Town of Rochester Town Board held a Special Meeting on July 26, 2021 at 7:00pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY 12404
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
Supervisor Baden opened the meeting and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
PRESENT:
Councilwoman Erin Enouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt Councilman Adam Paddock
Supervisor Michael Baden Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg
Attorney Marylou Christiana ( 7:20pm)
RESOLUTIONS:
OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR CFA 2021 APPLICATION:
Resolution # 230-2021:
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt;
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 Orange, 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.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
Discussion: the Board discussed and clarified what the grant was about.
Councilwoman Enouen clarified that this resolution is endorsing the study as the first step, we are not giving permission to proceed with what the studies that are found.
Supervisor Baden stated this will help close the 2 mile gap we have in Rochester.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
OPEN SPACE INSTITUE REQUEST FOR SUPPORTING RESOLUTION FOR CFA 2021:
Resolution # 231-2021:
A Motion was made by Councilman Paddock;
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 Deerpark, 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.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
Discussion:
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
WESTWIND ORCHARD REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR CFA 2021 APPLICATION:
Resolution # 233-2021:
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt that 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.
Second: Councilman Paddock
Discussion: Councilman Hewitt clarified what the CFA grants are and one of the grants available are marketing. This marketing campaign grant will help support economic development.
Councilwoman Enouen stated that this grant is for $ 50,000 and she has a business relationship with Westwind Orchard and will be abstaining from the vote.
Aye: 4 nay: 0 abstain: 1- Enouen motion carried
AUTHORIZING SUPERVISOR TO SEND LETTER OF SUPPORT:
Resolution # 234-2021:
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt authorizing Supervisor Baden to send 3 individual letters of support for of the Consolidated Funding Application for the following;
1. Granary Project
2. Open Space Institute
3. Westwind Orchard
Second: Councilman Paddock
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen to enter into executive session at 7:33pm 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
Second: Councilman Paddock
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt to reconvene the meeting at 9:44pm with no action taken nor monies expended.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt to adjourn the meeting at 9:44pm.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen motion carried
RESFECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK