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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024_03_05 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Meeting Notes—March 5, 2024 Meeting notes accepted from February meeting. Attending: June Wallach, Allen Reiter, Karin Weisburgh, Mitch Green, Karen Khor, Nicholas Zuba, Arlene Novich, Sue Odierna, Robin Nichinsky, Mark Kramer, Libby Poyet, Kevin Crowe, Hugh Collins, Ludo Collin Town Tree List(Arlene Novich) Arlene updated the Tree Walk which will be April 21st around the Brook in Larchmont Gardens. Jocelyn Kleinman of Sheldrake Environmental Center will give the tour, time 1pm. Raindate for April 28`h. Arlene also reported on Jaine's entry in the last supervisor's e-newsletter re: the "Tree List"—blurb in newsletter says this list was worked on with the Collabs which Arlene says is not the case. She feels that the tree list has to be updated with native trees only. Non natives coming from China definitely should not be on list. Arlene says she found that in the work session from 4/20/2022, Liz said not to permit invasives as replacements though she says Liz does like Callery Pear trees because they are not as affected by road salt. Also, Arlene mentioned that Westchester County says we are supposed to be planting natives, not invasives. Allen added that the list would be more helpful if it would suggest trees that are best for planting under wires as opposed to areas that can handle a taller tree. Farmers Market Earth Day—April 20 Mark K mentioned that the Farmers Market has asked if the three enviro committees can exhibit for Earth Day at the market on April 20. LEC cannot. Kevin offered to help and is coordinating the event for the Collab at market with setup, interacting with public and tear down. Nick, Arlene and June (if in town) volunteered. The Village of Mamaroneck CFTE will join us and will bring table(s) and chairs, so we only have to bring tent supplies. Update on Complete Streets(Mark Kramer for Mike Smeets) Mark reported that Mike and his committee had secured an expansion in BP Rd planning from NYSDOT to include the two sections we care about(HMX to MHS and Rye Neck from junction to the Rye border). However, there has not been a funding increase and NYSDOT indicated that if they don't have money, they'll plan it but not build it, so it will have to be built/funded later. Mike is working with NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis to get all stakeholders in the same room so we can all get on the same page on what we are trying to accomplish and figure out how to increase funding. Collab Website—How it Looks to an Outsider(Hugh Collins) New volunteer, Hugh Collins, who works at IBM in PR gave a presentation (attached) on the Collab webpage. Some of what he reviewed were: • Collab webpage is very text-heavy, over 800 words on home page • The programs listed on the left appear to be the important projects of the Collab, but they're not currently(such as rain barrels and energy tracking)—so this should be updated • Needs more visual, less text • More focus on "get involved" • Photos with people who care about the environment Nick mentioned this would be a good "marriage"with potential new Collab logo. June has continued to work with SLICE MHS students on logo ideas. Takeaways from 2024 FCWC (Mark Kramer,June Wallach, Sue Odierna) Conference panels and speakers were excellent, full of info, highlights included the keynote speaker, Michael Gerrard, Director Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia University who noted that the single most important boost to help affect climate change is the "Inflation Reduction Act." Also, he has created a website with model laws (some enacted) https://Ipdd.orq/ to encourage electrification and decarbonization. Many opportunities for grants were listed in presentations. Cure 100 (Communities United to Reduce Emissions 100%) and specifically the Croton 100.org chapter has many resources online and are knowledgeable on school districts converting to electric school buses. Update--Leaf Blower Law to be Revised (Allen Reiter) Allen updated us that Town Attorney, Bill Maker has been asked to draft a clean new leaf blower law. Jaine wants law to take effect on 1/1/2025. One issue that Allen said TB discussed is that the law might be hard to enforce in country clubs.Allen pointed out that the sounds from leaf blowers travel 800'so perhaps the neighbors of country clubs would be glad to have this law include the clubs. Mitch suggested the law should be called "George's Law" in honor of George Roniger who was an active member of the Sustainability Collaborative since its origin in 2013 and has been on the anti-leaf blower initiative at least since then. (George has since moved out of the Town.) Update: The Town will hold a Public Hearing on April 11th on the revision to the code to ban gas-powered leaf blowers on residential properties. EV Chargers and Solar(Mitch Green) Mitch updated the Collab on his and Mark Kramer's meeting with Jaine/Meredith on Feb. 16th. Jaine and the TB want Mitch to focus on EV Chargers in multi family housing,starting with Washington Square whose neighborhood association (WSNA) meets with the Town in the spring. Jaine and Meredith's suggestion was that they would mention this to the WSNA and perhaps Mitch and group could make a presentation to the association. Also, Robin Nichinsky mentioned that the Town has applied for four EV Chargers but this would be for public property. Regarding solar—Mitch looked at town-controlled properties and also adjacent areas to Town. Perhaps Town Center, VAC, Firehouse, on the Hommocks parking lot would be good locations for solar. Mitch was asked to contact SW to speak to the solar expert to do a study on the town locations. Pollinator Garden Tour and Talk by Doug Tallamy(Kevin Crowe) Kevin mentioned that on April 14th there will be a combo Pollinator Garden Tour& Talk by Doug Tallamy at Jay Heritage Center, 10:30am—12:30pm. Various other upcoming events were noted for April Meeting concluded at 8:05.