By Doug La Rocque
Perhaps the best economic news for Berlin and the Taconic Valley in years was laid out before the Berlin Planning Board following their regular session last Thursday night. Michael Pasternak, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Aqua Farms Enterprises and three associates presented their plans for the former Seagroatt property on Route 22.
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These plans include turning the now derelict greenhouses on the upper terrace of the property into a fish farm to grow Black Bass and later down the road, other forms of consumable fish species. The lower greenhouses are already undergoing a gutting out and remodeling into a hydroponic facility for lettuce production. This is a high quality lettuce whose roots take their nutrients from the water and not from soil. Pasternak hopes this part of the operation might be in production by the second quarter of 2016.
While the company won’t reveal the dollar amount of their investment, in real terms it means new employment, eventually between 35 to 50 positions that Pasternak calls “high quality jobs.” As time progresses, and if all goes as planned, the operation will be pretty much self contained, from energy to waste. Their plans call for an energy generating system fired by compressed natural gas that will produce up to 10 mega watts of electricity. This will be used to heat the water in the fish tanks and greenhouses as well as for lighting and equipment. Pasternak said they will need all of this in the winter, but with less demand in the summer, he plans to sell some off to the power grid. The water used in the fish farming will also be recycled to the hydroponic greenhouses, where the minerals and nutrients generated by fish waste are perfect for the growing needs of the lettuce. And while the Bass are shipped live, any other fish grown there will most likely be filleted on the premises, with the heads and other parts used to create high value fish food. The water, which is plentiful on the terrace and of high quality, will come from up to 100 wells the company has plans to drill. Pasternak said they are also considering a distribution facility in the future near the site.
Not everything about the project is a given though. There are some concerns and hurdles. First is to make sure the land is still under agricultural zoning. If so, it is the thought of the Planning Board that it eliminates the need for a number of special permits. Also of concern is a town road and bridge that run through the property. Currently, the road passes very near the greenhouses on the terrace, and the company is proposing to relocate the road nearer the border of the property. This road serves five to six homes behind the location. The drawings indicate a 90 degree turn in one spot, something the Town has concerns about for winter plowing. The bridge on the lower portion of the road has also apparently fallen into some disrepair and would need upgrading to handle heavier truck traffic. Pasternak said the road will be relocated at their expense, but did say he wishes to talk to the town about some cooperation on the bridge. Pasternak said there would be truck traffic at the facility but not a large amount, especially in comparison to what currently uses the Route 22 corridor
The Planning Board was not sure if they were really the lead Town agency on this, and suggested they set up a meeting with the Town Board. Planning Board Member Frank Mace also asked to meet with Mr. Pasternak concerning a number of grants they might apply for that he is familiar with.
Reaction to the proposal was guarded optimism. Town Board Member Steve Riccardi, whose family owned the Seagroatt facility and sold it to Mr. Pasternak’s firm, said “it’s all in the planning stage and the dream stage right now, and we’ll see how much of it comes true.” Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger said, “I have yet to meet the gentleman, but I am thrilled.”
Henry Seagroatt opened his floral business in 1921, building the greenhouses on the upper terrace through the 1930s. The lower greenhouses were added in the 1980s. The business closed its doors in April of 2009, citing lagging sales due to increased worldwide competition and the U.S. recession that started in 2008. Mr. Pasternak’s company is headquartered in New Jersey. He is from the northern reaches of Great Britain, growing up in a community which he said is not unlike Berlin, albeit larger. He attended England’s famed Cambridge University studying Science and Physics. He made his money, however, as an investment banker.[/private]