MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT

JANUARY 30, 1996

PRESENT: Chair Carsky, Legs: Delfino, LaMotte,

Latimer.

ALSO PRESENT: Maureen Morgan, Goody LeLash-FCWC,

Carol Coggleshell, Marion Rose, Sierra Club, Roberta Wiernik, John Yoegel, Dr.

Adel and Dr. Rapoport. Lynn Keating.

Items Discussed:

Mrs. Carsky called the meeting to order at 1:05 P.M. On motion of Mr. Delfino, seconded by Mrs. LaMotte, it was agreed 3-0 that two would a quorum. Mr. Latimer was out for the vote.

Dr. Rapoport gave an extensive presentation on Lead Base Paint. The level of lead is decreasing in the environment. People are also getting smarter and realizing how bad it is for you.

80% of the housing stock in Westchester has lead paint. It is very hard to figure out the cost but it could run anywhere from $5,000. to $20,000 to remove lead paint from a home.

This usually effects children between the ages of 1-6. Last year there were 150 cases at various levels. Depending on the level, either minimal education, more technical information or house abatement is recommended.

The County has received a Federal Grant to loan money to help homeowners to get the work done.

In the last three years, 500 children who were tested had lead poisoning. Every pediatrician in Westchester is required by state law to do a blood test for lead on children between one and two, but it takes education to insure that all are doing it.

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Dr. Adel stated that we really need state legislation passed. He stated that there are bills in Albany and Mr. Latimer asked him to get us the numbers.

Contractors need to be educated and the state has set parameters for what is a lead hazard and how they should remove lead paint from surfaces.

Dr. Rapoport also stated that there is in the works a disclosure statement that a seller and a realtor must sign to let the buyer know if a lead hazard exists.

Mr. Latimer asked if there was any way to figure a cost and Mr. Adel stated that it depends on how bad it was. Each case is different. There is no set cost per square foot.

Mr. Latimer also asked what is the County’s liability in foster homes and County facilities. Dr. Rapoport did not have an answer. He did state that the Coachman went through extensive renovations for lead abatement.

There are also standards for removing lead paint from the exterior. The cost of abatement, however, is much cheaper than if a child contracts lead poisoning and the cost for their medical care.

The Committee thanked Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Adel for coming and went on to discuss other matters.

The Committee reviewed the items on the agenda. Mr. Latimer will update the committee at their next meeting on Household Hazardous Waste.

The Committee is requesting a status report from Comm. Petrocelli on the Hush kits.

The Committee would like to set up a meeting with the Administration and the Airport Advisory Board at the Airport on Light General Aviation.

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The Committee will ask the Planning Department if we need to do anything on Yorktown’s determination of Lead Agency-Yeshivah Kehilat Yakov site plan or if it can be received and filed.

Mr. Latimer stated that he would speak with Alice Model regarding the dangers of cigarette litter.

The two communications from Mrs. Carsky regarding Lead Paint were discussed at today’s meeting.

Mr. Latimer will update the committee on the year end report of the Environment Committee for 1995.

The Committee agreed that the time of committee meeting will be changed to 4:00 P.M. starting on February 6.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Mr. Delfino, seconded by Mrs. LaMotte, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 P.M.

(TAPE ON FILE)