MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, May 8th, 2003, Marbletown Town Hall
Present: Carl Pezzino, Tom Jackson, Mary Ranges, Steve Rice,
Jim Economos, Amy Moses, Fabia Wargin, Karen Williams, Dan Gagnon,
Bruce Davenport, Lou Cardinale, Roger Williams, Susan Benz, Jenn Cairo,
Steve Wood, Andy Lutz, Bob Mitchell, Amy Moses, Wayne Beckerman, Chris
Gilliland.
The meeting was called to order by Carl Pezzino at 7:10pm
Subcommittee Reports
Tri-Centennial Committee (report by Chris Gilliland)
- May 17th and 18th: Art Show at the Community Center
- July 26th: Marbletown Birthday Party and Illumination: combined event
at Town Park.
- September 13th: Fireworks bash in conjunction with UCCC 40th
anniversary. Town and College will split the cost.
October/November: more lectures
December: Holiday Gala
Open Space
1. Fabia W. reported that she and Bruce D. attended a conference on land use tools. Highlights were as follows:
a. Need for Comprehensive plan to reflect the importance of agriculture.
Need
for a preservation fund (bond) to support land purchases, easements
& farming. Warwick example of 9.5 million fund was cited, as was
orange county 20% land purchase tax.
Fabia suggested a Town Board resolution supporting open space.
Rondout
Valley Growers: Bruce reported that they are now a not-for profit
corporation. They are working on a directory and recruitment.
Bruce attended an open space seminar in Massachusetts on farmland preservation techniques.
Environment and Water
Water
Forum 4/29: Jenn Cairo reported that it was a success with about 12
members of the public in attendance. Emphasis was on the importance of
doing a water resource study. Some attendees volunteered to help on
the subcommittee. Barbara Deibler (of the DEP) is a new member.
Subcommittee tasks include: look at local towns as models, get
familiar with Marbletown zoning ordinance, review any previous studies.
The grant for the water study is moving along. The subcommittee meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7pm.
Mohonk
is starting a multiple town working group of towns bordering the
Shawangunk Ridge. The Committee will keep in touch with this group.
Steve Wood mentioned wetlands protection grants. The subcommittee will follow up with him on this.
CDC Minutes 5/8/03 cont.
Parks and Recreation:
1. Water
Access: the subcommittee has decided not to address swimming at this
time on account of liability issues. Also, water access will be
addressed by the Rosendale/Marbletown Rail Trail grant.
2. Town Park improvements: This is the main focus which includes:
Upgrading ball fields (Scout project)
Upgrading the horse shoe area. (Scout project)
A walking path along the perimeter of the fields. This is the most challenging. Dave Sheeley will be consulted.
The goal is to complete these projects by Memorial Day 2004.
2. Rail Trail: Steve Rice reported that a community work day is being
scheduled to work on trail from 213 south towards Rest Plause Rd. They
will try to get an MBA team. A bridge is needed over Rest Plause Road.
Tom will check into the Boodle Hole Road bridge for sale in Rochester.
Indoor
Pool: The College would support a pool project if the Town is involved
and approaches the County at some point in the future. The county
previously turned down a proposal by the college some time ago.
Tom Jackson reported that a meeting is scheduled for 5/22 at 7pm on the Rail Trail grant project.
Economic Development
1. Dan Gagnon reported that the MBA has formally committed to the visitor
center project.
A meeting was held 5/5 to work on contract between the Town & MBA.
2. New
CDC member: Claus Kinder (active on the MBA and visitor center
project) was proposed as a new CDC member. All present were in favor.
Public Safety
1. Traffic Count on Leggett Road: Tom J. reported for Lou C. that the
County
Traffic Safety board plans a traffic count on Leggett Road. Then the
Town Board will address results, and other roads could potentially be
looked at too.
2. Leggett Road Association: Steve Wood reported that they are proposing
speed tables at the rail trail crossings and pedestrian/biking sections of the
road (Leggett and Marcott).
Bob M. proposed stop signs at the crossings.
Amy M. suggested better signage on the Trail at Leggett.
All agreed that Recreation and Public Safety subcommittees should get together to discuss trail crossings.
Streetscape
Tom
and Amy reported on a recent meeting with DOT representative Rich
Peters, Dan Shuster & Assoc., the attorney, and Steve Rice.
2006 still scheduled for 209 work. Planning should start in 2003.
CDC Minutes 5/8/03 cont.
There
are no existing highway boundaries so land will have to be appropriated
for sidewalks. The sidewalk district must be maintained. Off street
parking is a concern.
Steve Rice reported that the middle of SR is too narrow for a bike
lane. Bike riders could possibly be routed around back of town
buildings.
DOT recognizes the historic character of SR & agrees with blue
stone & granite curbing concept. Underground utilities possible,
but the question of who would pay for it is an issue.
Special (i.e. historic) lighting is deemed appropriate by DOT.
Arts and Culture
No
report. Carl mentioned his desire to talk with subcommittee members
about possible Historical Society or Library representation.
Bob Mitchell announced his upcoming lecture at the UC Historical Society on the history of the Reformed Church, June 14th at 2:30pm.
Community Participation
1. Town
Website: Mary, Andy and Brooke attended the website meeting on 4/18.
Discussion focused on connecting two programs: the long range
comprehensive plan interactive site, and the E-Government site. The
next meeting will take place 5/13 with a presentation from Virtual Town Hall.
A request was made to the Town Board to fund a prototype page of the comprehensive plan site.
2. Evaluation of Marbletown Communications: the subcommittee plans an
analysis of information flow and communication channels within
Marbletown between Town Gov., community orgs., and the public.
3. Friends
of the Community Center: Swing Dance is planned for 5/24 at the
Community Center. Proceeds will partially go to OXFAM toward Iraq war
relief. Dance lessons will be offered at the Community Center prior.
Town Board Report
Tom Jackson reported as follows:
1. Evaluation
of Community Center programs and usage: a one year anniversary
comprehensive review of services is in the works, users will be
surveyed. This should be completed in time for the 2004 budget.
Immediate plans for the building include drainage work, upgrade of the
front exterior and central air conditioning.
2. Planning and Zoning is working with the committee on the website plan.
A draft of the comprehensive plan is forthcoming.
3. Codification project: the Town is looking at codifying laws etc. to connect
with website.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50pm
Submitted 5/15/03
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