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Executive Board Meeting – June 17, 2013

Present:  Carl Stuendel, Peter Bracci, Bill Layton, and Bruce Dolph (Delaware County); Dennis Lucas and Stephen Walker (Greene County); Tony VanGlad (Schoharie County); Bruce LaMonda (Ulster County), Mike Mullens (Sullivan Co. Alt.).

Newly elected members: Tony Coiro and Mike McCrary (Greene County); Cindy Donofrio and Keitha Capouya (Delaware Co. Alternates/Copouya tied with Stuendel).  Jeff Baker – Counsel.
 

6:20 PM start

  1. April meeting minutes – motion to accept April minutes made by Carl Stuendel, seconded by Bruce LaMonda, all present in favor.

 

  1. Bills- motion to pay bills made by Bruce LaMonda, seconded by Dennis Lucas, carried unanimously.

 

  1. Election Results
  • Jeff Baker reviewed election results for the 2013 – 2015 term with the following results:
    • Ulster County – Bruce LaMonda, Linda Burkhardt (Alt).  Linda will assume the second voting position.
    • Sullivan County – Ric Coombe, primary; Mike Mullens (Alt.)
    • Greene County – Stephen Walker and Mike McCrary (primary); Tony Coiro and Dixie Baldrey (Alternates)
    • Delaware County – Bruce Dolph, Bill Layton, and Pete Bracci (primary); Cindy Donofrio and John VanBenschoten (Alternates).  The tie for the third Alternate is between Carl Stuendel and Keitha C.  Delaware County primary and alternate members decided the tie.
      • Before the members caucused, Carl and Keitha spoke about their interests serving on the executive committee:
        • Carl – important CWT have a voice in watershed matters, that the historical context not be lost and continuity remain as the CWT moves on, would like be proactive in matters
        • Keitha’s family is from Pepacton, her mom was born there, she has strong family ties to the watershed, remembers when the dam was built and how returning veterans at the time were affected by the changes.
    • Keitha and Carl endorsed each other noting they would be happy with whoever was chosen
    • Roll call – Pete Bracci, Bruce Dolph, Bill Layton, and Cindy D. all voted for Carl S.  All agreed Carl’s experience is an asset and was the main reason for choosing him.
    • Before turning over the reins, Chairman Lucas was recognized for his steadfast leadership, vision, tenacity and sense of humor while leading the Coalition for the last six years.  He will be missed and the committee thanked him for his service.

 

  1. Nominating officers for 2013-2015 term
  • Motion to nominate Carl S. as chairman (Stephen W. motion, seconded by Bruce L.) and Bruce Dolph (Bill Layton motion, seconded by Pete B.).  Bruce Dolph received three votes (Bill Layton, Pete Bracci, and Bruce D) and Carl S. received five – Tony V., Mike Mullen, Stephen Walker, Mike McCrary, and Bruce LaMonda.
    • Vice Chair – Bruce Dolph was nominated as Vice Chair, motion by Stephen Walker carried unanimously
    • Treasurer – Tony VanGlad was nominated on a motion by Bruce LaMonda, carried unanimously
    • Administrative Assistance will transfer to Delaware County Watershed Affairs on a motion by Tony VanGlad, seconded by Stephen Walker carried unanimously.

 

  1. State funding opportunities and Mid-term FAD update
  • Mid-term FAD review – Jeff B. – the state should come out with this soon and impressed that the CWT review first before the document goes out to the public.  Initial indications of funding amounts for the Flood Hazard Mitigation program are encouraging.
  • Governor’s Community Redevelopment Zone (CRZ) program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs are generating a lot of interest and confusion regarding who’s doing what.
  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program call for projects emailed today, focus on rebuilding communities, Letter of Intent due July 5, 2013 (post note: deadline extended to 8/1/13)
  • Stephen W. questioned whether a town board could serve as flood advisory committee under the CRZ.  Baker responded state is too rigid, they determine who serves

 

  1. Riparian Buffer Acquisition Program

The CCCD report is done, it will be open for public comment.  Implementing the program will be staff intensive and correlate to the Stream Management Program.

