HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_08_05 Sustainability Collaborative Minutes Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative/CSC Task Force 3�r p{MaMar0
2025.08.05 Meeting Notes sc c*
TOWN OF MAMARONECK SUSTAINABILITY COLLABORATIVE .4r/
August 5,2025-- MEETING NOTES SIStainabOt'
Attendees: Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney, Mark Kramer, Mitch Green, Arlene Novich, Roger
Weiss, Allen Reiter, Irene Ochs-Lilien, Andrea Hirsch, Robin Nichinsky, Arthur Katz, Hugh Collins,
Kevin Crowe, Sophie Dassesse-Cowles, Sue Odierna, Steve Moser, Kevin Crowe, Town
Councilwoman Robin Nichinsky, Raphael Sutiono (Scarsdale HS Student), Michael Gottfried
Approval of the Meeting Notes
The Notes from the July Sustainability Collaborative Meeting were approved.
Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney Update on CSC
Jaine updated that the Town reached silver in the last submission on the CSC,but she asked the NYS
DEC not to include as part of their press release just yet. The Town would like to invite the NYS DEC
Commissioner here for a celebration in September and so the Town's CSC Silver achievement would
be announced at that time. Questions were asked about the benefits of achieving silver. Jaine
responded that this status puts the Town in a better position when applying for grants,give us a "leg
up"so to speak. Also, it shows that the Town is dedicated to achieving environmental milestones.
Frank O. asked if Collabs could see a listing of our accomplishments, preferably compared to other
municipalities. Discussion ensued and the question was asked of what Mayor Niki Armacost did to
publicize Hastings-on-Hudson's accomplishments? Jaine said she would ask. June suggested we
pick out just a few actions we've accomplished and highlight those.
General questions and comments to Jaine regarding Town operations followed, including how to
improve our outreach/communications to residents. Mark K. suggested adding a "311 type"
notification, such as what VoL has on their website, or posting something in the newsletter. (Jaine
responded that we include the notification information in each newsletter.) There was also a
suggestion to insert a "sign up for notifications"blurb in the tax mailing that goes out to all residents
(we have done this as well!) Jaine liked the suggestion of adding banners (at Senior Center and
Memorial Park)and a sign at the Palmer/Weaver intersection and said she would look into doing this.
There were questions about quality-of-life issues. Concerns that enforcement is lacking with regard
to overgrown hedges blocking sidewalks and gas-powered leaf blowers still being used. Mark K.
asked what the Town Board's next steps are regarding implementation of environmental items in the
Comprehensive Plan.
Following these many questions and comments,Jaine was asked what the best method is to check
on any/all of above and she replied that people call or email her with questions,
supervisor@townofmamaroneckny.gov or 914.381.7805.
Q&A with Town Leadership-follow-up
While Supervisor Eney answered many questions related to Climate Smart Communities, the Collab
has invited Supervisor Jaine and Administrator Meredith to join the September Collab meeting to
answer our other questions. We expect to hear back shortly whether they can attend(see below--
from the Collab July Meeting Notes):
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative/CSC Task Force
2025.08.05 Meeting Notes
• Maxwell Ave. Incinerator Abatement & Demolition - timing, funding, Maxwell Ave.
redevelopment opportunities afterward;
• Sanitation Commission organization and funding dispute resolution;
• Sanitation Commission Food Scraps - 2026 plans for Farmer's Market and curbside
collection.
• Comprehensive Plan Implementation-next steps before the end of 2025;
• Boston Post Road re-paving-Town Government's specific Complete Streets Goals;
• Fast EV Chargers and Washington Square-implementation schedule;
• Public Space Pollinator Gardens-Private/Public Partnership;
• "Empty Nester"and Work Force Housing- Town proposals to implement Comprehensive
Plan Goals;
• Restoring the Town Tree Canopy-updating"Trees for our Town"in line with 2024's"110 trees
with 2-year watering"program
Fountain Side of Memorial Park-Noise Issue-Proposal: Noise Analysis Study-Steve M., Mitch
G., Mark K.
Steve M. and other Collabs have noticed how loud it is in this area, and it's much quieter by Lot A
where there is a concrete wall separating the highway. Steve M researched and received a proposal
from a company that does acoustical studies, this would cost$5,800. Mitch suggested he and Mark
send a memo to the Town Board requesting that they use Collab budget or another budget item to
conduct a noise study.Arthur K noted that one noise source maybe the open under-tracks pedestrian
tunnel that channels noise up and into the park.Alan R. suggested a study is not necessary,because
it's clearly loud and that a solution is needed. Steve M. elaborated that the study also includes
treatment suggestions. Mark K asked who owns the wall? Discussion continues about whether or
not it's a top priority to determine who owns the wall. It might be more efficient to request the study
and then see what the results and treatment options are. Some felt that it's noisy by the duck pond,
despite the concrete wall,so perhaps that isn't necessarily the(only)solution.
Update: Mitch has sent a memo to Jaine for review
Update:Graffiti in Town-Mark K.
