Environmental Commission minutes.
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Minutes
September 24, 2009
Rosendale Commission for Conservation of the Environment
Attendance: Chair Jennifer Metzger, Nava Tabak, Joan Maylie, Sandy Peterson, Tanya Jurcic, Deb Weltsch, Joe Liuni, Ilonka Lukas
Excused: Ed Maestro
Volunteer: Laura Murawski
Previous minutes of August 27, 2009 were read and discussed. Sandy motioned to approve and Joan seconded.
New Business
Jen introduced and welcomed Tanya Jurcic, our newest member, who is replacing Naja Kraus.
Energy Star standards for new building: Jen stated she would like the Commission to explore the possibility of applying energy star standards to new construction in Rosendale. Discussion followed. Jen suggested that this Commission do research into this, including looking at the regulations that have been adopted in the towns of Red Hook and New Paltz, talking to local builders and architects about the issue, and finding out the costs that would be added to building. Tanya offered to research available incentives. Sandy offered to call on architects.
Old Business
Second Energy Workshop: confirmed are Central Hudson and Community Action.
Planning Board: Joe reported that no new projects were presented.
EMC: Joe stated no meeting was held in August, next meeting will be on Sept 30.
Rec Center Solar: Jen is in contact with Clean Energy about additional solar panels for the pavilion.
SEQR: The letter was sent to the DEC re HRVR requesting a meeting. This letter was sent through the Supervisor's office and we are awaiting a response.
Motion to adjourn at 7:25pm by Deb W and seconded by Joan Maylie.
Home Energy Workshop at 7:30 pm
Scott Bey, Jr., from Hearth and Home Solutions
Christina Bagen from Hudson Valley Clean Energy
Al Bruno from Advanced Radiant Heating
Minutes March 26, 2009
Rosendale Commission for the Conservation of the Environment
Attendance: Chair Jennifer Metzger, Ed Maestro, Deb Weltsch, Nava Tabak, Naja Kraus, Sandy Petersen, Joe Liuni, Ilonka Lukas
Volunteers: Rick vanden Heuvel, Tanya Juric
Guest: Kathryn Roosa, Rondout Valley High School student
Special Guest and speaker: Amanda LaValle, Coordinator for the Ulster County Dept. of the Environment
Previous minutes of February 23, 2009 were reviewed. Two changes were made: Naja, not Nava suggested the last half hour of mtgs as a workshop as the need arises. Planning board changes are that the lite bulbs have been replaced by a contract co. not AT&T. No further info available. Sandy P motioned to approve minutes as corrected and Ed M. seconded, unanimously approved.
Amanda LaValle stated that her goal was to visit all environmental commissions/boards in Ulster Co as an observer and to talk to them about what the Department of the Environment is doing. She then gave an overview of the work of the Department. She stated that she would like all towns to send a representative to the monthly Environmental Committee meetings to share ideas and information. Amanda also mentioned a new law before the legislature requiring stores greater than 10,000 square feet to provide a bin to recycle plastic bags as well as other types of plastic wrap and packaging, which would otherwise take hundreds of years to decompose.
Jenn M introduced guest Kathryn Roosa, a Rondout Valley High School junior, who will participate as a student volunteer for the environmental commission as part of a new county program called the Youth Leadership Development Institute.
New Business
Climate Smart Communities Pledge-Jenn previously asked members to read the pledge and DEC guidelines and consider Rosendale's participation. Sandy contacted other towns involved in the program. It was difficult to find anyone with specific knowledge on the resources to implement the program. She stated it appears the most demanding aspect of the Climate Smart project will be the personel needed for planning and monitoring the program. Discussion followed. Nava suggested doing public outreach on climate smart communities at the Earthfest, with a sign-up sheet for residents interested in working on this issue. Sandy offered to staff this Earthfest table. The issue will be taken up again by the Environmental Commission at the May meeting following the Earthfest.
Rondout Valley Schools Sustainability Initiative. Jenn presented information about the intiative to the commission. The purpose is to encourage a coordinated district-wide approach to environmental stewardship and responsibility. Rosendale Elementary PTA has signed on and is seeking endorsement from other PTAs as well as from the towns within the district. Sandy made a motion to endorse this RV Green Schools Initiative. Contact Jenn for a complete listing.
Old Business
ZRC-The committee is finalizing a contract for a consultant.
Planning Board-Joe L attended on March 5 and reported that the county planning board is seeking more information re the Ballincurry project. Pape, owner of a Main street building, is requesting a change to include 3 apartments. .
EMC-Joe reported that Steve Noble has been selected to chair the EMC. Flyers were handed out for the household hazardous waste and electronic collection event, which will be held April 18, 2009, at the UC Resource Recovery Agency on Flatbush Rd. The UCRRA is also selling compost bins for $50.00.
