VIDEO: Water Board Meeting 12/10/14

By Rebecca Martin

We have been a bit backlogged with work, and are just getting the December 10th Water Board meeting up that touches upon important infrastructure work that is upcoming.

Please read:

Water Board Minutes from 12/10/14

Thanks.

Kingston Water Board Meeting:  Part 1

0:10 – 0:21
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved on a motion made by Commissioner Niedzielski and seconded by Commissioner Croswell. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

0:23 – 0:35
Bills in the amount of $39,320.52 dated 11/19/14; $28,500.56 dated 11/26/14; $67,683.25 dated 12/3/14; and $401,459.54 dated 12/10/14 were ordered paid as audited on a motion by Commissioner McSpirit and seconded by Commissioner Croswell. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

0:39 – 2:10
The Board discussed the Cooper Lake Dam Project. Borings are scheduled to begin next week. A 30% design is expected to be completed in March, 2015.

2:19 – 7:12
A motion authorizing the purchase of a new John Deere Backhoe at an approximate cost of $130,000 was made by Commissioner Niedzieski and seconded by Commissioner McSpirit. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

7:14 – 43:02
The 2015 Proposed Budget was discussed by the Board. A motion was made by Commissioner McSpirit and seconded by Commissioner Niedzielski to authorize the transfer of up to $235,000, if necessary, from the Department’s Capital Account to the Department’s Checking Account to be used in the 2015 Operating Budget. Motion carried by unanimous vote. A motion adopting the proposed 2015 Budget as amended was made by Commissioner Croswell and seconded by Commissioner McSpirit. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

43:10 – 57:58
A motion was made by Commissioner McSpirit and seconded by Commissioner Niedzielski to increase the deposit for the 3 inch Hydrant Meter to $5,000 and for the 5/8 inch Hydrant Meter to $1,000. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

 

Kingston Water Board Meeting: Part 2

0:00 – 5:12
The Board discussed the Phase 1B Filter Renovation Project. The Board was informed that the project is on schedule. Project should be done by July.

5:13 – 11:20
The Board discussed the request from Tech City to supply one of its buildings with water from the Town of Ulster. Superintendent Hansen does not think that the Water Department should do it and  will contact Tech City about the request.  

11:26 – 24-37
A motion authorizing a contract with Prowler for Leak Detection at a cost not to exceed $12,000 was made by Commissioner McSpirit and seconded by Commissioner Niedzielski. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Commissioner Niedzielski and seconded by Commissioner McSpirit authorizing the payment of a meter product shipment later this month after its arrival. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

A motion to move into Executive Session was made by Commissioner Croswell and seconded by Commissioner McSpirit at 4:30 pm. A motion to come out of Executive Session was made by Commissioner Niedzielski and seconded by Commissioner Croswell at 5:52 pm. Motions carried by unanimous vote.

The Superintendent’s Report was approved on a motion by Commissioner Croswell and seconded by Commissioner Niedzielski. Motion carried by unanimous vote.

VIDEO: Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting 1/22/15

12:09 – 13:08    Rebecca Martin, Kingston NY
Has the ToU received the draft scoping document from The Chazen Companies and if not,  will the Town Board extend the projected publication date of the draft scoping document by Town Board resolution as protocol based on the SEQR TIMELINE initiated by the Town of Ulster as Lead Agency?

13:20 –  15:38   David Bruner, Kingston NY
“It Could very well be said that this water belongs to God, in whatever form he appears to you.”  VIEW speech text.

15:44 – 16:24     Jennifer Schwartz Berky, Kingston NY
Have you received any other communications from The Chazen Companies or Niagara outside of the draft scoping document?

16:27 – 17:25    Elizabeth Simonson, Lake Hill, NY
Knowing that you anticipated a copy of the draft scoping document today, has anyone from the Town Board or the Supervisor’s (Deputy) office contacted or had direct communication with Chazen about when they can expect to get a copy of the document?

