Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission
Minutes for Tuesday, April 27, 2021 – 6:30pm
Video recording can be viewed on YouTube: www.bit.ly/TORECC-YouTube
In attendance:
Madeline Russo (ECC Chair)
John Messerschmidt (ECC Vice Chair)
Mark Diedrich (ECC member)
Judith Karpova (ECC member)
Absent:
Tim Ganon (ECC member)
Heather Eckardt (ECC member)
Guests:
Ann Belmont (public)
Todd Anderson (public)
Meeting called to order at 6:39pm
Approve March Minutes – approved
A few quick updates from Madeline – e-newsletter going out shortly. Heads up about the upcoming first annual TOR Ash Tree Arts Festival
Upcoming Events
Riversweep: May 1st – Kerhonkson Berme Road Rail Trail (Sages Loop Drive if using Google Maps)
Tire Pull: June 19 – posters, need to reach out to public to solicit boats/kayaks
Wildlife corridors update – need Chris to attend to give us an update on his ideas for getting cameras, etc. Will make sure that we try to get him to next month’s meeting, and Madeline will make sure to CC Judith on the emails so that we don’t lose track of his emails.
Third Thursday Nature Series Presentations – need to send posters out tonight, Madeline will follow up with Mikala
May: Laura Chávez Silverman of The Outside Institute (Intro to Foraging)
June: Judith Karpova (energy efficiency)
July: John Thompson of CRISP (invasive insects)
August: Chris Spratz (wildlife tracking)
Update from ECC Subcommittee for Board Application Referrals – John says riparian buffer is in poor shape and would recommend restoration (inexpensive – ie, T4T). Mikala says re: Zoning variance – existing structure in flood zone and they want to keep it there, so we should suggest that if they keep that structure then they are tasked with putting in a more substantial riparian buffer. John says prioritizing wildlife and birds and pollinators etc, would help. ECC unanimously approves letter to send to Board.
Public Comment – Todd asks that I add the link to the emails and send out the agenda a week ahead of time, Ann reminds Madeline to contact Chris Spratz.
Meeting Adjourned by consensus 7:19pm