PRESENT: Chair: M. Kaplowitz. Members: V. Pinto; J. Maisano.

LEGISLATORS: K. Carsky

Staff: R. Hoch, C. Ryer, Sec’y.

ALSO PRESENT: See attached guest list.

Chair Kaplowitz called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m., and announced that we will be meeting again tomorrow at the same time, with Gina D’Agrosa, who will discuss a few matters from the County Executive’s office. Today’s meeting is a continuation of the GE Hangar proposal with input from GE representatives. Chair also noted that on Monday, November 9^th at 5:00 p.m. there will be a Committee of the Whole meeting with the full Board of Legislators, in the 8^th floor Chambers, with an opportunity for the public to be heard regarding the GE Hangar proposal.

Chair introduced Bill Harrington, Attorney for GE. Mr. Harrington introduced Paul Fleming, Richard Sismour and Ron Panek. He then submitted the GE response to the Riverkeeper from Dewey Ballantine, LLP to the Chair and distributed additional copies to the Committee members and visitors. Mr. Harrington gave a brief overview of the project, noting that the proposed hangar is 75,000 sq. ft., and is required because of the two (2) new Boeing Business Jets (BBJs) on order for GE (60,000 sq. ft. for new and current airplanes; and 15,000 sq. ft. for office space). The fleet is not expanding, the two new BBJs are replacing two existing jets, and the fleet size will remain at eight (8). With the two new jets, the fleet will be much quieter. Two important environmental benefits are to be considered: (1) the remediation of the existing dump which would otherwise cost the County $2 million to remediate; and (2) the removal of an existing roadway that is strangling the wetlands. If the project does not move forward, these improvements will not happen. An important factor is

that GE has been a "thoughtful tenant" at the Airport for 38 years, and has cooperated in good faith with respect to the hangar and airport curfews. The Airport Advisory Committee feels the hangar will be an asset to the Airport and to the County. Mr. Harrington expressed that GE can be trusted and that its history at the Airport has been nothing but good. The Riverkeeper has raised various issues, such as stormwater, as it relates to both Rye Lake and Blind Brook. Rye Lake is no longer an issue, as it will not longer be impacted, nor will the Kensico Reservior. As a result of the controls, the water quality that will be discharged into the Kensico will be a better quality. If the project does not go forward, the quality will not be as good. Because the Airport is within the New York City Watershed, GE is in full compliance with the regulations and seeks their approval on any and all projects. Mr. Harrington continued, and explained that there are issues regarding the Airport that have no relation to GE’s project. He stated that Blind Brook was not an issue, nor was it relevant in regard to de-icing fluid, and would not cause an adverse effect. The reason Blind Brook is not relevant is because the stormwater management plan presently being constructed was the subject of a DEC consent decree. Westchester County was violating a permit in respect to de-icing fluid and entered into a consent decree (Price vs. Westchester County–1997), agreeing to build the diversion system at the Airport, which was mandated by the DEC. He further explained that the issue of the Blind Brook had already been litigated and that there is no negative adverse environmental impact, and GE feels it is not necessary to re-litigate these issues. In the 1987 (generic) GIS performed in conjunction with the master plan update for the Airport, it specifically addressed the environmental impacts of the stormwater system.

Paul Fleming gave a visual presentation addressing the positive impact and how the newly designed system anticipates more stormwater flow. He explained that there are five (5) parameters that

are DEP regulated (nitrogen, phosphorous, total suspended solids, bio-chemical oxygen demand [BOD], and fecal-coliform). The requirements of the regulations as stipulated are that a development not significantly impact those pre-existing levels, which GE has adhered to. Chair Kaplowitz questioned what percentage of the site is currently a dump. Mr. Fleming responded that out of 7½-acres, approximately 3-acres is a dump area. Legislator Maisano questioned who prepared the numbers, and the response given was, the GE engineers and the NYC/DEP. Mr. Fleming added that three (3) basins were designed to accommodate the water flow that will result from the development. The discussion continued regarding the groundwater and chemical run-offs.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m., on the motion of Legislator Maisano, seconded by Legislator Pinto.

Irene Saltzburg Friends of Marshlands

Nancy Seligson Save the Sound

Phoenix Rain Bird Purchase Env. Society

Kathleen Gunn Rep. Nita Lowey

Karen & Jules Shultz Sierra Club

Nick Willis Airport Neighbor

Gudrun LeLash FCWC

Mark Sullivan Riverkeeper

Ann Cohen CWCWC

Jonathan Krast Town of Harrison/Attorney

Fedora DeLucia Somers

Hon. Ron Bianchi Supv.-Mayor/Harrison

Joe Latwin Village Attorney

Holly Bukofser Env. Advocate Comm.

John Furst Pace Env. Litigation Clinic

Dorothy Rinaldo League of Women Voters

William P. Harrington Bleakley Platt

Ronald J. Panek GE

David Warshaw GE

Richard P. Sismour GE

Paul Fleming GE