Rosendale Environmental Commission

Minutes of postponed REC meeting on Feb. 3, 2005 7 pm

Attendance: Members: Michael Montella, Manna jo Greene, Joan Maylie, Beverly Keith, Ilonka Metzger; Brain Cafferty, Town Board liaison.
Guests: Rick Vandeheuvel, Deb Horowitz

Meeting opened by Manna, Co-chair. A quorum ws established. 2005 officers were elected. Rick Fritschler has resigned and will not seek reappointment to the Commission as he is focussing on the Town and County Inter-Municipal Agreement for meeting Phase 2 Municipal Stormwater regulations. Those in attendance voted unanimously to elect Manna, Chair and Joan, Co-chair (she accepted this position temporarily). Discussion re: getting new members to REC. The Commission can have 9 members with voting privileges, others may serve as volunteers until a vacancy is created..

Discussion re: Energy Expo: A maximum of 20 vendors are needed to help meet goal of raising approximately $16,000 for the solar installation project, with 100 - 150 participants. Manna will call BOCES in Port Ewen regarding attendance for the installation training. Brochures and flyers to be printed. Assignments were handed out for the Energy Expo. Lunch and refreshments will be donated by local businesses.

Creek Lock Commons update by Brian: The property will be tested in the spring for dioxins. In the meantime, the Town drinking water has been tested and was non-detect for dioxins.

Brian also expressed concerned that any new approvals for cluster housing in any area of Rosendale be consistent and in compliance with all land use laws (some of the area in question was located in the recent BAT study area).

The Biodiversity Assessment Training (BAT) report is almost ready to be presented to the Town Board; this was briefly explained to our attending guests. Manna reported that, because of work already done on the Shawangunk Ridge), it may be possible to complete the BAT study for the rest of Rosendale within 2 years. It is a huge time commitment for these volunteers. Manna will contact the Shawangunk Ridge Coalation regarding information they may already have that is relevant to Rosendale's biodiversity assessment.

Joan reported on the February board workshop meeting:n The town is in negotiation for a small parcel of land from the Iron Mountain Group, which would house the town salt supply and includes the small pond at the bottom of Binnewater Road. Joan was one of a few people who went to the Tillson school to see if it is feasible for future town offices, including the library. Studies still have to be done on this.

Manna mentioned that the application for the sewage treatment facility at Cottekill Village is up for re-permitting. The Commission may want to request information to monitor the 5,000 gallon per day discharge from this facility into the Tannery Brook, which is a tributary to the Rondout.
REC Recommendations to Town Master Plan: No word has been received on the Comprehensive Planning Committee's response to the REC recommendations, which include adding the BAT report as an appendix.

Old Business: The Commission would like to obtain a copy of New Paltz ordinance for site plan review for logging.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ilonka Metzger

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MINUTES OF REC MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 2005

Attendance: Chairperson Manna Jo Greene, Beverly Keith, Paul Lendvay, Michael Montella, Deb Horowitz, Rick VendenHeuvel, Ilonka Metsger. Brian Cafferty,Town Board liaison.
Excused: Joan Maylie, Co-chair.

Old Business:

Minutes of previous meeting approved.

REC still has a vacancy (to fill Laura Heady's seat). Manna will remind Laura to send in written resignation. Nick Mercurio, Laurie Machung and Joyce Hartsfield have expressed interest.

Energy Expo update: Vendors sending in payments and contracts; need to follow up with exhibitors who have not yet responded to finalize contracts; further contact needs to made with local businesses for food and refreshments.

BAT update: Final meeting with Hudsonia to finalize BAT report will be held Feb 9.

Deb Horotowitz will go to New Paltz town hall to retrieve tree/logging conservation laws.

Creek Locks: Testing for dioxing is on hold until spring

New Business:

Training seminars

1) Free at Hudson Valley Resort: 2 days water quality training sponsored by Ulster County EMC; Rick, Manna and Michael will go and share the time

2) Free at Snyder Estate: EMC will offer stream monitoring/water quality training
sponsored by CHHS and Caretaker's Society. Manna and Ilonka will attend

Proposals from the Planning Board were distributed for all to review and discuss at next meeting; some discussion followed to prioritize. Proposals for two service station remodeling projects were determined not to need input from our Commission. Commission will prepare environmental comments for the planning board.

REC will comment on
1) Lakeview Properties at Hidden Valley Lake{1. line 2) Aleo Family Trust multi-family residences
3) Ulster County Cohousing on Binnewater Rd.

Manna has not heard from the Master Plan Committee regarding REC comments; contact them again and try to get copies of the draft Comprehensive Plan for members of the commission to review.

Manna would like to obtain a copy of the REC 2005 budget to determine this year's allocation and plan expenditures.

Motion to adjorn by Rick V.; seconded by Michael M. Meeting adjourned 8.25 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Ilonka Metsger