by David Flint
Fulfilling a pledge made by Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt at a public hearing last month, the Stephentown Town Board on Monday passed a resolution declaring their “strong opposition” to the construction of Kinder Morgan’s proposed gas pipeline through the Town of Stephentown. [private]The resolution requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) deny the required certificate of public convenience and necessity for the Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline (NED) and directed the Town Clerk to send copies of the resolution to elected federal, state and county officials.
Reasons cited for the opposition included the fact that the gas is intended for export with no benefits to residents here, the pipe would be much larger and operate at much higher pressures than other pipelines in this area, the danger of detrimental interaction between the pipeline and National Grid’s high voltage electricity wires, minimal standards allowed in rural areas for pipe strength/thickness, depth buried and inspection methods, reduced property values, undue burdens for emergency services, potential for catastrophic damage and the fact that any compensation or mitigation would be far outweighed by long term fiscal, health, safety, environmental and quality of life impacts.
The resolution noted that “a huge majority of Stephentown residents, as evidenced by many letters, emails and phone calls, the attendance and participation at an Open Forum hosted by Stephentown residents, a Public Hearing hosted by the Stephentown Town Board and numerous regular meetings of the Town Board, are adamantly opposed to the construction and operation of the proposed NED pipeline.”
Sandy Nathan, one of the leaders of the opposition group Stop New York Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP), thanked the Board for the resolution and for taking a leadership role with the County and other towns. She said her group would now turn their attention to federal representatives.
Eckhardt noted that some residents have reported seeing surveyors in the area with Texas license plates. He pointed out that the State General Obligations Law does permit licensed professional surveyors to enter upon or cross any lands necessary to perform surveying services. The surveyors must make reasonable efforts to notify the landowner of their intentions, they must operate during reasonable hours and only within reasonable distance from the property line and they must carry and display proper identification.
Eagle Scout Nicholas Despart Honored
Nicholas Despart, who recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout, was asked to start this meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The Board later in the meeting passed a resolution in his honor. Noting that “Nicholas Despart of Troop 222, being a valued member of the Troop, is a dedicated young man who has earned the respect and admiration his fellow scouts through his active participation in the many programs sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America (and that he) has exhibited a commitment to the scouting principals and service to our community…the Town Board of Stephentown does hereby formally recognize and commend the achievements of Nicholas Despart on attaining the designation of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest award.”
Despart explained that his Eagle Scout project was the construction of an archery range at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center for use by 4-H and local scouting groups.
Disc Golf Coming To Town
Anthony Scavone, an event organizer, informed the Board that he plans a Disc Golf event June 11 to 14 at Gardner’s field to include camping and music at night. There will also be craft and food vendors and art displays.
In Disc Golf, he explained, instead of a ball, clubs and a hole, you throw a weighted frisbee type disc at a target with the object of landing the disc in the basket attached to the target. Scoring is similar to golf.
Board members expressed concerns and cautions based on their past experience with the Bella Terra Music Festivals. They advised Scavone to immediately start to get the required permits from the Code Enforcement Officer and to inform the Fire Department and police agencies. They also wanted a detailed agenda in writing and contact numbers.
Scavone said his event would not be as big or as loud as Bella Terra. The music would be a different sort of music and “not so much electronic.” The attendee demographics, he said, are also different. He said he was familiar with the regulations put into effect for Bella Terra and he promised to follow the same rules.
Land Transfer To Library
The Board passed a resolution to transfer to the Stephentown Memorial Library a portion of the land across the road from the Town Hall that they purchased at auction two years ago. The Town will retain about a half acre of the land for use by the Highway Department. The Library will get seven tenths of an acre for the amount of $36,322 and the pledge to continue to provide library and related educational services to the Town. Should the Library cease to exist or provide services, the land would revert to the Town.
The Library acknowledges that a time capsule taken from the former Stephentown Elementary School has been buried on the property being transferred and agrees to allow it to be moved by the 5th graders of 1984 or to be retrieved and opened by them on the intended date in 2034.
Master Plan
Councilman PJ Roder reported that the committee formed to develop a Master Plan for the Town has begun meetings and a questionnaire will soon be sent out to all Town residents. The Plan will look forward 1, 5, 10 and 20 years. Members of the committee currently are PJ Roder, Owen Cassavaugh, Laurie Gilliland and Tom Morelli. Additional volunteers are welcome.
Lawn Mowing
The Board passed a resolution authorizing advertising for sealed bids for mowing grass at the Town Hall and the Town Park. Bids are to be delivered to the Town Clerk’s Office by Friday, May 15 and will be opened at the regular Town Board meeting on Monday, May 18.
Deposits & Spending
The Town Clerk turned over the sum of $462 to the Supervisor for the month of March. The distribution from the office of the State Comptroller, Justice Court Fund was $1,321 for the month of February. The Transfer Station deposited a total $4,108 for March.
The Board audited and approved claims in the amount of $22,975.55 from the General Fund and $40,693.58 from the Highway Account.
The Board also approved payments already made of $6,000 to the Stephentown Historical Society, $43,784 to the Stephentown Memorial Library, $1,500 to the Veterans of the Stephentown Area, $3,150 to the Fire Department for usage of their Fire Hall and $137,000 tax money to the Fire District.
The Board set their next workshop meeting for Monday, May 11 and their next regular meeting for Monday, May 18, both meetings to start at 7 pm.[/private]