Community Forest Announcement a Bit of a Surprise
by Chris Tergliafera and Doug La Rocque
During the public comments section of the January 10 regular meeting of the Grafton Town Council, a resident mentioned concerns over an upcoming project by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) on Foster Road that they believe could lead to increased traffic and other potential issues. The RPA’s project, involving approximately 300 acres on land situated between Foster Road and Stuffle Street, would be known as the Valentino Family Community Forest. The RPA recently sent out letters to neighboring land owners inviting them to a virtual meeting on Wednesday, January 12, to discuss their plans for the land, which include hiking trails and some special educational programs. Besides the building of some trailheads, there could be parking areas constructed as well.
When the speaker asked the Town Council about it, some members indicated they were unaware of the plans and would like to speak to RPA President Jim Bonesteel for more information and clarification. Councilman Pierce Hoyt mentioned inviting him to the January Workshop, but Mr. Bonesteel has indicated he is not available that evening.
The Eastwick Press spoke to Mr. Bonesteel the following day, who admitted they had not sent any information to the Town about the project. He indicated they were concerned about what the neighbors might have to say, hence the planned meeting. Asked about increased traffic, he said it would amount to what you would see if two new homes were built along the road, except when they hold special programs. Then, he says there may be some additional traffic of note. The RPA plans just such a program – a Winter Tracking Workshop – on Saturday, January 29 at the site.
Once word of the Community Forest broke, The Eastwick Press received inquiries about why all Board members were not aware of the plans, since the RPA is purchasing the land from Gundrum Logging and Lumber, of which Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum is part of the management team, and will impact Town owned roads. The Eastwick Press then posed that question to the Supervisor, who provided us with this answer: “A family member is in the process of selling the subject parcel to the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance. In that a member of my family will realize a pecuniary gain from such sale, it would be inappropriate for me to comment or be involved in any municipal issues involving use of the property by the RPA. I don’t believe that I have any disclosure issues under the Ethics Law of the Town.”
RPA President Bonesteel was asked if any logging of the site is planned. He indicated that is a possibility within a few years. This raised questions about the impact of heavy logging trucks on these Town roads, not built for such capacity. Mr. Bonesteel indicated the RPA was aware this could be a problem and that it would be addressed at that time.
Planning Board in Play as Well
Mr. Bonesteel was asked if the RPA will present their plans to the Grafton Planning Board for review. He indicated they had not planned to do so, but checking with a number of Town officials, it appears an actual site plan filing might be required, with approval, before work could begin at the site.
Money to the Rescue
The New York State Association of Towns has told Grafton they hope to be releasing some more detailed and perhaps less restrictive instructions from the Federal government as to the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies, received in July of last year. Many municipalities have been waiting on this guidance before solidifying spending plans. This spending does not need prior Federal approval however any audits of the use of the ARPA monies could mean a municipality might be required to pay the money back, if the use was deemed inappropriate.
The brief meeting was then adjourned in memory of Bernard Cognon, Andre Jones, Wesley Vars, Pete Wescott and Elsie J. Risedorf.