HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022_03_01 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2022.0301 Collab Meeting Notes
Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes March 1, 2022
(Meeting via Zoom and on LMC-Media)
Attendees: Mitch Green, Sue Odierna, Arlene Novich, Mark Kramer, Karen Khor,June Wallach, Michele Lewis,
Nick Zuba, Kevin Crowe, Elizabeth Poyet,Judy Caputo, Denise Dunn, Allen Reiter,Jacob Levitt, Kat Warwick and
Robin Nichinsky
Co-chairs June Wallach and Karen Khor welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Notes of February 1, 2022 meeting were accepted.
The question was raised as to whether or not the Sustainability Collaborative needs a quorum and Sue reported
that she didn't think so since the "Collab"is not a decision-making committee, but an advisory committee.
Note: Sue confirmed with Supervisor Elkind Eney that we do not need a quorum
Update on Supervisor/Town Administrator Meeting
Karen reported that she and June met with Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney and Town Administrator Meredith Robson
and asked June to update Collabs. June reported that they had a very productive meeting, that Jaine/Meredith are
very supportive of the Collaborative and that they see the committee's work as a priority in the Town. Jaine said
she wants to have a 'fresh start"with the Collab and that she'd prefer to see ideas and recommendations in draft
form, earlier than has been done in the past. This way, valuable time won't be wasted for everyone. Bulleted
objectives—even in draft from—are more helpful than hearing ideas for the first time at a TB meeting. New
volunteer Allen Reiter agreed that this is a better system—similar to lobbying methods with gov't officials.
Also discussed was the Comprehensive Plan and how important it will be to gather residents'input on what the
future of the Town should be, what their vision is. Karen mentioned she is on the Steering Committee of the
Comprehensive Plan and that there will be many opportunities for residents to make an impact on the Town's
future starting this spring.
Also discussed with Jaine and Meredith was the tree code, that the staff is reviewing and yes, it is taking awhile
but it is in the works. Separately, Food Scrap curbside pickup is still an option, but because the restructuring of the
Larch/Mam'k Sanitation Commission is in the works, they cannot make decisions about this initiative now.
Karen mentioned that the Town has been certified as a Climate Smart Community at the bronze level, but we are
not to publicize it until the DECsends out a press release announcing it. Karen thanked Denise Dunn and MHS
intern Kat Warwick for their many, many hours of work in getting this done. Karen reminded the Collabs that this
certification is good for five years, so we cannot "rest on our laurels"and we need to document all that we do for
the next recertification (and also to get to the next level, "silver"). Also it's important to integrate all that we do
into the NYS Climate Emergency Response.
Update: Press release went out to our media list on March 31"and it was also included in Jaine's March E-
Newsletter and posted to our website
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2022.0301 Collab Meeting Notes
CPACE Review
Nick gave a presentation reviewing C-PACE. In a nutshell, C-PACE is a financing program for energy-efficiency
improvements that—if the Town opts in --qualifying property owners could participate in. In the past, the Town
has been reluctant to opt into this program, but important modifications have been made and Nick would like to
encourage the Town Board to opt into this program. Nick also related this presentation to the fact that
presentations of any of our initiatives should basically be a one-pager that simplifies the message as stakeholders
are busy and we need to "softly,"respectfully and briefly get to the point. There are different types of
stakeholders and we need to approach them differently as some will agree, some will dissent, some are on the
fence.
Upcoming Events
• Karen reported that she is assembling a team of volunteers for the Farmers Market table where Collab
volunteers can promote our programs as well as promote the Collaborative itself(recruiting more
volunteers). Proposed dates are 5/14, 6111, 7/9 and 9/10 from 8:15am—11:30am (two separate shifts
in that timeframe). Karen needs help with on-site coordination, set-up and break-down and volunteer
recruitment and asked that interested volunteers contact her.
• School events on Earth Day, Friday,April 22"d Murray Avenue School and Central School, 3pm—4pm.
Volunteers needed for these events, contact Karen.
• Other community events -LEC's Earth Day Celebration on Saturday,April 23rd in Constitution Park
(Two other events that have since occurred were also promoted—Summit Meeting featuring LEC's Lisa McDonald,
June and former Supervisor Nancy Seligson as well as the Center for Continuing Ed class on Healthy
Yards/Landscaping)
Other Q&A
Questions asked as to what the next step(s)are regarding the Collab recommendations for Climate Emergency
Response. June explained that no further input from Collabs is needed,June/Karen are outlining/organizing their
recommendations/priorities, Robin will review and then the plan is to have Jaine/Meredith review.
Note: Jaine and Meredith both to attend the May Collaborative meeting
Discussion about power failures, generators continually running, excessive amount of blown transformers
especially in the North End of Town. Robin suggested that this is a topic to be brought to Town Administrator's
attention.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM
The next meeting will be held in person at the Mamaroneck Senior Center on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.
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