Location:  CWC Headquarters (Arkville, NY)

Present:  David Kukle, Scott Grey, Steve Walker, Bud Gladstone, Edward Snow, Glen Faulkner, Ritchie Gabriel, Will Outsen, Bill Federice, David Edinger, Greg Vurckio, Peter DiSclafani

Others:  Jeff Baker, Tim Cox, Jason Merwin,  Nick Carbone, Bruce Dolph, Mary Crisafulli, Cher Woehl

1.  Call to Order:  In Chair Ric Coombe’s absence, Vice Chair David Kukle called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm.

2.  Introductions: David welcomed the new board members and introductions were made by all attending the meeting.

3.  April 29, 2024 Meeting Minutes Approval:  Motion to approve the minutes made by Scott Grey and seconded by Ed Snow. Motion carried.   

4.  Election Results:  Jeff gave a report on the 2024 executive board member election results.  New members include:  for Delaware County Glen Faulkner- Middletown Supervisor, Ritchie Gabriel (alternate)- Andes Councilman, and Jeff Gearhart (alternate)-Delhi Mayor;  for Ulster County Mary Ann Van Benschoten (alternate)-Marbletown Councilwoman and Peter DiSclafani (alternate) – Shandaken Supervisor.  Jeff clarified for the new members the role of the alternates with regards to voting as a member of the board.  Ed Snow asked what the terms were for board members, with Jeff responding terms are for 2 years.

5 & 6.  LAP/SAP Negotiations/Status of Amended City CE to State Updates:  Jeff invited new board members to reach out to him for more information on LAP/SAP and the negotiation progress.   He then provided a summary of the proposed changes to the LAP/SAP program, noting that the biggest fundamental change is that towns/villages will have the approval authority on any projects before they are moved forward.  He also shared that the changes provide for moving away from fee acquisitions. Jeff followed with a current update on the negotiations, sharing that several meetings have occurred, and that the valuation committee has produced a matrix on the license agreement.  Nick Carbone provided more in-depth information on the license agreement changes.  Jeff shared that the biggest issue deals with the understanding of conservation easements, and hopefully the revised license agreements will help to overcome this.   Will asked what the owner gives up under the conservation easement agreement.  Jeff explained that the owner must agree not to disturb the land but to keep it in its natural state.   Ed asked if the landowner agrees to the contract and then sells the land before the 10-year period of the contract what happens?  Per Jeff, the contract runs with the land, therefore it goes to the new owner.  This raised a question by Glen, who asked if after the 10 years, can the owner “walk away” from the contract.  Jeff replied that they can.  The last question on this subject came from Peter who asked if there were any issues with the tax evaluations of the land, with Jeff responding that there are no changes in that area.

It should be noted that after the meeting, Jeff learned that the licenses will not run with the land and if the property is sold, the continuation of the license will be determined by the new owner and the City.

Jeff proceeded to provide an update on the conservation easement that the City gives the state.  He shared a summary of the various components that have been agreed upon.  Jeff shared that there are continuing discussions for a 4^th Side Agreement with the City for the continued funding of various CWC problems, including several dealing with funding support for the septic programs.   Jeff shared that CWT and the City are still waiting for the state’s new wetland regulations, which they need to have before they can address any remaining open issues still on the table.  

7. CWC Report:  Jason provided the following report for CWC:

• The Septic Program and Storm Water Program are up and running
• In early June CWC met with several government entities, including DOH, DEC, Dept. of Labor along with several executives from the towns/villages to discuss the grant funds that are available to address I & I [Inflow and Infiltration] problems.  CWC is looking at the best way to get these funds to the towns/villages to help with their needs.  He asked CWT board members to share any ideas they may have on this. 

8.  Shokan WWTP Funding Status:   Board members were provided with a copy of the letter sent to the FAD Regulators (DOH, EPA, DEC) from CWC, CWT & Town of Olive regarding the Shokan Wastewater Project.   Jason provided the history of the Shokan Wastewater Project, from its inception to its current status.  In summary, the letter requests the City provide the funding to complete this project, as it is required to do under FAD.   The letter also outlines the consequences of this project not being completed.

9. Warrants and Treasurer’s Report:  Bud reported that as of March 31, 2024, the checking account had $11,966.05, the savings account had $83,149.62 and the CD had $50,000.  Ed Snow made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by David Edinger.  Report accepted.   Bud presented warrant #108 in the amount of $11,779.43 for payment of April-May legal fees,  April Administrative Support fees and postage (to Town of Neversink) and May Administrative Support fees and postage (to Cher Woehl).  Bud Gladstone made the motion to pay warrant #108, seconded by Steve Walker.  Motion carried.   

10.  Other:  Discussion occurred on the towns/villages with outstanding membership dues   Ed suggested we put together an informational letter explaining CWT and what it does for the watershed and provide this to the various boards.   Bruce Dolph expanded on this suggesting we send our monthly minutes to all elected officials and executive members of the watershed counties, towns and villages.   After much discussion, the following was agreed to by the board members:

• Cher to send the 2^nd notification on membership dues to those towns/villages that have not paid to date.   Steve Walker made the motion to do this, seconded by Will Outsen.  Motion carried.
• Cher to compile the contact list of all elected officials and executive members of the watershed counties, towns and villages and to provide our approved monthly minutes to these individuals.    David Edinger made the motion to do this, seconded by Greg Vurckio.  Motion carried. 

11.  Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn was made by Ed Snow, seconded by Glen Faulkner.  Motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.