ECC Meeting Notes – November 24, 2020

ECC Members In Attendance:

• Madeline Russo
• John Messerschmidt
• Mark Diedrich
• Mikala Sherman
• Heather Eckardt
• Judith Karpova

Climate Smart Community Update: Town is seriously considering action toward becoming an official Climate Smart Community registered with the state, and Madeline is working with two Town Board members – Chris Hewitt and Erin Enouen – to complete a grant that would provide support toward that goal. Town will hopefully sign the CSC Commitment letter at the December Town Board meeting.
Town Amending Comprehensive Plan to Adopt Natural Heritage Plan & Open Space Inventory: Public hearing regarding this amendment is December 10th, and the ECC has been asked to submit comment regarding the adoption of the NHP and OSI. ECC members should also attend the public hearing to show support. Mikala volunteered to put together the draft comment letter on behalf of the ECC and asks that everyone submit their own comments to her for inclusion. The draft documents are also available online on the Town’s website, and Madeline will send them to the group.
Planning Board Subdivision Applications: The Planning Board sent two subdivision applications (PB 2020-06 Amended SBD and PB 2020-09 SBD) to the ECC for review and comment by December 4th – Madeline has forwarded the materials to the Committee members for review and asks that everyone send comment to her ASAP so that she can send a draft response to the group for approval in time to send to the Planning Board.
Wildlife Corridor/209 Underpass Tour: Yesterday, some ECC members toured a defunct underpass beneath 209 with John Adams to evaluate its condition and whether it could be revived as a wildlife pass uniting the Shawangunk-Catskill corridor. Judith reports that the stream that passes through the culvert is a numbered stream and she wants to look into that more, and other members who were unable to attend would like to reschedule a time for a second tour. Will coordinate second tour via email.
44/55 Beautification Project Update: Mikala is working with the Warwarsing ECC on a beautification project for the traffic triangle at the 44/55-209 intersection and a plan has been submitted for the design for the landscape planting. The DOT rep they are working with is very enthusiastic and there is optimism that we could have future projects along 209 within the Town of Rochester to improve the corridor. Mikala will email the updated plan out to the group so everyone can see it.