HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022_11_01 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2022.1101
Collab Meeting Notes
Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes November 1, 2022
Attendees: Karen Khor,June Wallach, Sue Odierna, Mark Kramer, Nick Zuba, Kevin Crowe, Karin Weisburgh,
George Roniger, Arlene Novich,Judy Caputo, Anne Granger,Jennifer Dorian, Alan Reiter, Michelle Lewis
Volunteers were welcomed and the notes of the October 2022 meeting were approved.
Repair Cafe
Mark Kramer gave a Repair Cafe event recap. All told, it was a highly successful event that boasted 21 MHS honor
society student helpers, 13 fixers, 15 volunteers to help with greeting, organizing customers/fixers, etc. and two
entertainers including MHS Collab Sebastian Gold. There was a total of 64 residents that brought in items to be
repaired, 44 of whom said it was their first-ever Repair Cafe. Kevin and Mark said they are hoping to repeat the
event next year on October 15rn
Climate Emergency Declaration Draft Response
June reminded the group that at our last meeting, she gave a preview of the draft presentation and that at the
Town Board meeting which followed, she gave a briefer version of that presentation. The latter presentation was
shown to Collabs this evening.June mentioned that the Town Board was very pleased with this presentation and
how much they said they appreciated the volunteers'work and persistence. Nick commented that he agreed the
Town Board appreciates Collabs'work and that they appreciated that what the Collaborative came up with is
"manageable." Michele added, she'd like to see more components(besides trees) within "Green Infrastructure."
Climate Smart Communities(CSC)
June reminded the group that the NYS DEC runs the CSC program which helps communities attain environmental
goals. She asked what Collabs think we should focus on next. Again, the response from the group was that it
seems we should go for "manageable"goals. June and Karen would like to have a "CSC Steering Committee"and
will send link out to be reviewed to determine who would like to be on this sub-committee.
Upcoming Events/Other
Sustainable Sundays is a program beginning on November 13rn at St.John & Paul Church from 4pm—5:30pm
featuring:Lisa Chase(from "La Grange"restaurant;she was also one of the leaders of the recent "Victory
Gardens"initiative), Sarah Coady of the Larch mant-Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force, Caroline Vance of the
organization, ReFED and also Chatsworth PTA's Green Tigers. And, save the date of February 5, 2023 from 3:30pm
—5:30pm for the next session in the Sustainable Sundays series, this time at Larchmont Temple. Topic will be
"Sustainable Green Building."
Arlene mentioned that she has booked Jocelyn from the Sheldrake Environmental Center's for a Wintertime Guided
Tree Walk, tentatively scheduled for Sunday,January 8, 2023. This afternoon walk will go for about an hour and
Arlene said it's also an opportunity to promote the "Trees for our Town"program and get donations toward trees.
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2022.1101
Collab Meeting Notes
Karen mentioned that she participated in a Zoom meeting on the topic of"Curbside Pickup of Food Scraps"
following the latest Larch-Mam'k Sanitation Commission's budget meeting. She reported that the Village of
Mamaroneck is picking up food scraps with regular garbage truck so equipment shouldn't bean issue. The
Larch man t Environmental Committee and members of the Collab would like to find away towards curbside pickup
by forming a group that can advise ToM and VoL. Karen to draft email on this to Town/Village of Larch electeds.
New information has been posted to the Town website's Love your Food page— "Food for Thought"heading. See
the updates here: https://www.townofmomoroneckny.orgl543/Love-Your-Food. Discussion ensued regarding the
future of the LYF brand/webpage. Now that the three-year grant period has come too close and the consultants
are no longer supplying content for the page, what is the future of Love your Food? Karen suggested instead of
quarterly updates, perhaps now the page can be updated bi-annually, but by whom? Interested content providers
should let Karen know. Mark suggested maybe the "Green Tigers"group can supply a piece.
Mark updated on his work with the OCRA students piloting curbside pickup of food scraps in Village of Larchmont.
He, Lisa McDonald-lae and Karen went with the OCRA students on e-their food scrap pick-up fieid t 4pLoute on Oct.
29tn to better understand the challenges the OCRA team has been facing. -Also, a separate team of tfae OCRA
students are looking into expanding the range of recyclables that can be dropped off at Maxwell Avenue Recycling
Center and are looking into what other items can be easily recycled,for example—tennis balls.
Also, Mark reported that in the Village of Mamaroneck, DPW picks up food scraps from 300 households.
George asked where a person can go to find out all that the Collaborative has achieved. Many responded that the
Collaborative page would be the best source for this currently;seethe page here:
https://www.towno fmomoroneckny.orgl324ISustoinobility-Collaborative
Scroll down to "Sustainability Resources"mid-page.
Reminder to vote "YES"on the Environmental Bond Act on Election Day.
Next meeting, Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney and Town Administrator Meredith Robson will attend and answer
questions from the Collabs.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.
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