ECC Minutes September 2012

September 13, 2012 meeting minutes
Present:   Laura Finestone, John Messerschmidt, Steve Rice, Hank Bartosik, Jorge Gomes, Joe Britt, Ethan Roland
Facilitator:  Jorge Gomes
  • Jorge calls meeting to order 7:00 PM
  • Welcome and introductions
  • Old business
  • August Meeting Minutes were not voted on.
  • ECC Creek Week stream event:
  • This Sat.; Laura, Joe, John and Hank will attend.  Flyers have been distributed.
  • Farm and Ecological Showcase planning:
  • Will be held Oct. 6 at Accord park.  Laura has made contact with several entities.  There will be local farms, music, pizza, bake sale, possibly something on invasive species, solar energy, etc.  there  should be a good showing with ads placed in all local newspapers.
  • ECC Budget Update:
  • The board already approved $5,000 for restoration of the rail trail last month.  But Steve reported that his son has a mini excavator and would donate his time if the town covers his out of pocket expenses.  
  • Reports
  • Rail Trail (Steve):
  • The area being focused on is behind Williams Lumber.  The Town of Marbletown may need access to the bridge from this direction so it’s important to get this done by November.  We might approach Bobby Lapp to haul in some item 4.  Rail Trail between Ellenville and the Prison may be opened up soon.
  • RCWC (Laura):
  • Picked one topic to focus on.  They will present specific recommendations to the town board on the subject of FLOODING.
  • Stream Monitoring (Joe/John):
  • Riverkeeper has been monitoring the Rondout and Esopus Rivers for the last 4 or 5 months for fecal bacteria.  The results have shown a steady decline in the quality of the water and most locations are unhealthy.  
  • EMC (Hank):
  • Question: DO we need a Hudson Mohonk River Basin Commission?  Meeting at Mohonk Mtn House on Oct. 4th on sediment management.  EPA has required NYC to take action on turbidity
  • New Business:
  • State meeting in Syracuse with Bill McKibbon Oct. 10th to 13th is open if anyone can attend.  More info go to http://www.syracusecoe.org/coe/
  • Open floor for new business:
  • None
  • Adjourn
  • Next month facilitator: John Messerschmidt
  • Next month Recorder: Laura Finestone