MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT

MARCH 19, 1996 3:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Chair Carsky, Legs: LaMotte and

Latimer

ALSO PRESENT: Sal Celona, Dan Donahue, John

Yoegel, Marion Rose, Lila Penn,

Roberta Wiernik, Lynn Keating

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Chair Carsky called the meeting to order at 3:10 P.M. The topic of discussion was the use of water during a drought. Dan Donahue started off by stating that this law would come under the County Water Agency and Sal Celona will make the presentation.

Mr. Celona began the discussion by stating that the law was sent down in November but died in committee last year. The Law has been revised to take into consideration those businesses that operate with water, such as house washers, car washes, etc. However, they will not be allowed unlimited use. There will be restrictions placed on them but not as stringent.

Sal went on to say that the law was modeled after the New York City law. The fines have been increased this time. Leg. LaMotte asked how it will be enforced. Mr. Donahue stated that a neighbor would have to call the local police department and it would be up to them to enforce it.

The Water Agency tries to educate the public to change user habits. They would like the public to think of the intelligent use of water rather than wasting it.

Chair Carsky asked about new shower heads and toilets. In New York State it is the law for the low flow toilets and reduced water shower heads. However, in Connecticut it is not, but that does seem that is all you can purchase.

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Chair Carsky did ask how the Water Companies would feel about reduced water usage. Mr. Celona stated that everything is relevant. They would most likely raise their rates to compensate.

Yorktown and Cortlandt are the only two communities that have permanent water rates.

Chair Carsky asked what is being done about leaky pipes, especially in the inner cities. Both Mr. Donahue and Mr. Celona stated that there is a leak surveillance program and each community has their own program. The problem is that sometimes it is cheaper to have the pipes leak rather than to have to dig up the street and replace the pipes.

Mr. Celona also stated that there is a "GM" Section in the local law. This is due to the fact that GM reduced their water consumption by 40% when they were only asked to reduce 25%. Any business that did that was given extra consideration when a new restriction was put into effect.

Leg. Latimer asked why Port Chester was put on a restriction when it receives its water from Connecticut. Mr. Celona stated that any community that receives New York Water would fall into this category.

Chair Carsky asked if this was time sensitive and it is not. On motion of Leg. Latimer, seconded by Leg. LaMotte, the committee signed out the public hearing 3-0.

Chair Carsky stated that we do have a press release that we will fax to all interested parties regarding the Pest Management Committee.

Chair Carsky also stated that she had a discussion with Jim Hogan about setting up a joint meeting on how to get rid of the remaining 33% of Garden Waste out of our waste stream.

On Motion of Leg. LaMotte, seconded by Chair Carsky the minutes of February 13 and March 12 were approved 2-0. Leg. Latimer was out for the vote.

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Chair Carsky also suggested that the Committee meeting of April 9 regarding Patterns should be turned into a Committee of the Whole.

Leg. LaMotte agreed and felt it would be very worthwhile to have a Committee of the Whole. Lynn will check with Chairman Oros to see if we can be schedule that.

On motion of Leg. LaMotte, seconded by Chair Carsky, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 P.M.

(TAPE ON FILE)