[PAGE 1]
Village of Pelham Sustainability Advisory Board/ Climate Smart Communities Task Force
Meeting Notes – April 9, 2026
Attendees:
Allison Anderson (Chair), Divya Bendre, Adam Levenson, Brian Papa, Liza Schaeffer, Carole Upshur
Overview & Framing: The meeting opened with a review of the SAB’s advisory role to the Board of Trustees and its
three-pillar framework:
● Environmental Stewardship – Protect natural resources and reduce climate risk
● Social Well-Being – Enhance public health, safety, equity, and quality of life
● Economic Vitality – Support fiscal responsibility, local economic activity, and long-term cost savings
The SAB will function as both a technical and community-facing advisory body, advancing initiatives that deliver
co-benefits across climate, health, community connection, and cost savings.
Strategic Priorities
1. Strategic Priority 1. Advance Village of Pelham Natural Resource Inventory Recommendations and CSC
Silver Certification. Advise the Board on implementing the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI, 2025)
recommendations in ways that also support NY State Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Silver certification.
2. Strategic Priority 2. Research and Recommend Flexible, Accessible Public and Community Spaces. Research
and provide recommendations for public realm and community spaces, including potential gathering areas
for seniors and teens, informed by community consultation, peer-municipality best practices, governance,
and cost analysis, and aligned with pedestrian- and eco-friendly design and local economic vitality.
3. Strategic Priority 3. Prepare Documentation and Assist with Grant Alignment and Community Partnerships
for Sustainability Projects. Develop materials to maximize NY State CSC scoring opportunities and position
the Village to secure funding, technical support, and incentives for sustainability projects. Identify
community partners for partnership and sustained engagement.
Structure & Workstreams: All members will collaborate at monthly meetings and work in the following
workstreams between meetings:
● Environment Workstream: Divya, Adam, Carole
● Public Spaces Workstream: Brian, Liza
● Chair Role: Coordination, partnerships, Board alignment
Key Workplan Highlights (Next 6 Months)
Environment Workstream
1. CSC Gap Analysis (Lead: Carole)
● Assess current Bronze-level actions vs. Silver
requirements
● Identify high-impact, achievable actions
● Goal: Present recommendations to the Board by Sept
2026 (if not earlier)
2. Pelham-wide Liberty Tree Planting Initiative (Lead: Adam)
● Identification of planting needs based on upcoming Town
of Pelham-led tree inventory
● Coordinate with Town, Village of PM, PUFSD, and
community groups (EcoPel, PPGS, Pelham Tree Conservancy)
● Align with 250th anniversary (joint communications launch July; plantings in October)

[PAGE 2]
3. Circular Village Campaign (Lead: Divya)
A well-coordinated circular VOP campaign would help a resilient ecosystem by slashing municipal disposal costs
and methane emissions, while simultaneously restoring soil health and biodiversity, protecting local air quality and
quiet through electric landscaping, and strengthening social well-being by fostering a culture of resource sharing
and environmental stewardship. Focus areas:
● Reducing waste-related costs (VOP tipping fees),
○ Leaf bins, leaf mulching + “leave the leaves” for soil health
○ Tech + Textile recycling + donation pathways
○ Food composting through VOP food scraps and backyard composting
● Promoting electric landscaping (“green zones”), working with Sustainable Westchester for landscaper
education (compile, promote list of landscapers that use electric equipment, mulch leaves, Healthy Yards)
● Near-term opportunities:
○ VOP SAB will lead a community clean-up north of the train station on April 25, 9-11am (Adam)
○ Engage residents through action-oriented education and promotion of food scrap bins, compost
bins, leaf bins, etc. at the Town of Pelham Community Service Day (May 16)
● Consider improving resident awareness of recycling and disposal guidelines by including recycling, tech
disposal, sustainability guidance in forthcoming Village mailers
Public Spaces Workstream
Focus: More connected, inclusive, and safer public spaces (some link with pedestrian safety). Ideas under
exploration (focal points TBD):
● Village-wide park mapping (digital + physical signage); potential link with VOP Council on the Arts
● “Pelham Loop” safe running/walking route
● Research best practices for accessibility and inclusive, multi-use design for inputs into Woodland Park
improvements, led by Junior League of Pelham through VOP DASNY grant
● Research potential Highbrook corridor safety and access enhancements to be executed concurrently with
forthcoming stormwater work, utilizing the pre-funded construction footprint to deliver improvements at
zero additional infrastructure-tearing cost (traffic calming, bike access, safer station connections)
Community Engagement: All SAB projects will include a public-facing component, with a focus on:
● Clear communication of benefits
● Resident action and participation
● Partnerships with local organizations
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
● Earth Month activities (4/25 clean-up) and communications from VOP (email) and SAB (Facebook)
● VOP SAB table at Town Community Services Day: May 16
● VOP SAB table at Farmers Market (May–October)
● Liberty Tree initiative (July–October)
● Pumpkin Smash (November)
Next Steps: Before the next meeting, SAB members will:
● Refine priority activities
● Identify key information needed and stakeholders/ community groups/ others to engage
● Explore opportunities for early, visible wins