ECC Meeting Notes – December 22, 2020

ECC Members In Attendance:

• Madeline Russo
• John Messerschmidt
• Mark Diedrich
• Mikala Sherman
• Heather Eckardt

Third Thursday Nature Series: Promotion for upcoming January 2021 presentation needed since we’ve suspended presentations since October 2020. Deadline for next BlueStone Press edition is Tuesday January 5th (send press release to Ann Belmont).
We’d like to print tote bags with the TTNS logo ahead of the January speaker. Madeline spoke with Chris Hewitt regarding ECC budget restraints and request requirements, will have that information for us soon.
Upcoming Schedule:
January: Hudson River Watershed Alliance
February: Hudson Valley Farm Hub
March: Mark Diedrich (spring birdwatching)
April: Watershed Educational Park
May: ?
June: Judith Karpova (energy efficiency)
Climate Smart Communities Update: The Town signed the Climate Smart Communities Pledge earlier this month, alongside a resolution authorizing Madeline to apply for a local grant called “Local Champions” which would provide support to help get the Town started on the goal to be a Bronze-level community by the end of 2021. The ECC will play a large role in the Climate Smart Communities work, and we’ll receive notice as to whether Madeline secured the grant by mid-January.
Planning Board Subdivision Applications: The Planning Board sent one subdivision application (PB 2020-10 SBD) to the ECC for review and comment by January 4th – Madeline has forwarded the materials to the Committee members for review and asks that everyone send comment to her by January 3rd so that she can send a draft response to the group for approval in time to send to the Planning Board.
Watershed Educational Park Update: We should reach out to them soon to see how else we can be helpful in promoting the project or helping with preparation for a spring opening. They will be our April Third Thursday, with the hope of using that presentation to create momentum for a May community cleanup event.