ACES BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 25, 2025 - at Mandala School
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Aurorans for Climate and Environmental Sense Mission: The mission of ACES is to engage all residents of
greater East Aurora in implementing a Climate Smart community through education, planning, and action.
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Present: Michele Bjella, Steve Bjella, Jeannet DeJong, Ellen Moomaw, Claudia Newton, Susan Russell
Also: Nancy Cerny, Julie Hoth, Carlo Piech, Zoe Sharp, Jeanne Viger (for her presentation)
Meeting began at 6:30 pm.
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Town Clerk Election: Jeanne Viger spoke briefly about her campaign for Town Clerk. She has 26 years of
experience with Verizon Wireless administration, and is enthusiastic about applying her energies and
expertise to connecting town residents. This includes digitizing records, implementing efficiencies, and
bringing services to residents who may not live close to the Town offices.
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Tree Update: Thanks to citizen research and advocacy, it is clear that the 10’ x 10’ x 15’ “tree box” around
wires is not required. NYSEG has not trimmed trees for decades, and was willing to let GoNetSpeed create
these large “boxes” so that they would not need to be trimmed any time soon. Current efforts are focused on
minimizing damage and preserving the oldest trees.
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Repair Cafe: Sue and Jeannet were impressed with the March Lancaster Repair Cafe. Once again they had
Darren Cotton’s Dare to Repair group organize the event. There was a lively atmosphere, and results were
impressive — 450 pounds of stuff including lamps, vacuums and clothing was saved from landfills.
The group planning the EA July 29 event will meet in April - Sue will let ACES know the details.
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Climate Challenge Game Night: UB’s One Region Forward is bringing their game to the Senior Center on
April 7. Sue reported a high expected attendance of nearly 60 as compared to their originally expected
20-30. The broken moveable wall between two rooms necessitates a hard cap of 60 attendees. Steve, Michele
and Ellen M will arrive at 3:30 to help Sue arrange the tables. Ellen M. will bring popcorn and water
dispensers; Jeannet will make something sweet; Michele is bringing fruit; Del Aureo’s is supplying pizza.
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Planting Natives and Garden Club Fundraiser: Garden Club is selling $10 certificates to be redeemed at 4
(or 5) local nurseries; at the end of the season the club will receive 20% of the proceeds. These nurseries
carry native plants which can be requested. Certificates will be available at the annual Garden Club
perennial sale — May 24, 8am-noon at the new ice rink (AIA) lot (new location for the EA Farmers Mkt).
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Note that the Prairie Moon Nursery catalog offers a wide variety of native seeds and plants.
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Waterkeepers Earth Day Sweep: Aurora Town Board has okayed the Sweep on Saturday April 10,
10am-noon, and local participants will meet at the EA soccer parking lot; collected waste will be disposed of
and documented by the Waterkeepers. Jeannet reports that three EA reps will be trained as captains. Sue
will let ACES know about the event and how to register. Although official registrations will be capped at 30,non-registrants will be encouraged to come. Cleanup will focus nearby but additional people can be sent to
Hamlin park or the Tops plaza.
Miscellaneous:
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Luke Wochensky is still looking for updates from the Community Solar group.
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Jeannet will do the April Advertiser article about Earth Day and the upcoming Sweep.
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Master Gardeners (Sharon Bachman) is planning a Tool Donation at the Municipal parking lot on
May 6, 5-6 p.m. Tools will be given to Providence Farm.
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Steve and a group is working on Scoot Around June which will encourage people to walk or ride
when they might otherwise have driven. Businesses will have raffle tickets; prizes will be given out
at the July fireworks event.
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Ellen M. and Michele reported on Fruition Seeds, a business which has decided to share rather than
sell their organic seeds.
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Treasury: Balance $656.35 ; no deposits or withdrawals this past month (reported by Anita Conron)
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.
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The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday April 29, 2025 at 6 p.m. at Mandala School, 738 Main Street, EA