by Chris Tergliafera
On Monday, February 28, the Grafton Town Council hosted a public forum for residents and the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) to discuss plans for property the RPA recently purchased in Grafton. As it stands now, plans to have a trailhead and parking lot at the end of Foster Rd. are not sitting well with Foster Rd. residents.
More than one person raised the question: if the RPA is creating a community forest, and want to have a good relationship with the community, but the community is making it clear they don’t want them there, isn’t it disingenuous for them to continue saying they care about the community?
RPA Executive Director Jim Bonesteel stated that he knows of a Foster Rd. resident who is in favor of the project, however that resident did not speak at the forum, and while some Grafton residents expressed positivity toward the project, not one of them resides on Foster Rd.
Mr. Bonesteel referenced past community forests the RPA has developed, and stated that residents in close proximity to those projects had similar concerns, but over time, through discussions such as public forums, a great relationship was developed with those residents.
Traffic Concerns
Among the biggest concerns raised was that of increased traffic, and visitors to the forest parking in areas they shouldn’t. Both Foster Rd. and Stuffle St. residents stated that since the RPA purchased the land there has not only been an increase in traffic on their roads, but also people speeding.
Residents wanted to know what measures the RPA plans to take in order to ensure people don’t speed or park where they shouldn’t on Foster Rd. There was the suggestion of signage, not only for speed, but to direct visitors where to go. This could be problematic however, as other residents requested there be no signage on Foster Rd. regarding the forest, in order to not attract random visitors.
As to the amount of traffic, the RPA stated that the increase would only be the equivalent to that of a single-family home, a statement which many in attendance vocally disagreed with.
In addition to the number of vehicles creating traffic, there are concerns over the actual people that those vehicles will be bring to their backyards. Questions arose as to how vetting hunters and those staying overnight would be conducted. Mr. Bonesteel said that while he doesn’t want to minimize the concerns of the residents, issues of hunters hunting too close to homes and overnight campers causing disturbances haven’t surfaced at other RPA owned forests.
Community Committee
One resident, who felt like their concerns were falling on deaf ears, asked those representing the RPA, at what point does the community have a real voice?
They were informed of a letter sent out by the RPA in January that invited residents to join the forest’s community committee. This committee, while not the Planning Board that will make final decisions, will have a voice in shaping things such as trail routes, and will have the ability to directly discuss matters with those who do make final decisions.
Emergency Situations
Residents and emergency volunteers alike raised concerns that the forest would put additional stress on local emergency services with additional people traveling into the area and performing activities that may present a higher risk of injury. One volunteer stated that his department gets roughly 50 calls a year to Grafton Lakes State Park, and even adding a fraction of that number of calls could put immense stress on emergency services, not only from a personnel standpoint, but a financial one as well.
Trash
One of the most contested issues was that of additional trash that visitors could possibly leave behind, both in the forest and the local community. Many hikers stated that they hardly ever see trash when they are out on trails or in parks, but others disagreed, saying they have already seen an increase in the amount of trash and fear it will get much worse.
Tax Concerns
The RPA said that while the land will be exempt from taxes, they will pay the Town a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes).
Residents feel that since a pilot would only pay the equivalent of town taxes, not county and school, the tax issue will affect them negatively long term.
Other Notes
A few people expressed their belief that the Town Council had overstepped its bounds by having this meeting, and not putting the matter directly in front of the Planning Board. The Town Council quickly clarified the reasoning for this, stating they held this meeting at the request of Grafton residents.
Those who wish to know or discuss more were encouraged to attend the upcoming Planning Board meeting on the matter.