 

  1. Correspondence
  • East of Hudson Notice of Preliminary Decisions Right of Objection – CWT doesn’t have right to object to East of Hudson proposals; MOA specifies parties that are notified.
  • Delaware Co. resolution to support increased water releases – Tony V. questioned the resolution to increase water releases from Delaware Co. Board of Supervisors.  Dean Frazer responded communities in Delaware County below the dams want more releases for fisheries and recreation.  DEP has right to remove 850 million gallons/day, according to a 1954 decree.

◦    The resolution is in support of these communities, for which DEP’s Paul Rush and Commissioner Strickland have shown interest.  The city’s Operation Support Tool (OST) is expected to project 1 – 2 months in advance when and how to produce more voids when water capacity allows

◦    There are no similar mandates in Schoharie County below Schoharie Reservoir.  VanGlad reported when dam restoration is complete, greater flexibility in creating voids will allow more flood control capacity.

◦    Bruce Dolph made a motion that CWT support Delaware County’s resolution, seconded by Peter B., carried unanimously.

 

  1. Hydroelectric – Pete B. inquired if there’s any update on the city’s permit for hydroelectric power on their properties.  Jeff Baker will look into it.  The CWT is on the mailing list for FERC update.  The CWT decided to monitor the development but not get actively involved.

 

7:40 PM meeting adjourned on motion by Bruce Lamonda seconded by Carl Stuendel with all present in favor.

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Executive Committee Election Results – June 6, 2013

COALITION OF WATERSHED TOWNS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTION RESULTS – SUMMARY:

Delaware County
Regular Members:
Bruce Dolph – Walton
Pete Bracci – Delhi
Bill Layton – Tompkins

Alternates:
Cindy Donofrio – Colchester
John Van Benschoten – Margaretville
Tie:
Keitha Capouya – Meredith
Carl Stuendel  – Tompkins

Note: Bill Layton was tied with Cindy for top votes in Alternate category, but because he was elected as a regular member, he gets that seat.  In the past we have left resolution of who wins in cases of a tie to the respective members to try and work it out.

Greene County
Regular Members:
Stephen Walker – Windham
Mike McCrary –  Jewett

Alternates:
Anthony Coiro – Hunter
Dixie Baldrey – Lexington

Schoharie County
Regular Member:
Anthony Van Glaad – Gilboa

Alternate:
Mike Brandow – Conesville

Sullivan County
Regular Member:
Ric Coombe – Neversink

Alternate:
Mike Mullens – Neversink

Ulster County
Regular Member:
Bruce LaMonda – Olive

Alternate:
Linda Burkhardt – Olive

Note: Because only one person was elected as a regular member from Ulster County and there were no write-ins – Linda will serve as the second Regular member from Ulster.

COALITION OF WATERSHED TOWNS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTION RESULTS – DETAILED Breakout:

Delaware County    [16 of 23 ballots returned]
Regular Members:
Bruce Dolph, Supervisor, Walton     13
Peter Bracci, Supervisor, Delhi     11
Bill Layton, Supervisor, Tompkins   7
Marjorie Miller, Supervisor, Middletown    6
Carl Stuendel, Councilman, Tompkins    6
Cindy Donofrio, Supervisor, Colchester    4
John Van Benschoten  (Write In) 1

Alternates:
Cindy Donofrio, Supervisor, Colchester    9
Bill Layton, Supervisor, Tompkins      9x (elected as Regular Member)
John Van Benschoten, Trustee, Margaretville  8
Keitha Capouya, Supervisor, Meredith    6
Carl Stuendel, Councilman, Tompkins    6
Marjorie Miller, Supervisor, Middletown    5
Michael Spaccaforno, Supervisor, Masonville  4
Peter Bracci        (Write In) 1


Greene County  [7 of 9 ballots returned]
Regular Members:
Stephen Walker, Supervisor, Windham    6
Mike McCrary, Councilman, Jewett    4
David Kukle, Councilman, Hunter     3

Alternates:
Anthony Coiro, Councilman, Hunter     7
Dixie Baldrey, Supervisor, Lexington     6


Schoharie County  [2 of 3 ballots returned]
Regular Members:
Tony Van Glad, Supervisor, Town of Gilboa  2

Alternate:
Mike Brandow, Supervisor, Town of Conesville 2


Sullivan County  [2 of 4 ballots returned]
Regular Members:
Ric Coombe, Councilman, Neversink   2

Alternate:
Mike Mullens, Councilman, Neversink   2


Ulster County  [3 of 7 ballots returned]
Regular Members:
Bruce LaMonda, Councilman, Olive   3

