Town Board workshop meeting report March 7, 2024
The Town Board took on a heavy agenda on March 7 with a public hearing on a local law Imposing a Temporary Town-Wide Six-Month Moratorium on Solar Energy Arrays, eleven items of old business and three new points for consideration. With several attending in person as well as virtually, there was much discussion between board members, and Supervisor Collins allowed public input throughout the meeting.
The public hearing brought debate primarily around Section 5 of the proposed local law, which spells out the conditions under which an applicant can seek a variance from compliance. It was pointed out that the proposed law speaks to what is not a hardship as opposed to what is a hardship. The consensus was that more clarification was needed. The Town Board approved the adoption of the Local Law to commence as of the date of the enacting resolution while also providing for the development of guidelines and definitions for the Local Law to include a document with frequently asked questions (FAQ).
A representative was present from the Town’s engineering firm to give the Board an overview of past discussions relative to upgrading and enhancing facilities at the highway garage. The need and importance of initial site work was emphasized, which includes review of site land survey as well as drilling to assess subsurface conditions and consideration for wetlands.
Supervisor Collins explained the desire to add a second bay to the garage to allow for more in-house maintenance work on larger trucks to limit the use of outside vendors for maintenance at high rates. He also spoke to upgrading the ventilation system, the combination lunchroom/bathroom/meeting space, as well as incorporating solar arrays into the project. The engineer also spoke to the challenges of address the existing drainage system for the facility, including the wash bay, as well as electrical work.
Preliminary estimates for the cost were given to be around $400/square foot, bringing the overall cost to $1 million to $2 million. Construction could begin in the Spring of 2025.
At the request of board members, Collins reviewed potential projects that have been identified for future consideration with estimates of costs. He also reviewed reserves on hand along with how ARPA funds have been used in the past. Approximately half of the total ARPA funds received have been spent.
Details for a new pavilion at the entrance of the disc golf course were presented. Collins indicated that he was waiting for an estimate to run electricity to the pavilion while also providing better lighting to the parking lot. Authorization was given for the purchase of the pavilion for no more than $11,000.
Collins said that the platform for the Town’s website was antiquated. Currently the website is maintained under a rolling contract. He, along with staff, are looking at “state of the art” platforms. Cost for a new platform would be in the range of $9,000 to $10,000, plus ongoing maintenance.
The Town Highway Superintendent expressed concern about parking on Town roads, especially during snow-plowing season. A draft local law is to be available for consideration at the next board meeting. Angus Eaton expressed concern that some residents need to park on the road. He recommended further consideration and communication to the public.
A local law has been developed to Establish Alternate Members to the Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board. A resolution was adopted to set the date for the public hearing on this local law on March 21, 2024.
After much discussion relative to the sale of alcoholic beverages at the Town park a resolution was passed to allow alcohol to be sold by Chatham Brewing and consumed at Crellin Community Park in conjunction with the Capital Bike Club Event on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
A resolution was adopted to suspend the levying of application fines for Short Term Rentals for an additional 60 days. This was done in recognition of the low compliance with the requirement for all Short Term Rentals to apply for a permit to operate and to allow more time to engage an enforcement agent.
A resolution was adopted to authorize the Climate Smart Committee to develop a Climate Smart website to better inform and involve the community in the Town’s Climate Smart goals, projects, and actions at a cost not to exceed $300. This website will be separate from the Town’s official website.
There was discussion on the Climate Action Response Plan, as well as the Columbia County Hazard Mitigation Plan; both needing further review and action at a later date.