, seed/plant swapping, bicycle repair, jewelry repair, and more to be determined. Intern Sebastian G. has offered his band to play background music at the event. There will be a Children’s Corner and free snacks/baked goods at the event as well. George would also like to make use of the outside and asked if we could have a tent set up for this purpose. Also, George noted the email address for potential volunteers is mamaroneckrepaircafe21@gmail.com Update: th A press release has been drafted/approved and will go out to the press on Sept. 16. A sign (for the Palmer/Weaver intersection) and banner (for the Senior Center) have been ordered from Signs Plus and should be th ready week of Sept. 13. STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY HEALTH Climate Emergency Declaration Beth Radow mentioned she heard from County Legislator Catherine Parker that the County is putting together a climate resolution. How can we promote this? Maybe we have a film contest where a topic is picked (ie leaf blowers) and people submit short films illustrating their take on combatting climate change. (As a background from the previous month’s meeting -- The Climate Emergency resolution requires the municipality to look at their codes, regulations and procedures through the lens of climate change minimization, preparation and adaptation. Passing a Climate Emergency Declaration would potentially enable the Town to access funding that is under an “emergency umbrella.” First, a policy is built – the procedural structure to combat and respond to climate change -- and then the Advisory Committee (which the Collaborative could take on) looks at specifics to effect change.) The Collab stressed the need to tie the global picture to local concerns – “What can we do?” “How is this affecting us?” “Can we do anything locally to reduce these impacts?” “Beyond our coastal zone, are we really impacted by the changing weather, storms and sea levels?” 1 Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2021.0810 Collab Meeting Notes Jeffery K suggested that the Town should look at the New Rochelle declaration. Does all the work the Town has already done justify a declaration, or is there more to do, and a declaration would be a way of focusing everyone’s attention and linking together actions on a number of different fronts? Jeffery K suggested that the Collab put forward ideas for each of our initiatives. Update: It would seem that in the past few weeks both storms (Henri and Ida) have linked the global picture to local impacts, damage, loss and increased expenses for the Town and for our residents. We will continue this discussion at the September meeting. Lions Club Community Service Fair th Karen explained to the group that on Saturday, September 25 the Lions Club will host a fair at two locations – Hommocks School Parking Lot and Harbor Island. There will be tables where residents can stop by and learn about different initiatives and organizations in our community. The Collaborative will have tables at these locations. June pointed out that our priorities are all connected and there should be a one pager describing all that the th Collaborative does. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 26. Interested volunteers should contact Karen. Pollinator Pathways will also have a table at the fair Update: Due to the extensive flooding in the VoM, Harbor Island is only being used for flood-relief efforts and all th events are cancelled there through Sept. 30. As such, this fair will now take place only at Hommocks Parking Lot. Update: We hope to review an updated “one-pager” at the September meeting OCRA –Green App June is working with Michele on editing and smoothing out the content of the app. Though it was released to the outside community, there has not been a big campaign letting people know about it, so this is a good time to tweak it. Town of Mamaroneck Comprehensive Plan - AKRF Councilman Jeff King updated the group that after five to six months of working with AKRF, the Town Board determined they were not tuned in, not prepared and in addition, there was confusion as to the role of the Steering Committee, so the Board has ended its relationship with AKRF. STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY HEALTH Trees th Mitch and Arlene will present the updated Tree Code to the Town Board on August 17 Update: The Tree Code Update was presented to the Board on August 17. The discussion focused on a one-page list of “Priority Actions” (enclosed with these minutes) for the Board’s consideration. The Board agreed to study the Update and consider what might be done in the short term, with the understanding that any change in the law will require a public hearing. The Board noted that as a group they understood the importance of trees to our community. The Board expressed support for “Value for Value Replacement” when trees are proposed to be removed. 2 Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2021.0810 Collab Meeting Notes Update: In the past month there have been further examples of the shortcomings of the current code, including the problems with exemption of properties less than 20,000 sf and the problems arising from the lack of clear criteria for tree removal applications. The Tree Team will be considering next steps. Community Solar Frank updated the group on Community Solar, explaining that despite much effort, there were significant hurdles getting LMI (low to moderate income) residents signed up. Discussion ensued on how to get to others – can schools sign up? Update: The good news is there is no more room in Hommocks Park Community Solar for residents - approx. 100 have joined. If others are interested in reducing their electricity costs by up to 10% each month, they can still participate by joining another available solar farm from the Sustainable Westchester website. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm The next meeting will be held on: Tuesday, September 14, 2021 @ 6pm at the Hommocks Ice Rink Community Room. Park your car or bike towards end of pool lot and walk up pathway separating Fling Park from ice rink building. Enter community room through side door 3