Co-chair Post called the meeting to order. Brandon moved that the minutes of the prior meeting be accepted, First seconded the motion, and the minutes were accepted unanimously.
Post handed out an updated list of committee members and noted that the committee now numbers nine, and therefore five members comprise a quorum.
Post reported that, the day prior, he had attended a meeting at which Greenway grants were announced. Claverack received the largest grant countywide, for $7,500. It is a reimbursement grant, and Meltz explained that expenses can be submitted for reimbursement as they are incurred. Post noted that the Greenway emphasized the significance of the comprehensive planning process.
The mailing list for the survey was discussed. Post earlier had distributed to members a copy of the list, which was compiled from the list of registered voters and from the Office of Real Property’s list of property owners. The number of names then was reduced from 6,900 to 2,994 by eliminating most (though undoubtedly not all) of the duplicate names. Members noted that not all town residents (and particularly non-property-owning residents who are not registered to vote) are included. Members agreed that the list seemed substantially complete, and satisfactorily so, particularly since anyone who does not receive a survey will be able to obtain one from the town offices, and, if they agree, the two libraries. Post reported that Deputy Town Clerk Martha Pizza is investigating the possibility of having it downloadable from the town website.
Meltz noted that only one town (Otsego) that they have worked with has made its survey one that can be completed online, which adds cost to the process, since data compilation has to be subcontracted out. Claverack, however, had already decided not to take that route. The committee then voted, with a motion by First that was seconded by Stearns and then passed unanimously, to distribute the survey via the mail, and to have it available at town hall and the town website.
The survey itself then was reviewed. Including mention of a rails-to-trails corridor was discussed and it was decided that there was ample opportunity for a resident to add a comment to that effect, particularly under the section on recreation. Changing “public swimming pool” to “access to swimming” was discussed and rejected. Members agreed that it was easy to complete. The possibility of surveying businesses located in town (since owners may not reside in town) was discussed, but Meltz suggested that the focus groups are the better vehicle for obtaining that feedback. Lee moved to accept the survey, Stearns seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed.
The cover letter to be mailed with it was discussed. It will mention the February 11th workshop, and will ask that surveys be returned by February 18th. The mailing is expected to be sent within a week, with the only item awaiting confirmation whether or not the survey will be available on the town website. Meltz said that his firm should be able to compile survey results, as well as results from both workshops, by the end of March.
In terms of promoting the survey, to maximize the response, Meltz will produce a poster and a press release, and the committee hopes to use the town website as well. It was noted that the Independent’s calendar has not included CPC meetings.
The workshop on the 11th, from 9-11am, will be held at the former Ockawamick School, now the Hudson River Academy. Custodians from the academy will open and close the school and help with setup. It was suggested that a modest remuneration, perhaps $100, be offered them for their approximately four hours of time.
Next steps were discussed. The GIS (Geographic Information Systems) work and the town profile will be completed soon. By summer 2006 a draft document should be available.
Post raised the possibility of using upcoming meetings to hear invited speakers on a variety of relevant areas. The list of speakers could be promoted to the public, e.g., on the town website, in hopes of attracting audience members. Possible speakers and topics discussed included
- Kevin O’Neil from Housing Resources of Columbia County
- Ed Stiffler, past county planner and now a staffer at “economic development” (Columbia Hudson Partnership/Columbia Economic Development Corporation/Hudson Development Corporation/Columbia County Industrial Development Agency)
- A representative from the Columbia Land Conservancy; Eric Ooms, president of the Columbia County Farm Bureau; and local farmers such as the Hesses (who have the county’s oldest continually operating farm) to speak on agriculture
- Steve Nack, from Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District; Danny Keyser from Keyser Well Drilling; and someone from rural water resources (NY Rural Water Association)
- zoning
- economic development
- historic preservation
- community centers
The committee will endeavor to arrange for a speaker for the next meeting. Meltz will ask Nan Stolzenberg for suggestions of other speakers or topics.
Focus groups will likely be held during April and May.
The next meeting will be held Thursday, January 26, 2006, at the Town Hall.
On a motion made by Brandon, seconded by Zink, and unanimously accepted, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Virginia Martin
Self-Appointed and Unofficial Note-Taker
vmartin@mhcable.com
518.851.5191
Caveat: While the writer has endeavored to accurately represent what transpired at this meeting, the foregoing “notes” have not been, and are not expected to be, reviewed by the committee for accuracy. However, the writer encourages anyone who was in attendance at the meeting (committee members, audience members) to contact her with suggested corrections.