HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024_06_11 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2024.0611—Collaborative Meeting Notes
Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
Meeting Notes — June 11, 2024
Meeting notes accepted from May meeting.
Attending: Mark Kramer,Sue Odierna, Hugh Collins,Allen Reiter, Kevin Crowe, Mitch Green,June Wallach,
Arlene Novich, Frank Owens, Phil Oldham (Lions Club), Karin Weisburgh, Robin Nichinsky
Phil Oldham suggested the Lions be counted on for volunteerism. He explained their mission (100th
anniversary this year) is to serve the community by offering their volunteering services. He asked if he
could put an eyeglass box for donations in the Senior Center. Sue to check with Recreation Department
Head,Jill Fisher. Also, Mark Kramer suggested we see if any senior center members are interested in being
volunteers for the Collabs. Sue to ask Stephanie Hart,Senior Center Coordinator if we could put some flyers
at the Center explaining what the Collabs do.
Update: Senior Center is happy to have an eyeglass donation box at the Senior Center. Phil has been
informed that a Lions Club member can drop one off.
Discussion regarding the July meeting date. The meeting will remain on August 6t". We need a volunteer
note-taker for August as Sue will be on vacation that week(to be discussed at the July meeting).
Mitch Green—One World event
Mitch was approached by Joe Carvin,former Mayor of Harrison and Mike Scanlon, member of Winged
Foot(we worked with him on how to make events more sustainable) on a Sustainability and Peace Event
at Denzel Washington School for the Arts, Mt Vernon. Mitch reported that it is a huge space, seats 1,200
people. They are interested in the Collabs explaining the "Love your Food"initiative. Expecting 400-500
people on June 22' — the event will be in two parts:from 4:30-6pm tables will be set up from various
groups and then there is a talent show which is what brings so many people in.
Update: Mark Kramer attended and spoke for 1-2 minutes before an excellent talent show for One
World. The Mayor of Mt. Vernon also spoke as well as the principal and other groups. The attendance
was well below expectations and the exhibit hall before the talent show was cramped, but really only
attended by two handfuls of attendees. It would not be in the Collaborative's best interests to exhibit
again if asked to participate.
Comprehensive Plan Hearing on May 8th (Mitch Green)
Mitch asked if the three areas that the Collab (Karen, Mitch, Mark and others) asked to add to the
Comprehensive Plan made it into the plan. They had requested 1)several documents,some going back to
the 1960's to 2020 that were references to what is stated in the Plan, 2)Achievements of the Town, 3) a
paragraph of what would come next so those reading the Comp Plan would know the next steps. Robin
responded that it was very helpful to have Karen Khor on the committee as she was a strong influence on
the committee, but that no, these suggestions did not make it into the plan. They didn't feel it was
necessary. Robin explained that Meredith's job is to prioritize the many suggestions into the
implementation plan and that is the next step.
Update: Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan (June 2024)for the Unincorporated Town of Mamaroneck was approved.
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2024.0611—Collaborative Meeting Notes
Spring Tree Planting(Mark Kramer& Mitch Green)
Mitch noted that all 110 trees were planted and asked how they are watered. Robin reported that a tree
watering company was hired to take care of this. Question was asked—is there a map that shows where
trees are and what types of trees were planted. Sue to ask Liz if there is a map noting where and types of
trees.
Update: 2024 Spring Planting 110 Trees
Liz made notes regarding types of trees and locations, but they are not in a finalized list at this point.
Changes were made: some trees were moved, some still need to be moved (cannot be done in this heat)
and as she has several other mapping requests from Administration, this is not currently on her "to do"
list.
Tree List(Mitch)
Robin updated that Liz is working on another tree list and Collabs will get to look at it and make comments.
Mark suggested that he and Mitch follow up with Robin in the fall. Mark mentioned that the list is
potentially being used and that is concerning since we want residents to have a good, viable list. Regarding
educational outreach, Mitch wanted to remind all of us that in the past when Town passed new laws(such
as RBI), the Collabs helped with outreach and could be available again for this.
Repair Café(Kevin)
Kevin reported that the flyer is out and he's gotten some volunteers. Sue suggested he send flyer to her so
she can send to LMC to be posted on their community bulletin board.
Update: Repair Café
The Repair Café poster was sent to LMC for posting by Sue. The Planning Committee of Kevin, Mark,
Katherine Pannell (LEC) &Debbie Sullivan (VoM CFTE)zoomed to discuss the planning and coordination of
the ToM Repair Café.
Summer Intern (Sue)
Sue reported that we have a summer intern starting next week. She'll work mornings from Tuesdays to
Fridays with the primary task of working on CSC and CEC actions. The Town has actions that are expiring
in the fall.
Update: Summer Intern Michaela is in her third week and is doing a terrific job compiling information
for our CSC and CEC programs
Drive Electric Mamaroneck--Harbor Island EV Event, Sept 28, 2024, 11 am-3 pm (Mark)
Does the Town Collab committee want to participate with the VoL and VoM on this event promoting EV's?
In coordination with National Drive Electric week this will showcase EV's, a$35k in grant funds. Robin to
pass it on to Jaine as it seems like a good opportunity so why not have collab volunteers participate.
Also, Mitch mentioned he hasn't heard back from Jaine on the Wash Square Neighborhood Association
meeting that Jaine says occurs usually in the springtime. Will this happen?
Update: Jaine says they have not reached out to the Town for a meeting at this point
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative
2024.0611—Collaborative Meeting Notes
Update: The Town has approved submitting an application to join VoM and LEC on the EV Campaign.
LMC Media "Studio on the Avenue"
Mark met with Catherine Lepone, LMC Media board member regarding opportunities to promote the
Collab. Suggestion was to come up with initiatives we want to promote and maybe do in combination with
LEC and VoM CFTE.
Logo for Sustainability Collaborative
Logo finalized as a draft and June will send to Jaine/Meredith/Robin tomorrow.
Update:Jaine and Meredith liked the logo but felt it was essential to include"Town of Mamaroneck"as
part of it.
Town Fleet Policy Updating(Mark)
Bonding for a new garbage truck was approved at recent TB meeting. Can this truck be used for food scrap
pickup? When do we get the truck?
Mitch added that getting the Town to NetZero GHG emissions should involve getting trucks that are EV.
Frank mentioned he spoke with Meredith about a high-level Con Ed contact.
Mark mentioned that the fleet policy needs to be updated,this is also a CSC point getter and is part of the
GOCAP. Mark thinks this policy is about 10 years old.
BLD Diner Housing Project on Boston Post Road (Mitch)
This proposal for a four-story high, 36 units building is before the Planning Board.Advised by the Planning
Board that this proposal was under consideration, the Collaborative sent a letter from Co-Chairs Kramer
and Green outlining: a) the importance of developing more multi-family housing along the Boston Post
Road; b) performance metrics the design should meet to address the Town's Climate Emergency
Declaration;and c) how to equip the development's infrastructure today to meet the needs of tomorrow's
Net Zero Carbon Emissions Economy.
Meeting adjourned 8:15 pm
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