Good News/Bad News at January 18 Planning Board Meeting

Let's start with the good news. The former "Scotties Garage" on Route 9D in Hughsonville has been purchased by residents of Beacon - who are fixing up the the building for the purpose of using as a personal art studio. One of the owners is an art teacher who is using the space for her materials and projects. This is not a commercial use -- and will be a very welcome addition to our hamlet.

Other good news -- we are one step further in the clean-up for Chelsea Road & North River Road property. Trees were felled sometime ago, and the project engineer came before the Planning Board to ask permission to cut and chip the already felled trees. A letter from a storm water expert will be required before work can begin, so that is being pursued. There will be no stumping and the hope is that the work can be completed by the end of March.

A public hearing for property on Ketchamtown Road planned subdivision was held with residents providing their view and concern that further subdivisions in the town will add to the already congested roads. A concern about out of control ATVs. 4-wheelers and pick-up trucks getting stuck in utility line easements was also expressed.

A March 6 public hearing for a subdivision at 271 All Angels Hill Road was scheduled.

The Bad News. The Public Scoping Session for the Downey Energy Liquid Propane Storage project at 199 Old Route 9 was conducted. The applicant's attorney explained that a Public Scoping Session is different from a Public Hearing -- a distinction that the planning board members and town professionals don't seem to fully grasp. The NY State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) outlines how a Public Scoping Session should be advertised and what materials should be made public ahead of the Public Scoping Session. It specifically states that legal notice is NOT sufficient - which is what was done. The explanation that the Town's Facebook site provided information proved not to bear out. A lawn sign was provided by the town for the site. A few residents commented on the proposed project - families that have invested in building their homes in the area and made the point that they are being asked to absorb the risk with no compensation for doing so. A resident who is a long-time volunteer fireman expressed his concerns about the ability of a volunteer fire company have the tools, water, knowledge to deal with any potential incidents. He also explained that the impact could potentially include everything within a 1.4 mile radius. The SEQR handbook explains that notification property owners in a wide area would be appropriate. The applicant's attorney asked if the Public Scoping Session could be closed and the Chairman of the Planning Board agreed. The next step is that the Town's planner will provide a draft Environmental Impact Statement to the applicant and planning board before the first meeting in February. Continued public involvement will be necessary.