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NYS Public Service Commission Imposes Landscape Changes on AT&T Wireless Facility off Lake Secor Road
PV Board moves to change small value purchasing procedures
by Edward Paul Greiff
No objections were raised at the June 11, 2008 public hearing held in Putnam Valley to review the seven sets of "Revised Minor Site Plans" and engineering drawings prepared by Tectronic Engineering & Surveying Consultants, PC for AT&T Wireless PCS LLC f/k/a AT&T Wireless ("AT&T).
Attorney Feder for AT&T explained that AT&T was "seeking relative to their fully-approved wireless facility not only re-issuance of all approvals from the Town Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals but also amendments to the site development plan, wetlands permit and special permit given the minor modifications AT&T seeks to its Landscape Plan."
Specifically, attorney Feder said that AT&T has been advised that its landscape plantings cannot have the potential to reach mature heights in excess of 35 feet under the D-line tower and 23 feet under the K-line tower located off Lake Secor Road. The height limitations he said are designed by the New York State Public Service Commission and Consolidated Edison to prevent vegetation from encroaching on the wire security zone under short-term emergency conditions.
Because of these height limitations, attorney Feder said the original pine trees proposed needed to be changes to a different species of tree, Speckled Alder, which does not grow as tall.
In addition attorney Feder said AT&T has made the modifications to the landscaping and wetlands mitigation areas in accordance with the August 24, 2006 and December 13, 2007 memoranda issued by the Town's Wetlands Consultant - Bruce Barber of Cornerstone Associates.
The Putnam Valley Planning Board adopted on April 21, 2008 a SEQRA Negative Declaration and granted AT&T's application for site plan approval and a wetland permit. In addition they recommended the Town Board approve AT&T's application for a special permit. Similarly, the Zoning Board of Appeals has offered their approval. The only outstanding land use permit is the Town Board's approval of AT&T's application for a special permit.
Putnam Valley Town Attorney Bill Zutt questioned attorney Feder as to AT&T's compliance with the Town Code and found no objections. The public hearing was closed and the AT&T application will be placed on the Town Board's agenda for their next meeting on June 18, 2008.
Also scheduled to be placed on the June 18 agenda are five new items briefly discussed during the evening. First was a recommendation to change the speed limit on Doe Road in Glenmere Gardens from 35 miles per hour to 15 mph. The Town Board will investigate the possibility of doing this however it will require permission from the State in order to change the speed limit.
Next the Lake Oscawana District is seeking public dedication and the turning over of Northshore Road to the Town. This will be put on the agenda for discussion at next week's Town Board meeting.
Putnam Valley's Director of Finance, Mariann DiSantis, explained the rationale behind the New York State Comptroller's Office recommendation of towns adopting a procurement purchasing credit card. She said the Comptroller's research showed that most purchases by towns fell under $500 but the paperwork involved and controls necessary were almost the same as much larger purchases. Through the adoption of a Debit Card the town could still have control with a fraction of the costs. Mariann DiSantis said she counted eight steps are presently necessary to make an under $500 purchase and that the Town's average purchase was in the neighborhood of $250. DiSantis highly recommended the town adopt this procedure.
Next was a recommendation to increase the Town's fees for its various services offered. The rationale behind this, said Town Supervisor Bob Tendy, "is our fees are much lower than the fees charged by municipalities that surround Putnam Valley. The Board will look into this and discuss possibilities at next week's meeting."
The last item is a difficult one regarding the official summer hours for the town's employees. According to the CSEA union contract they agreed to work ten hour days Monday through Thursday and have off on Fridays and close Town Hall. There is only one problem that no one foresaw and that is the need for the Town Court to be open on Fridays for arraignments and other court business. However, by doing so the Town would be in violation of the CSEA Union Contract. The Town Board will pursue a discussion with union representatives to discuss this matter.
The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
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