Town Board Meeting April 21, 2008

TOWN OF ORANGETOWN

SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008

This Special Town Board Meeting was opened at 8:40 p.m. Supervisor Kleiner presided.  The Town Clerk called the Roll.  Present were:

 

Councilman Denis Troy

Councilwoman Marie Manning

Councilwoman Nancy Low-Hogan

Councilman Michael Maturo

 

Also present:   Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk

John S. Edwards, Town Attorney

Teresa Kenny, First Deputy Town Attorney

Suzanne Barclay, Exec Asst. to Supervisor

Charles Richardson, Director of Finance

James Dean, Superintendent of Highways

Ron Delo, Director, Dept. Environmental Mgt. & Eng.

John Giardiello, P.E., Director, OBZPAE

Paul Witte, Code Enforcement Officer III

Rich Rose, Superintendent of Parks, Recreation and Buildings

 

Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

 

RESOLUTION NO.  273                                         APPROVE/US MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT

 

Councilman Maturo offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilwoman Manning and on a roll call was adopted:

 

The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

 

1. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States’ dependence of fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation; methane recovery for energy generation, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;

 

1. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan Climate Stewardship Act sponsored by Senators McCain and Lieberman and Representatives Gilchrist and Olver, which would create a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and

 

1. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as:

 

1. Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan.

 

2. Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walk able urban communities;

 

3. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commuter trip reduction programs, incentives for car-pooling and public transit;

 

4. Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in “green tags”, advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, and recovering landfill methane for energy production;

 

5. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money;

 

6. Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use;

 

7. Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program or a similar system;

 

8. Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel;

 

9. Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production;

 

10. Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community;

 

11. Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2; and

 

12. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Orangetown desires that the Town be part of this important effort; now therefore be it

 

RESOLVED that the Town of Orangetown formally adopts the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Maturo, Manning, Low-Hogan

Supervisor Kleiner

Noes:               Councilperson Troy

* * *

Public Comment

Michael Mandel, Pearl River, spoke regarding the Kyoto treaty.  China and India are not governed by the same standards they are trying to force on the U.S. and China is the biggest pollutant.

Eileen Larkin, Palisades, said the Kyoto Protocol could end up being a financial burden.

Connie Coker, Legislator District 17/resident, is very happy that the Town Board passed the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and this is a topic the Legislator had determined to address.  They are presently working to eliminate pesticides on county property and will be holding meetings regarding these matters on April 30^th, and May 20^th, and invited anyone interested to attend.  She supports the purchase of USA made products.

Jim Castagna, Sparkill, said China is producing Solar Panels, which are releasing toxins into the air and because of this he asked the Town Board and Government Officials to carefully consider the source of energy saving devices they may purchase.

Andrew Wiley, Pearl River, said 700 housing units at RPC will contribute to pollution and he agrees with Councilman Troy’s vote of “No”.

Larry Vail, Tappan, believes this is a discussion that needs to take place locally and nationally.  He supports taking steps locally in order to keep us from paying more in the future.  As a member of the Environmental Committee, he supports this resolution for several reasons and we need to start working on this immediately.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 274                                          ACCEPT/ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE IMPLEMENTATION

 

Councilman Maturo offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and on a roll call was adopted:

 

RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby accept the following initial implementation tasks to be conducted by the Orangetown Environmental Committee:

Resolution No. 274 – Continued

 

1. Conduct a baseline inventory for Orangetown

 

2. Smart Lighting
3. Investigate CFLs or LEDs in municipal buildings and re-examine Siemen’s proposal
4. Use LEDs for traffic lights (work with Jim Dean to implement this)

 

3. Renewable Energy
4. Implement a PR campaign with O&R to educate people about alternative energy options such as solar and wind energy that currently are available to residents
5. Post educational information about renewable energy on the Town website

 

4. Energy Efficiency
5. As appliances are replaced in municipal buildings, use Energy Star products
6. Educate the public about buying Energy Star products via the Town website and by holding appropriate educational events
7. Suggest office policies such as turning off lights, printing double-sided etc… at the municipal level and encourage local businesses to do the same

 

5. Green Fleets
6. Conduct an assessment of municipal vehicular fleets
7. Purchase energy efficient vehicles as vehicles need to be replaced

 

6. Clean Transportation
7. Investigate and promote no-idling laws
8. Work with Rockland County to investigate a policy that new buses must be low-emission buses

 

7. Green Building
8. Encourage LEED building by offering incentives to builders with LEED certified plans in partnership with the Office of Building, Zoning, Planning, Administration and Enforcement
9. Help to educate consultants to the town, including architects & engineers, as well as principal management staff in buildings, grounds and transportation management positions, in LEED certification and environmentally responsible building
10. Re-assess planning, zoning and building codes and recommend amendments to the existing codes

 

8. Green Your Community
9. Educate the public about the ill effects of toxic pesticides on the environment and health and provide information on non-toxic organic land and turf management products
10. Suggest models of laws, programs and regulations to reduce toxic chemical and pesticide use
11. Investigate hindrances to commercial recycling

 

Ayes:              Councilpersons Maturo, Troy, Manning, Low-Hogan

Supervisor Kleiner

Noes:               None

 

RESOLUTION NO. 275                                            ADJOURNED STBM/ENTERED EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Maturo and was unanimously adopted:

 

RESOLVED, that the Town Board adjourned this Special Town Board Meeting at 10:47 p.m. and entered Executive Session.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Maturo, Manning, Low-Hogan

Supervisor Kleiner

Noes:               None

 

______________________________

Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk