Town of Rochester Town Board
Special Meeting
July 26, 2021 7:00pm
Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY 12404
As of 7-19-2021
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
I. Call to Order – Pledge to the Flag – Roll Call
II. Resolutions
A. Open Space Institute Request for Letter of Support for CFA 2021 Application.
Recommended Resolution:
WHEREAS, OSI proposes to undertake a feasibility study of creating a major new rail trail and linear park for the entire 60-mile length of the bed of the former Kingston – Port Jervis branch of the O&W Railroad, which runs through Ulster, Sullivan and Ulster Counties from the City of Kingston south to the City of Port Jervis, and
WHEREAS, Approximately 38 miles of this rail bed is already owned by municipalities or the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and is actively used – and highly popular — as a recreational trail and linear park, and
WHEREAS, OSI will assess the feasibility of acquiring the private “gaps” in this rail bed and improving currently unimproved sections for the entirety of its 60-mile length
NOW THEREFORE, the Town of Rochester authorizes the Town Supervisor to submit a letter of support for Open Space Institute’s upcoming grant proposal to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through the Consolidated Funding Application process.
B. Open Space Institute Request for Supporting Resolution for CFA2021 Application
Recommended Resolution:
WHEREAS, the Open Space Institute is applying to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) for a grant under Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993 for a park project to be located in the towns of Hurley, Marbletown, Rochester, Wawarsing, Mamakating and Deer Park, as well as the Villages of Ellenville and Wurtsboro and the Cities of Kingston and Port Jervis, a portion of which is located within the territorial jurisdiction of this Council; and
WHEREAS, as a requirement under the rules of this program, said not-for-profit corporation must obtain the “approval/endorsement of the governing body of the municipality in which the project will be located”;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this august body that the Town of Rochester Town Board, hereby does approve and endorse the application of Open Space Institute for a grant under Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993 for a park project to conduct a feasibility study to create a comprehensive master plan for the entire length of the O&W rail bed stretching from the City of Kingston all the way to the City of Port Jervis intended to guide improvement of the rail bed and eliminate numerous gaps to maximize the potential of the trail for recreation, transportation, quality of life, connectivity, and economic development.
C. Westwind Orchard Request for Letter of Support for CFA 2021 Application.
Recommended Resolution: the Town of Rochester authorizes the Town Supervisor to submit a letter of support of the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) submitted by Westwind Orchard LLC. The Westwind Orchard Rondout Valley Marketing Campaign will use social media, radio, print and an improved website to promote Westwind Orchard as a destination for visitors to the area. The promotions will feature a schedule of weekly performances to entertain visitors and attract locals, weekenders and out-of-towners to the farm. By increasing the number of visitors to the area, this project will leverage the popularity of other agritourism destinations in the Town, including Arrowood Farm Brewery, Hudson Valley Seed Company and Kelder’s Farm. These businesses are combining with our new local dining and lodging establishments to make the Town of Rochester an increasingly attractive destination for weekend visitors.
III. Executive Session
Recommended resolution; The Town of Rochester motions to enter into executive session for the purposes of and invite Assessor Michael Dunham to attend for item i).
i) The Interview of a particular person to the assessor position
ii) Matters leading to the appointment of particular persons to the transfer station laborer positions
iii) Discussion of the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real properties
IV. Adjournment