HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-01Climate Smart Community Task Force
Minutes of the Dec. 1, 2020 Meeting
Via Zoom
Attendance: John Kiefer, Joe Wilson, Alice Green, Loren Sparling, Terry Carroll
October Minutes approved
Update on Dryden Consideration of NYS Stretch Code - Loren, John Loren reported that he has contacted fellow Town Board members about the opportunity to adopt the NYS Stretch Code, and a possible incentive expected from NYSERDA. Terry said he and Lou Vogel can present the powerpoint on the proposed code at the Planning Board’s meeting later this month. Alice said she sent the powerpoint and had a phone meeting with Dryden Code Inspectors, Dave Sprout and Shelley Knickerbocker. The both were familiar with the Stretch Code guidelines. They appreciated that it would allow third party inspections.
Review of Incentive Programs for Building Energy Efficiency – Joe, Marie Joe presented a summary of programs available to Dryden residents. (Attached)
Review of Climate Smart Actions in Progress in Conjunction with the
Comprehensive Plan Update – Alice, John The Task Force discussed two actions in the planning stages: 1) Possible Dryden Action Steps resulting from the County Hazard Mitigation/Resiliency Plan Study Dave Sprout and Nancy Munkenbeck are Dryden reps on the County planning committee. Dave told Alice he is seeking feedback on five possible action steps resulting from completing the Dryden portion of the County-wide study:
• Mitigation for flood damaged properties At least 2 properties have collected insurance for flood damage. The Town might buy them, or relocate these properties. Dave did not yet have the addresses.
• Flood check dams for steep slopes Dave said former DPW Superintendent Jack Bush installed some of these, but there was not an adequate maintenance plan to clean out accumulating gravel. An action step could be a design by TG Miller or Soil & Water (contact is Angel Hinickle) that would build in a better maintenance system.
• Riparian law Another action might be updating Town codes for protecting riparian corridors. He said he believes David Weinstein has been working on legislation.
• Flood mitigation According to a County needs study from 2005, Virgil Creek is heavily sedimented, and this eventually flows to the Lake. Dryden could fund a study of how to reduce sedimentation.
• Storm Water Districting Dryden could consider legislation creating a taxation district, that would generate a fund for ditch maintenance. It could be based on criteria like the number of drainage points from a property going into a ditch,
2) Comprehensive Plan Climate Action Plan Alice and John reported that the first step in creating a Town-wide climate action plan is the consultant’s inventory of current green house gas emissions in the private sector. The consultants presented an initial report on findings earlier this year. This data will be added to the previous inventory of municipal GHG emissions conducted as part of the Town’s Bronze CSC actions. The Climate Smart Action Plan will include recommendations to promote conservation and sustainability in the Town for the next 25 years, based on data from the inventories and other public input.
Discussion of Other Possible CSC or Clean Energy Actions for Dryden -Terry Terry reported that new guidance from New York State on Clean Energy Community actions and incentives is expected soon. (New guidance and options for Dryden action steps attached.)
Possible new coordinator for CSC/CEC work in Dryden Alice said she would like to approach the Dryden Conservation Board about taking over coordinator for the CSC/CEC work. She said she is unable to keep up with coordination responsibilities along with work on four other Town boards/task forces. The current Task Force was formed in January, 2019, after the Conservation Board declined to take on oversight of these initiatives. In the intervening two years, the Task Force has achieved bronze CSC certification, and five of ten CEC action steps. As reported earlier, the Planning Board is overseeing other high value action steps. With this “heavy lift” already complete, perhaps the Conservation Board might reconsider overseeing future efforts.
Adjournment at 5:35 pm