Month of Febuary...
Sager announces town hall meetings
Elaine wrote to tell us that:-
Sullivan County District One Legislator David Sager announced today he will begin holding Town Hall meetings in each of the towns within his district, on a rotating basis.
“I honestly believe that the best way for constituents to be heard is to be available in the communities, in an open environment where they can come and voice their opinions and ask questions about ongoing or upcoming initiatives or legislation,” said Sager.
Sager will conduct these Town Hall meeting one-half hour prior to the Town Board meeting, and has scheduled to rotate these meetings so that he will be meeting in a different town within the district each month, but will still be meeting in each town at least three times a year.
For February Sager will be at the Town of Bethel Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 28. For March, he will be at the Town of Cochecton Hall at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12. For April Sager will be at the Town of Delaware Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, and for May he will be at the Town of Tusten Hall on Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m.
“I encourage all District One residents to come out and visit with me during these Town Hall meetings. I know that many county residents can’t get to our committee and full board meetings in Monticello, and this is my way of not only bringing that news back to my constituents, but is also my way of increasing my own accessibility within our communities,” said Sager.
Posted By CmdrChaos
Empire is abandoning casino plans
BrownSue wrote to tell us that:-
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe says it has been notified by Empire Resorts of its intention to abandon the Mohawk’s Catskills casino project at Monticello Raceway.
Posted By CmdrChaos
Conservation Advisory Council, 2/4/08
This was the first meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council. All nine members were present, along with Dr. Bill Pammer and Heather Jacksey from Sull. Co Planning Dept, Ben Johnson, Town Supervisor, and Ed Jackson, Chairman of the Planning Board. apologies to anyone I missed.
Dr. Pammer spoke about the scope of the Councils work, and that it was outlined in GML (General Municipal Law) 239. To condense this part of the meeting, the role of this Council is to provide the Planning, Zoning and Town Boards with data they need to arrive at decisions which affect the environment, and, therefore, on our quality of life. While our agenda would be set by the requirements of the above mentioned Boards, we could also bring projects to the Boards, making sure all are informed in the form of a letter to all. The Town Board is, as we know, "the decider" per home rule. On projects that have county/state impact, ie, being on a county or state route, or near a county facility, the counties recommendations, made via a 239 review, can be overruled by a majority plus one vote by the Town Board. In practice, our Planning Board completes the 239 review on appropriate projects, and follows any recommendations they get back from the County Planning Dept.
We will also be expected to have a designated liason with other Boards, and who would attend attend their meetings, and the Council will also act as liason with DEC (Dept of Environmental Conservation)
Some examples of projects for this Council include: open space inventory (the County is doing this as well), look at flooding issues, and Flood Management Plans, list Environmental Risk areas, such as wetlands, flood plains...Resources were discussed, such as Soil and Water, Agricultural Protection, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the County Planning Department. We can create committee with some non members who have interest and expertise for specific projects.
Our basic tools will be the Comprehensive Plan, the Tusten Zoning book, Maps of the township and Town Land Use Law.
Each member spoke about who they were and why they had volunteered for this Council. Ben Johnson asked that we appoint a Chairman, and a Secretary, since these people will need to be approved by a resolution of the Town Board. No one was jumping at these positions, so the filling of these jobs was deferred until we decide by E-mail or at our next meeting.
To the best of my memory, our next meeting was scheduled for Monday, February 25 at 7:30PM, with plan to continue to meet on the 4th Monday of the Month unless there is nothing on the agenda, or we decide on another day and time.
By Major Chaos
Tusten Town Board meeting Feb 11, 2008
Lew Meckle, winner of the contested seat on the Board, was not in attendance. Barbara Buckman, who lost the nomination for the Board in the Democratic caucus, was there, in her capacity as Deputy to the Town Supervisor. Go figure.
Minutes were accepted, Correspondence read. Division reports given. Upper Delaware Council rep reported that the new NPS Director seems very cooperative. He reported NYRI (poweline) shift from the River Valley route to the Marcy South route, and raised the question "are we (the town) opposed to the construction of a powerline following the Marcy South route?" MY NOTE: Congressman Hinchy and all other groups remain opposed.
