MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

JUNE 10, 1997

PRESENT Chair Carsky, Leg. LaMotte, Latimer

Delfino

Chair Abinanti, Leg. Latimer, Mosiello

Delfino, Albanese

ALSO PRESENT: Supv. Harding, Ms. LeLash, Mr.

Yoegel, Mr. Hosey, Mrs. Keating

Mrs. Panio, Leg. Donovan, Mr.

Rodriguez, Mr. Sandford.

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Chair Carsky called the Environment Meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. Chair Abinanti called the Legislation Committee to order at 2:35 p.m.

Chair Carsky explained that we called this joint meeting since this matter is in both committees. However, the Commissioners are out today at a Conference and were unable to attend.

Chair Carsky stated that the request before the Committee is to dedicated the North 27 acres of Lasdon in perpetuity. Chair Carsky read the act as originally adopted in 1985.

Chair Abinanti pointed out that this parcel was to be sold and the money from the sale used to maintain the 180 acre parcel.

Leg. LaMotte stated that the County Executive put out a survey shortly after acquisition of Lasdon to find out uses for that property.

Chair Carsky felt it was important to have the County Attorney here today, but that was impossible.

Page 2 Leg/Env June 10, 1997

Leg. LaMotte asked that Supv. Harding be allowed to speak. Leg. Abinanti feels that there may be some type of deed restriction that may need to be addressed.

Supv. Harding stated he could probably answer most questions he has heard. It is 27 acres. It sits directly above Lasdon. It is presently run as a passive park. It is extremely environmentally sensitive. The area in question could hardly be developed. It is currently occupied by a small home on the property that is lived in by a County employee/caretaker of the Park. It is a largely undeveloped area. Since the County already owns the property there would be no acquisition costs and it would not change the environmental corridor. It would a great passive parkland.

Chair Abinanti stated they both seem to be north of another park. That parcel is Muscoot Park. Leg. Delfino asked the Supv. about the amount of parkland in Somers and what is his fear?

Supv. Harding stated that the fear is if that parcel is developed it would have a harmful effect on the environment. Route 35 corridor is also an area of concern to minimize the growth of that area. The community is extremely concerned about future development.

Leg. Latimer asked about active/passive uses. Supv. Harding stated that the Town of Somers has no fear that the County will do the right thing.

Chair Abinanti asked if future supervisors would come back for pilots e because there is so much parkland in Somers. Supv. Harding would do anything he can to try and bind any future Supervisors.

Mrs. Panio stated that this property is used by other people, not just Somers residents, and this parcel should be preserved.

Leg. LaMotte explained that two reservoirs are connected through this property. This is a major environmental corridor

Chair Abinanti asked if the County Executive had any comments on this site and Chair Carsky stated that he did not.

Page 3 Env/Leg June 10

Leg. Latimer suggested that we question the County Parks Master Plan to give us a cause or reason for this and we must look into the 180 acres to know which way to draft the law.

Supv. Harding had a technical questions regarding Chair Abinanti’s question on the Bond issue. The 27 acres was not funded by the bonds.

We need to get an inventory from the Parks Department on other parcels.

On motion of Chair Abinanti the Legislation Committee recessed to the Library at 3:25 p.m.

On motion of Leg. Latimer, seconded by Leg. LaMotte, the minutes of June 3 were approved as amended.

The Committee will add the Smoking Tax for Children’s Heath Needs Law to the Committee agenda and Leg. LaMotte will follow up on this issue.

On motion of Leg. Latimer, seconded by Leg. Carsky the Bee Line Buses idling in front of the City Limits Diner will be received and filed 4-0.

Leg. LaMotte updated the Committee on the Water Treatment Facility at Peach Lake and the County is awaiting to hear from the Committee - Mr. Flynn and Mr. Bruen. This is one of many lakes that has this problem in northern Westchester.

On motion of Leg. LaMotte, seconded by Chair Carsky, Item 4 regarding Cranberry Lake will be referred to just the Legislation Committee.

On motion of Leg. LaMotte, seconded by Chair Carsky, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 P.M.