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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022_04_05 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2022.0405 Collab Meeting Notes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes April 5, 2022 Attendees: Karen Khor,June Wallach, Robin Nichinsky, Mitch Green, Sue Odierna, Arlene Novich, Mark Kramer, Michele Lewis, Nick Zuba, Kevin Crowe, Elizabeth Poyet,Judy Caputo, Allen Reiter, George Roniger, Karin Weisburgh, Matt Thomas, Caroline Silverstone, Dami Burkin, Kat Warwick, Sebastian Gold, Harper(MHS sophomore) Co-chairs June Wallach and Karen Khor welcomed everyone to the meeting. Notes of March 2022 meeting were accepted. Community Outreach &Engagement A recap was given of March communications and events. The Sustainability Landscaping Summit was held in Larchmont on March Sr". "Healthy Yards/Landscaping"class on March 28r" with Larchmont Mamaroneck Center for Continuing Education which had 120 registrants. Upcoming events in April were mentioned with request to be promoted—Earth Day events at schools, Town Cleanup, Larchmont Earth Day, Compost Giveaway Day and GridRewards program for both residents and the Town. (Note: Programs were promoted widely on website, FB and via E-blasts.) Update on Climate Emergency Declaration Response Karen and June updated the Collabs on their meeting with Jaine and Meredith and conversation with (Liaison to the Town Board), Robin to get her feedback as well. They discussed a potential year-long leaf blower ban. Meredith wanted to talk to staff about feasibility of this. Jaine said she's not outright opposed to such a ban. They both noted that they understand the relevance of the Climate Emergency Response. Next steps—Karen and June to reconnect with Meredith on staffs feelings on leaf blower ban. VoL was to have a training session with landscapers but was unable to complete due to the outcry from them. June and Karen met with New Rochelle Deputy Mayor on this topic. They reported that New Ro is focused on getting incentives to stop leaf blowing vs. putting bans in effect. New Rochelle used NYSERDA grant money towards a rebate program to encourage landscapers to switch to electric landscaping equipment. (This was in response to Meredith's request that June and Karen meet with other municipalities to learn about their progress re:landscaping equipment.) June asked for a volunteer to track legislative progress in NYS re:leaf blowers and new Collab Allen Reiter volunteered. Jaine and Meredith expressed concerns over safety with regard to sharrows. However, bike lanes are considered part of the Comprehensive Plan so there are opportunities for bike lanes. Town has retained a Grant Consultant. The Collabs are interested to find out if this consultant will work with Collabs as well. Mayors Monarch (Butterfly)Pledge was signed by Jaine based on actions the Town/Collabs have taken/will take. Must report on progress by year's end. Larchmont Garden Club donated$12,000 for plantings at the Senior Center. 1 Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2022.0405 Collab Meeting Notes Jaine/Meredith indicated interest in having a Town Native Plant Policy whereby—whenever possible—natives will be planted. June and Karen were asked to find language on this from other municipalities. Update: This was done and a Native Plant Policy was put into effect Karen/June spoke about the recommendations on sustainability discussed at meeting with Jaine and Meredith: 1. Recycling Bins next to all trash cans. Jaine and Meredith reported this is already in place. Need current photos showing this. Also, need official policy on this in gov't buildings and public events. Mark K. mentioned this is not in place at Senior Center 2. Expand access to food scrap recycling. Jaine/Meredith reported that there have been several meetings to reorganize the Sanitation Commission and these meetings are ongoing. Karen mentioned that it's important to flu each month to see progress of the Commission. Mark K. asked what was the tax increase due to in the Garbage District(11%)and Refuse District(12%). Was it due to OT from the storm? Some Collabs mentioned they hoped Jaine and Meredith would come to the May meeting prepared to discuss above items. Karen and June continued reporting with the Resilience Recommendations: 1. Tree Code to be reviewed at April 20r" TB meeting. Public hearing will follow at a future meeting where all can comment. Several Collabs spoke out saying they felt they weren't being heard regarding tree code revisions as don't know what part(s)of code opinions were heard. Requested seeing a draft of the tree code. Tree Committee felt the communication process was not great. However,Arlene did comment that she is hopeful because she heard from Conservation Planner Liz Aitchison that staff did look at Village of Mamaroneck and Mount Vernon Tree Codes. 2. CPACE was not felt to be a priority at this time(or at least, not as high a priority as other "to do's"), Nick mentioned his disappointment with this. June suggested they revisit CPACE. 3. Phasing out use of oil and gas at Town buildings. Mitch asked why the Senior Center is using oil especially in view of renovations taking place—why isn't this being considered? 4. Ongoing refrigerant management discussions taking place between rink management and NYSP21 who is doing an evaluation of rink's usage Comprehensive Plan June and Karen updated the group that Tiffany Zezula and Kevin Dworka, Land Use Consultants leading the Town's Comprehensive Plan effort will be attending (virtually)our May meeting to get Collab input on how we see the Town's future. June expressed the good news that she understands sustainability is not one part of the plan but that it flows into everything the Town will be doing. Update from the Tree Team It was agreed that the Tree Team will re-send to the Town: the recommended list of native tree species for the Town, tree planting locations in the Town following consultation with Dr.Andrew(Andy)Reinmann of CUNY, and other relevant documents(these were emailed to Jaine and Meredith on April 11, 2022). The Tree Team would like a list of histori%ld trees in Town. For the latter point, they suggested to Liz that she get an intern to help with this but Liz has not heard back on this yet from Admin. Mark K. asked if the Town will have summer interns and Sue said it is in discussion. Arlene mentioned that the Village of Mamaroneck is planting 100 trees. June added that Meredith is looking into what we can plant in terms of the quantity. Meeting ended at 8:15pm. 2 Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2022.0405 Collab Meeting Notes 3