The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2022_06_07 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2022.0607 Collab Meeting Notes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes June 7, 2022 Attendees: Karen Khor,June Wallach, Robin Nichinsky, Sue Odierna, Arlene Novich, Mark Kramer, Nick Zuba, Kevin Crowe, Elizabeth Poyet, Allen Reiter, George Roniger, Karin Weisburgh, Mark Manley, Matt, MHS student and Town intern Sebastian Gold, Matt Thomas, MHS Teacher Joe Liberti and his OCRA students Larissa Bertini, Katie Loga and Marion Karp, and their co-mentors, Michael Gottfried and Jenna Haefelin Co-chairs June Wallach and Karen Khor asked to approve the Notes of the May 2022 meeting and notes were approved. They welcomed everyone to the meeting. Daily Errands by Bike— Karin Weisburgh June introduced Karin W. by noting the importance of this presentation and its relevance to the NYS Climate Emergency Declaration which the Collaborative has been tasked with assisting the Town Board in advising. Some of the important points Karin emphasized were regarding safety as Karin noted that 80%of accidents occur at intersections. She also explained how—if equipped with proper types of clothing and bike bags—one can do all kinds of errands and in all kinds of weather. Discussion ensued regarding the need for bike lanes on several major roads in our community, such as Boston Post Road and Mamaroneck Avenue. Karin is a Bike League Cycling Instructor and offered her assistance to any Collab who would like assistance/advice on biking in Town. She also mentioned that Bike League(www.bikeleogue.org)has a variety of resources on their website listed for those wanting to get more involved with biking. Liaison Robin Nichinsky mentioned that bike-ability is part of the Comprehensive Plan and biking residents should express their views at upcoming Comprehensive Plan Listening Sessions. NOTE: Karin's presentation is attached. Also, Comprehensive Plan "Pop-Up"Sessions will be held at two of the Town's summer concerts on Mondays July 111"and July 181"from 6pm—7pm, at the Town's Movie Night on Friday,July 81", also from 6pm—7pm, and at the Collab's outreach table at Larchmont Farmers Market,July 161n and July 301", 8:30-11:30am. Express your views on biking and more! Larchmont-Mamaroneck Second Annual Pollinator Garden Tour-- Elizabeth (Libby) Poyet Libby gave a quick announcement reminding Collabs that the Larch man t-Mamaroneck Pollinator Garden Tour would be on Sunday,June 261"from 1pm—5pm. The flyer has been posted in many area stores, libraries, etc. and has been promoted via social media and LMC TV as well. Libby added that volunteers were still needed, and they should contact her if available. Matt suggested reaching out to the MHS Bee Program students to see if they could help. OCRA Sustainability Projects Update • Single-Use Plastic Reduction (OCRA Students) OCRA students Larissa Bertini, Katie Logo and Marion Karp gave a presentation on their Single Use Plastic Reduction Initiative in which restaurants would stop using single-use plastic for a 30 day period this June. They interviewed four different, local restaurants(Turquoise, La Grange,Apiary and Taqueria) to see if they would be willing to participate. In addition, they interviewed then-Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson and then-Town 1 Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2022.0607 Collab Meeting Notes Administrator Steve Altieri, also met with Sustainable Westchester,former Larchmont Trustee, Marlene Kolbert, as well as individuals from Sustainable Westport where they are trying to eliminate plastic in the commercial district. Though the students began the interviews and research in 2020, due to COVID-19 related issues, the action phase in which the restaurants would stop using single-use plastic has just begun. Through surveys, and follow up with the restaurants, the students will study the effects of substituting eco friendly products on businesses and customers. Thus far, they have received excellent press in local publications and also on "News 12". We hope to have them back with the results of this initiative. • Additional OCRA Updates(MHS Teacher Joe Liberti) Joe reported to the Collaborative on the other programs his students are working on: 1) Improving Recycling at MHS. Noting that dual-stream helps reduce contamination, these OCRA students are working to switch MHS from current, single-stream system to dual-stream along with improving awareness among students, faculty and staff on proper recycling practices. 2) Food Rescue/Donations. Students collected data on unused food from the free brown bag lunches distributed at Mamaroneck High School. They coordinate with the district food service provider and a local faith-based organization to capture and transport unused food from brown bag lunches to Mamaroneck Avenue School for distribution to students/families. 3) Additional Recycling Options at Maxwell Avenue site. After touring Scarsdale site, OCRA students met with Steve Altieri to discuss how to improve recycling options for our residents. 4) Food Scrap Recycling Pickup Service. This project was started by OCRA students in spring of 2021 and it serves about 40 residences in the Village of Larchmont, including Larchmont Manor, with five OCRA students participating. They pickup the food scraps and drive to Maxwell Ave. site each Saturday 5) Recycling Bins next to each trash can in public spaces.Students are looking into improving recycling practices in public spaces. 6) Nitrogen Run-off from Fertilizers. OCRA students, including Sebastian are studying research on nitrogen run-off. Will be meeting with former Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson who has a great deal of expertise on this subject. Updates on Collaborative Volunteers' New Roles Karen announced that Sebastian Gold has been hired as an intern working in the Supervisor's office focusing on Climate Smart Community certification actions, being mentored by Karen K.,Judy Caputo, Denise Dunn and Mark Kramer with assistance from Sue and also helping the Town with tracking of energy(oil, gas, electric)and fleet (gasoline, diesel)data and updating website's energy data graphs. Mark Kramer will take the lead on Food Scrap Recycling/Composting. Nick Zuba has agreed to lead on strategies to get funding opportunities working with June and Karen to determine what opportunities are best and then, present to Town grant writer. Allen Reiter will be working on the gasoline-powered leaf blowers'initiative to strengthen the Town code. Allen mentioned that he spoke with SupervisorJaine Elkind Eney at a Comprehensive Plan meeting, reiterating the many dangers of gasoline-powered blowers and that it shouldn't be a question of IF they will be banned entirely, but WHEN. Andrea Hirsch will be working with Arlene Novich and the Tree Team. 2 Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative 2022.0607 Collab Meeting Notes Upcoming Events&Volunteer Needs Arlene gave an update on the Tree Team progress. She met with the Village of Mamaroneck Tree Committee, as well as Village Manager,Jerry earberio, who told Arlene they are already seeing results with their new Tree Code. Also, their tree replacement budget is$60,000 for 2022. They are starting their own tree nursery as well. Mark Kramer updated the group about his guided tour visit to the CompostED facility in Valhalla yesterday. Organized by Ellen Silver of VoM's CFTE, the facility is the County's first small-scale food scrap composting demonstration and education site and it officially opened on Earth Day 2021. Meeting ended at 8:00 pm. 3