 

WHAT TO EXPECT: Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting Thursday, 1/22/15 at 7:00pm

By Rebecca Martin

The Town of Ulster (ToU) Town Board will meet on Thursday, January 22nd at 7:00pm.

It was REPORTED that the new deadline for the Chazen Companies to submit a draft scoping document for Niagara was to occur on 1/22/15 which is tomorrow. Although at the last ToU Town Board Meeting Supervisor Quigley stated “We have no notice from Chazen of a delivery date of the scoping document” (VIEW the recorded meeting that starts at 30:15) the public anticipates tomorrow as a deadline as there hasn’t been any formal communication otherwise.

The ToU has released tomorrow evenings AGENDA where nothing regarding Niagara is noted. That doesn’t mean that it will not be added sometime tomorrow, and we will keep you updated.

According to the SEQR TIMELINE  that the Town of Ulster posted on their website, it states that the ‘Projected publication date of the draft scoping document‘ was to be December 22nd and that the date “May be extended by Town Board Resolution“.  That did not occur last month.  We are hoping to learn the Board’s course of action tomorrow evening in this regard.

As a reminder, the public may speak at the front of the meeting on matters that are on the agenda, and then allotted time at the end of the meeting to speak on anything else. If Niagara is not on the agenda, be prepared to step up to the podium when Supervisor Quigley invites the public to address the board later in the evening. Their meetings run on time, and are brief – so if you intend to come, place be prompt.

 

WHAT TO REQUEST?   A draft scoping document IS submitted:

1. 60 Day Public Comment Period

Last December, KingstonCitizens.org generated a letter to the Town of Ulster as lead agency requesting a total of 60 days for public input during the public portion of the scoping process. This was due in part to the process start date being December 22nd – January 22nd and in the midst of three major holidays.

As the date was reported to be moved to January 22nd, giving The Chazen Company a total of 60 days to deliver their scoping document.

The public, in turn, wishes for the same courtesy.

In addition, for as long as it takes The Chazen Companies to deliver their draft, the public will request the same amount of time.

 

2. Additional Hearings/Locations to Allow Public Input on Draft Scope

Because the proposed project is a complex and multifaceted one that has the potential to impact multiple communities and environmental resources, the public should ask the Town of Ulster to consider more than one public hearing on the scoping document to include locations in Kingston, Woodstock and Saugerties. Additional time and hearing locations in communities that will be potentially impacted would allow for greater public participation and input on the proposed environmental review laid out in the applicant’s draft scope.

FOLLOW:  SEQR Pos Dec Review Timeline on Facebook.

WHAT TO REQUEST?   If a draft scoping document IS NOT submitted:

1. That the Town Board Initiate and Pass a Resolution on Submission of Draft Scoping Document for the Amended SEQR Timeline.

In the SEQR Timeline that the ToU posted on their website, it states that the ‘Projected publication date of the draft scoping document‘ was to be December 22nd and that the date “May be extended by Town Board Resolution“.  The Town Board did not do so to extend the change in December to January. Request that the ToU be transparent and follow their own protocol so that the public has the information that it needs to continue to track this process.

BE PREPARED. 

We ask that all residents prepare a statement in advance to be no more than 3 minutes in length and to please show respect to municipalities where you are a visitor.

Town of Ulster meetings are generally audio taped, however we will be on hand to to film the event thanks to Clark Richters of Kingston News.

If you have any questions, please contact me at: rebecca@kingstoncitizens.org

Thank you.

 

 

TOWN OF ULSTER
TOWN BOARD

WHAT
Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting

WHEN
Thursday, January 22nd, 2014
7:00pm

WHERE
Town of Ulster Town Hall
1 Town Hall Road
Lake Katrine, NY

AGENDA
Click on this LINK 

VIDEO/AUDIO: Kingston Water Board and “The Same Boat”

By Rebecca Martin

Kingston Water Board Meeting
Wednesday, 1/14/15

:50 – 8:34
Resolution adopting organizational rules of Board of Water Commissioner Meetings
This is essentially  New York State Open Meetings Law.

8:42 – 14:35
Cooper Lake Dam Project

*The Kingston Water Board meeting was longer in length and we will share the remainder of the meeting shortly. Their phase 1B is especially important to hear.

AUDIO:

Have a listen to “The Same Boat” hosted by Rachel Marco-Havens. With guests Rebecca Martin and Jennifer Schwartz Berky (KingstonCitizens.org), Kevin Smith (Woodstock Land Conservancy) and Aidan Ferris (SUNY Ulster Environmental Club).

LISTEN

SUSTAIN THE WORK OF OUR WATERSHED: Donate!

 

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By Rebecca Martin

Since September of 2014, KingstonCitizens.org has been at the center of the proposed Niagara Bottling Project. Because of it, our efforts have helped to ‘shed’ light on a number of issues.

As a region, we’ve come to learn the need to be mindful of water – a very limited natural resource. Of aging infrastructure. Transparency and a lack of it.  The use of public funding – and most of all, to illustrate what is possible when citizens come to better understand their role and responsibility here and everywhere.

As we move into a whole new phase of this work, KingstonCitizens.org realizes that what is necessary now is the formation of a WATER COALITION that can be all inclusive and address issues for the long haul around our watershed.

We plan to continue our work as it specifically impacts our community, as KingstonCitizens.org should.

…and so, it is with great enthusiasm that KingstonCitizens.org anticipates the creation of a WATERSHED TASK FORCE by the WOODSTOCK LAND CONSERVANCY charged to identify the work of a future Water Coalition. The group will help to define all aspects of the sustained work and its partners (that will include citizens too) to protect our drinking and ground water and who can eventually develop a comprehensive water policy for our area.

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Please stay tuned as we share task force members and the Woodstock Land Conservancy’s plans. In the near future, we will pass the water work torch over to their capable hands. We couldn’t be more pleased.

Consider making a tax deductible donation to the Woodstock Land Conservancy to provide consultants, legal advice, staff and other items necessary to do this important watershed work.

DONATE  and find ‘Gifts of Honor’. Click on “In Honor of” and then “WATERSHED” in the “First Name” Category.

We look forward to continue to serve our community and the region while we segue. Stay with us.

CITIZEN ALERT: Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting January 22nd

By Rebecca Martin

The next Town of Ulster Town Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 22nd. The public awaits to learn of the draft scoping document to be delivered by The Chazen Companies regarding the proposed Niagara Bottling Project on this evening, or it may once more be delayed.

According to the “Proposed SEQR Schedule” created by the Town of Ulster, a date change to the projected publication date of the Draft Scoping Document (that was originally set to be 12/22, but then reported to be moved to 1/22) “may be extended by Town Board Resolution”.  We therefore expect for the Town Board to communicate with the public regarding the timeline and to address their resolution obligation.

Please plan to attend.

VISIT the meeting Facebook Event for up-to-date agenda information

City of Kingston Shares Final DRAFT Comprehensive Plan Document. Requests Public Input

Click on the image to view the City of Kingston's DRAFT Comprehensive Plan. Public comments are now being accepted!
Click on the image to view the City of Kingston’s DRAFT Comprehensive Plan. Public comments are now being accepted!

By Rebecca Martin

The City of Kingston released the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan the other day and is now asking for public comments.

This process was less to be desired – however the steering committee did a really good job to help improve the original draft created by the consultant tremendously. We are pleased and thankful for  the work that they did, particularly Julie Noble and Kristen Wilson as well as the work of citizens Jennifer Schwartz Berky and Kevin McEvoy.

