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Open Space Plan Could Help Protect Philipstown Resources
Possible paving of Old Albany Post Road causes a stir
by Mike Turton
Anyone thinking of serving alcohol to a minor in their Philipstown home would be wise to pause for some very sober reflection before pouring that drink. With the passing of Host Liability Law at its Town Board meeting on November 1, 2007, Philipstown joined other communities in the region in adopting stiff penalties aimed at adults who serve alcohol to minors in their home. Anyone convicted under the new law faces a fine of up to $3,000 and up to one year in jail. The law has now been enacted in every town in Putnam County.
Andy Chmar seems to think some things bear repeating. Chmar, Executive Director of the Hudson Highlands Land Trust, made what was a fourth presentation of the Natural Resource and Open Space Protection Plan (NROSPP) to the Town Board and members of the public. A previous public meeting to review the plan was attended by only four or five residents. On this night the council chambers were full. The NROSPP seeks to protect a variety of resources within Philipstown including ground and surface water; biodiversity; community character and outdoor recreation. The document will soon become part of Philipstown's Comprehensive Plan. Chmar chaired the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Subcommittee on Natural Resources, the seven-member volunteer committee that drafted the NROSPP. Members of the public applauded enthusiastically when Chmar finished his presentation and urged the Board to adopt the plan right then and there. Supervisor Bill Mazucca hesitated, indicating that adoption of the plan had not been placed on the agenda. Instead, the board passed a motion supporting NROSPP in principle and in all likelihood will officially adopt it at its next meeting. Councilor Richard Shea underscored the effect that the plan will have. "I'm happy" Shea stated. "This document will change the way we do business in Philipstown. There will be sweeping changes. It's long overdue" he said, adding that it will now be imperative for future planning and zoning boards to adhere to the provisions of the NROSPP. Both Mazucca and Shea praised the work of the subcommittee for undertaking what was by all accounts "a mammoth task."
Eric Lind, Acting Chair of the Conservation Advisory Committee, followed Chmar in presenting the recently completed Open Space Index, a document which, in essence, is an extension of the NROSPP. Lind explained that the Index details twenty-seven of "the best of the best" areas to be protected in Philipstown. The Index reflects the goals of the NROSPP in identifying ground and surface water; biodiversity; community character and outdoor recreation resources areas to be conserved. Adoption of the Index by the Town Board now paves the way for replacing the current Conservation Advisory Committee with a conservation board with authority to consider how development proposals will affect any of the twenty-seven areas. Just how much authority such a board will have will be determined by the Town Board. Adoption of the Index will also permit the Town to raise funds through the Community Preservation Act as a means of protecting the areas identified in it.
To pave or not to pave - that is the question. At least it's the question on the section of Old Albany Post Road below Old West Point Road damaged by the nor'easter that swept through the region last April. The Town Board and Highways Superintendent Roger Chirico met with residents of Continental Village in July to discuss solutions, including the one favored by residents - paving part of the road in order to reduce erosion which they say occurs even after moderate storms. Last April's storm seriously affected at least ten properties. Several driveways were destroyed, parts of front yards literally disappeared and the damaged section of the road was closed for three days. At last week's Board meeting, Howard Kaplowitz, President of the Old Road Society, asked the Board to seek solutions other than paving in order to preserve the character of a road considered one of the oldest in the country. "Paving is not a panacea" Kaplowitz stated in urging the Board to also look at the longterm costs. Proponents of gravel roads often cite what they believe are lower maintenance costs associated with dirt roads. Residents affected by last spring's storm also attended the meeting and had a very different view. Robert Dee, who lives on Old Albany Post Road, told the Board that the storm left a crater four feet wide and up to eight feet deep in his driveway. After the road was reopened Dee had to wait another seven days to be able to get off his property. "It cost me nine thousand dollars to be able to get out of my home" he said. Ironically, Dee, who favors paving, has been a member of the Old Road Society. "I'm all for history" he said, "But consider this my resignation from the Old Road Society." Supervisor Bill Mazzuca underlined that people living on Old Albany Post Road "have suffered greatly and not just from that storm. This is going to be resolved" he said emphatically, adding that he hoped all parties could work together without "butting heads." "If there are alternatives (to paving) we will explore them," he concluded. Chirico pointed out the severity of the problem and the need to deal with it quickly. "This is like a bomb ready to go off. We should meet down there in Continental Village right away and have all parties involved." Chirico said.
Despite their frustrations, residents of the road have praised the Town Board for being open to their concerns. Dee summed up their thoughts, saying "We want to thank the Board for listening. It's unusual these days for politicians to listen." The Town Board plans to schedule a date for an all-parties meeting to be held in Continental Village.
In other business, Peter Convery, Putnam County Under-Sheriff, addressed the Board regarding the possibility of having a deputy assigned to Philipstown to deal with traffic and safety problems caused by trucks using Route 9D after coming off Bear Mountain Bridge. Walt Thompson of 'Keep Putnam Beautiful' also made a presentation about that program's efforts to reduce trash along area roads and he urged the board to increase fines for littering. The Town is very close to signing off on an agreement with The Open Space Institute for transfer of the Glenclyffe property to the Town. The Philipstown Recreation Center is located on the property. The only issue remaining is for the Town to resolve funding obligations for the entrance road. The agreement may be finalized at the next board meeting.
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