Town of Red Hook Town Board
Regular Monthly Meeting
August 9, 2005
A regular monthly meeting of the Red Hook Town Board was held Tuesday August 9, 2005 with the following in attendance:
Supervisor – Marirose Blum Bump
Councilman – James Ross
Councilwoman – Sue Crane
Councilwoman – Jean Bordewich
Town Clerk – Margaret E. Doty
Also present: Deputy Supervisor William O’Neill and Town Attorney Albert
Trezza
Absent: Councilman Harold Ramsey
Supervisor Blum Bump opened the meeting at 8:30 p.m. with the Pledge
Allegiance to the Flag.
Supervisor Blum Bump read her monthly report for July.
Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich accepted the
Supervisor’s Report as read.
RESOLUTION 2005 #22
RE – Budget Adjustments and Transfers
Resolution was offered by Councilwoman Sue Crane, seconded by Councilwoman
Jean Bordewich and carried authorizing the Supervisor to make the necessary
budget adjustments and transfers.
Copy Attached
Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich that we
dispense with the reading of the July minutes.
Supervisor Blum Bump opened the public comment period.
Robert, 68 Lasher Road…as a resident of this road we are aware of people
speeding on this road and I feel there should be more signs reducing speed and
children at play. Would like to see the speed reduce to 45 per hour.
Attorney Trezza responded that Lasher Road was a county highway. They run
their own speed test and determine what the speed will be posted. You could
write a letter this is a county road and we have no jurisdiction.
Councilwoman Bordewich… I suggest you write a letter to Commissioner Murphy
and our Highway Superintendent as well as the Town Board so we can write a
letter in support.
Supervisor Blum Bump closed the comment period.
Supervisor Blum Bump said we discussed at our meeting August 8th to have a
Task Force committee for the Rec. Park Land acquisition and also a Trail
Easement Task Force. We also discussed writing a letter to the Public Service
Commission and also to Central Hudson regarding the Trail Easement.
Councilwoman Crane said in consideration of eminent domain on the parcels that
have been recommended to us as required rec. lands we need to present a need
in order for that to fly. We haven’t identified land we could use for
recreation so we decided to establish a Task Force and look for them. Spoke to
John Kuhn our sports director and he suggested two members from the rec.
commission, Robert Bowman and Douglas Strawinski and from the CAC Laurie
Husted, Little League Chairman Charles Nugent and Chairman of Soccer Club Brad
Howland. A realtor was recommended but as of yet hasn’t been appointed. Harold
Ramsey will also act as Board co-liaison along with me.
Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich that the
above names be appointed to serve on the Rec. Park Land Acquisition Task
Force.
Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
Deputy Supervisor O’Neill said for the Trail Easement we need to specifically
identify where the trail would run on one or more through eminent domain or
private landowner. We need to have concrete information for the Board, the
width of the trail and where it is going to run through these parcels. Those
who have knowledge of trails can give you set recommendations; Ruth Oja,
Howard Callies & Kim Barke.
Bill O’Neill and the committee would be working with Winnakee Land Trust and
identify the trail path on these parcels to recommend to the Town Board.
Since a letter will be going out to Central Hudson a copy of the trail will be
attached to it. A diagram of the trail will be attached to each of the
landowner letters showing the trail on their property.
Attorney Trezza from what we discussed last night the trail will run from
Route 9G to Milan Town line.
Councilwoman Crane said you are talking about a fifty foot width. I feel that
would be too wide and I couldn’t vote for it.
Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Councilwoman Crane that we
create and appoint to the Trails Task Force, Ruth Oja, Howard Callies, Kim
Barke, Bill O’Neill and to work with Winnakee Land Trust recommending the
trail on each parcel and also the nature of the trail.
Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
The Board received a copy of the draft letter that was to be sent to the
Public Service Commission from Joel Sachs.
Attorney Trezza said as we discussed last night the letter should come from
you the Supervisor. This will put the Public Service Commission on notice that
this is an on going legal proceeding being pursued by the Town Board under the
eminent domain procedure. This is the main purpose of this letter.
Councilwoman Bordewich said in this letter to the Public Service Commission
she would like it to also say please copy us on further submissions by Central
Hudson and all correspondence relating to these parcels located in the Town of
Red Hook. This was added as the last paragraph in the letter.
Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich seconded by Supervisor Blum Bump authorizing
the Supervisor to send the letter as written to the Public Service Commission.
Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
Attorney Trezza suggested that you wait to send a letter on the Trail Easement
to Central Hudson until you had the map from the Task Force.
Councilwoman Bordewich said this letter should be on hold until we have the
trail map available.
Supervisor Blum Bump would like to have a motion with the Board’s intent to
send the letter regarding the Trail Easement.
Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich seconded by Councilwoman Crane it is that we
authorize our attorneys Al Trezza and Joel Sachs to work with the Trail
Easement Committee to develop the detailed information we need to send a
letter to Central Hudson notifying them or requesting from them they donate or
acquire a trail easement for the parcels from Route 9G to Milan Town line and
that we would sent this letter after formalizing all the material that links
to it.
Councilwoman Bordewich withdrew her motion.
Motion by Councilman Ross, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich a letter is sent
to Central Hudson of our intent that we request a Trail Easement over the
entire parcel and are preparing a sketch map.
Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilwoman Crane - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
Attorney Trezza said he will contact Central Hudson’s Attorney to acquire the
full names and address of those who have contracted with Central Hudson so we
can notify them of the easements.
No workshop on the 16th but a special meeting of the Town Board will be held
August 18th at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the Conservation Easement Law and Central
Hudson.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Zoning Board of Appeals-
Councilman Ross reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals had 3 public
hearings, 1 continuation and 1 review.
Planning-
Councilman Ross said the Planning Board had a public hearing on the Bard
College/Science and Computer Center. TGS Associates, Bard College/Village Dorm
Expansion, 7 Pines LLC, Lisa Herman, Riding Stable, New Business-Steve Bear-
special permit, Thomas Pratt-site plan, Rondack Construction-site plan.
Nathan Kalina gave a short presentation of his proposal for Forrest Park to
build 14 one acre homes and donate 5 ˝ acres to the Town. This is the
Northeast corner of Forrest Park. His intent is to also put in a 2 new well
system for water.
Water Dept.-
Councilwoman Crane gave a report on the August Water District. 130,500 gallons
a day this was two week usage by Bard College. The repairs at the pump house
are being done by Kevin Bathrick. Hydrant flushing will be done August 30th
and this is done twice a year.
Recycling-
Councilwoman Bordewich reported on the recycling center. TJ Hackett has set up
an account for picking up our Freon units. Increase our cost in hauling
newspapers. Have need of large Gaylord boxes so we are looking for a new
supplier.
Councilwoman Bordewich read a letter from Highway Superintendent Hildenbrand
regarding TGS Associates/Hardscrabble Commons. After review by his office,
Town Engineer Dan Wheeler and Fire Chief Arvine Coon it was concluded that the
24 foot pavement width standard as required by Town of Red Hook Highway
Specification anything less compromises safe accommodations for vehicular,
bicycle and pedestrian traffic as well as emergency vehicles, highway
maintenance vehicles and services.
Councilwoman Bordewich said after last nights discussion a note was sent to
Wayne that we were in favor of a 22 foot width and will get with Wayne to
discuss this.
Building Department-
Councilwoman Bordewich reported on the Building Department for month of July.
16 Building Permits
Closed on 21 permits
45 Inspections
Councilwoman Bordewich said a letter had been sent to Assessor Richard Trotti
regarding our recent reassessment and grievance. He said he is working on it
and will meet the September 1st deadline.
Supervisor Blum Bump opened the floor for a public comment period.
Louis Dondero…on this Central Hudson thing what are we going to do take all or
part of it and are we going eminent domain?
About the trails, I’m not sure people are going to want people walking over
their lands.
If you need pallets there is a local man who has them you may want to contact
him.
You may want to inform the public more of your intent with Central Hudson. I
don’t want it if you are putting in a Rec. Park. It is going to be a nightmare
with the traffic on Starbarrack Road.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich the meeting
adjourned 9:50 p.m.
Town Clerk. Margaret E. Doty
Town of Red Hook Town Board
Public Hearing Conservation Easement
August 9, 2005
The continuation of the Public Hearing-Proposed Term Conservation Easement
Law was opened at 7:15 p.m. with the following in attendance:
Supervisor – Marirose Blum Bump
Councilman – James Ross
Councilwoman – Sue Crane
Councilwoman – Jean Bordewich
Town Clerk – Margaret E. Doty
Also Present: Deputy Supervisor William O’Neill, Agricultural Advisory
Committee Chairman Robert McKeon, members Craig Vogel and Beth Mead
Absent: Councilman Harold Ramsey
Robert McKeon presented some figures for comparison on the conservation
easement program looking at the risks of inaction and sprawl, Arlington School
District, Dalton Farm, Town of Beekman.
The Town of Beekman rate of development has an increase of 121.2% vs. the
county of 23.4% the households doubled. It continues to grow at a high rate
along with LaGrange it is among top 20 towns in NYS.
Arlington School District now proposes another 46 classrooms in the high
school alone.
The Dalton Farms and other large developments attributed for a significant
contribution to the enrollment needs. This once farmland now has 531 homes.
Finally the Town of Beekman develops an open space plan in February 2005 to
implement a term easement program to secure remaining open lands.
This recommendation by Pace University Land Use program, Hudson Valley
Greenway has a planning guide for develop and implement a term easement/tax
abatement program as a more short term option for landowners to protect their
land.
With this type of pressure that moving up to our town, the change can be quite
dramatic to a community, so implementing the farmland protection program will
also establish the Town’s commitment to farmland protection before we are
faced with large scale development.
One question asked was you are just showing large farm development, what about
the small farms.
Robert McKeon…what we asked will it really preserve open space, we have over 4
thousand acres of small farms that could be eligible for this program.
Laurence Collins, 58 Lasher Road…do you know the rate of increase per house
hold for Red Hook from 1980 to 2000?
Robert McKeon said I don’t know about the 1980’s but from 1990’s to 2000 there
were 400 new households.
Michael Rohatyn, 199 Feller Newmark Road…Listening at other meetings some
people in the community feel that this is a gift, I feel this is a reward for
not developing. This land is not actually being built on so it is not adding a
cost to the Town. I hope you will move on and pass this thing as a reward not
a handout.
Supervisor Blum Bump questioned a reward for what?
Mr. Rohatyn replied was a reward for not building, not requiring or costing
the Town for all the different services from the Town. This is a fair and
business way of presenting this program.
Robert McKeon said you are actually right as this is a partnership between the
public and private interest in order to preserve open space with willing
landowners.
Louis Dondero…I wish to comments about it being a reward to the older folks it
is a slap in the face. This is going to be added tax to the people in this
Town. If you are going to offer this program, than the penalties have to be
stiffer. Taxes in Red Hook is going to increase and don’t think they won’t.
A resident stated five years is like a reward, and there is no penalty you
just pay the taxes, if you break the contract than it should be a stiff
penalty. If you go with 5 years it would just be planning gift. They would
have to make a commitment to the community.
Marion Greig, Pitcher Lane…if at the end of 5 or 7 years would there be any
incentive to continue.
Robert McKeon said we do want to think about this as the program gets started.
As far as the penalties there are laws that govern this how much penalty rate
you can impose.
Louis Dondero…if this does pass I want to see an independent committee to
govern this.
Robert McKeon said those who will be involved are the Agricultural Advisory
Committee, the Planning Board and the Town Board.
Councilwoman Bordewich said the independent committees are appointed by the
Town Board.
Supervisor Blum Bump thanked everyone for coming and said the public hearing
will continue at our next meeting.
Councilman Ross said we should close the public hearing as we are going to be
making changes as we are talking about the length of time, percentages and
also the review committee.
Councilwoman Bordewich…if we close the hearing tonight at the next meeting we
discuss the changes for our final version, publish the changes and than vote
on it.
Councilwoman Bordewich said it was recommended that we vote on this in two
stages.
the structure of the program
2. penalties and assessments proposed by the Assessor that are separate from
the law.
Motion by Councilman Ross seconded by Councilwoman Crane that we close the
public hearing on the Conservation Easement Law at 8:10 p.m.
Supervisor Blum Bump - Yes
Councilman Ross - Yes
Councilman Crane - Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich - Yes
Town Clerk, Margaret E. Doty