ECC Minutes May 2012

Present: Laura Finestone (Facilitator), Ethan Roland (Recorder), Steve Rice, Shelley Tran, Joe Brit, Ryan Trapani, John Messerschmidt, Jorge Gomez

 

Agenda & Notes:

 

  • Approved Minutes from April 2012
  • Liaisons
  • Planning Board:
  • Joe Brit Volunteers for this position
  • Action Item Review
  • Joe describes research he did on Viridian Energy. Looked up 6 other companies, none of them as an energy provider uses renewable energy. Savings appear significant.
  • Motion approved: Invite John Mocarski (Viridian Energy) to present to the ECC.
  • Joe reports research he did on CFL recycling. Town of Rochester use a separate vendor – we can approach them and ask for a separate bin.
  • Joe reports on water sampling meeting – took on 6 locations on the Rondout. Requests support on June 30th.
  • Brief Reports
  • A) Earth Day Volunteer Cleanup
  • Last year: 450 lbs of trash picked up
  • This year: 154 Tires, 2675 lbs of trash
  • Next year: Use the same template of flyers, outreach, etc.
  • C) EMC
  • Jorge Reports: Main talk was by Catskill Mountainkeeper, focused on alternatives to Hydrofracking.
  • Department of the Environment Update from Ulster County.
  • County Exec orders stopping of spreading fracking waste as brine on roads. This means that the next executive can change the order.
  • D) Rail Trail (Steve)
  • Approved $50 for lumber purchase.
  • June 2nd – National Trails day. Next year, pick up as one of our main events.
  • Planning for Next Event
  • Heritage day. Alice Cross – Would be happy for us to do something, but cannot use “Heritage” in the title.
  • Discussion: Are we up for planning an event?
  • To include: Local Businesses, Local CSAs, Renewable Energy.
  • Next Meeting Agenda
  • Review research + science behind the Fracking Brine on roads. Shelley & Ryan will research both sides.
  • Potential Next Event
  • Biomass (Ryan)
  • Action Items
  • Laura
  • Emails Karl with Recycling
  • Creates a folder with all Earth Day outreach.
  • Joe
  • Researches plastic bag recycling
  • Invites Viridian person to our next meeting.
  • Ethan
  • Look for name of event planner.
  • Jorge
  • Check with Minnewaska staff-person if she is able to organize an event.
  • Everyone
  • Brainstorm ideas for our next event.
  • Meeting adjourned