Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes April 13, 2017

Facilitator: Laura
Recorder: Chris
Attendance: Laura Finestone, Angela Dorris, Nick DePalma, Rick Jones, Chris Hewitt, John Messerschmidt
Guests: Sarah Archbald, Larry DeWitt

I. Call to Order: 6:05pm
II. Business and Logistics
A. Minutes approved
III. Reports
A. Natural Heritage Plan report – Rick
-The process is coming to a close. There’s another meeting at the end of April. Final drafting of verbiage for both towns. Rick brought a document for us to review with last minute items. Angela will work on this with Rick. It’s related to an algorithm that can be applied to any map layer. Also mentioned a new zoning rule that will better protect riparian zones, including on unnamed streams (which the ECC will start working on naming of streams to increase protection). The plan should be completed by the end of the summer. Future studies will work on scenic views, biodiversity, and resurrecting existing studies that were done in these areas.
B. EMC – Judith
-No report
C. Planning Board Report – Rick
-There was one concern about the water table around the new proposed development at the Rondout Golf Course and whether the new development will affect neighboring wells. Also discussed a cat shelter on Lucas Turnpike.
D. Omelet – Tim
-Centered largely on Newburgh’s water issue. Both reservoirs have been contaminated by PFOS fire retardant. Estuaries program is looking at all watersheds from NYC to Troy. Almost all of New York is a watershed. The SPEDIS permits are creating disinfecting byproducts, which do disinfect water but is also creating problems. There are 21 open reservoirs serving New York City. Described process of getting water from nature into homes. Their concern is the invasion of contaminants in these systems.
IV. New Business
A. Climate Smart Communities-checklist and write up for the board
-we will cover this at the next meeting
B. Solarize – Nick and Chris
-Solar Liberty was chosen as the commercial installer. Hudson Solar and Lighthouse Solar were chosen as the residential installers. At the April 30 launch event, Solarize is doing a presentation at the beginning which will transition into music and pizza. We can set up a table with Solarize info and introduce ambassadors to the community. The goal of the event is to get as many people as possible to fill out the Free Site Assessment form that gets the pricing and assessment process going for people who are interested.
C. Earth Day planning and schedule
-The ECC is planning to do our cleaning of Airport Road and Route 209 on April 22 at 10am.
D. Clean Sweep
-John is organizing the clean up of the same stretch of river on May 6, 11am.
Brainstorming ideas for this year.

E. National Wildlife Federation Monarch pledge
-Judith recommends that Town of Rochester takes the Monarch pledge to help save the Monarch. We can cover this next month after we review the press release about it. There are some significant adjustments that the town could do to help the butterflies. There are 18 items that the town can choose 8 of in order to qualify.

I. Old Business
II. Action Item Review
III. Adjourn: 6:55pm