Conservation Advisory Board minutes — April 8, 2026 (full text)

Marilla Conservation Advisory Board Meeting Minutes April 8, 2026 I. Call to Order Chairman Jim Reichert called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. II. Roll Call Members Present:  Jim Reichert, Chairman  Dan Gerhardt  Erich Leroy  Lee Dobbins  Shane Huston  Jerel Bogdan, PE  Alissa Straus  Wendy Schoenwetter  Dan Santasiero Members Absent:  Jake Delude, Vice Chairman III. Approval of Meeting Minutes a. Approval of the February 11, 2026 Meeting Minutes Motion by Wendy Schoenwetter, seconded by Dan Gerhardt to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2026 meeting. b. Approval of the March 11, 2026 Meeting Minutes Motion by Dan Gerhardt, seconded by Wendy Schoenwetter to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2026 meeting. IV. New Business a. Battery Storage/Data Centers o Battery Storage requirements included in current code o Data Center discussion (aforementioned data has not been fact checked):  By 2028, it is estimated that 12 percent of the United States’ electric will be used by data centers  Data centers contribute to noise and pollution concerns  Data centers use over a million gallons of water, daily, for cooling  One AI search uses one bottle of water  In 2023, 176 TW of electricity were used by data centers. By 2030, it is estimated that over 1,050 TW will be used. o Motioned by Jerel Bogdan, PE, seconded by Erich Leroy, the Town of Marilla Conservation Advisory Board unanimously voted, 9-0, to recommend that the Town of Marilla that the Town make efforts to revise their codes to add regulations surrounding data centers.

o Motioned by Wendy Schoenwetter, seconded by Dan Gerhardt, the Town of Marilla Conservation Advisory Board unanimously voted, 9-0, to recommend that the Town of Marilla place a one-year moratorium on Data Centers, effective immediately. b. Deer Harvest – New DEC Recommendations o The DEC is proposing changes to increase antlerless deer harvest. These new rules would include the following:  Allow hunters to obtain up to four permits in some areas  Permit unlimited transfer of DMPs between hunters  Expand early antlerless deer hunting season in select areas  Create “Earn-a-2nd-Buck” systems (harvest a doe to earn another buck tag)  Bonus permits for harvesting antlerless deer The DEC is accepting public comment for the proposed changes through May 17 by emailing [email protected]. c. PACE – Interested Properties o The PACE program is waiting on their next round of funding for their program. CAB will continue to receive updates regarding PACE funding and update the community as more information is available. Interested community members are also encouraged to keep in contact with Rachel. d. Earth Day o Earth Day will be celebrated April 22-26 o Continue to help Councilman Dologowski advertise for the event e. Grill Site Update o Concerns regarding rock wall at old grill site. Costly and concerns regarding sinking. o Researched a large sign welcoming people to Marilla with trees o It is proposed that the bell tower will be installed on the north side of Bullis Road, across from the memorial. The bell is being lettered. o Shelter is still proposed for on site. f. Ag Day Update o Eight bands currently secured for the parade. Fifteen bands were contacted. o Currently 24 tractors registered. o Bounce houses secured with BounceNation. 20x30 structure with slides, free for use at event and a “wipeout” style structure being rented to use for no charge which will have a charge to use at the event o Two new food trucks secured in addition to Taffy’s

g. Other Open Discussion o Memorial Day  Gazebo Band Secured  Four food trucks secured  Parade at 11am that will visit the two cemeteries o Fourth of July  Working in conjunction with the Town of Wales  Parade at 2pm – more of an “anything goes” parade  House decorating contest  Carnival  Fireworks  Two nights of bands with beer tent o Town Park  Work needs to wait for when the park is opened for the season  Bat Houses o Solar Update  Two Rod and Stolle are actively being worked on V. Old Business VI. Open Board Presentations  Jerel presented to the EMC on PFAs in February  Healthy Lawns is in full swing with the County at this time VII. Adjournment Motion by Erich Leroy, seconded by Wendy Schoenwetter, to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 P.M.