HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2019-03-07 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
Thursday March 7,2019
Final Minutes
Members Present:James Hamilton, Elizabeth Hageman, Hannah George, Mike Roberts, Eva Hoffmann,
Lindsay Dombroskie, Will VanDyke
Staff: Mike Smith (Senior Planner)
Guests: Kara Fikrig, Martin Kelly
1. Persons to be heard: Kara Fikrig briefly discussed expanding composting programs in downtown
Ithaca. Martin Kelly gave an update on the deer management program, including pictures.There
are two sites up and running.
2. Member concerns: None.
3. Chair and Coordinator reports:
Planner-Mike Smith
i. Planning board approved the Town of Ithaca Public Works building addition.
Chair- Mike Roberts
ii. The Town Board would like to see projects the Conservation Board completes
and/or participates in yearly.
4. November 2018(moved by James, 2nd by Mike), December 2018(moved by James, 2nd by Eva),
and February 2019 (moved by Mike, 2nd by James) minutes were voted on and approved.
5. The Conservation Board 2019 work goals were reviewed and revised with some minor changes.
6. Fischer Award:All CB members voted in favor of awarding the 2018 Richard B. Fischer
Environmental Conservation Award to the "New York State Hemlock Initiative". Mark
Whitmore, a Cornell University forest entomologist, leads this team.
7. Discussed options for having a table at an Earth Day event. Hannah said the Finger Lakes Land
Trust is doing a talk and walk on April 201n. "Protect Our Species" is the theme according to
EarthDay.org. Elizabeth will check to see if Sustainable Tompkins is hosting any event this year.
8. Will Van Dyke, chair of the communication committee,gave an interactive presentation on the
use of social media for the Board. Any member can participate in updating the Facebook page.
Will reviewed the Town of Ithaca media policy. He encouraged the board to use this platform to
engage community members.
9. Regular Reports and updates
a. Environmental Review Committee
i. The Cornell University North Campus project was reviewed. Both positives and
negatives of the site were discussed. Eva attended the Planning Board meeting
where issues such as building height and building across the town boundary
were discussed. Comments on the project are due by March 121n
1
b. Scenic Resources Committee- Nothing to report
c. Communications Committee-There was an interesting article about the Town of Danby
Conservation Board in the Ithaca Journal in regards to land donation to the town.
d. Tompkins County EMC- Nothing to report
e. Six Mile Creek-Annual meeting was last week.There are four sampling sessions
scheduled. CSI now has a new staffer. BMI has lost some members so not all sites will be
sampled.The plan is to keep three sites.
f. Cornell Botanic Gardens-Focus recently has been on woody invasives in Fall Creek and
Cascadilla.
10. Other Business- Hannah George met with Tompkins County Recycling management to discuss
composting.There is interest in expanding the program drop spots, possibly to increase the
number by five. They would also like to find a drop off location on South Hill. Hannah
encouraged the board to go the Tompkins county recycling website to see check out their
information.
Mike S. will try to get the CB member announcement in the next Town email newsletter.
11. Reviewed Work Goals.
Adjourn 7:22 pm
Minutes prepared by Elizabeth Hageman
z