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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_10_03 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes—October 3, 2023 Attendees: Karen Khor, Sue Odierna, Mark Kramer,June Wallach, Kevin Crowe, Robin Nichinsky, Karin Weisburgh, Arlene Novich,Judy Caputo, Mike Smeets, Allen Reiter,Johnny Zox, Nick Zuba, Andrea Hirsch, MHS student/CSC Intern Sebastian Gold Guest: Chair of Planning Board, Ralph Engel Meeting notes from the September meeting were accepted. Kevin reminded the group of the upcoming "Rooting for Trees" event coming up on 11/5/23 at Larchmont Avenue Church, by HOW (Houses of Worship) Green. Ralph Engel—Thoughts on Proposed Tree Law Ralph said that the Planning Board did not have enough prior notice about the Public Hearing. Criticisms of the law include: • several parts of the law may come under Planning Board authority which will contradict some portions of the law • no notice to anyone if their neighbor wishes to remove tree • Coastal Zone Management Commission is not mentioned in tree law and should be • difficult for Environmental Planner to determine if tree "might"need to be removed • replacement trees—trees that grow to 40'tall are not tall enough to give shade to an average home here which is about same height • replacement trees mostly take too long to grow unless you require a specific type of tree that would grow faster • doesn't like that the Tree Fund includes monies for equipment used to plant and maintain trees and other landscaping • if Environmental Planner denies the tree permit, resident can apply to "next meeting"of Planning Board(which could be a day's notice,for example)despite PB's required notice of 14 days • fines are too low($300/$600/$900) when homeowners spend thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands on renovations and additions Considering all the issues Ralph raised, Karen asked Ralph if the Town Board should meet with the Planning Board to resolve and Ralph said yes. Ralph did emphasize that his opinions are his own, not necessarily those of the Planning Board. Monarch Butterfly Update Kevin said he and Libby and their Pollinator group are looking for additional places to plant pollinators. This includes following up at Town Center and the Senior Center. Update: Both locations now have pollinators planted in the ground, thanks to Kevin and Libby's work! If you scroll down a few posts, you can see their smiling faces planting at the Senior Center and Town Center. https://www.facebook.com/townofmamaroneckenvironment/ EnergySmart Home Campaign As reported last month, June mentioned the Town is approved by NYSERDA to start this campaign to motivate residents to look into energy smart alternatives to how they currently heat/cool their homes. Updates: Press release went out and is attached. Also, see details on EnergySmart programs here: https://sustainablewestchester.org/energysmarthomes/ The Collabs will be providing information at the Fall Fest scheduled for November 18 at Constitution Park in Larchmont. Repair Café Kevin updated the Collabs on the planning for the Repair Café scheduled for October 15th. Seven fixers are confirmed, many student volunteers and Collabs will be there to help. Update: The event was a success and Kevin and Mark provided the following stats on the event: 48 customers attended, 16 from the Town, eight from the VoL and 13 from the VoM, the rest from nearby areas or unknown. A total of 88 items were brought in to be fixed and 46 were confirmed to be fixed (the rest were not fixed or their status is unknown). The top two categories with the most items brought in to be fixed were electronics and sewing at 16 items each. Tree Code Arlene reported that Collabs have made/sent their comments on the proposed tree law. Karen and Mark are to present Collabs'views at the Public Hearing to be held on Oct. 4th and many others are also expected to speak. One addition to the proposed law that they'll request is for residents to be required to get a permit that tree companies need to see before they can cut down a tree. Since the law is not strictly enforced now (for those with lots over 20,000 sf), it's doubtful that will change once a new law is in effect; requiring a permit changes that. They'd also like to know— when a resident is fined for cutting down a tree unlawfully, where would those monies go towards? Update: After two public hearings, the proposed tree law is being revised again and another public hearing was set last night at the Special Town Board Work Session. It will take place at the next regular meeting on November 15tn The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.