MINUTESfor Tuesday, December 21, 2021 – 7:00 pm
Town of RochesterEnvironmental Conservation Commission
Location: Zoom
Attendance: Ann Belmont, Todd Anderson, John Messerschmidt, Mark Diedrich, Larry Dewitt, Mikala Sherman, Madeline Russo, Judith Karpova
Approve October Minutes: Approved
Upcoming Events:
Earth Day Cleanup April 2022: Discussed
RiverkeeperRiversweep May 2022: Discussed
Tire Pull June 2022: Discussed
CONTINUING PROJECTS
Third Thursday Nature Series:
John is reaching out to other ECC’s to form an alliance so that we can pool resources.See below.
Wildlife Corridor/209 Underpass
Ann is working with Chris Spatz
44/55 Beautification Project
Mikala is working with Hank Alicandri from Wawarsing ECC
Planning Board Applications None
Watershed Park
Discussed the parcel of land adjacent to the watershed park that is for sale. The frontage on Rte 209 could potentially be valuable commercial property or even town hall. The woods behind it slope steeply down to the Millbrook and is not buildable and would double the size of the park. Discussed ways to save this area to be turned into forever wild through Land Conservancy, Open Space Institute. Mikala will reach out to Peter Terrace from OSI.
NEW PROJECTS
Added Salamander Crossing as an annual project usually in April.
Added becoming a Climate Smart Community and Benchmarking in February or March
Added Restore American Chestnut event in spring – Judith
Pollinator garden for TOR
John will reach out to Parks and Youth dept to team up. Larry will also help.
Collaboration with other ECC’s
We chose ambassadors for all ECC’s potentially in the alliance.
Mikala – Wawarsing
Todd – Hurley
Ann – Olive
John – Rosendale
Judith – Marbletown
Community activities and outreach
We can produce community events like guided nature hikes, snowshoeing at Watershed Park, etc, to inspire people to get out, get knowledge, get involved to cherish our natural resources. Use the next door app to broaden our reach.
Plastic waste at RVSD
Every student who eats a lunch gets a throw away plastic tray, utensils, plates, cups etc. Ann will reach out to someone in the school to examine thesituation.
NEW BUSINESS
Recruiting new members
Mark is leaving the ECC, now that he’s moved to South Carolina. More community outreach will spur awareness of the ECC and our mission. With that, people will be inspired to join in.
Participation of current members
We currently have members who aren’t participating much. Everybody has busy lives. With new community projects and more stuff going on, hopefully they will be more inspired to step up.
Public outreach campaign
Covered above. Major focus point for the future. There should be a Zoom link to all meetings on the town website. John will contact Rich.
Goals for 2022
Draft a Mission Statement. Judith and Mikala will send a first draft to everyone.
Misc:
Meeting Agendas with the link will be sent a week prior, the day before, and a special email with just the link in the subject, the day of. John