December 11, 2014
6:03 – Call to order.
Minutes from October meeting approved.
Announcement from Laura – Open Space Inventory Grant has been awarded to us.
OS Grant Update (Larry) –
· Total award is $10,000.
· $2000 will be contributed from the 2015 ECC budget.
· Our proposal was modeled after the Town of Wawarsing OS proposal from 2 years ago.
· Committed to an open space plan after the inventory is complete.
· The project will require ECC members time that will be spent working with a consultant.
· The ECC would need to designate a person to manage the execution of this plan.
· The ECC needs to put together a team to write the RFPs – Recruit outside people that can contribute their talents to the project.
Tim – Suggested the zoning board get involved.
Larry – Suggests Mike Baden be a part of the project.
Step 1 – Find small group of people to develop an RFP.
Chris volunteered to spearhead this effort.
Barb – UCRRA – No new updates.
Update the UCRRA updates to be coming from Barb each month as she will be attending the RRA Board meeting.
Barb- Would like to continue to pursue a compost and recycling campaign. Add this to the agenda each month.
Collin – Save the Rondout Update – Last meeting went well. Dan Shapley and Hank Alicandri are advisors to the project. Next meeting is January 23rd.
Angela- The tour of Omega Waste Water plant is scheduled for January 7th, 2015 at 3:45. The tour will be an hour and 15 minutes.
Niagara Bottling Plant – There is lots of opportunity for volunteering on this effort.
Send an update form the resource center.
Laura – Year end review
Balance in ECC account – $4,200.
Laura explored the possibility of sending some funding to the Rail Trail Task Force for a fence near Williams Lumber.
The ECC moves to transfer $3,500 to the Rail Trail Task for the use of a fence on the Rail Trail at Williams Lumber on the condition they add a plaque thanking the ECC.
Laura – Relationships are being formed for our water quality project. Laura and Angela are meeting with Maureen from Water Shed Alliance.
Angela is facilitating a meeting with soil and water.
Laura is trying to get a meeting with Anu from Farm Hub.
Inter municipal stream walk is being planned between Wawarsing, Rochester, Rosendale.
Laura – Culvert Study form DEC should be given to Carl to present to Wayne.
Laura – NY Rising – Rochester was awarded $800,000 for a specific project. A team of people will choose the consultant. Larry, Chris Hewitt and Wayne Kelder will be in charge of selecting the firm.
End of the Year Highlights
· Full ECC team that is very committed to taking actions on projects.
· Save the Rondout Educational event
· Successful Earth Day Clean Up
· Clean Sweep with Riverkeeper
· Grant Awarded to the town for Open Space Inventory.
· Development of Save the Rondout Committee
· Development of the Open Space Inventory Committee
· Development of Committee – Everything Earthday Everyday
Projects for 2015
· GMO Education event.
· Watershed Focus
· Creek Week Event
· Clean Sweep
· Creek walk
· Earth Day clean up
· Develop educational and outreach committee.
· Add youth outreach. Get youth memberships to the ECC.
Angela – We need an official ECC liaison to report at Town Board Meetings.
Laura- Will ask Carl to give update at town board meetings.
Larry – Suggests additional meetings for educational opportunities. Have speaker series. Organize speaker series.
Group is into the idea of having an educational sub committee.
Ian- Train Station is open for a rental space. IT will be a great spot to host events.
Ian – Volunteered to work on the sub committee for education and outreach.
New Business –
Larry – asked about having youth members for the ECC. Suggested two high school students join and come to every meeting. Could be through WISE program.
Tim – suggested sending a letter to the WISE office. Frannie Hertz may be the contact person.
Barb- Inquired about the Pilgrim pipeline and if there is any support needed to block it. New news is not known at this time.
Laura – Thanks and closing.
7:05 – Meeting concludes.