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Residents urge action on Climate Action Plan and raise water-quality, stormwater concerns at Mount Kisco board meeting
Summary
Residents told trustees the Climate Action Plan needs active leadership and more members to implement goals and urged the Village to address ongoing water-quality and stormwater issues, including a leaking Chase water tank and runoff from a nearby parking lot; the Village manager and mayor acknowledged the concerns and noted regulatory and design constraints.
At the June 1 Village Board meeting, several residents urged the Board to move from planning to implementation on Mount Kisco’s Climate Action Plan and raised water-quality and stormwater concerns.
Robert Liebman of Barker Street told trustees the Climate Smart Communities task force lacks a chair and sufficient volunteers, and said the village needs an active chairperson and more members to implement the plan’s recommendations. "The overall goal of the Climate Action Plan is to reach net zero emissions by 2050," Liebman said, adding that local actions and State progress on the grid will be key.
John Rhodes of Stewart Heights asked residents and officials to read the plan’s executive summary and emphasized the urgency: "We're in the middle of a climate crisis," he said, and encouraged the Board to pursue additional greenhouse gas inventories and to work toward Climate Smart Communities Silver Certification.
Theresa Flora of Spring Street raised concerns about the pagoda project’s slow progress, a reportedly leaking Chase water tank and runoff from a nearby parking lot she named as "Optum," which she said contributes salt and pesticides into a pond and local wells. Flora referenced a numeric reading of "90.1" from the water report but said she did not have the reference range to judge whether that figure is high.
Lou Terlizzi of Drake Street pressed for follow-up on camera coverage at 40 Green Street, questioned whether the three-minute public comment limit applies to public hearings, and criticized recent doubled meter parking costs and water and sewer rate increases. Village Manager Edward W. Brancati responded that cameras cover the four corners of the building. Mayor J. Michael Cindrich said that if the Optum lot had been built to current standards it would have included a filtration system; Mr. Brancati noted the Village follows State Health Department mandates regarding sodium and chloride levels in drinking water.
Speakers asked for clearer Village communications and for the Board to provide leadership to move the Climate Action Plan and related projects from plan to implementation.
