REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING

May 4, 2005

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

Stormwater Management Study – Area of Oxford-Snowden Hill-Tibbitts Road:

Highway Superintendent Cleveland reviewed stormwater issues in the Tibbitts-Oxford-Kellogg Road area that had been identified in November 2004 and his request at that time that the Town Board authorize about $25,000-$26,000 for a study of that area going down to Sauquoit Creek, and the reasons why – future and right now. At that time, the Town Board asked for the Town Planning Board’s opinion, which was affirmative. In the meantime, questions were raised, additional research done, and additional information was received from Oneida County and the study cost rose to $31,000. Today a "full-blown" study proposal was received and a portion of what the Town Board had asked for – could be down to the $25,000 to $26,000 range. He supports doing a full-blown study – good planning practice and that area of the Town will be changing rapidly – economic development plans in

Planning Board member Gerald Green said he’s spent time with consultant Curt Nichols of Shumaker Engineering this week and he’s outlined and the Planning Board will make available the findings for the study. The Planning Board has had the proposed Longworth Acres project before them for nearly a year and they’re trying hard not to mirror the mistake made with the Jubilee Estates development and thus are relying on and support, together with the Highway Superintendent and Town Planner, the recommendations of Curt Nicols for what needs to be done. Of concern is the source of water above the Longworth Acres project and which water continues its flow to the Sauquoit Creek along Kellogg Road. The Planning Board had accepted Mr. Nichols’ recommendation and Planning Board member Green understood that their request had been denied by the Town Board. Planning Board member Green recommended that this study be broken down into parts and the cost approximates the $25,000-$26,000 range. The Planning Board concerns are not only with the quantity and rate of water run-off but also downstream concerns and where the retention basin is needed to be located….this is a large parcel; size is another concern – we’re relying on experts. Planning Board member Green asked that the Town Board give expeditious consideration to the Shumaker study proposal and that the study be funded out of the Town budget. He stated that this would not be a duplication of service or study if in the future a full-blown GEIS is done, this would be included in the GEIS.

Planning Board member Hans G. Arnold had chaired a couple meetings during the past winter at the request of Chairman Yagey and after reviewing the Longworth Acres project, that Board could see this area being the next significant area of development in the Town – "…. commercial where we’re sitting and the area of Oxford Road." This study is a necessity and required planning on the part of the Town – preparing for stormwater management. The Planning Board looks to the future and tries to project. He said that the Planning Board could deal with development on a "case-by-case" basis, OR, by a more comprehensive way thus making it more efficient. Instead of having several stormwater basins, there could be a smaller number and easier to maintain. It must be figured how the Longworth Acres project fits into the area watershed. "As Jubilee [Estates development] goes forward, Longworth goes forward; public drinking water will come forth in the future, but we need to address stormwater management now," said Member Arnold.

Planning Board Chairman N. Joseph Yagey said that Board has looked at the Longworth Acres project for over a year and needs to move forward. Before this, he noted the town’s two GEIS studies for future planning of highway, police, sewer, stormwater, etc.

[NOTE: Attorney Rossi joined the meeting at 7:20 P.M.]

Discussion ensued among the Planning Board members and the Town Supervisor about the amount of water run-off depending on crop rotation at the top of Snowden Hill Road.

Thereafter, the following Resolution was introduced for adoption by Councilman Butler and seconded by Councilman Waszkiewicz:

(RESOLUTION NO. 115 OF 2005)

RESOLVED that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby authorize and direct a stormwater study to be conducted by Shumaker Engineering for the area encompassing the Oxford-Snowden Hill-Tibbitts-Kellogg Road area at a cost not to exceed Twenty-eight Thousand Dollars ($28,000) contingent upon the Town having sufficient monies in the stormwater bonding account to perform the study.

Whereupon, the Town Clerk polled the Board members who voted as follows:

Councilman Waszkiewicz - Aye

Councilman Butler - Aye

Councilman Woodland - Aye

Councilman Backman - Aye

Supervisor Humphreys - Nay.

The Resolution was declared carried and duly ADOPTED.