MINUTES for Tuesday March 29, 2022
Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission
Location: Community Center: 15 Tobacco Rd. Accord Time: 7:00 PM
Attendees: John Messerschmidt, Ann Belmont, Todd Anderson, Erin Enouen, Lea Mazzei, Larry Dewitt, Jeffery Domanski
Approve February Minutes: No quorum
Planning Board Applications None
We will return to in person meetings as per state of NY It was great to leave my house and meet in person.
Public Outreach: Are we on FB yet? Yes, Todd has access to FB, but still doesn’t have access to the monthly Mail Chimp newsletter
Report from Town Board: Erin
NEW BUSINESS:
Jefferey Domanski (Hudson Valley Community Power) will give a presentation on a renewable energy co-op.
The co-op should save the community money on their electric bills and use renewable energy. Anyone can opt out anytime for any reason, so it doesn’t look like there are any downsides. Erin will present the opportunity to support renewable energy and lower prices to the Town Board.
Hudson Valley Energy e: CCA@HudsonValleyEnergy.org www.HudsonValleyCommunityPower.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. Earth Day Cleanup: April We will connect with Parks. No action taken
2. Salamander Crossing: Lea, who owns a property where they migrate over the road has been doing this since last year was present. John went there to help out one night and Ann wrote an article about it. Next year we should publicize it more.
3. Riverkeeper Riversweep May 7 10 AM: John and Mikala are hosts. No one has signed up yet. Sign up here: https://app.mobilecause.com/form/yDvIYw?parent_id=713015&team_id=105874&vid=ra2t9
4. Tire Pull in June
5. Restore American Chestnut event in spring Judith will create a form for the adoption of trees.
6. Arbor Day tree planting. Native trees have been confirmed. Next steps:
CONTINUING PROJECTS
1. Third Thursday Nature Series: Kick off meeting has been scheduled for next month.
2. Wildlife Corridor/209 Underpass: Chris Spatz will install wildlife cams. Ann will contact him.
3. 44/55 Beautification Project: Mikala and Hank Alicandri
4. Watershed Park Preserve: No action needed, nothing is happening there, will delete this item next month.
5. Climate Smart Community and Benchmarking: Will take this off too unless someone volunteers for it.
6. Pollinator garden for TOR: John and Larry We can’t use the area behind the community center, maybe Town Hall park.
7. Plastic waste at RVSD: Ann
8. Recruiting new ECC members: Lea Mazzei, Loretto Higgins, and Alexis Albough are interested. They will be added to our lists and cc’d in future communications in hopes that they decide to join!
9. Mission Statement. Judith and Mikala first draft.
10. Backyard National Forest: Judith
11. Transfer Station recycling, compost and Exchange: Erin wants to have an open house on a Sunday.
12. Mid Hudson Valley Solar Mapping Project. Looking for someone to attend the meetings.
NEW PROJECTS: None