HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2007-02-01 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
February 1, 2007
Final Minutes
PRESENT: Chris Benedict, Lenore Durkee,James Hamilton, Brent Katzmann, Susan
McCutcheon, Larry Sallinger
STAFF: Sue Ritter
PUBLIC: Caleb Crow
Persons To Be Heard:
Caleb present on behalf of Performance System Contracting which has been nominated for the
Fischer Award.
Member Concerns:
Larry brought in a copy of a recent Ithaca Journal Op/Ed piece talking about the Wind Farm,
published on January 25, 2007, titled "Enfield wind farm project is a fraud at fundamental
level". Author argued that project is unsustainable and in the personal interest of the
developer.
Chair and Coordinator Reports:
Vice-Chair: None
Coordinator: Sue reported that she did send out a vacancy announcement on the Conservation
Board to the media. Additionally, Sue outlined the co-generation project by Cornell University
that will improve the existing coal fired power plant by adding a natural gas line, improving
coal storage yards, and updates to the sorting elevator. The project will reportedly improve the
overall efficiency of power plant. Sue also noted that on February 61h the Planning Board will
review/discuss the SEQR process for the Ithaca College Athletic and Events Center, the
Longview expansion project, and Sketch Plan proposals for the Cornell Animal Health
Diagnostic Facility and the Merrill Family Sailing Center. The Town Board will hold a special
meeting to discuss drainage issues in the Northeast portion of the Town on February 12th.
Business:
Minutes:January 4, 2007 meeting minutes were approved as corrected.
R. Fischer Award 2006 Environmental Award: Five nominations have been received and
include: Eddy Farm, Tom Reimers, Performance System Contracting, Ithaca College Natural
Lands, and Jane Clark. Brent suggested that the Award Committee review the applications
before the next CB meeting to come up with a candidate recommendation for the Board to
consider.
Energy Conservation Strategies:
Brent mentioned that Jon had written a mission statement for the newly formed Energy
Conservation Strategy committee. Brent recently spoke with Will Burbank and was informed
by Will that the Town Board has established an Energy Strategies committee consisting of Herb
Engeman, Will Burbank, and Dave Mountin. This committee will evaluate town structure
energy consumption, insulation of buildings, etc. and will develop a recommendation to
improve the efficiency of these structures for the TB. There was some talk of putting a member
of the CB on this committee. Brent then asked whether it would be better or more efficient to
dissolve the CB's Energy Strategies committee and have a CB member sit on the TB's
committee. The CB agreed that it would be better to dissolve the CB's Energy Conservation
Strategies committee and combine it with the TB's. The question arose whether the CB could
act as the public relations arm of this committee,but it was suggested that this responsibility
should fall with the committee.
Regular Reports and Updates:
ERC: The Committee reviewed Cornell's Merrill Family Sailing Center. Overall the new
proposal for the site was welcomed by the committee but that additional views of the center are
needed. Brent suggested asking Cornell to re-orient the building to encourage active and
passive solar exposure. These comments will be added to the recommendation.
SCENIC RESOURCES COMMITTEE: CB members recently reviewed a draft of the Town
newsletter insert asking the public to help identify important scenic views in the town and to
provide input on the committee's efforts thus far. The insert will be in the Towri s spring
newsletter and once feedback from the public is received, the committee can move forward in
developing proposals for protecting views.
TOMPKINS COUNTY EMC: None
SIX MILE CREEK VOLUNTEER MONITORING PROGRAM: None
CITY OF ITHACA NATURAL AREAS COMMISSION: None
Other Business: Sue announced that there is an upcoming talk by Dr.John Halfman from
Hobart College on the health of the Finger Lakes being held in Ithaca on February 6th.
Additionally, Brent reminded the CB that the Green Building Seminar Series will continue on
Wednesday nights from 7-9 PM.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Minutes generated by Chris Benedict