Rosendale Commission for the Conservation of the Environment
Attendance: Chair Nick Mercurio, Joan Maylie, Paul Lendvay,Jennifer Metzger, Joe Liuni, Deb Weltsch,Rick VandenHeavel, Ilonka Lukas
Excused: Ed Maestro
Town Board Liaison: Ken Cluen
Guest; Manna Jo Greene
Corrections to previous minutes were, in the BAT paragraph Karen Schneller McDonald will write the new study and is contacting the Nature Conservancy for the possibility of integrating the existing Biodiversity maps.. NRI change is that Nick will contact Bard. Expo entertainment is Arm of the Sea. The motion was made by Paul L and seconded by Joan M to approve minutes as corrected, unanimously approved.
Old Business
Terms-Previous town board workshop meeting, this commission was asked by Ken Hassett to come to a cohesive conclusion as to term limits. These changes are to be presented at the next town board workshop meeting for considerations. Chairman Nick M presented at RCCE meeting the written proposal as follows "terms of appointment of the members of the Commission shall be as follows;the nine members of the commission as of the adoption date of this Local Law will be reappointed as follows; three members shall be appointed for a term of five years, three members shall be appointed for a term of four years , and three members shall be appointed for a term of three years. If a vacancy exists at this time, the position will be assigned to one of the three groups, These groups will be determined by the Chairperson of the Commission. After these initial terms of appointment, members will be appointed to five year terms. If a vacancy shall occur other than by expiration of a term, it shall be filled by the Town Board by appointment for the duration of the unexpired term." This motion was seconded by Joe L. A request was made to poll this commission and is as follows: Paul L voting yes, Joan M voting yes, Rick V voting yes, Jenn M voting no, Deb W voting no, Joe L voting yes, Ilonka L voting yes, Nick M voting yes.
Groundwater Protection Plan-Nick M reported that the large maps on CD done by Steven Winkley has been given to the supervisor. This was made possible by the hard work done by Deb W. These maps etc are in draft form, still usable information , until the finalization is done and then can be integrated into the towns GIS system. Nick proposes that this info on maps can be made available to the planning boards, zoning board, assessors office, and library for easy public access. At this time Joan M reported that there is a possibility that the county would provide this info, otherwise the approximate cost to this commission would be $1900.00. Discussion followed with no resolution.
Solar-Chairman Nick M had to meet(twice) with the state auditors regarding the installation of the solar project. This project was accomplished by a NY State grant given to the town and the Expo fundraising by the RCCE to attain all the project costs. The audit was to find where all the monies was sent within this project. Nick feels confident that this audit will meet all the state criteria.
Nick reread the contract and the responsibility of data collection for 8quarters to be sent to NYSERDA. Once this is accomplished, the release of the final payment will be sent to the town. With the solar account open this commission would like to add more solar panels and do updating. This will be no cost to the town, using fundraising efforts by this commission.
BAT-Jenn reported that supplies need to be ordered for the new study.
Expo--the date will be May 3. Jenn reported that all entertainment is confirmed. RCCE will be starting to meet in January 2008, all volunteers welcome and save the date.
UC EMC-tabled
Planning Board-tabled
Wetlands Training-RCCE would like to have a March date, with field work and updates with the new changes enacted this year.
New Business
Commission Records-Nick would like volunteers to go thru the boxes at town hall for transfer to our library file cabinet.
Committee Preferences-Nick M would like members to accept projects of their interest to work on as subcommittees or any new subjects. He would like to see old projects completed within the new year.
Motion to adjourn by Paul L and seconded by Joe L
Submitted by Ilonka Lukas ,clerk