Regarding our Cell Tower, it was reported that an agreement has been signed, and the permitting process begun. The tower will be erected on municipal property, next to the Town Barn. Chris raised the question of zoning, and while the R-2 zone does not allow cell towers, this can be waived because of the municipal location and because the tower will serve the Town's emergency services.
Two public hearings were set; they both relate to routine business. Bids were opened on the McHugh Road bridge construction project (10 Mile River), and contract was awarded to Werle Enterprises. The agenda included quite a few other items. I refer you to the minutes for details.
TWO IMPORTANT MOTIONS;
A committee to address Zoning changes as a result of the updated Comprehensive Plan was approved, and the members are: Ed Jackson, Ken Baim, Carol Coney, Tony Ritter, Ben Johnson, Lisa Dowling, and Dave Sparling (Code Enforcement). With the exception of Carol Coney, all members are town officials. Also, Dr. Pammer from Sullivan County Planning will serve as advisor. No one from the Conservation Advisory Council was included, but I will try to attend most of these meetings and keep you informed of the dates/times. The decisions made will determine the zoning law for a long time. the committee's meetings are open to the public.
A School Committee was formed, including Board members Carol Wingert, and Eileen Falk. They were charged with tracking information regarding the Narrowsburg Central School building, and acting as liason between the Town Board and the School Board and Administration. I think they would welcome support from anyone interested in attending School Board meetings. The Town's goal is to keep the school building open as an educational institution, which is the primary use designated in the Comprehensive Plan.
The Public Hearing (s?) were set for just prior to the next Town Board meeting on March 10. NOTE: NEW TIME OF TOWN BOARD MEETINGS IS 7:00PM.
Public Comment; I reminded everyone of the Conservation subdivision training on Feb 21, 2008, and announced the Delaware Highlands Conservancy's new Sullivan County office. I updated the Board on the meeting of the Conservation Advisory Council.
By Major Chaos
Tusten Planning Board meeting Feb 18, 2008
There were no public hearings and no new business. In addition to members of the Board, the attendees included Tony Ritter, Chairman of the ZBA, and Chris and I. The minutes were read and accepted. Correspondence was read.
There was a discussion of the existence of "illegal" subdivisions, which can occur if a developer bypasses the Town Boards, and goes directly to NYS. I don't know how this works, so I can't explain it. It seems to be that it would be the Sullivan Co Planning Department head, William Pammer, who would be responsible for addressing this problem. He is aware of it, and I'm sure he will be questioned about it when he shows up to assist in the re writing of our Zoning Law.
There was an informal discussion of where to locate the still planned Narrowsburg Farmers Market.
The meeting was adjourned early. Two other people came late, just as the meeting was closing.
By Major Chaos
Narrowsburg Central School Building Reminder
As noted in the Town Board minutes, Carol Wingart and Eileen Falk have been appointed by the Board to start a dialogue with the School Board. However, anyone who is interested can volunteer to attend school board meetings and report to this website, offer to help Carol and Eileen, or attend the fiscal committee that is currently working on Sullivan West finances. This issue of this building will also come up when the zoning committee meets, and members of the public can attend those meetings as observers.
By Major Chaos
Conservation Subdivision training and dates of trainings offered in March
I attended a training on the topic of Conservation Subdivisions sponsored by Sullivan County Planning and presented by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy. It was excellent. . The training was well attended, the information pertinent, and clearly explained, and the time for Q & A got into how this sort of thing would actually work in the many towns represented. Apparently, the most recent subdivision at Woodloch was planning this way, with a conservation easement, and "sold like hotcakes" I spoke to a guy who is on the Planning Board in Rockland, and he said they put a provision for such a plan in their zoning law, and it has worked very well, saving much hassle with a development that impacted the Neversink River.
Trainings in March include:
Adopting and Amending Zoning Planning and Zoning Case Law, presented by the Department of State on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at the Fallsburg Senior Center. 6:30 Pm to 8:30 PM
By Major Chaos