Location: Coalition of Watershed Towns, Main Street, Margaretville, NY
Time: 6:15pm

In Attendance: Anthony Coiro, Ric Coombe, Bruce Dolph, Peter Friedel, Art Merrill, Michael McCrary, Mark Tuthill, Greg Vurckio, Bud Gladstone, Tom Hilson, Jake Rosa, Chris Matthews, Larry Underwood, Dean Frazier, Tim Cox, Molly Oliver, Jeff Baker,

1. Meeting called to order at 6:18.

2. Introductions – Ric introduced Chris Matthews, who is the Supervisor for Neversink, and who will be the new Sullivan County Alternate member.

3. March 20, 2016 Minutes Approval. Motion made by Ric Coombe, seconded by Anthony Coiro. Carried.

4. Update on stakeholder negotiations and 3rd Supplemental Side Agreement
a. LAP – EIS Update – No FAD or 3rd Supplemental Side Agreement. Outstanding issue is the move to the new offices. FAD delays may be due to East of Hudson issues. Land Acquisition EIS Update – Delaware County is doing their own study to determine where the possibly developable lands lie within each town. Access to utilities is a very important consideration.

b. Delaware County is using funding provided by CWC to hire a consultant to assist us in getting through our own town by town analysis that matches the City’s methodology for the first 9 steps, but then goes beyond that to examine how zoning, forest easements, natural features, accessibility, etc. impact the potentially developable lands. The planning department did a study of a 1 mile radius around Arkville, and found that of 110 parcels that the GIS analysis deemed “developable,” really only 20 of them were truly developable for residential purposes, even less for commercial purposes. Delaware County will share their comments report with the CWT and other who are interested.

c. This review will be valuable for the 90 review, but also for the National Academy of Sciences review beginning next year.

d. As of now, we only know for sure that we can change the solicitation requirements. Other possible changes will not happen until 2022.

e. Tim has details about the TLAP assistance that is available to help Olive with tax assessment. They didn’t have to go to court for 10 years, and that’s expiring soon. There is not a template for how to assess reservoirs, sewer plants, sewer lines, etc.

f. We are also advocating for the ability to trade parcels within priority areas. This is different for the program in the MOA which is for trading with a higher priority parcel.

g. Ric talked about a parcel of land that Neversink was able to get a piece of property from the city before they purchased it, on the argument that it is for the public good. They can relocate their town hall there in the future it needed.

h. LFAs can provide some guidance on what lands are needed in each community for them to be sustainable.

i. Michelle Yost also sent out an email wanting a new issue addressed in the FAD. Bruce noted that it is too late now, items for the FAD were due more than a year ago and the draft FAD is expected any day.

j. Timeline – 90 days ends at the end of July. We are interested in an extension

k. Molly will send the documents around to all the towns.

5. 2017 Elections – Jeff reported that the nomination forms will go out tomorrow. These will be followed by the voting forms.

6. Noticing CWT meetings – List of available newspapers. Will send to all official newspapers, the newspapers the CWC uses, and the River Reporter. Will also add Hudson Valley Mature Life, Hudson Valley Parents.

7. Flood Commission Reports – Larry reviewed Delaware County’s Flood Commissions. Delhi still moving along, adding in a piece regarding the current DPW facility. Andes will be rebuilding a piece of the wall that collapsed in front of the school. Funding is not available for that project until the LFA is complete. Hamden met in January, comments are still being incorporated. East branch / Fleichsmans, moving forward with Mill Street. This to move forward May – June. Arkville and Clovesville will need to be adopted. Walton – did 40 test pits, not finding anything too bad. No petroleum or VOCs. NYSEG going to relocate gas line rather than bury it deeper. This will save money and time. Walton has now reached a level 7 and will be saving 15% on flood insurance rates. Roxbury currently forming flood commission. Ulster County: Conesville nearing completion. Ashland has kick off meeting June 17th. Michelle facilitation LFA for Tannersville – Town Hunter –Village Hunter, all being done by one consultant. Lexington in process of obtaining consultant. GNH Lumber – CWC owns property in Windham for the relocation. GNH doing feasibility study now. They have an appraisal from the city.

8. CWC report – Close on property for new building at the end of the week. Will work with Planning Board this fall, break ground next year.

9. Below the Reservoirs
a. Delaware – Stream Corridor Management Plan, just completed third round of public meetings. FFMP – will expire at the end of the month if it is not renewed by all 5 decree parties. It has been extended for one year at a time for the last 5 years. This NJ will not consent, want changes that they have not been able to get. SWCD working with Pinchot Institute to get grants for streambank stabilization.
b. Esopus – no report
c. Schoharie – no report

10. Kurt Ossenfort – Contract update from Jeff
a. High quality thumb drives – Bruce will pay for these and submit a voucher to CWC.

11. Archiving status – Proposal for digitizing – digitizing is well outside the budget that we have. Still working with NYS Archives. Tim offered that the new building will have some storage space that we might be able to use.

12. Warrants(s) and Treasurer’s Report
a. Warrants:
$50 – Store Room
$103.53 – Watershed Affairs
$153.53 – Total
Motion made to Pay made by Ric, seconded by Mark. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report
Savings – $61,906.47
Checking – $1,000.23
Motion made to accept the Treasurer’s Report by Tony Coiro, seconded by Mike. Carried.

b. Dues Payment Update – we are catching up.

13. Other – none

14. Adjourn in form, 7:41