HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_10_05 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes
Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2021.0914 Collab Meeting Notes
Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes, October 5, 2021
(Meeting Live, Senior Center 6pm – 8pm)
Attendees: Mitch Green, Jeff King, Sue Odierna, George Roniger, Arlene Novich, Frank Owens, Mark Kramer,
Karen Khor, Elizabeth (Libby) Poyet, June Wallach, Joel Gray, Nick Zuba, Beth Radow, Marc Karell,
Kevin Crowe and intern Sebastian Gold
Guest: Eleanor Peck of the Hudson Valley Regional Council -- consultant to the Town assisting with CEC
(Clean Energy Community) and CSC (Climate Smart Community) certifications
Notes of September 2021 meeting were accepted.
Outreach and Education
Continuing Education Seminar on Saving Energy
Marc Karrell and Nick Zuba gave a recap on their “How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint and Save Money on
Home Energy Use” class held via Zoom on last night with Larchmont Mamaroneck Center for Continuing
Education. It was a well-received class with 45 people registered and Collabs who participated gave it high marks
for its information and delivery. Mitch asked June what other sessions are planned and June responded that
“Healthy Yards” and “Love your Food” are the probable topics for 2022 sessions.
Update: For those who would like to watch the presentation, LMCCE has provided the info below:
Meeting Recording:
https://link.zixcentral.com/u/23eff1cf/JAlo0aYn7BGY6ooph3soMg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fus0
6web.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2FUkSLhqeCrXOqyiGjeCfDglRA3RpagQv_q6UsyI5CniyZEA
phzkWatUb-ufXuzcdi.1oBTSs9W67HXUWuw
Access Passcode: Kn%An1ma
Climate Smart Communities
Mitch reported that Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson would like Collabs to help with our CSC recertification, just as
several Collabs had helped with the Community Solar and Grid Rewards campaigns of this past year. He then
introduced guest Eleanor Peck who explained where the Town is in terms of our CSC certification, what needs to be
accomplished and by when (see attached for extensive details). The basic “to do’s” involve getting two priority
actions approved in order to maintain the bronze certification we received back in 2016. We have the 120 points
needed for bronze, but without the two priority actions approved, we are not certified. We applied for 28 actions
but several were and are not doable currently in the Town. Eleanor believes seven are most doable, the easiest
being the “Climate Education and Engagement” action. To achieve silver certification, we would need a total of
300 points. Mark K. asked how many other municipalities are certified and Eleanor mentioned Bedford, Ossining
and Hastings as the communities nearest to us that are certified. Mitch said he would speak to Nancy and Sue and
put together a small group to work on these actions to reapply by the next deadline of January 22, 2022.
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2021.0914 Collab Meeting Notes
Regarding CEC certification, there was discussion about the CEC grant money ($45,000 has been approved so far)
and Eleanor said the Town is potentially also eligible for two more $5,000 grants for EV’s and Clean Heating.
There was further discussion re: CEC about PACE financing (one of the CEC actions) and why didn’t the Town Board
pass it. Jeff K. said the Board did not like the wording, there was concern about liability. There was also discussion
about hiring grant writers and Eleanor said the cities of New Rochelle and Beacon do hire grant writers.
Update: Sue spoke to Nancy about grant writers and Nancy said that grants have been written by companies that
have been hired as part of the construction/engineering project work, such as Barton and Loguidice, PC, who
wrote grant for the Madison Avenue Green Infrastructure. However, there is discussion within the Town Board
about adding a grant writer to the budget who could be used on a consulting basis (not full-time).
MINIMIZE WASTE
Repair Café
George Roniger updated us that he now has plenty of volunteers though he still could use someone for jewelry and
also, clocks. Kevin and Sue updated on other items -- Tents have been arranged, a sign at Palmer/Weaver is out,
banner at Senior Center is up, several social media posts have gone out and will continue to go out, press release
went out, waiver details are confirmed. We will post on Town website. As a reminder, the Repair Café debuts at
the Mam’k Senior Center on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 12 noon – 4:00 pm. In addition to the repair tables, there will
be live music, a children’s corner and baked goods.
Update: The Town’s Repair Café was a big success. Over 40 residents brought items in for repair. The spirit was
very positive and friendly. People enjoyed the free snacks and baked goods. Fixers seemed to be happy that we
provided lunch (pizza) for them and really gave their all in trying to fix everything that came their way. Reviews
on social media were excellent and the community cannot wait for us to hold another repair cafe. Much thanks
go to the volunteers especially Kevin Crowe, Mark Kramer and George Roniger who planned this event.
Community Health
Climate Emergency Declaration
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The Town declaration, based on the New Rochelle model, was submitted to Nancy and Jeff on September 30. The
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Town Board is to discuss it at their work session on Oct. 6. Beth reiterated the importance of the Town looking at
all issues through the lens of climate emergency, including the Comprehensive Plan. Nick and also June agreed that
this is not a stand-alone issue. Mitch said he likes that this resolution sets the path so the new Town leadership
can ensure that all departments (Zoning, Planning, etc.) look through a sustainability lens. Jeff mentioned that the
Town Board is talking about environmental issues at every meeting.
Update: Mitch and others from the Collaborative attended the Oct. 6 Work Session and will update Collabs at
next meeting
Trees
Arlene reported that the Village of Mamaroneck wants to update their tree code and will be working with the
same consultant that the Town worked with. In the Town, currently staff is discussing possibilities regarding the
updating of Town’s code.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2021.0914 Collab Meeting Notes
The next meeting will be held at the Senior Center “yellow room” location. Tuesday, October 26, 2021 @
6pm at the Mamaroneck Senior Center. Park your car or bike in the Senior Center lot and enter through enclosed
porch in the front of the building. The yellow room is to your left.
Note: Though this meeting is also in October, it is our “November” meeting being held a week early! The next
meeting and last meeting for 2021 will be on December 7, 2021.
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