Woodstock Town Board Meeting (Part 2) June 17, 2008

This article appeared in the Townsman, June 26 edition

Woodstock, June 17 2008

Russell Richardson, head of the Onteora Indie Program, spoke before the Woodstock town board at its June 17 meeting and asked for its moral and financial support. The program is aimed at “at risk” high school students and encourages “self awareness and self esteem” primarily using video workshops as a tool. The program has had its ups and downs in its relations with the school board over the years, but the recently elected school board appears “very supportive,” according to Russell. There will be a full schedule next year, including an after school program from 2:30 to 5:00 PM each school day. A 2008 summer schedule is planned, with up to eight children from Woodstock enrolled. Just recently Woodstocker Noria Gugliotta won first prize for Best Music Video out of approximately 300 entries to the youth video festival in Hunter. “Any gesture would be a very clear sign that we [the Indie Program] are supported by the community,” said Russell, who also cited area businesses as contributors. At the end of his presentation the town board, on a motion by councilwoman Terrie Rosenblum, voted unanimously to support the program and to allocate up to $1000 in financial aid. “I’ve taught art to high school students for thirty years,” said Rosenblum. “I am very aware of its value as an educational tool, and it pleases me to know the number of Woodstock youth benefiting from the Indie Program.”

Supervisor Jeff Moran announced the continuation of the Oral History Project: “Our Lives and the Mountain Through Storytelling and Art,” a second year that the Woodstock Oral History Collective will be recording stories of local seniors “whose families have lived here for generations, acting as caretakers of the land and of the culture.” The scripted oral histories will be read at the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum from 1-5 p.m., Saturday, October 18, 2008.

David Gross, member of the Woodstock environmental commission (WEC) but wearing his hat as a “private citizen,” read from a short essay calling upon businesses to recognize disposal and end-of-life costs of their products and their effects on the environment as part of their total cost. His subsequent colloquy with the board focused primarily on the wide use of plastic bags, and the devastation they have on the ecology. He encouraged the board to continue its policy of environmental stewardship, and while acknowledging that the township may not of the authority to ban plastic bags, he thought perhaps the county did. Councilwoman Terrie Rosenblum offered to work with county legislator Brian Shapiro, who chairs the legislature’s environmental committee, to construct a helpful resolution from the town board to encourage such an endeavor.

Mary Burke, chairwoman of the Woodstock environmental commission, announced a 22 page “green guide” constructed by WEC member Megan Reynolds. The guide is packed with information, including web addresses, to complement Woodstock’s carbon neutral initiative. The town board agreed to discuss the guide at its July 8 meeting.

To the palpable satisfaction of the room, councilman Jay Wenk’s proposal for a policy on the agenda process was deferred to a later meeting.

Also deferred for later meetings was a continued discussion of policy regarding town board members’ ringing up consultant fees without prior authorization from the supervisor, the idea of installing signage at the end of Hutchin Hill Road to prohibit overnight parking on that desolate lane often colonized by transients, and a proposal to move one of the Comeau trails to divert walkers away from the soccer field.

The supervisor’s suggestion to shift the schedule for collecting parking fees at the town’s main parking lot from Thursday through Tuesday to Wednesday through Monday was opposed by board members Chris Collin s, Liz Simonson and Wenk, who again accused the supervisor of “targeting” the Farm Festival held on Wednesdays. The Town provides an officer to direct traffic on days of the festival at a cost that was estimated to be $45.00 per hour.

Joan Elliot was appointed to the commission for civic design, replacing Barbara Yusko, who will now serve as an alternate.

The resignation of Eli Liss from the ethics board was accepted, the town board expressed its gratitude for his service as well. With the five member ethics board now comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans a candidate not belonging to either political party is being sought to fill Mr. Liss’s vacant seat. Local law prohibits the ethics board from having a majority with membership in one political party.

The board authorized another test of the sound level emitted during active play and use of the skate park at the Youth Center. Neighbors have maintained that sound levels at the park violate the zoning law. Proposals to move the skate park, including one to construct a new, enclosed facility on Andy Lee Field have not been entertained in recent meetings.

Rental fees were waived for a Hospice fundraiser to be held on July 5 at the Community Center from the hours of 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Signs will be posted on Maple Lane reading “No Parking 2-10 PM Wednesdays, Except Authorized Vehicles.” Without amending the Town’s traffic and parking law the regulation cannot be enforced, but the board expressed hope that people will still obey.

A diseased tree will be removed from the area of the Woodstock Reformed Church, the town board’s approval necessitated by a 1956 local ordinance regulating the removal of shade trees within proximity of Mill Hill Road and Tinker Street.

Supervisor Moran appointed councilman Collins to serve as deputy supervisor, after receiving his assurance of at least one weekly meeting to discuss business of the town. Collins replaces councilwoman Liz Simonson.

After listening to committee reports that have been described in last week’s edition (June 19, 2008), the supervisor closed the meeting at approximately 11:15 PM.