VIEW the press release and how comments can be submitted

VIEW the DRAFT Comprehensive Plan (Kingston 2025)

A public presentation is scheduled for Thursday, January 29th at 6:30pm. Public comments will be heard that evening, and can be sent in advance to Suzanne Cahill, Planning Director at: scahill@kingston-ny.gov or submitting written comments to Kingston Planning Office, City Hall, 420 Broadway in Kingston.

KingstonCitizens.org has requested a longer public comment period in order to help organize public ‘break-out’ groups to help the public understand the Comp Plan process prior to the public meeting organized by the City of Kingston. Citizens can contact their Common Council Liaison to the Comp Plan Steering Committee Deb Brown (Ward 9) at 845/338-0763 to request more time and guidance too.

READ MORE
A New Draft of the Kingston Comprehensive Plan Effort 2025 Revealed on September 18th.

 

 

 

MAKING HISTORY: City of Kingston first city in New York State to Adopt Resolution to Oppose Pilgrim Pipeline.

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By Iris Marie Bloom

The City of Kingston Common Council unanimously passed a Resolution to Oppose Pilgrim Pipeline. Kingston is now the 8th municipality in the state of New York to take a stand against Pilgrim, joining 22 municipalities in New Jersey.

Councilman Brad Will, who introduced the successful Resolution, said: “This unanimous resolution is consistent with Kingston’s Conservation Advisory Committee’s position. It protects the environment, residents, and business owners, and allows us to move towards a greener economy.” He credited Jen Metzger as the “dynamo” who warned him about Pilgrim. Will provided a map so the Kingston Common Council could see how directly it would threaten Kingston unless is it is stopped.

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Kingston would be in the direct path of Pilgrim Pipeline. The five-mile evacuation radius in case of a pipeline explosion would be unmanageable for Kingston. A resident who lives on the Rondout Creek (me) testified last night that “The beautiful Rondout Creek, vital to the City of Kingston in every way, could be devastated by a drilling mud spill during Pilgrim’s planned horizontal drilling under the creek. An oil spill on the Rondout, such as the one on the Kalamazoo River, would not only destroy the Rondout Creek but cause health problems for residents and hurt the local economy. The Kalamazoo spill has so far cost $2.5B and counting. Residents there suffered respiratory, neurological and other health impacts from the intense fumes from the Kalamazoo spill.”

 

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Making History

Kingston is the first City in the state of New York to oppose Pilgrim, joining the towns of Rosendale and New Paltz, and the Village of New Paltz, which are also in the pipeline’s direct path. RochesterRhinebeck, Woodstock, and Marbletown have passed Supporting Resolutions Opposing Pilgrim Pipeline. The two-state total is now 30, a new milestone!

WHAT TO EXPECT: Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting Thursday, 1/8/15 at 7:00pm

By Rebecca Martin

The Town of Ulster Town Board will meet on Thursday, January 8th at 7:00pm.  Although at this time, an agenda has not been posted to their site (we will continue to look for it and update this post when it is up), we expect that the board will have a discussion on the recent change to the SEQR timeline. As you know, it was reported last month that the Chazen Companies, Niagara Bottling’s consultant, had requested an additional 30 days to submit their scoping document. Originally, the delivery was to be December 22nd.   It is expected that the board will confirm the date change to January 22nd.

The public may speak at the front of the meeting on matters that are on the agenda, and then given time at the end of the meeting to speak on anything else.

 

WHAT TO REQUEST?

60 Day Public Comment Period

Last December, KingstonCitizens.org generated a letter to the Town of Ulster as lead agency requesting a total of 60 days for public input during the public portion of the scoping process. This was due in part to the process start date being December 22nd – January 22nd and in the midst of three major holidays.

The date was reported to be moved to January 22nd, giving the Chazen Companies a total of 60 days to deliver their scoping document.

The public, in turn, wishes for the same courtesy.