Mark sent photos of graffiti in areas of the town to Meredith,and the next day, the graffiti was removed
in all of the Town locations. Mark noted that he was very happily surprised and impressed with the
speed and efficiency.
VoM Native Plant Garden Tour-- Mark K.
Mark commented that the Village did a great job with this tour. There was an interactive online map
https://viewer.mapme.com/native-plants-garde-tour-vom-25 and their gardens were delightful.
Kevin also gave an update on students from MHS who have a plan for a native garden at Kemper
Memorial. Mark introduced Rafael,a student at Scarsdale HS who lives in Town on the"Mamaroneck
Strip"area. He is a member of the school's Green Club, writes educational blurbs for Sheldrake, is
very interested in sustainability and how it intersects with technology, and how to use Alto help. He
has spoken with Mark K. on potentially updating a dated booklet titled"Walk Book Sheldrake Trails"
about the Sheldrake trails and plants located there.
Collab Goals for the Second Half of 2025
Mitch mentioned three areas in the town where changes are on the horizon and that the Collab, as
part of its role to promote programs and advise on policies to improve Resilience, Sustainability and
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative/CSC Task Force
2025.08.05 Meeting Notes
Quality of Life for the Town's residents and government,should consider how changes in these areas
could implement the Comprehensive Plan's five Themes: Healthy Community; Quality
Neighborhoods;Resilient Environment;Sound Economy and Safe Connections:
1. Myrtle and Memorial:Within the area bounded by 1-95,North Chatsworth, the west edges of
Memorial Park and the northern edge of LotA byl&FAuto, can Memorial Park be expanded
by having Lot A provide the same number of parking spaces in less space? How can
townhouse and/or multi-family housing development help pay for fixing the long-term
flooding problems experienced by Myrtle Avenue Neighbors AND create housing for older-
adult"downsizers"and/or the WorkForce?How can 1-95 noise problems be reduced while
making Larchmont Station truly accessible?
2. Post-Incinerator Maxwell Ave: With the Incinerator and its chimney set to be demolished,a
"once-in-a-generation" opportunity exists to re-imagine the entire Maxwell Ave property,
improving the functionality of Town operations while improving accessibility and functionality
for resident recycling, AND use rooftops for solar panels to help the Town implement its
CLCPA (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act) commitments?
3. Boston Post Road - Beyond The Curbs -Although the Town adjusted zoning before the
pandemic to encourage multi-family housing along the BPR, feedback from developers
suggests the changes were not sufficient to fulfill the Board's hopes then,or the now-enacted
goals of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan. What sort of"mixed-use Main Street"could the Town
encourage to increase multi-family/Affordable / WorkForce /Senior Down-sizer housing
while supporting retail and increasing local tax receipts at the same time?
Repair Café-Sunday Oct.26,2025
Kevin reported that three new potential "fixers"have expressed interest after seeing flyers. Mark K
mentioned imminent construction in the Senior Center, which is not supposed to affect the larger
space the RC will be held in, but what about bathroom usage? Sue to f/u with Stephanie and the
Engineering Department. Other comments about the café included those from four-time fixer Arthur
Katz who said we should make clear we do not accept large items, such as generators. Kevin noted
that, each year, in our flyers, we stress that items need to be easily carried in by one person, but
perhaps we can stress, "no gas-powered machinery."Arthur also felt,if it gets busy,residents should
have priority over non-residents. Sue is to start promoting that we need fixers. LEC's Katherine
Pannell's daughter has recruited MHS students to help in past years'repair cafes. Mark to f/u with
her to see if she can recruit again and provide the replacement names and contact info.
Update: Sue checked with Engineering, and they are meeting with the construction company next
week regarding the construction schedule at the Senior Center
Sanitation Website
Discussion about the sanitation website not being updated consistently, Recyclopedia needs
updating https://lmsanitation.org/waste-wizard-recyclopedia , and there should be signage at
Maxwell saying the facility is closed for trash at 1pm on Tuesdays and that each weekday they are
open that they are closed for lunch between 11:45 and 12:30. On a positive note, some Collabs
mentioned how great their sanitation workers are, very friendly and helpful. Mark mentioned it would
be nice to send a thank-you letter to the Sanitation Dept. for all their work. Hugh suggested this be
sent at holiday time.
Update: Sue checked with Sanitation,and there IS a sign at Maxwell Avenue Recycling Center noting
the lunch hour closures from 11:45-12:30pm. Regarding dated pages on the Town's website related
to Sanitation, these changes have now been made such that residents will now be directed to the
LMSanitation.org website, which is frequently updated. Regarding the Recyclopedia updates that
need to be made, if Collab volunteers see mistakes and would like to email Sue the corrections,Sue
can then have those changes made, but we do not have the staff to do the research at this time.
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Town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative/CSC Task Force
2025.08.05 Meeting Notes
Homework assigned by Mark is to look at the Collab webpage and give input on suggestions. How do
we make the webpage more inviting, more user-friendly? Here is the direct link to the Collab page:
https://www.townofmamaroneckny.gov/324/Sustainability-Collaborative.Note:the initiatives on the
left side(blue bar)all lead to additional sub-pages.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm
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