HomeMy WebLinkAboutLP-09/06/2011LAND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Minutes & Discussion Notes from Meeting held
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Also present:
John Sepenoski, Chairman
Ray Huntington
L/Il/an Ball
Sam McCullough
Maureen Cullinane
Allan Connell
Eric Keil
Melissa Spiro, Land Preservation Coordinator
Stephen Searl, Peconic Land Trust
Commencement:
· The meeting began at 7:10 p.m. with five LPC members present.
Adoption of Meeting Minutes:
· ACCEPTANCE OF MEETING MINUTES FROM AUGUST 9, 2011
MOTION made by Maureen Cullinane, seconded by Sam McCullough, to accept the Land
Preservation Committee meeting minutes from August 9, 2011, subject to three noted revisions from
Ray, Laura and John (re: Bittner Management Plan).
Motion carried: 5/0
Land Preservation Applications and Inquiries:
· SCTM#1000-112/l13-....(Macari properties)
Stephen Searl to give status update
Stephen Searl told the Committee that he has met several times with Joe Macari Sr. and Joe Macari
Jr. to discuss their holdings located on the north and south side of Bergen Avenue. The landowners
are exploring different conservation options in the context of development an estate plan for the
properties: Town & County PDR, State and Federal Funding, Gifting, Installment Sales, Limited
Development, etc.
The Land Preservation Committee expressed interest in preservation but noted that funding is limited.
If initial application is for one tax parcel, the Committee expressed interest in starting on the west
side. Some Committee members also expressed an interest in seeing a concept plan that illustrates
the potential conservation options for the Bergen Avenue properties.
Update re: current applications
Melissa Spiro gave update on current applications:
o Swain - in process of scheduling closing
o Pindar- in process of ordering survey/title/environmental reports
o Terry - working with surveyor on survey; heard from grant contact that appraisal under
review
o Manor Grove - subdivision/lot line application awaiting Health Dept approval. Heather and
Melissa are meeting with Health Department on September 7 to discuss application.
o Horton's Lane Farm (f/k/a Conway) - RFP sent to brokers. Awaiting responses.
Applications & Inquiries for Uses or Structures on Preserved Property:
· SCTM#1000-70-8-1 (Custer Preserve)
Request re: observatory building
The Committee reviewed a request to locate an observatory on Town-owned Open Space. Melissa
gave the Committee background information pertaining to the original purchase, deed restrictions and
current use of the property. Melissa went over applicable sections of the Community Preservation
Fund Rules and Regulations. As per the rules, it may be permissible for the Town to enter into a
license agreement with Custer Institute.
The Committee noted support of Custer Institute's mission; however, the Committee noted that an
approval of the request would set precedent of allowing a privately owned permanent structure on
Town-owned Open Space, and a majority of the Committee members were not in favor of setting this
precedent.
MOTION made by Sam McCullough, seconded by Maureen Cullinane, to deny the request outlined in
an e-mail dated September 4, 2011 from Danna McCormick to Melissa Spiro, to locate an
observatory within the boundaries of the Town-owned property known as Custer Preserve.
Motion carried: 4/1 (no - Ray Huntington [Ray noted that he would support allowing the observatory
subject to a license agreement]
Stewardship and Management:
· Monitoring Schedule
Melissa asked the Committee members to take part in the monitoring and to respond to Melanie's
e-mail requesting volunteers.
Addition to Agenda:
· Deer Management Program
MOTION made by Ray Huntington, seconded by Maureen Cullinane, that while the Land
Preservation Committee members understand and support the premise that to have a practical effect
on control of the deer population a comprehensive plan is necessary, we also desire, and would
support, a control plan that would leave some preserve capacity open to hiking at all times. This
preferably by referral of hikers to preserves where they can hike at any given weekend or holiday
during the hunting season.
Motion carried: 5/0
Yes;
No;
Absent:
John Sepenoski, Ray Huntington, Maureen Cullinane, Lillian Ball,
None
Allan Connell, Eric Keil
Sam McCullough
General Land Preservation Items:
· None
Next Regular Meeting:
o The next regular meeting will be held on September 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Annex Executive
Board Room.
Adjournment:
· The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. by the five attending LPC members.
Respectfully submitted by Melissa Spiro, Land Preservation Coordinator