Town of Red Hook Town Board
Workshop Meeting
June 22, 2005
A workshop of the Red Hook Town Board was held Wednesday June 22, 2005 with
the following in attendance:
Supervisor - Marirose Blum Bump
Councilwoman - Sue Crane
Councilwoman - Jean Bordewich
Town Clerk - Margaret E. Doty
Also Present: Deputy Supervisor William O'Neill
Absent: Councilman James Ross and Councilman Harold Ramsey
Supervisor Blum Bump read a copy of the resolution from Pace University Land
Use Center.
RESOLUTION 2005 #19
RE - The Town of Red Hook Support the Continuation and Expansion of the Local
Land Use Leaders Training Programs of Pace University Land Use Law Center.
Resolution was offered by Supervisor Marirose Blum Bump, seconded by
Councilwoman Jean Bordewich and carried.
Copy Attached
Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
Supervisor Blum Bump said a resolution must be passed to provide owner consent
to the listing of the St. Margaret's Home property on the NYS & National
Registers of Historic Places pending receipt of the grant award from NYS
Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and the donation of the
St. Margaret's Home property to the Town of Red Hook.
RESOLUTION 2005 #20
RE - St. Margaret's Home NYS and National Register of Historic Places.
Resolution was offered by Supervisor Marirose Blum Bump, seconded by
Councilwoman Sue Crane and carried the Town of Red Hook is applying for a
grant for the Acquisition and Development of the historic St. Margaret's Home.
Copy Attached
Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
Supervisor Blum Bump explained that the Red Hook Town Board had made its final
offer for the Central Hudson Land.
At a special meeting Tuesday June 21, 2005 the Red Hook Town Board agreed to
make a final offer of $765,000 for four key parcels being sold by Central
Hudson Energy Group, Inc. in the heart of the Town's agricultural region, an
area known as the "Bread Basket of Dutchess County". These include three (3)
contiguous parcels east of Route 9 that the Town Recreation Commission has
determined would be well suited for future ball fields and other recreation
facilities and a parcel on Route 9G opposite the entrance of the State's
Tivoli Bay properties which would serve as a key link in a future Town trail.
The Town had originally offered to purchase the entire corridor from Route 9G
to Williams Road from Central Hudson however the Town's price was rejected as
too low. The Town has made several rounds of offers to Central Hudson for
different portions of the corridor but they have all to date been rejected as
they have not been sufficient to satisfy Central Hudson.
The Town's aim in purchasing this land to control future development protect
investments already made in development rights on farm adjacent to the
corridor, provide for future recreation needs and establish a future east-west
scenic trail, through some of the Town's most significant farms to new
recreation land on the east.
Supervisor Blum Bump than read a copy of the recent letter to Eric Bickmann
concerning the purchasing of the four parcels was the offer of $765,000.
The Town awaits the response from Central Hudson no later than Monday June 27,
2005 as it is the Town's intent that if a negotiated settlement cannot be
reached prior to submission of the referendum to the Townspeople their intent
is to obtain these parcels by all legal means available.
Supervisor Blum Bump introduced Ted Fink of Greenplan Inc. and also the Town's
Planner who gave a presentation on the SEQR Law and Process.
New York's Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) act requires every state and
local agency in New York to give equal consideration to environmental
protection, human and community resources and economic factors when
considering proposed action such as adopting land use plans, subdividing land,
building a housing development or roadway, filling wetlands or issuing a
variance.
The SEQR process does not result in a permit instead it provides comprehensive
assessment of proposed actions in order to avoid or reduce significant adverse
environmental impacts while meeting the social and economic needs of a
community between local and state agencies, citizens and project sponsors.
Before any agency makes a decision to approve, undertake or fund a private or
public project it must complete the SEQR assessment.
SEQR applies to a Type 1 and Type 2 action.
Type 1 action a coordinated review is required and a lead agency must be
established.
Type 2 action will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment.
Therefore no further SEQR is required.
If more information is required you can go on the DEC website or obtain
written material from the DEC regional office.
Supervisor Blum Bump thanked Mr. Fink for his presentation.
Town Historian J. Winthrop Aldrich Chairman of St. Margaret's Task Force gave
a brief talk on what it would take to restore St. Margaret's and how it would
be used if the Town assumed ownership. He had identified at least two tenants
who are willing to rent space in the building. The Hudson River Heritage, a
nonprofit environmental organization and The Mill Street Loft, a multi-arts
educational center have expressed interest in the building.
Mr. Aldrich also suggested the Town form a nonprofit organization to over see
the operation and maintenance of the building and grounds.
Supervisor Blum Bump said she knows some work will have to be done on the
building before having tenant.
Councilwoman Crane said she liked the idea of the Town owning the building,
but would like to see it self supporting, as I don't want to see it become a
tax burden.
Supervisor Blum Bump thanked Town Historian Aldrich for his report.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Crane the meeting
adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Town Clerk, Margaret E. Doty