Town of Rosendale
DRAFT
Special Town Board Meeting
July 6, 2011
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor
McDonough at 6:05 pm at the Rosendale Community Center with the Pledge
to the Flag.
PRESENT: Councilman
Robert Gallagher
Councilwoman Manna Jo Greene
Councilman Kenneth Hassett
Councilman Richard Minissali
Supervisor Patrick McDonough
ALSO PRESENT: Ann Citron, Asst. to Supervisor; Jennifer Metzger, Deputy Supervisor; Brian Cafferty, HRVR.
Supervisor McDonough announced that this meeting
was being held strictly to determine whether the Town should hire
Hudsonia as a consultant for the Williams Lake Project (HRVR) to
specifically review portions of the DEIS related to “terrestrial and
aquatic ecology and intermittent woodland pools reports”.
Supervisor McDonough made a motion to close the
public hearing on proposed Local Law #2 of 2011, Town Sign Regulations;
seconded by Councilman Minissali. Roll Vote: 5 Yes.
Councilwoman Greene stated her reasons for
requesting the Town to hire Hudsonia to review the DEIS; she related
that Hudsonia did a bio-diversity study and training of this very
sensitive area prior to the HRVR project; she took the training but does
not feel she has the level of expertise they have on this very
sensitive area or that the Environmental Commission has that expertise
either. Councilwoman Greene stated that she read 600 of the
700+ pages of the DEIS and has formulated comments on the material (she
has not provided the comments at this time); she found the document to
be very good, not perfect, it needs some minor tweaks; she feels that
for a relatively small cost ($1500)compared to other costs we would have
more information to make an informed decisions; she stated that
she has observed DEC in many prior projects over the last 15 years
where the community has come up with additional information that DEC
did not have.
Supervisor McDonough questioned what areas does DEC
have that Hudsonia has that might overlay; his big concern is the $1500
that we don’t have; Hudsonia really knows that area but what more can
we glean.
Councilman Minissali asked if there was any way that we can determine what information DEC and RCCE have.
Councilman Hassett stated to Councilwoman Greene
that she had articulated concerns did she have any preliminary comments
to present; she responded that she did not; he responded that her
expressed concerns were not enough to sway him to vote tonight to hire
Hudsonia.
Supervisor McDonough suggested that Councilwoman
Greene get information to the Board members in a few days; this would
put a time constraint on the vote though.
Councilwoman Greene verbally addressed a few of her
concerns related to : construction, blasting, central water/sewer not
septic, what the affect would be on the 2 lakes where the clustered
housing (single family, not townhouses) is to be constructed as this has
been previously undeveloped land, what would be the impact on the
forest area north and northwest; she would like to have an extra pair of
eyes on DEC and the developer; she wants the project to be a “model”
where 10-15 years from now we will not be wishing we did something
differently; her comments are due by July 12th to the Town Board.
Brian Cafferty asked Councilwoman Greene if she has
been privy to any of the DEC comments to date; her response was “no”;
he referred to Michael Fishman, a certified wetlands scientist and
wildlife biologist, as being the best in country, he has already
submitted comments/reports.
Jennifer Metzger clarified the difference between
the DEC approach to DEIS review as that the state focuses on state and
federal species and RCCE is looking at habitat not so much as at species
(looking at communities within the town); Hudsonia may do more local
review.
Councilman Minissali asked if there would be more
comments forthcoming; Supervisor McDonough responded that Carl Hornbeck
would have traffic data, the Planning Board would be providing comments,
the Environmental Commission among others.
Councilwoman Greene addressed the wastewater/sewage
review and said that they (HRVR) were comparing “apples to oranges”;
she prefers the use plant treatment systems; the Town of Wappingers
Falls just received the grant for which we had applied to NYSERDA for
the innovative use of a flocculated treatment system for which she
advocated, she admitted she was wrong on this matter.
Councilman Hassett stated that the project should
look at different systems than are currently suggested by the developer;
he thinks that Crawford did a competent analysis; Councilwoman Greene
stated that they were all competent at most.
Councilman Hassett asked Councilwoman Greene “what
can Hudsonia do in 10 hours that hasn’t been looked at already”;
Supervisor McDonough added that already covered materials have been
properly addressed; we don’t have the money at this time.
Councilwoman Greene responded that they (Hudsonia)
did their work from a bio-diversity training standpoint not the
developers; she feels we will something additional when they (Hudsonia)
are done.
Councilwoman Hassett asked Brian Cafferty (HRVR
representative) how he felt about Hudsonia doing a review; Mr. Cafferty
responded that he felt a rigorous review has already been done but he
has no problem but with only 10 hours allocated it’s not likely an
on-site visit will be done; he has a lot of respect for Councilwoman
Greene but feels a lot of time has already been spent on these
reports/reviews; DEC has quite a bit of expertise reviewing these
reports.
Councilman Hassett asked if there have been any
other terrestrial and aquatic investigations or comments; a response was
that Save the Lakes has a hydrologist and a lawyer.
Supervisor McDonough stated that perhaps DEC could be encouraged to consult with Hudsonia on “their dime”.
Councilman Gallagher commented that it took 2 years
for Hudsonia to complete the Bio-Diversity study and the RCCE wrote the
report; he had problems reading the report which had some major
discrepancies; he does not want to see just another report to be picked
apart by someone else; we don’t have the money.
Councilman Minissali said he felt he should
comment; if Councilwoman Greene feels the need for more review he would
go along as from his point of view he has no expertise; he would feel
bad about making a mistake for lack of verifying.
Councilman Gallagher added that 20 years from now
technology will change; Shannon LaFrance (Counsel to the Town) often
refers to the 2007 Comprehensive Plan; this is a document which will
changed/reviewed through time just as the 1969 Plan did.
Councilman Hassett responded that people refer to the 2007 Comprehensive Plan to serve their own purposes.
Discussion ended at this point.
RESOLUTION 07-2011-#1 Authorizing Agreement with Hudsonia for HRVR DEIS Consulting.
The resolution would authorize 10 hours of
consulting work/report reviewing portions of the HRVR Draft DEIS at a
cost not to exceed $1,500.
A motion was made by Supervisor McDonough to adopt
the resolution authorizing agreement with Hudsonia; seconded by
Councilman Minissali. Roll Vote:
Councilman
Gallagher
No
Councilwoman
Greene Yes
Councilman
Hassett
No
Councilman
Minissali
Yes
Supervisor
McDonough No
Councilwoman Greene asked if she could hire
Hudsonia on her own to advise the Town Board; Supervisor McDonough
stated that he would get a legal opinion; he also stated that he
has a good relationship with DEC, he will try to see if they could work
with Hudsonia. Brian Cafferty asked the Board to reach out to
Rebecca Crist at DEC.
AUDIT OF BILLS:
GENERAL FUND VOUCHER’S #546-620 TOTALING $31,427.13
HIGHWAY FUND
“
#161-163
“
$ 648.13
SEWER
FUND
“ #
98-105
“ $ 1,866.97
WATER
FUND
“
#103-109
“ $ 2,837.87
A motion was made by Councilman Gallagher to pay the vouchers; seconded by Councilman Minissali. Roll Vote: 5 Yes.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Greene to adjourn at 7:15 pm; seconded by Councilman Hassett. Roll Vote: 5 Yes.
Respectfully submitted,
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