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Philipstown Begins Improvements at Glenclyffe
Residents unhappy with Entergy's tower location
by Mike Turton
Human emotion at meetings of locally-elected bodies in this area is generally limited to anger, frustration and tension - usually over such matters as taxes, budgets and property rights. But when Philipstown supervisor Bill Mazzuca, voice choked with emotion, read a proclamation at last week's Town Board meeting, honoring his lifelong friend and Town resident William "Hawkeye" Merando for his many years of service to the community, it was a moment of great sadness, loss and at the same time, profound appreciation. Merando, who died earlier this year, served the residents of Philipstown in numerous capacities including as mayor of Nelsonville and as Cold Spring's Superintendent of Highways. His wife, Town Clerk Tina Merando, accepted the proclamation saying quietly that, "He would be very honored." It was a very poignant moment, reminding everyone present that communities like Philipstown are not just about taxes and budgets but rather are about the people who contribute to life in them.
At the meeting the Board approved a five-year Policy and Procedure Document for Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping as it enters the second phase of its storm water management program. Councilmember Richard Shea reported that he and Bob Repetto, recently appointed to the Conservation Advisory Committee, are currently conducting outfall mapping with the aid of a GPS unit. Shea indicated that doing the work in-house will save the Town money. "We wish this was a funded mandate, but like most mandates that come down from New York State, it is unfunded," Shea stated
The Town approved a low bid of $272,974 for the construction of a new entrance road at Glenclyffe, site of the Philipstown Recreation Center. The new road is required as part of an agreement for transfer of the 22-acre property from the Open Space Institute (OSI) to the Town. "This is something we understood right from the start," commented supervisor Bill Mazzuca. "It would be nice to use the money somewhere else but that's the way it is." The Town also must reimburse OSI $129,000 for other expenses incurred along with basic property upgrades such as fencing and security gates. The Town Board approved bond funding in the amount of $450,000 to be paid over a five year period. Richard Shea emphasized the value of the project stating that, "People in the community need these recreation programs. The property is worth millions and we could never afford it."
Bill Mazzuca reported that ten units of affordable housing will be included in the Quarry Pond development as a means of attracting and keeping young families in the area. Affordable housing is recommended in the Comprehensive Plan and the Town Board was insistent that it be part of the new development. A lottery system will be used to award the units. Emergency service volunteers, town employees, school employees and local residents will be eligible to take part in the lottery.
Garrison resident Joe Regele asked the Town Board if audited financial statements had been received from the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department for 2007. A year-end financial statement had been received and that audited statements must be submitted no later than one hundred and eighty days into the new year, roughly by the end of June.
The dispute and confusion continued over zoning of a used car lot operated by Garrison Contracting on Route 9 across from the Stadium Restaurant. The Town has maintained that eighty percent of the property is zoned residential with only twenty percent being zoned for business uses. Kevin Jones, owner of Garrison Contracting, attended the meeting and stated that not only was that incorrect but that a Putnam County Supreme Court judge had recently ruled that all of the property is zoned for business use. The matter was referred to the Town Engineer and Planner and will be addressed at a workshop in the near future.
Bill Sadler, a resident of Avery Road, spoke on behalf of a group of residents upset by the actions of Entergy, operators of Indian Point nuclear power plant. Sadler reported that one year ago, while he was away, Entergy erected a steel tower on his property without giving any notice. He went on to explain that three weeks ago, the tower, which houses a siren as part of the Indian Point warning system, was taken down because it had begun sinking into what he described as a wetland. The morning of last week's Town board meeting, workers arrived in front of his house and began to install concrete piers as a foundation for a new tower. Sadler, who had a surveyor verify that the original tower had been placed on his property, confronted the workers and told them they could not proceed with the work. While the new tower was being put just outside his property line, Sadler's response was, "I think not." Citing safety concerns, Sadler stated that common sense alone made the location inappropriate for a tower due to the winding and sometimes icy roads in the area.
Frank Madero, an engineer contracted by Entergy to supervise the erection of the towers, apologized to Sadler for placing the tower on Sadler's property, stating that it is often difficult to determine property lines. Madero indicated that the tower is one of 165 being erected as part of the extensive warning system. He suggested that the road's stop sign could be mounted on the tower itself. That idea was not well received by residents in attendance. Richard Shea pointed out to Madero that Roger Chirico, Town Highway Superintendent, had been given only two days' notice when the first tower was erected and that neither the Town nor residents had been given sufficient notice this time either. He also said that the tower was completely out of character with the area. When pressed by residents, Madero indicated that the tower could be put "basically anywhere along the length of Indian Brook Road." Madero said that FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, dictates the location of the towers, based on public safety needs. When he said that only one other tower in Putnam Valley had to be erected, supervisor Bill Mazzuca suggested that perhaps both towers could be put there, much to the delight of those in attendance. Mazzuca advised Madero that nothing should happen on the site until the matter was discussed at a workshop to be held on Wednesday, April 16.
A donation of $300 was approved to support Nelsonville Fish and Fur's annual Kids Fishing Day. A longstanding spring tradition, this year's event will take place on Sunday, May 4 at the reservoir on Fishkill Rd. The reservoir will be stocked with trout and free hotdogs and soda will be available to participants. The Town Board also passed a resolution honoring Michael Saccomanno for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
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