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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_03_07 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes -- March 7, 2023 Attendees: Karen Khor,June Wallach, Sue Odierna, Mark Kramer, Kevin Crowe, Karin Weisburgh, Arlene Novich, Robin Nichinsky, Libby Poyet, Mike Smeets, Melissa Hughes, Mitch Green, Nick Zuba, OCRA students: Molly O'Connell, Katherine O'Connell, Noe Winter-Hamaoui Volunteers were welcomed and the notes of the February meeting were approved. Bike Lane&Complete Streets Volunteer Mike Smeets updated the group on his progress regarding bike lanes. Mike has met with the VoM Committee for the Environment, VoL Environment Committee, VoL Traffic Committee and will be presenting to the Safe Routes to School group next week. He will also have a table at the Larchmont Earth Day event. Mike has spoken with the engineer who authored the 2017 "Signs and Sharrows Bike Project", who suggested we apply for a grant as a tri-municipal body. Recommended the "Safe Streets for All"grant and mentioned that a grant was received in the Routes 9 and 119 corridors and those are state roads,just as Route 1 is, so Mike thinks we should try and apply as well. Mike is also working with the Chatsworth and Central Schools'PTA's. The suggestion was made that perhaps Mike should also present to TVS (Town/Village/School). This group meets quarterly and consists of reps from both school districts and all three municipalities. MHS OCRA Presentation "Nitrogen and Water Quality in LI Sound" Sebastian, Molly, Katherine and Noe gave a presentation on this topic explaining that—due to nitrogen runoff, deteriorating sewer pipes and septic systems not properly maintained—areas of the Sound suffer from low oxygen levels (hypoxia). They reviewed the history of this issue and how it has been tackled by entities in CT and NY and the EPA, as part of the Long Island Sound Study (LISS). Water quality has improved but still has a ways to go. The OCRA students are conducting targeted educational outreach to inform residents about nitrogen in the Sound by asking residents with homes along the Sound to complete a survey. They will increase their "reach"to a greater population of residents this spring. Tree Code Arlene reported the Tree Law was discussed at the work session though specific numbers as to fines were not discussed. They did discuss what determines a "heritage"tree—with no final determination of either 18"or 24"DBH. Also discussed "specimen"trees. Town Board has been looking at New Castle's tree code. Robin reiterated that this is taking so long because there are a variety of opinions on this topic, combined with the fact that there have been several Town "pressing"issues that have pushed the tree law back. Mark K. asked for the timeline, but Robin said there isn't one, though Jaine has told Karen that she'd like a new Tree Code by springtime. Mark asked if Collabs could see the draft prior to the general public. Arlene also mentioned the concern about the trees alongside the playground renovation at Memorial Park that had damaged roots and were taken down. Also mentioned was the "Spring Tree Walk"which will be Sunday,April 30`h in conjunction with Sheldrake Environmental Center. Arlene is also setting up a zoom meeting with tree expert George Profous, an NYS DEC Urban Forester for our district in order to gather more tree information. Update: The zoom was held and Arlene will provide an update at the 4-11 collab mtg. on the highlights of the very informative session. GOCAP(Gov't Operations Climate Action Plan) Update Denise explained to the group the goal of the GOCAP is to prepare a draft climate action plan for four different sectors(Transportation, Municipal Facilities/Renewable Energy, Water/Land Use, Waste/Recycling) to ultimately present to the Town Board for implementation. Denise plans to attend the four meetings(transportation is next week)organized by the Hudson Valley Regional Council and then—consulting with Town staff for info and data, the plan will be drafted and consist of at least one prioritized goal for emissions reduction for each sector. Strategies to achieve this goal, including costs will be included. The estimate to complete this project is six to twelve months. Update: Denise attended the transportation sector meeting and then,together with Karen, met with Town Administrator, Meredith Robson and Fleet Manager, Mike Pinto to help orientate Town staff on and gather information for the transportation sector's part of the plan. Grant Opportunity—LI Sound Futures Fund Nick Zuba reported on grant information he has researched including a LI Sound Futures Fund grant($10 million), and that he would be in touch with Town Administrator Meredith Robson to see if the Town's grant writers are looking into this. Nick said a short proposal could be sent by April 14th with ideas and then a formal proposal would be due by May 5`h. Nick suggested a Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study would be one idea to propose. Another is to incentivize homeowners to refrain from using high-nitrogen fertilizers. Mayor's Monarch Pledge Kevin Crowe reported that Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney will, again, take the National Wildlife Federation's Monarch Pledge to help save the monarch butterflies. The Town will, again, commit to three actions(Launch a public communications effort to encourage residents to plant monarch gardens; Plant or Maintain a monarch garden at City Hall or other prominent community location;host or support a native seed or plant sale, giveaway, or swap. Kevin also gave a brief update on Luke Brussel's project at Kane Park. He has volunteers to help him with germinating seeds, but he will need more volunteers later when ready to plant. Update:The first planting will be the morning of April 22. Upcoming Events Mark Kramer announced the following events to come in April: Saturday,April 15`h—Annual Town Spring Cleanup (10am—12pm)at Hommocks Conservation Area Saturday,April 29th—Compost Giveaway Day(8am—1pm)at Maxwell Avenue Recycling Center Sunday,April 30th--Spring Tree Walk(1pm)at Sheldrake River Trail @ approx. 90 Rockland Ave. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm.