 | MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, April 11th, 2002 Marbletown Community Center
Present: Carl Pezzino, Roger Wells, Tom Jackson, Susan Benz, Mary
Ranges, Jim Economos, Amy Moses, Karen Williams, James Reynolds, Brooke
Pickering, Dan Gagnon, Doug Wolf, Lester Cohen, Steve Rice, Lou
Cardinale, David Wyncoop, Eunice Shumalski, Fabia Wargin.
The meeting was called to order by Carl Pezzino at 7:10pm
I. Miscellaneous A. Carl announced that a Tri-centennial meeting will
be held at the Community Center on Saturday 4/13 from 9 11am.
B. Karen W. announced that April 27th is Marbletown Clean Up day. MBA members will meet at the Nibble Nook at 7:30am for breakfast.
C. Carl reported that the Community Center opening was a huge success.
Senator Bonacics pledge of an additional $25,000 and a generous
donation from Key Bank were good news.
II. Subcommittee Reports A. Community Center:
Mary R. passed out a written subcommittee report and discussed it as follows:
1. Future role of the subcommittee:
a. Issues were identified that have come up for the group, i.e.
confusion over the following: the authority to raise money (exactly
what body the subcommittee represents); the lack of letterhead and way
to sign letters; budget; relationship with Youth and Recreation. These
issues were discussed in specific terms and also as they pertain to
other subcommittees that could be in the position of having completed
their original missions.
b. Mary discussed the idea of creating a Friends of the Community
Center group as an expansion of the subcommittee. This group would
raise funds and be involved in programming.
c. Carl P. asked that the subcommittee get back together and begin
forming a new group with additional members and a mission.
2. Tom J. reported that the Town Board is still working on finances for
the community center. Information from Bonacics office should come
soon.
They are making a working list for finishing the project - FYI the
Highway department says they can take care of all on the list so far.
3. All CDC members expressed their appreciation for the wonderful
community spirit at the opening ceremony. Dave Wyncoop was thanked.
B. Natural Resources:
1. Grant application status: Fabia W. reported that the subcommittee
submitted their application to the Glynwood Center with an offer of
$5000 as discussed at the 3/14/02 CDC meeting.
2. They included letters of support from the Director of Ulster County
Environmental Management Council who can produce mapping and who has
grant money ideas. He also encouraged Fabias idea of local school
involvement.
The Center turned down the $5,000 offer and asked for $15,000. The
subcommittee has made a $7,500 counter offer. They are awaiting the
response.
- Carl P. asked about the source of funds and Fabia clarified that the
Town would be asked for $5000 and they hope for $2500 from the
Corporation for National Service.
C. Economic
1. Kiosk:
Dan G. brought up the apparent need to apply for a building permit for
the kiosk. This launched a discussion of the application process and
issues of building ownership.
a. Building Permit: all agreed that while it may not be legally
necessary, it would be appropriate and advisable to apply for a permit
for the kiosk. A discussion ensued as to on whose behalf the
application should be submitted (the Town or the MBA?).
b. Building ownership: the discussion revealed that there is some degree of confusion over who will actually own the building.
- The subcommittee members felt sure that the Town originally asked the
MBA to fund half of the building cost, and while the MBA would then
maintain the contents of the building, the Town would own it.
- The ability to move the building was cited as one potential benefit of MBA ownership.
- More discussion was had over the issue of who will maintain the
actual building itself, with Tom J. contending that the Town should
maintain the grounds around it but not the building itself.
- James R. and Tom J. mentioned that improvements to Town Hall on the
new Main Street plans could effect the placement of the kiosk.
c. Solutions: Carl asked that the subcommittee meet to establish
ownership and start the building permit process. In the meantime, Tom
J. will look at Dan Shusters plan and get back to the subcommittee re.
placement.
D. Infrastructure:
Doug Wolf reported that they are planning a meeting with Dan Shuster to
look at his series of sketches for presentation at the Library Fair.
This initiated a discussion of the appropriateness of unveiling the
drawings to the public at the Fair including the following suggestions
and concerns:
1. The need to contact 209 property owners before the drawings go public.
2. The need to anticipate questions of liability and sidewalk maintenance.
3. Dan G. suggested putting the drawings up at the Community Center.
4. All agreed to Rogers summary that the 209 owners should be invited to a
meeting in order to discuss the preliminary drawings. The subcommittee
will re-think the Library Fair idea. Carl P. asked that by the next CDC
meeting the subcommittee have obtained the list of 209 property owners
and have drafted a letter and set a meeting date.
E. Trails:
Carl promised that the Trails subcommittee report would be first on the agenda at the next CDC meeting.
1. ATV enforcement: they have written a letter to the Town Attorney
asking for help. Tom J. is trying to get law enforcement people
together for discussions.
2. Trail progress: Sheldon Quimby at UCCC says that bench maintenance
is on their agenda and a scout project of a bike rack is in the works.
There are some issues arising with regards to a Leggett road property
owner and a garage at the end of the trail and who will be responsible
for its maintenance. These questions are being addressed.
A bridge is going in with an approximately eleven foot span.
F. Emergency Services:
Lou C. reported as follows:
1. Volunteer recruitment: The subcommittee is looking at ways to
bolster membership with incentives. They will look at county and state
bills coming up on income and property tax credit.
- Doug W. asked re. health insurance as an incentive.
- Mary R. suggested that public shows of appreciation and support are
needed. All agreed that an event honoring the volunteers would be a
good idea.
- Lester C. suggested connecting emergency services with WISE.
2. The Marbletown Firemans Association is being revived. A meeting is
being scheduled to get everyone together and discuss issues.
The meeting adjourned at 8:57pm
Submitted by Brooke Pickering 4/17/02
| |
