AROUND TOWN HALL
Waiver. During a special meeting held Tuesday, the board denied a waiver request, by 2525 Route 9W, LLC, to return a gas station and convenience store on the corner of Route 9W and the Willow Avenue ramp. The current structure has been vacant for over 10 years.
A land use moratorium has prevented the Planning Board from accepting new applications or reviewing existing plans, so the applicant applied for an exception on the grounds of extraordinary hardship. Before the town enacted the moratorium, in Nov. 2018, the applicant had an application pending, before the Planning Board, for site plan approval.
In filing for the exception, the applicant claimed an extraordinary hardship exists because the contract of sale between the applicant and property owner contains a clause which provides that the applicant need not go forward with closing until all land use approvals have been granted. The applicant is also paying $3,000 a month until closing.
The Town Board concluded the expenditure did not justify an extraordinary hardship exception. The board also contends the applicant will not lose the contract, as it can close at any time, nor will it lose the architectural and engineering work which had been performed prior to the moratorium, unless the applicant abandons the project. The board also believes the exception undermines the purposes of the moratorium, especially if new zoning were enacted prohibiting the property from being used as a gas station.
A resolution, to deny the exception, was approved by a 3-1 vote. Councilman Michael Summerfield attempted to table the motion, citing additional questions which still had not been answered. He was the lone “no” vote.
Laurel Crest Park. During Monday night’s council meeting, the Town Board approved a resolution seeking an engineering propsal for Laurel Crest Park. The town received a $170,000 grant, from Senator Bill Larkin, to improve the fields and fix any drainage issues. Depending on how quickly the town’s engineer submits plans will determine when the project will go out to bid. The project is expected to include regrading and reseeding of the field, as well as drainage work. Supervisor Richard Randazzo said the goal is to not interfere with fall soccer.
Firthcliffe sewer. The Department of Environmental Conservation is requiring the town complete a flow management plan at the Firthcliffe sewer plant. The plan must be submitted by Aug. 1.
Film shoot. Max Cherry applied for a permit to shoot a music video near the trestle on Otterkill Road. No roadways will be closed and police presence will not be required. The shoot is scheduled for May 18 and 19.
Pool upgrades. The board approved the purchase and installation of new chlorinators at the wading pool and municipal pool at a cost of $5,587.36. The upgraded system will help with the automated system used to introduce chlorine into the pools. Installation will take place in the next couple of weeks. The wading pool is tentatively scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend while the municipal pool will open the end of June.
Important events. Girls on the Run will hold its annual 5K walk/run at 9 a.m. on June 9. The race will start at New York Military Academy, and continue to Veterans Way in town. Participants will then head up Hudson Street to Academy Avenue.
Saturday, June 15 will be a busy day. It starts with the Blackrock Bass Busters’ Youth Fishing Derby at Rings Pond. Registration begins at 8 and the derby runs from 9 to 11 a.m.
From noon to 4 p.m., Cornwall Fire Department will be holding its annual Touch a Truck event in the parking lot of Highland Engine Company.
