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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_09_12 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes—September 12, 2023 Attendees: Karen Khor, Sue Odierna, Mark Kramer,June Wallach, Kevin Crowe, Robin Nichinsky, Karin Weisburgh, Arlene Novich,Judy Caputo, Mark Manley, Mike Smeets, Allen Reiter,Johnny Zox, MHS student/CSC Intern Sebastian Gold Meeting notes from the August meeting were accepted. Collaborative Membership Updates Mark and Karen updated that Mark Manley has become a Board-appointed member.Also, Sebastian Gold is the Collabs'first formally Co-Chairs'-appointed student Collab member. This new one-year Collab Student Member position was approved by Jaine. This was a recommendation from the organization Federated Conservationists of Westchester to environmental committees as a way to encourage youth engagement and involvement in local sustainability issues. Study on Implementing Curbside Pickup of Food Scraps in ToM Judy reported on the Food Scrap pickup program in the Village of Mamaroneck. The program is currently provided without a fee to residents in the Village, but starting in October, the fee will be $52 per year. Judy found that having a pilot program was important as residents were concerned about animals getting into the scraps. Currently, 300 households participate. It takes the DPW one to three hours to pick it all up and pickup is done by neighborhood, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Residents are instructed to put out one bin, sometimes they do put out more. Door hangers have been left on participating households'front doors to let them know of the fee to come. Viewing of LMC's Video on Maxwell Avenue Recycling Mark and Dami worked with LMC Media to develop an animated video regarding recycling at Maxwell Avenue Recycling Facility. The Collabs watched the video and discussion ensued. What age group is it targeted to? How should we distribute/promote? Perhaps launch and promote video on National Recycling Day (November 15th)?Can we get it to local Real Estate agents to get to new residents? How about Larchmont Newcomers Club? Robin asked if it could be made into a PowerPoint. OCRA students suggested it for Tiger Times (video shown midday at MHS). Some of the comments were that—at five minutes—the video is too long. However, it is available in six separate segments for each category, including an introduction. Some thought the speed of the video was a bit fast, but on You Tube the speed can be adjusted in the settings. The biggest issue was the absence of a section on commingled (cans, bottles, containers, cartons,foil). Update: A section on commingled recycling was added. Jaine has requested one change and we are waiting on LMC's response. Tree Code Arlene reported there was a work session in August and they will have another one in September. The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, October 4th Discussion about the pending tree grant-- when do we find out if it was awarded to the Town? Also, the Tree Committee would like to talk to Liz about planting pollinators in their right-of-way sections in front of some residents'homes on Maple Hill. If we plant more pollinators, it helps the Town advance further on its commitments toward the Mayors'Monarch Pledge program. County Executive Latimer has made a commitment to only plant natives, so the consensus is that the Town should as well. Update: On September 27th, the Town released the details of the proposed revision to the Town's Tree Law to the public and notified them of the public hearing on October 4tn OCRA Update—Sebastian Student member Sebastian reported on the various projects that OCRA students are working on. Nitrogen Fertilizers—OCRA students will be embarking on this project with elementary school students Alternative Recycling—these OCRA students are working on new recycling sectors: Book Recycling was approved by the Town and they are now moving on to the VoM for this project. Recycling Bins—this OCRA group is ensuring that recycling bins are in public spaces in VoL starting with a pilot project in Constitution Park. Commercial Food Scrap Program—Collab Mark Manley, along with other MUFSD parents Laxmi Wordham and Jen LeClair, are mentoring this program to enlist local businesses to recycle their food scraps. EnergySmart Homes June reported that this Sustainable Westchester program has been approved by NYSERDA for the Town to begin its campaign. The Building Department's Rich Polcari is on board to assist by giving us a spreadsheet of those who sign up for one of the eligible EnergySmart programs. Energy evaluations in residents'homes are available by a list of SW-vetted vendors. Once the campaign starts, it is supposed to last for seven months. In Maine, 100,000 homeowners have already switched to an EnergySmart energy source. Discussion about who to target ensued, and it was determined the best category would be those who have oil heat who are thinking of making a switch anyway. Note: For details, see the EnergySmart programs here: https://sustainablewestchester.org/energysmarthomes/ Climate Smart Community Update Karen updated the group that the Town was certified at the bronze level once again, based on our July submission. We have 208 points (up eight points since last year) and to get to silver, we need 300. Working on new climate actions would help us advance towards silver. Karen mentioned how difficult it is to reach silver since Sebastian spent all of summer renewing current actions to maintain bronze. Mark K.feels we need an intern for the school year as well to work on silver but a college student would be best. Karen mentioned the HVRC(Hudson Valley Regional Council) will be hosting a new series of Zoom training sessions for municipalities to guide them in developing their community greenhouse gas inventory (PE2 Action: Community GHG Inventory)starting at end September. HVRC has indicated that the process will be simplified and streamlined for municipalities because HVRC has already gathered and will provide the relevant GHG emissions data across different sectors for all NY communities. Volunteers are needed to attend this training session and work on the Town's Community GHG Inventory. Anybody who is interested should contact Karen or Mark Kramer. Comprehensive Plan Update Robin reported that at the last Town Board meeting, consultant Tiffany Zezula reviewed many comments with the Board. The Town Board is to get back to Tiffany with other comments. The next version then gets reviewed by SEQRA. Upcoming Fall Events/Volunteer Needs • Sept 23 (Sat), 1-5 pm - Larchmont Day-Volunteers needed for ToM Sustainability Collaborative table—Larchmont Ave - Constitution Park. Note:This event was cancelled due to rain. • Sept 27 (Wed), 7-8 pm - Free Community Class: Reducing Food Waste with a Few Delicious Recipes from Renowned Local Chef Adam Kaye at ToM Senior Center, Larchmont-Mamaroneck Center for Continuing Education & Collab ToM. Note: This was postponed to October 18, due to Chef Adam Kaye coming down with COVID the day of event. • Oct 15 (Sun), 1-5 pm -Town of Mamaroneck Repair Café—Volunteers needed—ToM Senior Center. Contact Kevin Crowe at MLMrepaircafe@gmail.com or Judy Caputo. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.