Wetlands public hearing ended

WASHINGTON — Fewer than 15 residents attended the public hearing on the pending wetlands legislation in the town of Washington on Monday night, March 21, at the Millbrook firehouse. “Thank you all for coming again,” welcomed town Supervisor Florence Prisco. “There are so few of us we really don’t need microphones.”After more than two years of discussion there were still some comments that hadn’t been heard before. Dirk Rosse, who owns 30 aces on Overlook Road, said owners of wetlands are not offered compensation for the lack of use of their land, while everyone else benefits. “Developers are saying give me this wealth of yours,” added Fernando Nottebohm, a resident of North Tower Road. Village resident Tony Sloane referred to a study done by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on the economic benefits of open space preservation. Sloane maintained that not passing the legislation would ease the path to development. A Clinton resident who is a gardener criticized the legislation’s definition of native and invasive plants. Mike Murphy, chairman of the Wetlands Committee, acknowledged the challenge and referred her to the extensive bibliography in the addendum of the legislation, which offers guidance on these issues and assured everyone that, “No one has to dig up plants that are there.”Speaking from experience about the inadequacy of federal and state protection of wetlands, Killearn Road resident Eve Propp related the history of more than 12 acres of wetlands across the road from her home. Despite phone calls, she said nothing was done by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to prevent the despoliation of the land. Howard Schuman, village resident, endorsed Propp’s view and quoted from the DEC website that the agency encourages the passing of local ordinances. Schuman also said that 99 percent of the 600-plus residents who filled out the survey for the comprehensive plan effort agreed that clean water was important. Town Consultant Steve Marino explained a chart that attempted to estimate the additional costs in the permitting process under the new law. The additional cost of four examples ranged from a low of around $2,000 to a high of $6,000. Murphy explained that the law will provide “an important piece of the puzzle” to the Planning Board, which he praised as very cooperative.The board members present voted unanimously to close the public hearing. At the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 14, the board expects to set the date of a special meeting to deliberate passing the legislation; that date will be announced once set.

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