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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022_12_06 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes December 6, 2022 Attendees: Karen Khor,June Wallach, Sue Odierna, Mark Kramer, Nick Zuba, Kevin Crowe, Karin Weisburgh, George Roniger,Arlene Novich, Anne Granger, Alan Reiter, Michelle Lewis, Mark Manley, Catherine Wachs, Mitch Green, Dami Burckin, Robin Nichinsky, Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney and Town Administrator Meredith Robson Volunteers were welcomed and the notes of the November 2022 meeting were approved. Discussion with Jaine and Meredith June thanked everyone who submitted questions, which were consolidated to best fit with Jaine and Meredith's availability for meeting attendance that evening. 1. Climate Emergency Declaration Draft Response June mentioned that it had been one year since adopted. Question for Jaine and Meredith was what do you see as the most important needs for Climate Action within the Town?Jaine responded that the Town Board looks at everything through the sustainability lens and directs department heads to do the some. She added that she feels the biggest climate issue is flooding. Meredith added that, the Town asked to rejoin LISWIC(LI Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council)and so we look at and can work on flooding as part of a larger group of municipalities.Also, the Town worked with the County on our Hazard Mitigation Plan and purchased 4 EV cars this year. The Town considered getting an electric Zamboni ice resurfacer, but ultimately decided against this since this new electric product can currently only be repaired on the West Coast and cost twice as much. Green Infrastructure 2. Permeable Paving Questions raised about plans to include permeable paving in other locations, besides Senior Center and Town Center, such as parking areas, roads or intersections? What is the process for assessing the feasibility of incorporating permeable paving in future municipal maintenance projects? Jaine explained this is best with new construction versus repaving since you need to excavate in order to put layers down. Also, it must be in durable areas so sidewalks work better than roads that are driven on. She said the permeable paving at the Senior Center needs to be "vacuumed out"from time to time to maintain its permeability. The proposed 195 Roundabout(on Madison Ave.)grant has some permeable portions. Memorial Park also has some permeable portions built into the plan. 3. Stormwater Mitigation The Town has identified 15 areas in the Town prone to flooding issues. The Town applied for a$300,000 County grant to complete a study to address our flooding issues. We are also waiting to hear back on a FEMA grant,for the some amount that we should hear back on early in 2023. Update:The Town was awarded the County's$300,000 grant which the Town Engineer explains as the following:This grant will be the first time the Town has done a comprehensive evaluation of our storm sewers and the first time the Town has received grant funding to conduct such a study. The evaluation will provide the Town with updated record maps for our storm sewer network, identify current defects and provide recommendations for construction projects that will reduce the occurrence and extent of flooding. This is a big first step in alleviating the repeat occurrence of flooding events in our Town. 4.Tree Code The question asked of Jaine and Meredith was "What would the Town consider a successful outcome of the revised Tree Code?".,aine said the hope is to have an idea of how many trees are cut down and how many are planted. With the new law, permits will be needed, so we shall have an actual count. 5. Larch-Mamk Sanitation Commission/Maxwell Ave. site What is the timeline of the finalization of the Commission?Jaine reported that we are still waiting for the Village of Larchmont to make their decision on: 1) one consolidated sanitation district run by the Town or 2)two separate sanitation districts for Village of Larchmont and Unincorporated Town of Mamaroneck. Jaine was planning to meet with new Village of Larchmont Mayor Sarah Bauer shortly. She said the Town feels the consolidated sanitation district offers the most cost-effective solution. 6.What are next steps to launch curbside food scraps for residents? Mark K. asked if the Town could do a pilot study like what VoM and Rye did with students picking up food scraps.Jaine said she would like the Collabs to go forward with the proposed workgroup to study and develop an implementation plan for curbside pickup of food scraps in the unincorporated Town of Mamaroneck. Meredith said it is unlikely that this can be implemented in 2023 in view of planned change from joint sanitation commission to either a consolidated sanitation district run by Town or two separate municipal sanitation districts. 7.What is the best process for addressing service and facility issues (such as broken water hose)at the Maxwell Avenue Recycling Facility? Meredith's response re:the broken water hose at Maxwell site was that that the hose will be fixed and usable in the springtime.Also, they will be fixing potholes to avoid puddling at the Maxwell site. 8. EV Chargers Collabs reported that non-EV vehicles have been seen parked in EV-only spots.Jaine and Meredith said that better enforcement is needed and they would contact appropriate staff. 9. County/Environmental Bond Act What funding/initiatives can the Town expect to see as a result of the recently passed Environmental Bond Act? Waiting to see what grant programs Town funds flow through. Then we will apply through various government programs. Looking ahead, are there other ways in which the County will be providing support to the Town of Mamaroneck? Refer to notes under #3 Stormwater Mitigation on the County grant of$300,000 to the Town to study flooding issues. Housing At the Westchester County Budget Meeting on December 1, you mentioned plans for new affordable housing units coming into the Town. What more can you tell us about that? What are the benefits of this to the Town as it relates to affordable housing?It has been estimated that 11,000 housing units are needed in the County. A potential site to accommodate some of this new housing has been identified in the Town. Jaine is setting up a meeting with the County as well as NYS reps Steve Otis and Shelley Mayer to tour the proposed area. The Town will need funding support from the County/State for acquisition of this land area to develop affordable housing. 10. Complete Streets/Comprehensive Plan How will Complete Streets be part of the Comp Plan? "Safe Connections"is one of five themes from a recent Comp Plan workshop with the goal of balancing different forms of transportation which includes bikes. Jaine responded that the Town is waiting for Comprehensive Plan planners'recommendations to see how and where the Town can implement potential bike lanes There was further discussion on the Comp Plan survey on Town website and when it is expected to be completed. Jaine responded that residents can give input until 12131122 and that the consultants hope to complete a draft Comprehensive Plan with narrative and implementation steps by March 2023. Michele asked about the leaf blower noise and tree canopy and said she didn't'see much about these topics in the Plan. She feels we need some type of overall vision for the Town and for example, what Boston Post Road should look like. Meredith responded that these specifics are to be looked at in the "Implementation Plan."Somefelt that Comp Plan Survey could have been better laid out, that questions should be after each section instead of at the end, that it is difficult to go through this way. Also, regarding flooding, Mitch asked for the list of 15 Flood Zones to be sent out, (see attached document). Mark K. asked that the Town look into streams in the North End, saying they need to be restored so water doesn't flood over into the streets. Upcoming Events:Tree Walk Arlene mentioned that the Tree Walk is set for Sunday, January 8th at 1pm and that Sheldrake Environmental Center's Jocelyn Kleinman will lead the walk which will last about an hour. Publicity is to go out this week. The idea is to promote our trees and also help promote the Town Conservation Dept's "Trees for our Town"program. Mitch suggested the Collabs should take on a tree inventory project to see what we have currently and that if each Collab took on a few blocks, we could accomplish this and produce a map. Refreshments brought in by the Collabs were then enjoyed to kick off the holiday season and end the meeting in a casual, friendly (and delicious) setting. Meeting was adjourned at 8pm though many stayed later to enjoy the goodies and the company 1 .