 

Additional Hearings/Locations to Allow Public Input on Draft Scope

Because the proposed project is a complex and multifaceted one that has the potential to impact multiple communities and environmental resources, the public should ask the Town of Ulster to consider more than one public hearing on the scoping document to include locations in Kingston, Woodstock and Saugerties. Additional time and hearing locations in communities that will be potentially impacted would allow for greater public participation and input on the proposed environmental review laid out in the applicant’s draft scope.

FOLLOW:  SEQR Pos Dec Review Timeline

 

BE PREPARED. 

We ask that all residents prepare a statement in advance to be no more than 3 minutes in length and to please show respect to municipalities where you are a visitor.

Town of Ulster meetings are generally audio taped, however we will be on hand to to film the event thanks to Clark Richters of Kingston News.

If you have any questions, please contact me at: rebecca@kingstoncitizens.org

Thank you.

 

 

 

TOWN OF ULSTER
TOWN BOARD

WHAT
Town of Ulster Town Board Meeting

WHEN
Thursday, January 8th, 2014
7:00pm

WHERE
Town of Ulster Town Hall
1 Town Hall Road
Lake Katrine, NY

AGENDA
Click on this LINK (coming soon)

 

KingstonCitizens.org Host Free Screening of TAPPED in the Town of Ulster, NY.

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KingstonCitizens.org host free movie screening of “Tapped” in the Town of Ulster, NY on Thursday, January 15th at 6:00pm “Tapped” examines the bottled water industry and its long-term social, economic and ecological effects 

Kingston, NY – KingstonCitizens.org with the support of the Woodstock Land Conservancy, Riverkeeper and Esopus Creek Conservancy is proud to sponsor a free screening of the film “Tapped” at the VFW Post 1386 Men’s Auxillary at 708 E. Chester Street in Kingston, NY on Thursday, January 15th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

Niagara Bottling Company, a national water bottling plant based in California, wants to establish a plant in the Town of Ulster.  It seeks to purchase 1.75 million gallons of water per day from Cooper Lake, Kingston’s municipal water source located in Woodstock, and plans to utilize support from the Start-Up NY Program that gives 10 years of tax abatements to qualifying companies.

Tapped focuses on industry giants PepsiCo and Nestle. The film documents the filmmakers’ visits to a town containing a Nestle factory as well as tests run on the bottles the company uses for its products. These test results showed “several potentially harmful chemicals, some known as carcinogens.” The documentary also focuses on the fraction of bottles that is recycled, noting that “forty percent of bottled water is really just filtered tap water, and every day we throw away 30 million single-served bottles of water.”

The event is free. NO TICKETS ARE NECESSARY. The public will be met by representatives of KingstonCitizens.org to answer any questions regarding the proposed Niagara Bottling Company project in Ulster County.

If your school or organization would like to host a screening, please contact Rachel Marco-Havens for more information at rachel@kingstoncitizens.org

“Tapped” Film Screening Date and Location:

TOWN OF ULSTER
Thursday, January 15th, 2015
VFW Post 1386 Men’s Auxillary
Time 6:00pm
708 East Chester Street
Kingston, NY 12401

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About KingstonCitizens.org  KingstonCitizens.org is a community-based organization committed to improving the quality of life of Kingston residents through accountability and transparency between the people and their local government. By providing citizens with current and important information through better communication, our work is meant to nurture citizen participation and empowerment through projects, education and fun.

About Woodstock Land Conservancy  The Woodstock Land Conservancy is a non-profit organization committed to the protection and preservation of the open lands, forests, wetlands, scenic areas and historic sites in Woodstock and the surrounding area.

About Riverkeeper   Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and to safeguard the drinking water of nine million New York City and Hudson Valley residents.

About Esopus Creek Conservancy  

  • is to conserve significant natural landscapes
  • in the lower Esopus Creek watershed
  • and in the Saugerties area
  • by protecting the rural character of the environment,
  • by conserving and protecting natural habitats,
  • by promoting biodiversity, and
  • by sharing an appreciation of our natural resources with the community through public outreach, education and advocacy.