Location: CWC, Main Street, Margaretville, NY
Time: 6:15pm

Present: Anthony Coiro, Ric Combe, Bruce Dolph, Peter Friedel, Art Merrill, Michael McCrary, Mark Tuthill, Greg Vurckio, Tom Hilson, Bud Gladstone, David Kukle , William Friedel and Mr. Baker, Esq.

Others: Linda Bull, Shelly Johnson, Alan Rosa, Arron Bennett, Michelle Yost, Tim Cox, and Blakeslee

1. Call to Order – 6:12.
Bruce welcomed everybody. Jeff read over the election results. Bruce and Jeff went over the importance of all members including the alternates to attend all meetings.

2. September 18, 2017 Minutes Approval – Motion to approve Ric Coombe, second by Tony Coiro. Passed.

3. Shelly Johnson Presentation – Shelly used the Town of Hamden Build Out Analysis to explain the commonalities she is finding in all the towns to show that 91% of the land in the Town of Hamden will always be open space. (See attached) There are an average of 2 building permits per year for the Town of Hamden. By the year 2030, there will only be 34 new building permits. Another problem she cited is that if you tell the town to move 10 houses and say 4 businesses to reduce flooding, there is no place to move them to. For the future of the hamlet of Hamden, there are only 265.25 acres of developable land to the end of time. If the city continues to acquire land, the future of developable land worsens. Because of the pressure brought about on real-estate priced in the watershed, our children and grandchildren won’t be able to build their own homes or businesses. She used the same methodology for all the communities in Delaware County. The results are about the same. These comments will be sent in to the city by October 30th. Alan Rosa reported that the Chazen Companies did Developable Lands Analysis for the Towns of Ashland, Halcott, Hunter, Jewett, Lexintgton, Denning, Olive and Shandaken. The percent of total developable land for these towns are consistent with Shelly’s percentages. Bruce followed up Shelly’s presentation by stating how important this data is. 1. Land Acquisition is not in the best interest of the County. 2. It leaves no future for the community. 3. People will leave, thus losing the town’s tax base and finally, we need developable land for new businesses to come in and build.

4. Linda Bull-NYS Archives – It will be a work in progress. What the CWT has now in storage is only a portion of the whole picture. We need to include the operating records as well. It was suggested that the Board look into adopting a Retention Schedule. Jeff will look into this. That would be the first step. Once this is done, we could apply for a grant called Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund. This grant could be used for 1. Hire part timers to inventory the archives 2. Purchase acid free boxes for storage and, 3. Shelving. This is all based on if we move the inventory to the new CWC building once it is built.

5. Comment/White paper meetings –Environmental group meeting. Jeff reported that a presentation was given on the build out analysis stating our concerns. We received feedback from the environmental groups which was positive and supportive. The riparian buffer and easements were discussed and how they impact us. Instead of a one a time payment, under the ag conservation easement program to landowners which doesn’t get passed on to subsequent farmers there is less of an incentive to farm. The 1st landowner gets the financial benefit where the subsequent landowner gets none. This can impact the ability to purchase a farm and successfully farm. Given that some farmers will not participate in the easement program. Under an incentivized lease program such as CREP for a fixed number of years it would benefit all landowners, similar to the CREP program while protecting water quality. Have the lease continue over time (50 years) and this would protect the buffer. If we can get the city to refocus their land acquisitions, we will see support from the environmental groups.

6. Update on FAD and 3rd Supplemental Side Agreement – Jeff reported that the side agreement is initially done. They are putting the final document together. Jeff will present it at the next CWT meeting in November. In the meantime, he is suggesting that they put forth a resolution for Bruce Dolph to be the CWT representative for signatory of the side agreement since he has been involved from the beginning even though he is no longer the chairman. Motion to have Bruce be the CWT representative – Tony. Second by Art. Passed.
Jeff also reported that comments went in on the draft FAD, but he has not heard any response yet. Bruce stated that direct comments have been made on certain topics which make it more difficult to review. For example, they are picking apart the bike trail located in Green County. Jeff stated that there has been a lot of confusion regarding the trail. He plans on having a few meeting with all parties involved to get everyone on the same page.

7. 2017 Elections- New members. 1. Pat Davis-Alternate-Delaware County. 2. David Kukle-Regular member-Green County. 3. William Federice-Regular member- Schoharie County. 4. Lester Parker-Alternate-Schoharie County. 5. Drew Boggess-Alternate-Ulster County.
Election of Officers:
a. Chairman: Art Merrill nominated Mark Tuthill. Mike McCrary nominated Anthony Coiro.
Secret ballot was done. (Mark Tuthill – 5 votes) (Anthony Coiro – 4 votes). Mark Tuthill is the new Chairman.
b. Vice Chairman: Peter Friedel nominated Anthony Coiro. There were no other nominations. All were in favor by hand vote.
c. Treasurer: Mark Tuthill nominated Bub Gladstone. There were no other nominations. All were in favor by hand vote.

8. Flood Commission Reports: Arron Bennett gave a brief report for Ulster County. Shandaken Flood Commission met with DOT concerning a bridge that is not in use to be removed. CWC provided funding for this project and is expected to be done next year. The bigger issue is on Rt. 28, the bridge by the Emmerson Resort. The bridge will be replaced with a much larger span by DOT in 2019-2020. This was a big ticket item in the LFA. The Town and DOT would like to know what each other’s plans are. The town of Shandaken Allen area: The LFA should be done by December
Town of Olive: The LFA is done. A resolution was passed for a flood buyout of a building by the Boiceville Market. Also, the firehouse is a #1 priority for relocation. There is a land owner on Rt. 28 by Fabulous Furniture that is willing to subdivide his parcel for the potential to move the firehouse there.
Michelle Yost reported. Please see attached.

9. CWC report – Tim Cox reported that the Local Technical Assistance applications are available for sustainable communities. Funding up to $20,000 per town that has an LFA is available. Applications are due by December 31, 2017.
Alan Rosa reported that there is a building in the Town of Jewett that is going to be tore down that CWC is paying for. The building is hanging over the river which makes for a complicated project. They hope to have it down by November.
Flood Anchor applications. There are several applications that have been submitted for the anchoring of propane and fuel oil tanks. Bruce stated that we need to spread the word. One of the main problems during the flood was gas/oil tanks floating down the river. Anchoring the tanks in basements are very important too.

10. Below the Reservoirs – Art Merrill reported that the decree parties are working on the FFMP. Four of them have signed, Penn. has not signed yet but they are close.
a. Delaware – Tailwaters Stream Corridor Management Plan will be having their final round of public meetings in November. Completion of the plan will be the end of December.
b. Esopus
c. Schoharie

11. Warrants(s) and Treasurer’s Report
a. Rick moved to accept the Treasurer’s report and pay the warrants. Art second. Passed
i. Warrant amount approved $194.94.
ii. Checking account balance is $1,000.15. Savings account balance $45,846.22

12. Other –
a. Mark Tuthill motioned to keep WSA on as administrative support for the CWT. Art second. Passed. Kelly was disappointed the motion passed [just joking].
b. Ric Coombe brought up dues notices. There are a handful that have not paid in years. Ric suggested that a letter be sent out by Jeff stating if dues for 2018 are paid by January 31, 2018, past dues notices will be waved. Follow up with phone calls. Ric motioned to have Jeff send out the letters. Mark Tuthill second. Passed.

13. Adjourn – Tony motioned like greased lightning to adjourn. Ric seconded. Passed.