OWB-Jenn reported that this regulation was adopted at the last town board mtg and is now local law#2 of 2009. Info can be obtained at town hall.
Biodiversity assessment update-Jenn presented the completed text of the first study area with maps. These materials will be exhibited at the Earthfest.
Motion to adjourn by Deb W and seconded by Joe L.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Minutes February 23, 2009
Rosendale Commission for the Conservation of the Environment
Attendance: Chair Jennifer Metzger, Ed Maestro, Deb Weltsch, Nava Tabak, Naja Kraus, Sandy Petersen, Joe Liuni, Ilonka Lukas, Rick Vanden Heuvel
Guest: Tanya Jurcic
Previous minutes of January 22 were reviewed. Changes were in old business: "Ditolli" should read "Natoli" and "requesting" should read "possibly requesting."
Naja K montioned to approve minutes as corrected and Jen M seconded, unanimously approved.
Old Business
DEC draft final scope: Meeting attended by Jen M at DEC on draft final scope and reported that the DEC will intergrate more local environmental priorities into the final document
ZRC: Jen reported that she and Nava have exchanged positions on this committee. Nava reported that a contract has not been signed for a planner to work with the commission. She also suggested this commission utilize the last half hour of their meetings to work on ZRC issues as the need arises.
Planning Board: Naja reported the the Ballincurry project has been approved for duplex housing by the planning board. A new rule for 2009 is that the county planning board must also approve all projects; at this time the county is awaiting all pertinent information relating to this project before giving final approval. AT&T has fixed the non-working lightbulbs on the cell tower. CT Male states that the structure needs more bracing.
EMC: Joe stated he did not attend the last meeting.
OWBs: Jen reported that the public hearing will be on March 4 and that the town board will be voting on the proposed regulation on March 11, 2009. When approved it will be local law #2 of 2009.
New Business
Second alternate: Jen introduced Tanya Jurcic as an alternate to attend meetings on behalf of RCCE when an assigned member is not available.
Climate Smart Communities Pledge: Jen emailed pledge to members but no copy available at this meeting. Jen stated that there is no state money specifically for this initiative but that the DEC has prepared guidelines to assist towns in implementing the pledge. Jen asks this commission to consider presenting to the town board for consideration. Sandy P suggests researching adoption in other towns and Joe L will ask at the EMC. They will report back on this at the next RCCE meeting. Jen asked everyone to read both the pledge and the attached guidelines.
Wetlands update: Jen reported that our town supervisor received a letter from the DEC dated Jan 15, 2009. Excerpts read that the DEC will be making field visits to wetlands to identify critical habitats and advising of changes to the county wetland maps. Jenn would like to send to the DEC maps made by Deb of wetlands on the rt. 32 corridor. Discussion followed.
Motion to adjourn by Joe L and seconded by Naja K.
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Minutes January 22, 2009
Rosendale Commission for the Conservation of the Environment
Attendance; Ed Maestro-Acting Chair, Sandy Petersen, Nava Tabak, Naja Kraus, Deb Weltsch, Rick VandenHeuvel, Joe Liuni, Ilonka Lukas
Excused-Jenn Metzger
Board Liaison; Ken Cluen
Previous minutes of November 19,2008 were reviewed and stand as reported.
Sandy P motioned to approve the minutes and Naja K seconded, unanimously approved.
New Business
We discussed RCCE priorities, planning and proposed spending in 2009.
Discussion of priorities: One priority discussed was finding space--our computer is still available but not always accessible. A lap top could be used (no money involved) and a printer, possible donation for our record keeping.
Discussion on planning: Search and apply for grants; offer a grant writer a commission from the grant. The goal is to complete the open space plan, vital for the future development of Rosendale.
Discussion of budget: Priority items are to complete the NRI, creating maps and completing text. Completing the BAT of the whole town from our previous grants.
The RCCE would like all Town Boards to have a copy to use as a resource and townspeople to research items of interest.
Old Business
Planning Board: Sandy reported on the January mtg.-Ballincurry public hearing for special use permit has been closed. Concerns were that the cell tower lights need to be replaced; Sunoco station was storing old oil tanks on its property. Ditolli storage business was requesting permits for extra storage units.
OWB update: Ken reported that the moratorium has been extended and a public hearing will be held in February with the Town Board voting in March. Jenn M has been diligently focusing on this new law.
County EMC: Joe reported that info may be available for some of our projects. Joe will ask Amanda LaValle of the Ulster County Department of the Environment to attend a future meeting for clarification.
Due to a conflict, our next RCCE mtg will be February 23,2009 Monday. Please make note of this change.
The RCCE continued with a discussion on the Williams Lake development. Due to a possible conflict Ilonka Lukas, clerk, recused myself. Comments on the draft final scope will be submitted to the DEC.
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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
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