Location:  CWC Headquarters (Arkville, NY)

Present:  Ric Coombe, Scott Grey, Steve Walker, Ed Snow, Bud Gladstone, Ritchie Gabriel, Glen Faulkner, Will Outsen, Jeff Gearhart, Bill Federice, Greg Vurckio

Others:  Jeff Baker, Tim Cox, Jessica Fielder, Nick Carbone, Bruce Dolph, Elizabeth DeFalco, Hope Monforte, Cher Woehl

1.  Call to Order:  Ric  called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm.

2.  February 17, 2025, Meeting Minutes Approval:  Motion to approve the minutes made by Ed Snow and seconded by Glen Faulkner.  Motion carried.   

3.   Ric introduced Hope Monforte, Executive Assistant, NYC Department of Environmental Protection.   Ms. Monforte is the new outreach coordinator for the West of the Hudson Watershed.  Ms. Monforte is native to the area, giving her an exceptional understanding of the watershed and making her an invaluable contact for us with DEP.  Ms. Monforte thanked everyone for the warm welcome and shared that she plans to attend future meetings as her schedule allows.  She also shared that she will be providing her contact information to Cher for anyone who would like to have it and welcomes any communications from the board members. 

4 & 5. LAP/SAP Negotiations/Status of Amended City CE to State:
Jeff opened the discussion by stating there was not a lot to report this month.   He shared the good news on the CSAP contract negotiations saying that DOH, the City, CWT are all working diligently to finalize the contract documents.  They did hit a small hitch with DEC on a section of the contract language, but Jeff feels this will be resolved quickly as all parties what to get this negotiation completed. Jeff had more good news sharing that all issues on the NYS Conservation Easement revisions have been resolved to the satisfaction of everyone involved.    Regarding the side agreement, Jeff said that there has not been much progress.  The side agreement addresses the I & I funding among other things.

Ric said that when the Conservation Easement contract is finalized CWT needs to place a priority on working with Roxbury to develop a solution for their current issue. 

Nick asked for clarification with understanding the benefits of a restricted covenant with third party oversight versus conservation easements.   Jeff explained as follows:

• If a municipality owns land purchased by the City, there will be restrictions on what the municipality can do with the land.  All purchases will have a stewardship plan incorporated into a restrictive covenant and thereby enforceable.
• If the City owns land DEC wants a conservation easement not a restricted covenant.  The municipalities want a restrictive covenant so that they can enforce the City’s stewardship obligations on that land.  DEC wants its own oversight and therefore creates a 3^rd layer in the process.   

Jeff shared that the goal is to eliminate DEC  from an oversight role thereby eliminating the extra layer of government in the process.   CWT would like to see that when the City buys land, the municipalities obtain a mechanism to ensure the City’s stewardship obligations. 

Ric explained how the process has worked with the Town of Neversink Ball Fields, where Neversink owns the land, but the City has oversight responsibility.  He shared that this has been successful, with the biggest issue dealing with the review process for any improvements or changes. 

6. CWC Report:  In Jason’s absence, Tim provided the CWC report.  He reminded everyone that the CWC Annual meeting is April 1^st, asking members to get their RSVP’s in as soon as possible.  He shared that the election results for Schoharie and Ulster County CWC members will be announced at the meeting.  Tim then gave an update on the Community Vitality Study, which is called for by the National Academies Study and the FAD.  Consultants from the Center for Government Research have been contracted to gather the data for the study.  They will be contacting elected officials in the watershed for their data gathering.  CWC will be reaching out in advance with the subject areas the consultants will be addressing.  Ric asked that everyone please take time and participate to create this baseline for our watershed.   This baseline is the foundation that we will build on for the future.  Ric emphasized to members that “if we don’t tell our story how will it ever be told?”.  

7.  Warrants and Treasurer’s Report:  Bud reported that as of February 28, 2025, 
the checking account had $1,770.23,
the savings account had $115,355.78
and the CD had $52,306.30. 
Ed Snow made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Glen Faulkner.  Report accepted.  
Greg presented warrant #115 in the amount of $4,053.00 for payment of February legal fees and administrative support fees.  
Steve Walker  made the motion to pay warrant #115, seconded by Glen Faulkner.  Motion carried.   

8.  Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn was made by Greg Vurckio,  seconded by Bud Gladstone.  Motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.