Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes May 12, 2016

Facilitator: Laura
Recorder: Chris
Attendance: Laura Finestone, Chris Hewitt, Colin McDonough, Judith Karpova, Rick Jones, Angela Dorris
Guests: Hank Bartosik, Larry DeWitt

1. Call to Order: 6:05pm
2. Business and Logistics
1. Introductions
2. Minutes approved
3. Reports
1. Natural Heritage Plan report
-Town of Wawarsing approved intermunicipal plan. John Michelson and David Church are working on a contract now. Next steps are to pick our team of voters: 3 Town of Rochester and 3 Town of Wawarsing. Then we decide how to present to the public. Having a kick off meeting in the next couple of weeks and Laura will keep us posted.
2. EMC
-Judith attended. There was a speaker from the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, executive director Christie DeBoer. They are coming up against issues where easements have been placed but neighbors still think they can use the land as they want. They partner a lot with Scenic Hudson and Mohonk Preserve. They’re now purchasing farmland, with Purchase of Development Rights (PDRs). They have a new program with tax deductions over 15 years for easements. They’re about to close on 1199 acres. They’re contracting with OSI for monitoring land trusts. Talked about Climate Smart Communities funding from governor ($22 million). The ECC should suggest that we revisit becoming Climate Smart. Talked about MS4 stormwater. Amanda Wolfson spoke about private well testing. Discussed oil spills and Pilgrim Pipeline, and barges and trains. Angela brought information about action steps on Pilgrim Pipeline. We unanimously voted to have Judith be our EMC rep.
3. Planning Board Report
-Rick attended. Not a lot happened. There was a farm proposal on Samsonville near CNN. Discussed small solar and dealing with that now and then dealing with large-scale solar later. Discussed decommissioning solar sites when they are old, and also discussed impact on viewshed (this last item happened after the meeting). Screening that has been discussed is a white pine every 15 feet, for example, which may not be sufficient. Judith added: there’s some discussion in the proposed local solar law about not having size limits when an array is privately owned. This hasn’t been approved, just discussed.
4. Riverkeeper
-the Sweep was a success. 9 volunteers picked up 100 pounds of trash and 4 tires. New people joined us. We were a part of 2,200 volunteers, 39 tons of trash, 9 tons of recycling, 836 trees and plants were planted. John suggested we go again in a couple of months when the water is more clear. Tim will help, maybe from Scenic Road to Stony Kill Road.
5. Solar Report
-Judith started digesting the local solar law and shared with the group. Angela suggested that being generous with the regulations is a good idea because we’re talking about clean energy. If we don’t go in this direction, what options do we have if we don’t want coal, oil and nuclear? On the flip side, this should all be done right from the beginning. Judith was gratified that the Town Board is very pro solar.
6. Earthday
-We had an increase in the amount of garbage that was collected, even with less volunteers. For next year we can maybe have a wood-fired pizza party instead of regular pizza and have an educational component like Solarize involved, with music, in order to celebrate the volunteers.
7. New Business
1. Public meeting re Solar
2. Debrief Earthday
1. What worked: the amount of trash that was collected
2. What can we do better: We can make the signs earlier next year by making deadlines, and we can get more volunteers.
3. What about next year: Pizza celebration with music and an educational component. Chris and Laura would like to meet with Carol before next year’s event to get on the same page.
4. Statistics
year Sign-ups tires pounds
2011 23 70 2200
2012 154 2675
2013 56 not sure if this is people or groups 200 3200
2014 50 154 7050
2015 50 plus scouts 134 5980
2016 28 no scouts 124 7900
3. Inland waterway project designation
-The Department of State has grant money for waterways, but the Rondout isn’t considered an inland waterway. Laura is talking to Assemblyman Cahill about changing the designation in order for the Rondout to qualify for funding.
4. Other ECC Projects
1. Trash Fest/ Composting and recycling-inter-municipal
1. In the month of June, Trash Fest is about recycling and art projects.
2. Plastic bag ban-inter-municipal
1. NYC is now charging $0.05 per bag, so we should continue to think about this.
E. Tim attended meeting this morning, Russell Urban Mead Science Breakfast. Discussed an invasive species (hydrilla: Asian and Korean) that is rapidly spreading. The only way to stop it is putting giant mats on the base of the waterway. The Clearwater is on drydock in Kingston, waiting for a total reconstruction. Also discussed funding to keep people farming.

1. Old Business
2. Action Item Review
3. Adjourn: 7:07pm