CAC Meeting Minutes 07/30/09

Conservation Advisory Council (CAC)

Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP)

 Town of Rhinebeck

July 30, 2009 7:30 pm

Present: Members of CAC/LWRP: Meg Crawford, Lisa Camp, Bill Dowden, Raphael Notin, Sheila Moloney, and Carol Smith

Absent/Excused: Tess McKellen

Guests: Jeff Ramono and Joel Tyner

ReNEWAGE staff members for presentation

Town residents

Town Board members: Ellen Silverstein, Bruce Washburn, Dod Crane

NOTE: Meeting began with presentation by ReNEWAGE staff on their waste water management system, constructed wetlands.  It began late due to court running late and the time needed to set up projectors, etc.

At 8:30 CAC moved downstairs for rest of meeting.

Committee and Member Reports:

Green Tent at the Dutchess County Fair:  Lisa Camp reported on her discussions with Laurie Rich about the Green tent, and the exhibitors participating. CAC will have a booth in the tent and needs volunteers to man the booth.  A sign up sheet was passed around.

NDWA Event at Thompson-Mazzarella Park:  Raphael Notin reported that there were lots of volunteers, though not as many attendees as CAC had hoped for.  The various events, scavenger hunts, stream monitoring, etc. went very well and can be repeated at future events.

Thompson-Mazzarella Park Community Garden: Notin reported that the garden is going well.  He announced that the Thompson Trustees will be visiting the garden with Sally Mazzarella on August 7.

Wetlands Brochure:  Carol Smith reported that a draft has been prepared and we are awaiting passage of the Wetlands Law to proceed.

Public Hearing on Comp Plan, etc.: Smith announced this will take place Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 pm in the High School. 

Thompson-Mazzarella Park:  Sheila Maloney missed the last meeting but said that some grant money has been allocated to be used on engineering matters, etc.

Zero Waste Report: Meg Crawford attended last night's workshop presenting Greenway Environmental Services.  This company runs small composting systems, including Vassar Farms in Poughkeepsie, collecting food waste and composting it with organics.  They are very interested in working with Rhinebeck and think the old closed dump would be a good site for composting.  They would like to make a presentation to the public, institutions in Rhinebeck and the Town Board.  CAC will invite them to do such a presentation at the October meeting.

350.org Event:  Notin reported that 350 (currently the reading is much higher) is the goal for our the world's carbon footprint. This world-wide organization has been formed to focus the public's attention on this problem.  Events in many places are planned for Saturday, October 24.  Locally, the event is to take place on the newly opened park on the old railway bridge.  The local committee's next meeting is August 12 at 6 p.m. 

Planning Board Project Review:

Camp Ramapo: No comment at this time.

Rhinebeck Equine Realty:  CAC commented some time ago.

CSI: CAC submitted our comments at the last meeting, which CSI did not attend.  Bill Dowden will present this again should CSI attend.

Jeffrey Martin:  CAC commented some time ago.

Sue Sie:  CAC commented at length for the June meeting.  The LRWP Review is being sent under separate cover. 

Astor Courts: LRWP is being sent under separate cover.

Joseph Malcarne: CAC members Lisa Camp (lisacamp@citlink.net) and/or Raphael Notin (rnotin@frontiernet.net) would like to accompany the Planning Board members on the site visit.  We request that the Planning Board let them know when that will be.  CAC may have comments following the site visit.

Boehm: CAC has no comments at this time.

Announcements: Jeff Ramono will be submitting his application to the Town Clerk.

Camp again announced CAC will be at Farmers' Market on Sunday, October 4.

Standing committees:

Trees: Meg Crawford, Carol Smith, and Tess McKellen

Schools: Lisa Camp, Meg Crawford

Publications: Carol Smith, Tess McKellen

Energy: Raphael Notin, Lisa Camp

LRWP: Carol Smith, Meg Crawford, Bill Dowden

Wetlands and Watersheds: Bill Dowden, Sheila Maloney

Liaisons:

      SAND: Bill Dowden

      Thompson-Mazzarella Park: Sheila Maloney

CAC schedule: Next Regular CAC meeting will be:

 Thursday   September 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:

Carol Smith, Secretary