by Denise Wright
The Stephentown Town Board met on August 15 and passed some essential amendments and resolutions, but also discussed an impending pilot program that should have more information available in September.
The transfer station report wanted to remind residents that permits will be on sale at the end of the month, and at this point, there will be no changes in pricing, and that clean-up day is officially finished and was successful. It was discussed that the Town is finalizing a pilot program to dispose of paint according to new State guidelines. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced this program in May 2022 to make it easier for households and businesses to safely dispose of leftover paint. DEC will oversee the program, which PaintCare will operate to manage unwanted architectural coating products and provide for recycling or proper disposal. To participate, residents will have to be users of the transfer station. The Town hopes to have four disposal containers available, each containing approximately 144 1-gallon cans. Latex, oil, and stain will be accepted but there is a strict list of materials that will not be allowed. More information is expected to be announced at the September Town Board meeting and they hope to have flyers available at the transfer station once everything is finalized.
Board members approved the solar moratorium. According to the resolution, the Planning and Zoning Board shall not accept or review, hold a hearing, or make any decision upon any application pertaining to commercial solar energy facilities. While two solar projects are presently in review, this moratorium will affect only new projects within the Town.
Terry Sykes was awarded the 2022 Brush hogging services for the Old Landfill, and the Board is in the process of requesting bids for shrub trimming and clean up at the Town Hall and the Town Park. All sealed bids can be delivered to the Town Clerk’s office by September 19, at 7 pm. The submissions will be reviewed at the meeting that night.
The Board approved a resolution to advertise for a position on the Board of Review that will expire on September 30. The Board requests that residents send their letters of interest and resumes for the 5-year term to the Town Clerk’s office no later than September 9, at 7 pm.
The meeting concluded with the Board receiving a library update about their successful summer program. Supervisor Roder also reminded the Board that the preliminary budget would be due on September 30.