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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025_04_01 Sustainability Collaborative MinutesTown of Mamaroneck Sustainabitity Collaborative/CSC Task Force 2025.04.01 Meeting Notes TOWN OF MAMARONECK SUSTAINABILITY COLLABORATIVE April 1, 2025 -- MEETING NOTES Attendees: Mark Kramer, Mitch Green, Sue Odierna, Arlene Novich, Roger Weiss, Allen Reiter, Kevin Crowe, Frank Owens, Chris Hofstedt, Irene Ochs-Lilien, June Wallach, Luke Brussel, Libby Poyet, Jake Levitt, Andrea Hirsch, Roger Weiss & Mark Girvin Approval of the Meeting Notes The Notes from the March Sustainability Collaborative Meeting were approved. Native Plant Gardens & Pollinator Pathways -- Luke Brussel Luke introduced himself as a 20-year-plus resident of the Town with a strong interest in and passion for ecological restorations. He explained that 34% of plants, 40% of animals, and 41 % of ecosystems are currently at risk of collapse. Overdevelopment, industrial farming and sod grass lawns have replaced large amounts of former habitat for native plants (and other species) in the US. Luke started his restoration work several years ago with "the Brook" in Larchmont Gardens in the Town. He also restored a meadow at Sheldrake Environmental Center. Asked by the Larchmont Parks Department to restore Kane Park (corner of Kane Avenue & Boston Post Road) in the Village of Larchmont, Luke has created a native garden there as well. The Rotary Club sponsored his efforts and will help again. Luke is seeking volunteers to help out -- as little or as much time as possible. He has thousands of seeds to add, and also wants to add a path. There were questions about long-term maintenance, and Luke explained that native plants are low maintenance (and the need for fertilizers and pesticides is eliminated), although sometimes, parks staff have destroyed parts due to a lack of knowledge. Arlene reported that by the brook, some areas are overgrown and asked, who is maintaining? Mitch mentioned that there is an OCRA group looking to make a native plant area at Mamaroneck High School. For those who may be interested in volunteering, they can contact Luke directly at clukebrussel@gmail.com. Democracy Means Participation Program for LMC Media - Mark reported that Beth Radow, former Collab member and current co -president of LVVV Westchester, would like to have a show on LMC Media, possibly entitled, "What is Democracy?" and is wondering if any Collabs would like to participate. She was scheduled to attend our meeting tonight but had to cancel. Mark K. asked how many people have watched LMC Media since January to gauge the community's viewing habits and whether the media has been watched by our attendees. Remember that we too can post events on LMC Media. Earth Day Celebration & Compost Day - Mark K. Discussion that volunteers should have handouts - Gas -powered Leaf Blower Ban, Healthy Yard brochures... Update: Sue has printed out Leaf Blower Ban flyers, is ordering more HY brochures and a flyer/poster to recruit Repair Cafe volunteers has been approved by the Town and will be displayed on 4/26 at the Earth Day celebration. Town of Mamaroneck Sustainabitity Collaborative/CSC Task Force 2025.04.01 Meeting Notes Gas -powered Leaf blower Ban -Allen R. Mitch will distribute flyers to his neighbors, Mark K will, and Allen Reiter offered to give them out as well. Mitch suggested that when blowers are going, if police aren't there ticketing, email the Supervisor with the address, name of the landscaper company. Mitch suggested photos of the truck/landscaper. Allen is going to FOIL the police reports to learn of all complaints received as well as violations. Status of Comprehensive Plan Implementation Discussion regarding when the Town will begin the Comprehensive Plan Implementation. Update: Mark K checked with Jaine on this, and she says they are working on it. Upcoming Events - Mark K. Mark mentioned the Stormwater Presentation which will take place at tomorrow evening's Town Board meeting, and said he'd attend and encouraged others to do so, if possible. Also, the Earth Day Celebration and the Town Cleanup events are coming up on 4/26. Earth Day Celebration was postponed until 4/27 due to rain and the Town Cleanup was postponed until 5/3. Compost Giveaway Day is 5/3. Bedford 2030 Event/Documentary-Andrea Hirsch Andrea mentioned she attended an event that the environmental group, Bedford 2030, held in which NYS Senator Pete Harkham spoke about the bill he is co -sponsoring to reduce plastic packaging. At this event, a documentary was shown, called "Plastic People" which explained how microplastics are not only in the environment, but in our bodies. She found it very interesting and encouraged everyone to try and see it. (Here is the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhOgnzuYkLM) Also discussed at Bedford 2030, making trees part of the flooding solution. Andrea felt this seemed to be happening more on the Hudson side of the county than on the LI Sound side. EV Chargers - Mitch Mitch doesn't think Frank and Mark M. have heard anything new from NYPA. Mitch noted that he has seen NYPA fast charging stations on Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle and in a parking garage in downtown White Plains. The locations of these fast chargers suggest that NYPA and their Corporate Sponsor are looking to go "where the people are"as opposed to "where the highways are the closest". Update: The Town Board is moving ahead with the approval for NYPA to install four Level III fast EV chargers at Lot D. Update: Westchester County recently announced the opening of 25 new EV chargers in a portion of the South parking lot at the Westchester County Center for free charging. The County press release noted that these chargers are convenient not only to the County Center and its events, but to the White Plains MetroNorth Train Station as well. White Plains also announced six new fast chargers at the Chester -Maple Garage. Tree Planting (Watering)/Tree Photography Exhibition - Mitch/Arlene There was discussion about the watering contract regarding the 100 trees that were planted last year. Who will water and when? Mitch suggested the contract might have been for just one year. He asked Sue to find out. Arlene asked about the tree the Town will plant in memory of former Collab, George Roniger. Arlene also reported that she and Hugh have contacted PTAs, local schools, and Sheldrake Environmental Center to help spread the word about the Town's exhibit. We are requesting artwork no later than May22' Update: The watering contract was set for two years, so the same company will continue the watering of the 110 trees, come May, as well as other trees that were planted. RE: George's tree, Liz Town of Mamaroneck Sustainabitity Collaborative/CSC Task Force 2025.04.01 Meeting Notes is finalizing the location on the brook as well as the species of tree to order. The goal is to plant his tree this spring. Re: tree photography exhibit, a decorated box is in the lobby, by the greeter, for submissions. Regulation of Solar Energy - Public Hearing April 2nd Mitch noted that a year or so ago, there was discussion about making it easier to get a permit for installing solar panels. Roger said he had reviewed the law proposed for tomorrow evening's Town Board meeting and that he didn't think it was appropriate for our community, as it mentions open space regulations and the Town doesn't have much open space. Update: The Regulation of Solar Energy Law was passed at the Town Board meeting and a copy of the new Regulation of Solar Energy Law is attached. (Local Law No. 2 - 2025). The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.