HomeMy WebLinkAboutCB Minutes 2012-11-01 Town of Ithaca Conservation Board
7:00 p.m., November 1,2012
Final Minutes
Members present: Eva Hoffmann, Diane Conneman, Ellie Stewart,Jon Meigs, Kristine Shaw,James
Hamilton,Tony Ingraham, Ellie Stewart, Vladimir Micic, and Andy Goodell.
Members Absent: Susan Perri, Nirav Patel.
Guests: Mara Alper, Nick Goldsmith, and high school students
Staff: Mike Smith
Persons to be heard: Nick Goldsmith introduced himself as the new Town Sustainability Planner with
interest in water and energy use in the town. He also works in the Town of Dryden. Mara Alper is
interested in water conservation and hopes to use her communications skills to educate consumers to
use less water.
Member concerns:Andy reported that the tree we planted at Mitchell St. and the Rec Way is doing well,
but a portion of the trail next to the tree is getting bumpy. Diane reported that she met with Christianne
White, chair of the Town Agriculture advisory committee. Christianne thinks it would be a good idea if
our two boards meet together and share interests. She will propose this to the Ag Committee when
they meet in late November. January might be a possible date to meet together.
Chair and Coordinator Reports: Kristine had no report. Mike reported that there will be no Planning
Board meetings in November.The December meeting agenda only has two small IC projects. Mike also
reported that the Town Board reviewed our resolution and the area maps for the proposed East Shore
Conservation Zone. They referred it to the Planning Committee for review and a recommendation.
Minutes: The minutes were approved with some clarifications and corrections.
Discussion on the use of pesticides and invasive plants: James reviewed his ideas for a white paper but
thought he was not the best person to write the paper. The Board discussed ideas for what was needed
in such a paper including: Criteria for what should be controlled; List of invasive plants and their dangers
to the environment(Finger Lakes Native Plant Society has helpful information for plants.); Examples of
controlled, effective use of pesticides; plan of action with planting of native plants in the areas where
invasives are eradicated; and in what Town lands are invasives a problem right now.
Kristine will put together an outline with input via email from Vladimir and Tony to create a format for
review at our next meeting.
Water Conservation and tiered water rates: James reviewed the information shared with the Board via
email. The Town's biggest use of electricity and thus creation of greenhouse gases is to pump water up-
hill from the lake. A proposed plan to encourage less water use is to create a 3 tiered rate system. All of
this does need a service study done. It was recognized that a tiered system can be regressive for large
families.
Mara Alper shared her proposal for educational activities to teach people to use less water. She asked
that the Conservation Board help identify the main objectives for this work. It was suggested that she
start with younger audiences and get people to use rain barrels. Mara will write an article for the
newspapers on how to conserve water.
Nick Goldsmith will help as he can with this issue.
Committee Reports:
1. ERC—No report
2. SRC—Tony reviewed color issues with the production of the sign and thinks they are
resolved.
3. Communications Committee—James reported that Susan did a traffic study of the CB face
book page and wrote a summary for the Town Board. This positive report should convince
the Board to continue their support for the page.
4. Southwest Glens and Creeks-The committee is making some minor adjustments and
expects to meet with the Planning Committee in two weeks.
5. EMC—we still need a new representative. Vlad will discuss this with Kristine.
6. Six Mile Creek—No report
7. Natural Areas—No report
8. Comp Plan—Diane reported that the committee has spent considerable time reviewing
Cornell's concerns and making some adjustments in area designations and densities.
9. Cornell Natural Areas—James shared information on two meetings that may be of interest
to Board members. On November 71"there is a hydrilla update in the Borg Warner Room at
the TCPL. On November 14, the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society(FLNPS)will do a program
on "Escaping the Deer" at the Unitarian Church. He noted that jewel weed seems to be
evolving to survive the over browsing of deer.
On October 11 James and his wife sewed seed from 40 different species of wild flowers in
the areas that were cleared of garlic mustard in Park Park.
Other Business: James encouraged members to ask the Town Board to support the County request to
the State to lower the speed limit to 30 mph on the southern end of Pine Tree Road.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Diane Conneman
Note Taker