ECC Minutes May 2011

Present: Laura Finestone, John Messerschmidt, Steve Rice, Ethan Roland, Lillian Green, Lynn Archer, Hank Bartosik
Chair: Laura Finestone
Note-Taker: Ethan Roland
Agenda & Notes:
  • Earth Day Clean-up Recap
  • Less overall tonnage of trash picked up, but more people came out.
  • Next year: ECC continues to support youth commission with the project.
  • More Cleanups?
  • Board has requested 4 cleanups per year.
  • Until our group decides on its priorities, we do not want to make a commitment to this project.
  • Hank Reports on a Watershed Talk re: Esopus Turbidity
  • EMC Report
  • Sustainable Ulster website is up and running.
  • Money exists for retrofitting municipal buildings
  • DEP finished a tourism map – on the web – brochure May 16th
  • Rail Trail Update
  • Snag at the County attorney’s office for 25k.
  • Steve looking to support the conversation between the town & county.
  • ECC Members
  • Judith Karpova is still listed on town website.
  • Laura – email Judith re: submitting a letter of resignation to Carl Chipman.
  • Two spots are available on the commission –
  • Social Media Update
  • All members should ‘Like’ Town of Rochester ECC page
  • When we have 25 ‘Likes’ we can make a full webpage.
  • Possible New Projects
  • Speakers Bureau – focused on agriculture.
  • Local farmers, CSAs
  • Partner with RVGA?
  • Geology walk – Dan Davis
  • Rail Trail
  • Reviewing Climate Smart Community Resolution    
  • Pledge for community adoption.
  • Reviewing Ten Percent Challenge
  • John will go and learn more this weekend
  • We’re still in the information-gathering phase.
  • Upcoming Events
  • Transition Town Training – June 11 & 12 – Lifebridge Sanctuaru
  • “The Economics of Happiness” movie showing – May 24th – MAMA

Action Items
  • Laura – email Judith re: submitting a letter of resignation to Carl Chipman.
  • Ethan – post ECC position to local environmental networks
  • Ethan – Sends Transition Town Training announcement to Laura
  • John – goes to Ten Percent Challenge training session & sends notes to group.
  • Everyone – read through the Climate Smart Resolution and make suggestions to make it appropriate for our town.
  • Everyone – think of potential topics for speakers bureau.