ECC Minutes April 2012

Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission
April 12, 2012

 

Present: Steve Rice (facilitator), Ryan Trapani, Joe Britt, Laura Finestone, Ethan Roland, Jorge Gomes, John Messerschmidt, Bob Dandrew

 

Shelly Tran, Carl Chipman(liason)

 

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Facilitation Schedule:
  • May: Bob/Jorge
  • June: Jorge/Joe
  • July: Joe/Hank
  • August: Hank/Ryan
  • September: Ryan/John
  • October: John/Laura
  • November: Laura/Ethan
  • December: Ethan/Bob
  • Minutes from March 2012
  • Motion to Approve: Ethan
  • Second: Jorge
  • Unanimous Approval
  • Rail Trail Report (Steve)
  • Plan to connect two sections of Rail Trail (one starting at Town Hall and other ending at Lucas Avenue).
  • Central Hudson, County and Marbletown have signed off on paperwork for $25,000 grant to reimburse Marbletown for pedestrian bridge.
  • Reports:  
  • Laura reported a need for an alternate representative for the Environmental Management Council.  This position must be nominated by the Board and sent to the County for approval.  Jorge offered to attend for one month to cover the next meeting.
  • Laura reported that the Rondout Creek Watershed Council (RCWC) will have a meeting on April 26, 2012.  Carl reported that he is asking the RCWC to become a stronger advocate for local residents in discussions around NYC access to local water.
  • Carl reported that Town of Rochester approved a moratorium on fracking and related activity.  This is a one-year ban and may be subject to legal challenge.
  • Joe reported on stream monitoring.  A volunteer water quality workshop will be offered on April 19.  Participants will then be asked to help monitor the Rondout Creek over a period of months this year.  Will test for human, microbial, and livestock waste.
  • Ethan reported on the second Farm to Community event.  There was strong attendance and positive energy.
  • Steve reported that the DEC is working with the local bicycle club, enabling new trails to be built within the Lundy Estate.
  • Planning for Earth Day:
  • Laura sent the flyer to the Newspaper, the RVBA, the RVGA, and other media outlets.  Jorge will purchase 20-25 grabber devices and be reimbursed by the Town.
  • The ECC will clean up Mettacahonts Road on April 21, 2012, meeting at SkateTime at 11:30 a.m.
  • Joe proposed that the Town of Rochester apply through Veridien to purchase power from solar power, at a savings of 5-15 percent.  The group authorized him to research various firms and select one to give a presentation to the ECC, which may then encourage a presentation before the Town Board.
  • Sub-Committee on Rail Trail.
  • Steve requested that the ECC form a sub-committee focused on the rail trail.  After discussion, a motion to approve the creation of a sub-committee was made by Ryan; seconded by Joe.  Unanimous approval.
  • Deer Management
  • Ryan recommended that the ECC take a role in deliberations around deer harvesting in the region.  He reports that the overwhelming number of deer in our region is negatively impacting our forests.  The Citizens Task Force for Deer holds public forums where public comment can be submitted, and Ryan hopes the ECC will offer its official input into this process.  Ryan will bring more information to the ECC in the future.
  • Adjournment at 8:30 p.m.