Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes April 14, 2016

Facilitator: Laura
Recorder: Chris
Attendance: Laura Finestone, Angela Dorris, Rick Jones, Chris Hewitt, Colin McDonough, Judith Karpova, Tim Ganon
Student Member: Danielle Dubord
Guests:John Messerschmidt

I. Call to Order: 6pm
II. Business and Logistics
A. Introductions
B. Minutes approved

II. Reports
A. Rail Trail Report: No report.
B. Natural Heritage Plan report
–We received a $50,000 grant for a cooperative plan with Wawarsing. Angela can share the RFP with the group so we can understand what we’re getting. Chris mentioned transit-oriented development, which encourages future development around old train stations in order to increase density in those areas so a future light rail system becomes feasible. Part of the possibility with this plan is that the ECC could become a voting board of the town. Or it can remain as is.
C. Environmental Management Council
–There is no official representative for the Town of Rochester. Their meetings are last Wednesday of the month at SUNY Ulster. Tim is thinking about whether he can do this. Larry has been going, but he’s not an official member of the ECC. He has been keeping us informed. Judith is also interested. Tim and Judith will attend together this month and will decide who will become our representative. The meeting is at 6:30pm in the George Clinton Hall, Howard C. St. John Business Seminar Room.
D. Planning Board Report
–Rick attended. Second Tuesday of the month. Longest discussion was about the proposed solar energy local law. The board decided that they wouldn’t give a planning board recommendation but that individual members of the board can send in letters to the Town Board with their thoughts. There was an agreement that there’s a need for it, but they didn’t have time to get into the details. Judith mentioned a Citizens for Local Power meeting that a discussion occurred about large companies that are creating contracts that strip property owners of some of their rights. Large-scale solar development is on its way and towns should be prepared. The planning board discussed the possibility of shifting viewsheds, screening of projects, large-scale clearing of trees, and 15-year deferment of town and school taxes. The town can request that the company pay a fee in lieu of taxes, but the town would have to determine the amount. The Natural Heritage Plan can also address where arrays can have a minimal impact. Carl asked us to write a recommendation for renewables. Judith is writing a draft, in collaboration with Rick, that we’d like to get to the Town Board before their next meeting.
E. Rondout Riverkeeper Summit
–Well attended event that focused on river testing, culverts, Angela’s report about the OSI, Pilgrim Pipeline (pipelines are known to dry up wetlands), and more. There’s a checklist on what each of us can do to prevent the building of the Pilgrim Pipeline. The company that wants to build it is bullying people about eminent domain and showing up at people’s houses. More discussion of the pipeline. The big issue now is who the lead state agency will be.

III. New Business
A. Presentation by Angela of Open Space Inventory
–She is emailing the whole report to the group. The inventory is a grouping of files that can be overlaid. Zoning, parcels, historical sites, natural features (waterways, for example), State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) data. We have access to over 100 mapping layers. She showed the group a Stream Health/ Stream Vulnerability layer. Discussed Habitat layer. John asked if we could see a Japanese Knotweed layer, and other invasives. Another interesting layer is the sewage discharge. We can look at these sites and see what’s happening around them. When there are problems with sewage, we could either go to the Department of Health, or we can use Riverkeeper as a whistleblower organization. Angela mentioned an example of an interesting overlay: SPDES, overlaid by Wetlands, overlaid by Stream Health, which tells us how sewage affects its neighboring waterways. Rick suggested that we do a presentation to the Planning Board so they know all about this.
B. Liaisons to other boards?
–covered in other agenda items.
C. Riverkeeper clean sweep prep and sign-up.
–We should sign up. It’s on May 7. It requires some kind of boat; John can get many kayaks and Tim has a boat.
D. Earth Day Final prep: Chris
–Chris put out 10 lawn signs: Rondout Grocer, Accord Main & 209, Granite Road, Town Hall, Stewart’s, Queens & 209, Saunderskill, Lucas & 209, Airport & 209, Kyserike & 209 and High Falls Co-op. There are 5 more to put out. Tim is going to hang both banners. The new Youth Commission email is: recreation@townofrochester.ny.gov. ECC meets at Skate Time on April 23 at 10am for our cleanup. Everyone who put a sign or banner out will go get it after the 23rd.
E. Other ECC Projects
–Trash Fest/ Composting and recycling-inter-municipal
–Plastic bag ban-inter-municipal

IV. Old Business
–Discussed new members and outgoing members. John is going to write a letter to Carl to get on to ECC. Tim will talk to Ben about if he will be coming back on board. Also discussed new people who can do the Riverkeeper testing. Angela will do training for anyone who wants to do this. John asked if we are going to maintain a monthly boat brigade to continue with observing sewage outflows on the creek. He suggests doing one section at a time. It’s valuable to have eyes on the creek, but we may be stretched thin. They do it once per month in New Paltz. John would like help in getting people involved. We can post to Facebook. Laura suggests that John write up some kind of plan on how we can make this happen and finalize next month. Laura will add to next month’s agenda.
V. Action Item Review
–ECC will submit comments to the board about the solar local law.
–Danielle’s WISE project is “A Day of Play” to bring people together to realize the importance of play. May 14 at Tongore Park. She’d love if we could attend.
VI. Adjourn: 7:30pm