Location:  CWC Headquarters (Arkville, NY)

Present:  Ric Coombe, Scott Grey, David Kukle, Bud Gladsone, Ed Snow, Ritchie Gabriel, Will Outsen, Jeff Gearhart, David Edinger, Greg Vurckio

Others:  Jeff Baker, Tim Cox, Jason Merwin, Jessica Fiedler, Gemma Young, Nick Carbone, Bruce Dolph, Michelle Yost, Joan Lawrence Bauer, Robert Drake, Roger Hannigan Gilson

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

2.  October 20, 2025, Meeting Minutes Approval:  Motion to approve the minutes made by Bud Gladstone and seconded by Ed Snow.  Motion carried.   

3.  Ric opened the meeting by addressing the membership dues.  Questions have come forward in the past regarding how the current dues levels were determined.  As the history of membership dues has not been easily identified, Ric suggested creating a membership dues committee to evaluate the current dues structure and recommend to the board options for dues as we move forward.  The board members agreed, and the membership dues committee comprised of David Kuckle (committee chair), Will Outsen and David Edinger was formed.  Ric asked the committee to look at alternatives on how to allocate fair and equitable membership dues across all participating watershed communities and counties, stating that size should not be the primary factor.  Ric also asked all the board members to reach out to the committee with any ideas or suggestions they may have.   Ric would like the committee to provide a report to the board at the January 2026 meeting if possible, but no later than the February 2026 meeting.  At this point in the meeting, Ric and Jeff both suggested we revise the order of the agenda items.  The board will be entering into an executive session to provide Jeff with directions on how to proceed with the upcoming negotiations.  As we had members of the press attending the meeting, Ric and Jeff wanted to give them the opportunity to ask any questions they may have before they were asked to leave the meeting.  Board members agreed.

4.  Warrants and Treasurer’s Report:  Bud reported that as of October 31, 2025, 
the checking account was $8,419.08,
the savings account was $86,780.37 and
the CD had $52,306.30. 
Greg Vurckio made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Ed Snow.  Report accepted.  
Bud presented Warrant #121 in the amount of $11,529.04 for payment of the October legal fees and administrative support fees. 
David Edinger made the motion to pay Warrant #121, seconded by David Kukle.  Motion carried.  

5.  CWC Report:  Jason shared that the Workforce Development Program (WDP) is active and operational.  He asked that members reach out to Gemma Young, WDP Program Manager for more information.   Ric reminded everyone that we should embrace this program as it is providing us our future workforce and critical to the future of the watershed.    Jason reported the Shokan bids came in last month with the total of the bids at $74 million.  Bud asked what the original cost estimate was.  Jason shared that the original estimate of $48 million was pre-COVID, with a second bid released at $70-71 million.    The escalated Post-COVID costs where the key factor in this projects costs increase. 

6.  Status of Amended City CE to State:  Jeff reported that DEC has agreed to the language revisions but is still working on the process for conservation easements.  Ric shared that the City agrees with CWT on this and is anxious to move forward.

7.  LAP/SAP Negotiations: Ric provided an update on the events that have occurred since the last CWT meeting.  At the October meeting Commissioner Aggarwala expressed that DEP is wanting to move forward on the negotiations to finalize an agreement.  DEP has done this and in the past week has had meetings with Ric, Jeff, Jason and the Delaware County attorney to work through the issues.  These were positive discussions with significant negotiations occurring.   Ric and Jeff shared that the “draft” version of the agreement (called the 4^th Side Agreement or Intergovernmental Agreement), resulting from these discussions, contained much of the changes requested by CWT and CWC.   These meetings were very productive, and Jeff felt optimistic that we would reach a final agreement before the end of this year.

Joan Lawrence Bauer, reporter for the The Reporter, referenced Commissioner Aggarwala’s comments from the October CWT meeting where he indicated that the information in the previous National Academy study had outdated information.  She asked, based on these comments, how CWT is going to move forward and how do we foresee progress and continuity in the future.   Ric responded first by agreeing with Commissioner Aggarwala’s comments and concepts.  Ric shared with DEP that as we move forward CWT wants a seat at the table and wants to ensure we work together.  DEP was receptive and said they would also look internally to ensure we move forward as a collective team.  

Roger Hannigan Gilson, reporter for the Times Union, asked about the status of the report from the new committee DEP is convening.  Jeff shared they anticipate the report by early spring.  Mr. Gilson then asked if the new report would augment the National Academy’s study or disregard their findings.  Ric responded by sharing that he has talked with the City regarding this.  The City is wanting to start with a clean slate as the risks and demographics have changed significantly since the National Academy study was completed.

Jeff had one final comment on the negotiations.   The Executive Committee will be provided with a complete draft of the side agreement for consideration at the December meeting assuming there is an agreement.  He will also provide comments on DEC’s draft Water Withdrawal Permit by the December 12, 2025 deadline and those comments will depend on whether there is an agreement by then with DEP.

Ric asked for a motion to move into an executive session to discuss contract negotiations and the direction CWT wants to provide to Jeff as we attempt to finalize the negotiations.   Motion was made by Ed Snow, seconded by David Kukle.  Motion carried.  Ric thanked the press for attending the meeting and excused them from the meeting.   The executive board entered executive session at 6:40 pm.   Greg Vurckio made the motion to end the executive session, seconded by Will Outsen.  Motion was carried and the executive session ended at 7:30 pm. 

8.  Other:  Before adjourning Jeff wanted to express his thanks to Ric for all his work on the side agreement.  Jeff expressed that the relationships Ric has have been extremely beneficial in resolving these issue and reaching mutual agreements.   Ed commented that Commissioner Aggarwala attendance at our October meeting demonstrated that he is interested is working together.  Ed also shared that Ric meeting with the commissioner confirmed that CWT cares and does want to work together with DEP and the City as we move forward.  On a final note, Ric thanked everyone for their support and committed to continuing working with everyone as we enter this next phase of CWT and the watershed.  

9. Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn was made by Bud Gladstone, seconded by Greg Vurckio.  Motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.