GreeNR Central Topic at June 15 New Rochelle City Council Meeting
By Stephen E. Lipken
GreeNR draft took center stage at the Tuesday, June 15 New Rochelle City Council Legislative Meeting in City Hall as Sustainability Coordinator Deborah Newborn presented Initiatives 1.1 through 1.8 for Council discussion.
Beginning with Initiative 1.1, “Green Building Standards,” the Council discussed energy efficiency standards for buildings over 10,000 square feet, the caveat being fiscally acceptable. Efficiency lighting for all buildings would utilize Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL).
On multi-family and commercial buildings it was recommended to paint flat tar roofs white or use Energy Star Shingles, reducing summer indoor temperatures 10 to 20 degrees. Bramson stated that many of the recommended changes would apply to new construction or renovated buildings.
“I paid $400 more for my own ‘green’ roof,” Newborn noted, “so costs are not prohibitive. For a tarred, flat roof, white paint costs $10-$20 a gallon; for a 10,000 square foot roof that works out to .25 cents a square foot. Within a 2.3 year payback, savings amount to $1100 a year.”
Regarding 1.2, “Exterior Lighting Efficiency,” Commissioner of Public Works Jeffrey C. Coleman said that he is looking into energy efficient street lamp bulbs and emphasized that all City traffic signals have been retrofitted with Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs.
Stressing that the even though the City accounts for just 1.5 percent of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, Newborn remarked that the City must lead the way in energy conservation. City Hall is top priority, followed by the Court/Police Building and Fire Station Number One (1.3, Municipal Building Efficiency).
Councilman James Stowe asked about grant money for City green projects. Coleman replied that Congresswoman Nita Lowey bequeathed $1 million dollars to be matched; other grant money can be used for the match. City Manager Charles B. Strome III averred that grants will be used after audits of facilities are completed.
Regarding 1.4, “Green Fleet,” Newborn mentioned that there is a hybrid sanitation truck.
Mayor Noam Bramson suggested downsizing; e.g., a Suburban Utility Vehicle (SUV) might be replaced by a compact.
Discussing Initiative 1.5, “Renewable Energy,” Bramson cited possible use of geothermal energy, since subsurface temperatures are consistent and wind power, although Corporation Counsel Kathleen Gill noted that there may be height restrictions for backyard windmills.
With regards to 1.7, “Mid and High Rise Campaign,” Newborn advocates an educational campaign. Bramson pointed out that half the buildings in New Rochelle are multi-family dwellings.
The GreeNR agenda concluded with 1.8, “Efficiency and Conservation Loans.” Once an energy audit is completed a homeowner could apply for a loan and reduced energy costs per month could exceed the monthly payments.
Council agenda continued with granting of the 14th Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to New Rochelle Revitalization LLC to redevelop the block bounded by Huguenot Street, Le Count Place, Anderson Street and North Avenue.
Exterior improvements to 5 Anderson St. must be made by July 31 and City is not obligated under MOU to acquire property by eminent domain.
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