MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Tuesday, May 29, 2001
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT: M. Kaplowitz (Chair); V. Pinto; J. Maisano; G. Latimer.
STAFF: S. Bass.
ALSO PRESENT: Paula DeCaro (LWV); Hope Corbin (Intern-MK); Maureen Morgan, Edna Sussman, Jasmin Guzman (FCWC); Timothy Kilgallon (PMC-App’t.); Katherine McLoughlin (NY/LCV); Bill Randolph, Marc Fenichel (CE’s Ofc.).
DISCUSSION:
The meeting was called to order at 3:20 p.m., by Chair Kaplowitz with a quorum. The minutes of April 22nd were reviewed and approved on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Chair Kaplowitz, with a vote of 2-0.
Chair Kaplowitz introduced Timothy Kilgallon, a candidate recommended by Roberta Wiernik (PMC-Chair), for appointment to the Pest Management Committee. Mr. Kilgallon gave a brief background description of his qualifications and work history. After a brief discussion with the Committee members, Mr. Kilgallon’s appointment was approved on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Latimer, with a vote of 3-0. With the same motion in effect, the following members of the Pest Management Committee were also (officially) accepted and approved for a two-year term, expiring May 31, 2003:
Roberta Wiernik, Chair
James Grefig
William Heintz
Curtis Wegener
All appointments will be referred to the June 4th Board agenda, for approval by the full Board.
MINUTES
The next topic for discussion involved the Tappan Zee Bridge. Chair Kaplowitz introduce Maureen Morgan, who emphasized that more options need to be considered, and gave an update on the current status. She noted that the Major Investment Study (MIS) process has not officially started, but is already active in Albany, and added that there have been campaigns to stop the process – with condition requirements for Senator Nicholas Spano to agree to, if the process were to proceed. Ms. Morgan continued - expressing that she has worked diligently with the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Senator Spano in support of the concept of a commuter-rail on the bridge. With regard to building a tunnel, Ms. Morgan stated that it is not realistic. She continued, explaining the advantages of using the rail on the bridge and along the I-287 corridor, adding that the bridge is not only used by commuters, but by shoppers, also. Additionally, there are many hotels along the corridor, and there is a need to discourage visitors from renting vehicles and consider the use of alternative transportation. It was also expressed that Federal funding is needed, along with creative financing. Legislator Latimer asked about using the Board’s leverage to demand a commitment from MTA for the rail.
Ms. Morgan also noted that in the Fall, the first of five conferences will be held, with a virtual (computerized) ride on the rail – to get the feel as to what the rail would be like. The purpose of the additional conferences, is to plan the working concept, and to create a successful rail.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m., on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Maisano.