Alternate:
Linda Burkhardt, Councilwoman, Olive   3

Jeffrey S. Baker
Young/Sommer LLC
5 Palisades Drive
Albany, NY 12205

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Nomination Letter for the CWT Executive Committee – Feb 28, 2013

February 28, 2013

Supervisors and Mayors of Watershed Towns and Villages
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

The time is approaching for the biennial election of members of the Coalition of Watershed Towns’ Executive Committee.  This letter starts the process by soliciting nominations for the election. This year the Coalition is entering into a period of transition.  Dennis Lucas, Sr., who has served for many years as the Chairman of the Coalition’s Executive Committee will be stepping down as he chose not to seek re-election as the Town of Hunter Supervisor.   Dennis has served with great distinction, dedicating many hours to serving the needs of the watershed communities.  His leadership and institutional knowledge will be greatly missed.  This year also marked the passing of Executive Committee Member Henry Rank from the Town of Olive.  Henry’s contributions and service to the Coalition have been missed.  As a result, regardless of the outcome of this year’s election, the Coalition is facing some changes.

Over the past several years the Coalition has been active in negotiating changes to various aspects of New York City’s watershed protection program, including the 2010 Water Supply Permit which, among other accomplishments, fine-tuned the criteria by which New York City could buy land in the Catskills, established a pilot Riparian Buffer Program and improved the program by which disputes on the taxation of City-owned land are resolved.  Currently the Coalition is helping to develop a Flood Hazard Mitigation Program which is intended to coordinate and maximize federal, state, city and local resources to mitigate the impacts from major flood events like Tropical Storm Irene while protecting our local communities.

Looking forward, the Coalition will continue in those efforts, will always be vigilant in protecting the interests of the watershed communities and help resolve disputes with New York City when they arise over watershed protection efforts.  The Coalition will also look at opportunities to be proactive on initiatives that can benefit our communities and will work with local agencies in developing those initiatives.  Besides the Flood Hazard Mitigation Program, such initiatives have included promoting changes in regulations that have facilitated recreational use of the City’s land and reservoirs.

Since its formation in 1991, the Coalition has drawn its strength from the high quality of its Executive Committee members who have represented the diversity that reflects the variety of the watershed municipalities.  Executive Committee members bring their own expertise and understanding of their constituents’ views to help frame the Coalition’s policies and have enabled the Coalition’s success and its respect as the representative body for all of the West of Hudson Watershed.  As you consider nominations for the Executive Committee please keep that history in mind and consider the expertise of prospective nominees and the commitment of time that could be required.  The Coalition meets monthly in Margaretville, on the third Monday of every month, and there is an occasional need for additional meetings of the Executive Committee and meetings with watershed stakeholders to negotiate new programs.
Enclosed please find a Nomination Form for the Executive Committee.  All seats are for two-year terms.  Delaware County will elect three members.  Greene and Ulster Counties will each elect two members and Schoharie and Sullivan will each elect one member.   Each Executive Committee seat will have one corresponding alternate seat up for election.
In accordance with the Coalition’s Municipal Cooperation Agreement, each member of the Coalition can nominate persons for the election to the Executive Committee.  Nominees must be publicly elected officials and must reside within a Town or Village which is a member of the Coalition.  The enclosed Nomination Form is specific for your County.  Please nominate candidates for the regular and alternate seats.

Nomination forms must be received by Monday, April 1, 2013.   Forms may be sent by mail or fax, but must be received by the end of business on April 1, 2013.  Nomination forms shall be sent to the offices of the Coalition’s attorneys at the following address:

Young/Sommer LLC
Executive Woods
Five Palisades Drive
Albany, New York 12205
Attn: Jeffrey S. Baker
Ph. (518) 438-9907 ext. 227
Fax (518) 438-9914

This is not a ballot.  If you do not wish to nominate someone or know that the person has or will be nominated by another member, you do not need to return this form.  All eligible persons, who are nominated will appear on the ballot.  It is anticipated that the ballots will be mailed on or about April 15, 2013 and will be due June 3, 2013.

Thank you for your courtesy and cooperation.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Coalition Administrative Assistant, Michelle Yost, at the above number or myself at 518-438-9907 ext. 227.

Very truly yours,
Jeffrey S. Baker
Counsel to the Coalition of Watershed Towns