HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2024-10-03 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board (CB) Meeting
October 3,2024, 5:30 p.m.
Final Minutes
Members present: Lori Brewer(Chairperson),James Hamilton,Eva Hoffmann,and Ingrid Zabel.
Staff: Michael Smith, Senior Planner.
Guests: Two Cornell students (Charlotte and Jeff)
I. Persons to be heard:None
2. Member comments/concerns: James had comments about plans for a cell tower on the former Weidmaier Court
property (now owned by another entity)in his neighborhood. He went to a recent Planning Board meeting to
express his opposition and ask questions.Who checked the previous forest restoration plan? Who checked on
what was planted? He suggested the ERC meet at the property, so we could look at the site now and consider
writing a second letter to the Planning Board. Mike stated that they expect the cell tower proposal to be back at
the Planning Board on October 29, so we would need a new letter by then.
3. Environmental Review Committee Update (Lori): No report.
4. Chairperson and Coordinator reports: Mike reported about the Conference on the Environment,where he and
other Planning staff attended sessions about solar development,wildlife connectivity (culverts and bridges), and
the State's 30 x 30 and 70 x 30 initiatives. The Nature Conservancy has a couple new pilot programs in
different parts of the State for tree planting efforts.
Mike also reported about the Babcock Ridge plans on West Hill. EDR consultants from Syracuse have been
hired by the Town to develop the designs. Mike showed maps of the proposed layout including entrances,
proposed parking areas,trails, steep slopes and an area with great views.Mulch, available for free from the
Town,may be used for portions of the trail surface. EDR will now start working on more detail drawings and
other things needed for the development of this area.
Lori asked about the tour of Bolton Point,which several CB members attended on September 16. There was
general consensus that it was an excellent tour given by two knowledgeable employees, Glenn and Gregg. The
introduction showed live computer-based charts and tables of how the systems are set up and what they are
capable of doing. The tour that followed showed the components working,while we got even more
explanations about what was happening. Members commented on the leak control system,which is the best in
New York State,and can potentially detect a toilet leak in an individual house,as well as in underground pipes
which can't even be seen. Bolton Point staff work on reducing waste of water generally,but also use of
appliances which are more efficient. The plant tracks lake water levels and prepares for more storms as a result
of climate change. There is emphasis on ways to keep both the plant and the water quality safe and secure by
having the plant systems separate from the usual computer internet connections and always having a manual
recording of all important readings,in addition to and alongside the computerized ones.
5. Approval of minutes from September 5,2024: (No quorum—hold until next meeting)
6. Update on the Tutelo Park Ethnobotanic Trail Project(Mike): Mike Roberts was not able to attend this
meeting,but sent a written report,which Mike S.read to us:
"Steve and I should be wrapping up the edits on the plant labels in the next 3 weeks. QR codes supplied by
the Town will be applied to the labels and sent to the fabricators at that time.Locations for each plant label
have been identified with Joe Talbut. Joe has agreed to purchase and plant two species currently not found
on site. Our time will shift towards generating content for the scripts which will be recorded and uploaded
to the Town webpages. Hope to have that contact fully edited by mid-November"
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7. Follow up on potential actions from previous meetings: Topics brought up were:
Measuring of deer browsing-we will ask Mike R. about this next meeting.
Follow up about `plastic carpets"-What are valid public purposes to justify a moratorium? When was there
one used? Find previous examples. Eva mentioned a moratorium used while the Town was trying to find a
location and zone where adult entertainment business could be a permitted use. Lori mentioned that there are
things discussed at the State level that haven't yet gone through,but they are not just about artificial turf They
include all kinds of indoor and outdoor carpeting. PFAs have been found in surface water,Ingrid said there are
loop holes in passed legislation,for instance if the materials are not bought in NY State. One needs to look at
both local and state level information. Regarding"plant based infill"in plastic carpets,is there evidence that it
has PFAs or not? James stated that Zero Waste Ithaca has compelling information about plastics. He feels
PFAs are a threat to the environment and to health and would prefer to see natural turf sports fields.Moratoria
are important when time is needed for thoughtful discussion of new needed legislation about important issues.
Lori will draft a letter to send to the Town Board. There is a proposal for a new artificial turf field on Game
Farm Road coming in soon.
Follow up regarding a pollinator garden in a Town park—Ingrid will do this.
8. Regular reports and updates:
a. Scenic Resources Committee (Eva): Eva was planning to provide some history of saving Ithaca's views for
the new members,but thought maybe she should wait until the full CB was present. The group agreed to
wait until a future meeting with more members. She did mention that recently she saw the ground mist
from Lucifier Falls a couple times, so she is now willing to update the drawing on the proposed sign.
b. Communications Committee(Ingrid): Ingrid has been posting on Facebook more and received good
engagement from the post on the Bolton Point tour.
c. Tompkins County Environmental Management Committee (EMC)(Ingrid): The EMC has been revisiting
by-laws and doing reappointments of members,including Ingrid. There was a presentation by a Cornell
University student, about a study involving sampling for PFAs, specifically in surface water. Ingrid will
make suggestions based on an email from James. She noted that it would be interesting if students could
also do sampling of soils. Lori asked if they could offer insights of places to sample—storm sewers,
Synchrotron land near Cascadilla Creek and land at Memig Field House.
d. Six Mile Creek Volunteer Monitoring Program (James):No news.
e. Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas Program(James): Volunteers and staff continued removing invasive
Ailanthus(Tree of Heaven)from land recently added to the Fischer Old Growth Forest in Newfield.As
Ailanthus is the preferred host of the invasive spotted lantern fly,it's especially important to eradicate the
lantern fly's favorite food. Though we didn't have the time to completely remove invasive swallowwort and
Phragmites(common reed),we did try to remove all the seed we could from these very common invasive
plants,especially the phragmites growing by the railroad track at the northern edge of a swamp near Jim
Ray's mobile home park.
9. Other Business: None.
10. Review 2024 Work Goals/Discuss November A eg nda: See point 7 above.
11. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 6:53 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Eva Hoffmann, October 30, 2024
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