by Doug La Rocque
After several members of the Town Council expressed surprise about the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance’s (RPA) plans to open a Community Forest on land situated between Stuffle Street and Foster Road, the Council invited RPA Executive Director Jim Bonesteel to their Workshop meeting on Monday, January 24 to explain what the Community Forest is and answer their questions. And many questions there were.
School Loses Out
As to whether the Town would lose tax revenue on this land purchase (the RPA is a not-for-profit entity) the answer is yes and no. While the 394-acre parcel would apparently go off the tax roles, the RPA’s governing body has voted to make annual payments to the Town in lieu of taxes. According to Mr. Bonesteel, these would be paid to the Town’s general and highway funds as well as the fire department. Not included in this so-called PILOT program are the Berlin and Brunswick School Districts or Rensselaer County. They would apparently lose their tax revenue on this parcel.
Traffic and Parking
One of the concerns brought forth at the regular Town Council meeting two weeks ago was additional traffic and parking. Mr. Bonesteel countered the amount of new traffic would be about equal to one new homestead on the road, except when they are holding special events. He then estimated there might be upwards of 20 additional vehicles. He indicated they would like to build some small parking lots along Stuffle Street and a larger one on the Foster Road entrance. Town Attorney Phil Danaher informed the RPA, contrary to their belief, the matter would have to go before the Town Planning Board.
Councilman Frank Lewandusky read from the first paragraph of the RPA’s grant application nation to the U.S. Forestry Service, which says “the Town of Grafton supports the proposed Community Forest with the Town Supervisor (Ingrid Gundrum) engaged in the project since its start.” He asked, since the Town Council had not approved a motion offering this support, how could they make that statement? RPA Attorney Lawrence Howard said — and was backed up by Attorney Danaher — that this particular grant application really does not require the Town’s approval and it is the RPA’s past practice to simply deal with the Town Supervisor, as was apparently the case in Poestenkill and East Nassau. Mr. Lewandusky pointed out that at the Hoosick Council meeting on Monday, January 14, Mr. Bonesteel made a presentation for yet another Community Forest in that Town, seeking their blessing, but that Supervisor Mark Surdam brought the issue before the full Council for their input and eventual vote. They did approve.
Talking to Neighbors
Within days of the last Grafton Council meeting, the RPA did hold a Zoom conference with neighboring land owners on both roads, indicating they were informed by letter, something he stated had not happened in the past. He told those gathered at the Workshop “being a good neighbor is what we do.” He also indicated they had formed a committee to guide them in this Community Forest development made up of community members, but did not necessarily have any of the neighbors in its membership.
Other Points of Interest
Mr. Bonesteel pointed out the newly conserved property is made up of two sales from two separate property owners: Rynard Gundrum, Gundrum Logging and Lumber as well as Carl and Laura Wiedemann. Mr. Gundrum owned the vast majority of the land. The closing on the property took place on January 21. All back taxes were paid at that time.
No ATVs will be allowed, however snowmobiling might be. There might be a couple of lean-tos build but no overnight camping will be permitted without express permission from the RPA. Mr. Bonesteel said they count on the users to police the property (carry in carry out) and that no signage would be constructed if the neighbors are opposed.
As to the obvious uses for the Community Forest, Mr. Bonesteel summed up their mission as “a desire to outpace development with conservation. We want to protect the forest.”
The Public Will Get a Chance to Speak
No public comment was allowed at the Workshop Meeting as is standard practice, however Councilman Pierce Hoyt urged an informational session with public comment be set up, possibly for February 28, the date of the Council’s next Workshop Meeting. It was indicated that meeting would probably be held at the Roxborough Holdings building (former Grafton Elementary School) to accommodate an anticipated large crowd. The meeting room at the Town Hall at this last meeting was full.
