COUNCILMAN DENIES REPORT

This article appeared in the Townsman, February 26 edition

Woodstock, February 23, 2009


A press report that seemed to indicate Woodstock councilman Chris Collins may be inclined to “scuttle” the RUPCO proposal to build 53 units of senior and affordable housing behind the Bradley Meadows shopping center by refusing it municipal water and sewer service was refuted by Collins. In a written reply to this reporter, who had asked Collins to verify the report — and if it were true to discuss when he might offer a resolution to the town board to deny the water/sewer service — Collins said, “If that is what you read it is completely false, and perhaps to your chagrin, I won't be presenting any resolution. When I spoke with the reporter he was not taking notes at the time and I was on my way out of the public hearing. In conversation about the RUPCO project I commented, ‘The Planning Board must decide on the project's approval as they are Lead Agency, but RUPCO will have to go to the town board for hookup to sewer and water and the town board will ultimately have to make that decision.’ That's it. I never suggested what the town board would do since I am not a prognosticator. Decisions like these can only be made after a request it [sic] the board and after all the facts are presented.”

Judging by a letter Collins delivered to the planning board at its February 12 hearing on the RUPCO draft environmental impact statement, however, it appears Collins has made up his mind to oppose the project as it now stands. “It is true Woodstock has been remiss about creating affordable housing,” wrote Collins. “We have seriously neglected our responsibilities here. We have failed to resolve this issue… Somewhere we lost the will or never had it. That said, we must now find a way better than what you [RUPCO] insist on.” He went on to suggest that RUPCO “Help us build affordable housing over time, help us spread it around town, help us integrate it gradually into our neighborhoods, help us do it our way, not your way.”

RUPCO representative Guy Kempe when reached for comment said that an application for water/sewer hookup would require a “ministerial, not a legislative response” by the town board, and seemed surprised by Collin’s understanding of the law

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The issue was not discussed at the Woodstock town board’s special meeting held this last Monday to continue to discuss fees and terms for rental of Town buildings for private uses. After deliberation that began at 4:00 PM and consumed almost an hour it was decided to maintain the current fee schedule, but to give exemption to 501 (c) 3 (not-for-profit) organizations that do not charge admission to their events (although they can still “request” donations), have at least one Woodstock resident board member, and who will not charge a fee to vendors invited to participate in their events. With regard to liability insurance, it was decided that “passive” uses, for instance poetry readings and drum circles, would not require proof of insurance, but activities such as dancing and exercise would. Entities that engage in non-passive activities will have ninety days to comply with the new insurance requirement, if they have not already.

The fee schedule is currently $15.00 per hour for residents, $25.00 per hour for non-residents. Arrangements for use of either the Town Hall or Community Center are to be made with the town clerk. Current arrangements with Performing Arts of Woodstock and the Woodstock Film Festival will remain in effect.

In other business, councilwoman Liz Simonson, after consultation with Steve Finkle, director of the office for economic development of the City of Kingston, urged the town board to send a letter to Ulster County, state and federal officials that would perhaps attract funding from the recently federally adopted ‘stimulus’ package to the “shovel ready” Town Hall renovation project that was stalled on costs that exceeded expectations. Members of the town board briefly recapped positions already expressed on the matter, Simonson stating that if a large percentage of the costs of renovating the Town Hall would be covered by stimulus moneys the Town would be foolish not to pursue it, councilman Chris Collins maintaining that construction of a new town hall at the foot of Comeau Drive was economically feasible, and supervisor Jeff Moran holding to his belief that purchase and renovation of the Elna Ferrite building on the Bearsville Flats might offer the best solution both economically and practically for solving the Town’s need for more space and better facilities. It was finally decided to include in the letter to potential funding sources, along with the completed design work for the Town Hall renovation, mention of the other two possibilities.

In an interview with Finkle, who had just attended a meeting focused on the availability of the federal moneys for local projects, it appears most funding will go to infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges and municipal sewer and water. Mr. Finkle was unsure if town hall renovations would qualify, however he was vaguely aware of funding for ‘discretionary’ projects, funding that may require the assistance of federal representatives.

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Sources in the Woodstock town government who wish not to be identified report an effort afoot to seek the recusal of two members of the planning board, David Corbett and Paul Shultis Jr., from determinations regarding the RUPCO application to build 53 units of senior/affordable housing in Woodstock. It is alleged by some that Corbett and Shultis’ service on the volunteer committee that recommended the site behind Bradley Meadows for an affordable housing proposal compromised their objectivity with regard to the RUPCO application. Opposing this view are those who maintain that recommending the site for investigation in no way committed Corbett and Shultis to its development, that their recommendation came with no suggestions with regard to size and scope, and indeed neither of them have given the slightest indication on where they stand on the RUPCO proposal as it now stands. It is also pointed out that neither Corbett nor Shultis have any financial interest in RUPCO or the proposed project or any entity involved with the project.

Planning board member Peter Cross had already recused himself when it had been suggested that his employment by a surveying firm involved in the project would give the appearance of a conflict in interest. Were Corbett and Shultis to be removed from the decision-making the matter of processing the RUPCO application would devolve on the remaining four planning board members Mark Peritz, Allen Duane, Laurie Ylvisacker and Paul Henderson. An application before the planning board can only be approved by no less than four votes. Peritz has publicly made statements critical of the application. Ylvisacker, before she was appointed to the planning board, had also made critical statements publicly.

Supervisor Jeff Moran, when reached for comment, was not aware of such move. Terrie Rosenblum responded, “I have heard the same rumors, but to my knowledge, David Corbett was not on the affordable housing committee. As for Paul, I did not hear him voice any opinion on the [RUPCO] issue while I was on the Planning Board, even when he explained the Affordable Housing Committee's mission and process to us at a planning board meeting.” Rosenblum served with both Corbett and Shultis before she was elected to the town board in 2005. Councilwoman Simonson’s response was, “I’m not aware of anything.”

There was no response from councilpersons Jay Wenk or Chris Collins.

Shultis was re-appointed to the planning board by a unanimous vote of the town board this past January.