Shandaken Museum Director Appointed
The official Shandaken Museum (in Pine Hill) has been closed most of the time in the past two years. The head of the Library Board announced at the meeting that Earl Hatleberg, who resides in Chichester, has been appointed Museum Director.
Hatleberg said that a business plan is being created for the museum, along with a budget and the establishment of priorities for moving forward. He commented that the museum is “nicely done,” and lauded the creative work of Nancy Smith (the Town of Shandaken Historian) in setting up the museum.
The Museum will be soon open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00PM to 4:00PM. The Museum Director will be paid $10.00 per hour.
[I am so glad that a Museum Director will now be available to run the Museum, which is an important attraction for both Shandaken and Pine Hill. Studies presented to the Pine Hill Main street Committee suggested that about 25 percent of leisure travelers are motivated by interest in history. Our local businesses depend on drawing in spending customers from both local and non-local categories. RMM]
Log Jammed Streams Imperil Bridges In Shandaken
Rick Ricciardella, who is the water system Supervisor in Phoenicia as well as a Realtor, again stressed the risk of flooding and bridge washouts if logjams are not removed from streams in Shandaken. Supervisor Stanley pointed to an intergovernmental relations issue between the Town, Ulster County, and FEMA in dealing with the logjam problem. Many of the bridges are maintained by Ulster County. FEMA will eventually provide funding, but money has not yet been released. Stanley also said that “many of the jams are on private land and people do not have the money to have the work done.”
Two Large Public Events Given Permits for August
The Town Board has the responsibility to issue “Public Assembly” permits for public events likely to have 500 or more people in attendance.
Resolutions were passed to approve permits for the Ulster County Firemen’s Convention to be held in Phoenician on Saturday July 12, and for the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice, also in Phoenicia from August 2 through August 5.
The resolutions stated that the Town of Shandaken is “in receipt of documentation illustrating compliance under the law providing the necessary insurance, permits, security, parking, lighting, sanitation, emergency and evacuation requirements” for both events.
A member of the public raised issues as to whether all fire codes had been met by the organizers of the event. He did not say who he was, and left as soon as the Town Board voted on the assembly permits.
Supervisor Stanley questioned both James McGrath, Officer-in-Charge of the Shandaken Police Department, and Shandaken Ambulance Captain/Administrator Richard Muellerleile about their evaluations of the documentation supporting the safety measures planned. Both officials stated that the safety plans were appropriate in their opinions.
Town Board Member Jack Jordan commented that “I’m certainly satisfied,” with the safety plans for the Firemen’s Convention and the Festival of the Voice. The Town Board passed the resolutions approving Public Assembly Permits for the two events unanimously.
Shandaken Has One of Best Ambulance Units in the State
Ulster County EMS Coordinator Richard Parish attended the meeting to present award plaques to the Shandaken Ambulance Service and to its Captain Richard Muellerleile. He pointed out that the Ambulance service has won designation as the Ulster County and regional “EMS Agency of the Year” and is now in the running for the “Best In NY State.”
Surface Calm on the (Sewer) Waters of Phoenicia
Supervisor Stanley reported that letters have been received from the CWC and the DEP confirming the cancellation of the Phoenicia sewer project and the funding for the project.
He said that “we have had several discussions with representatives of both agencies and they are adamant that there will be no further progress on the issue.” “The inadequate details concerning the proposed build of the proposed [sewer] area and costs to residents” were the largest issue to the Town Board. Stanley reiterated “the Town Board felt that these details must be made available to the public.” He said, “no one in the entire Town is against sewers.”
[I cannot help but believe that negotiations are still going on between Shandaken and the DEP and CWC. There will more developments on this issue in coming months.RMM]
Shandaken Day August 25
The 2012 “Shandaken Day” celebration will be held this year in Pine Hill until 5:00PM, and then will move to Highmount (at the Belleayre Upper Lodge). Vendors, public booths, and games will be set up along Main Street in Pine Hill during the day, with the vendors invited to move up to Belleayre in the parking lot outside the concert hall at the upper lodge for the evening activities.
There will be public recognition of the individuals and organizations that were especially important in the devastating storms of last August and September at the Belleayre festivities, with a “short fireworks display after the Belleayre Concert.”
Information on the advertising pricing for the Shandaken Day insert in the Daily-Freeman will soon be posed on the town website (http://www.shandaken.us).
Phoenicia Library Fund Raising
There will be a fundraiser for the Phoenicia Library on the Parish Hall field in Phoenicia on July 14. There will be a silent auction for attractive items and services, which can even be accessed through EBay. Information can be had by calling the Phoenicia Library.
How Should Land Adjoining Big Indian Park Best Be Used
Town Board Member Jack Jordan commented that the town owns a 1200 acre parcel of forestland adjoining the Big Indian Park. He mentioned several possible public uses for the land for recreational development. His view is that “we can’t afford to take any more areas out of our town and turn them into wilderness with no economic benefit.”
The Phoenicia Water System Needs a New Backup Pump, Pumping Station Repair
Alfred Peavy, the Chairman of the Phoenicia Water Board, exchanged views with Supervisor Rob Stanley and Rick Ricciardella (in charge of maintenance for the Phoenicia Water System) concerning the need for repairs and renovations in the water system. Money is needed to buy a 3rd pump as a backup for the main pumping station in case one of the present pumps fails. Money is being sought for investment in the system.
Scenic Byway
Jack Jordan commented that he had recently attended a meeting of the Scenic Byway Committee, and that there was “nothing different” to report. He said that he had been “disconcerted that Peter Manning had not addressed some of the things” that had been concerns of the Town in past meetings.
Shandaken Summer Recreation
The Town Board appointed camp counselors for the Town summer camp. There will be daily use of the Belleayre Lake in Pine Hill, and two-day trips (one to the “Zoom Flume”), as a part of the summer camp activities. Information is on the Town website.
A Request for Quote for a planning consultant to help the Town prepare its “Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan” was approved. The RFQ is available from the Town Clerk’s Office. Bids are due by 3:00PM Monday, July 30. This plan is being funded under a grant from the Hudson River Valley Greenway.
Recycling of Electronic Waste
The Town recycling center behind the city hall in Allaben will soon be accepting “e-waste” (old electronics including computers and TV’s) under an agreement with We Recycle, LLC, of Mount Vernon, New York. We Recycle is also in a contractual relationship for e-waste with the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency.
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