Wetlands Ordinance
A Letter We Endorse
Jeffry Giardina, Attorney at Law
October 25, 2010
Millbrook Matters would like to share the following letter, submitted by resident Jeffry Giardina to Town of Washington Supervisor Prisco and members of the Town Board, urging them to enact the draft Wetlands Ordinance, currently in public hearing.
Mr Giardina's letter comes in response to efforts by resident Rob Dyson to make the law less stringent for property owners who wish to engage in projects that would affect wetlands.
Mr. Dyson owns close to a thousand acres in South Millbrook, land which would be affected by the passage of this ordinance.
Wetlands Ordinance Public Hearing
MM Meeting Notes
September 29, 2010
Present: Florence Prisco, Town Supervisor
Michael Murphy, Town Board & Chair of the Wetlands Committee
William Murphy, Town Board Member
Robert Audia, Town Board Member
Steven Marino, Consultant
Rebecca Valk, Attorney
Florence Prisco opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. to an audience of 25 people. She reminded the audience that this is the second public hearing for the revised rendition of the wetlands ordinance. She then turned the floor over to Mike Murphy, Chair of the Wetlands Committee.
An Update on the Citizen Scientist Vernal Pool Study in the Town of Washington
December 10, 2009
On Wednesday, December 2, at the Farm & Home Center on Rt 44, Dr. Michael Klemens, research conservationist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (CIES) and director of the Metropolitan Conservation Alliance (MCA), and Neil Curri, Sr. GIS Resource Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC), presented the results to date of a survey of vernal pools in the Town of Washington.
Town Board Workshop - Wetlands Ordinance
MM Meeting Notes
June 04, 2009
Present: Florence Prisco, Town Supervisor
Mike Murphy, Frank Genova, Dan Weller, William Murphy, Rebecca Valk, Mary Alex, Bob Audia, Steven Turletes, Jack Neubauer, Brad Roeller
Florence Prisco opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. by explaining the purpose of the workshop: to discuss the proposed wetlands ordinance. Ms. Prisco stated that the workshop members consist of members of the town board, the building inspector, and members of the Wetlands Committee.
Town Board Meeting - Wetlands Ordinance
May 14, 2009
Present: Town Supervisor Florence Prisco, Members Robert Audia, Stephen Turletes, Michael Murphy, William Murphy, Bookkeeper Laura Hurley and Town Clerk Mary Alex
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. starting with a pledge of allegiance.
Moment of Silence: A moment of silence was held for town employees Larry Bugosh and Michael Spagnola. Supervisor Prisco said they will be greatly missed.
Letter to Town Board: Wetlands Ordinance
Michael W. Klemens, PhD
April 16, 2009
Dear Supervisor Prisco and Members of the Board:
Thank you for the opportunity to address you while you continue your deliberations on enacting Washington’s home rule wetlands ordinance. Over the last year I have met with both your Wetlands Ordinance Committee and the Conservation Commission. In addition, I have had a telephone meeting with Mr. Beaumont, Chair of the Planning Board, and have provided written commentary to the various ordinance drafts.
Wetlands Public Hearing Remains Open
April 16, 2009
The latest in a series of public hearings concerning the pending Wetlands Ordinance was held April 16, 2008.
We have extensive detailed coverage of this public hearing in our Town Board Minutes section, and we strongly urge interested parties to read this coverage in its entirety.
Millbrook Matters presented the Town Board with a copy of our online petition in support of the Wetlands Ordinance and its inclusion of vernal pools. It contained one hundred plus signatures and can be viewed online.
Proposed Mabbettsville Market Site Plan and Variance Application
Howard Schuman
October 07, 2008
Dear Tom and Brad,
As part of our mission statement, we are dedicated to raising public awareness about the issues that affect our lives in our community. We are committed to an open and transparent local government, wise use of our shared natural resources, and thoughtful planning for the future of both the village and town.
We are concerned that there not be any adverse environment impact from the proposed Mabbettsville Market project, which if approved would be located in an environmentally sensitive area.
As you know, in the past a similar type, but originally less intense, non conforming use was grandfathered on that property, But that grandfathered use has now lapsed due to being discontinued by the former owner.
Let's Not Be Hasty
Howard Schuman
September 02, 2008
At the August Town Board meeting, when Town Councilman Mike Murphy, chairman of the Wetlands Committee, was asked when the draft Wetlands Ordinance would be scheduled for another public hearing, Councilman Allan Rappleyea answered the question for him, saying “Let’s not be hasty. We like to take our time and get things right.”
They certainly like to take their time. The Town has been working on the wetlands ordinance for four years.
Rappleyea followed up by saying, “No wetland has been harmed because this law has not been passed.” This is certainly arguable.
Why a Wetlands Ordinance Now?
Howard Schuman
February 06, 2008
The reason is that it is long overdue -- other towns already have them.
The objectives of the 1989 Town of Washington Master Plan include protecting the community's many resources for the future by enhancing the rural quality of the community and protecting environmentally sensitive areas and natural resources, waterways, flood plains and wetlands by establishing guidelines and regulating development density.
This means to do this has been in our Towns Zoning Code since the last Master Plan update in 1989. It exists under Section 328. WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES.
Letter to Town Wetlands Committee
Anthony R. Sloan
January 24, 2008
Dear Mr. Murphy,
Your wetlands public hearing last week was first rate. In that spirit, I submit this letter for
your consideration.
One concern is that landowners and developers could charge ahead with a development,
filling in wetlands in the process.
Experts Comment on Wetlands Public Hearing
Kate Farrell
January 14, 2008
The following commentaries were presented at the public hearing on the Town of Washington's proposed Wetlands ordinance on January 14th at the Town Hall:
Dave Clouser and Dr. Michael Klemens, conservation biologist and ecologist, submitted reviews of the Wetlands Ordinance. In addition, William Schlesinger presented his opinion as both a resident of the Town of Washington and the Director of the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies.
The comments have been recorded into the public record and submitted for consideration by the Wetlands Ordinance Committee.