Ethics, Batteries and Funding Discussed by Deerpark Board
The Deerpark Town Board had a packed agenda for its April 1st meeting. Three Public Hearings were held prior to the regular meeting’s start.
The first Public Hearing was on Local Law #1- Moratorium on Battery Storage. This was prompted by a recent application before the Planning Board for a commercial battery storage facility. As the Town currently does not have zoning laws regarding these types of facilities, they are technically prohibited. A law is needed for zoning compliance, and to assure their proper siting and safety. These are large scale operations; the law would not impact small residential battery storage applications. The Town is looking at what laws other local municipalities have, in particular Warwick, where a facility had a fire. Resident Burt Thelander spoke and noted that some of the terminology needed to be corrected to reflect battery storage, rather than the solar wording it contained. It was passed, with the amended terminology.
The second Public Hearing was on Local Law #2, Ethics Policy. Led by Councilwomen Christa Hoovler, it’s intended to update the current law, parts of which date back to 1970. Resident Dave Ofshinsky noted that, unlike the current policy, the proposed policy does not have provisions for complaints, investigations, and disciplinary action. He suggested that these provisions be retained in the new policy, rather than having the newly formed Ethics Board draft them. Resident Burt Thelander concurred and added that it might be best for the policy to use gender neutral terminology. The proposed law will be further reviewed and put up for a vote at the next meeting.
The third Public Hearing was on Local Law #3, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for 2025. This law would allow the town to apply for funding, which is utilized for projects like water system upgrades, an ADA compliant entrance and an emergency generator for the Senior Center. Once plans are finalized, the resolution should be passed by June.
The regular meeting began with presentations and public comments.
Burt Thelander spoke for the Pathways Committee of Vision Hudson Valley. The group promotes non-motorized transportation throughout the region. Thelander talked about the numerous old railroad lines that can be converted for trail usage. They are well suited for this purpose, he said, as they tend to be long, level and connect many communities. Thelander urged the Town Board to support these initiatives.
Town Clerk Flo Santini announced that May is Bulk Clean Up Month. Residents can contact the Clerk’s Office about getting a permit to dump one bulk load at no cost.
Public Comment was next on the agenda.
Burt Thelander asked that the Highway Department look into painting lines on the town’s roads. He said that many new cars now have sensors that can ‘see’ road markings that help drivers guide their vehicle. Thelander also spoke about traffic issues that occurred during last year’s Moon Festival and asked that the Board look into how it can be better managed this year when they discuss the event’s Mass Gathering Permit application.
Grace Woodard expressed support for efforts to expand trails, as good for Deerpark. She also spoke about traffic issues last year at the Moon Festival.
Following Public Comment, newly appointed Highway Superintendent Ray Cirulli spoke, noting that the relatively mild winter went easy on the town’s road salt supply and labor costs. Now that winter is over, the department will soon begin working on brush cutting, roadways, culverts, ditches and readying the baseball fields for the season. Five new ‘Welcome to Deerpark’ signs have been placed along roads entering the town. The Highway Department now has its own Facebook page, ‘Town of Deerpark Highway Department’.
Under New Business, the Board appointed John Storms as Deputy Highway Department Supervisor to replace Ray Cirulli. Storms is coming out of retirement, having worked for the department for 34 years. A 5-year contract renewal for the Huguenot Fire Company was approved. The addition of a new fire truck will increase their payments through 2025.
There was a review and discussion on the applications from New Century for mass gathering permits for their America the Beautiful festival, scheduled for July 13 and 14, and the Moon Festival, scheduled for September 14 and 15. Jin Pang and James White, representing New Century, spoke about last year’s traffic issues and the work being done to prevent a recurrence. They said that the popularity of the Moon Festival has grown greatly, now estimated to draw about 8,000-10,000 visitors. To address this, they have been working with the local, county and state police on plans for traffic and parking management. The developing plans call for doubling the number of parking spaces to 1,200, lengthening the fee collection area to prevent back-ups onto Neversink Dr., having electronic traffic control signage, placing no parking signs along Route 209, and possibly adding an entrance/exit along Route 209. Following the discussion, the Board approved the permit applications.
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