Minutes

City of Beacon Council Meeting

March 21, 2005

REGULAR MEETING

The regular meeting of the Beacon City Council at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza was called to order at 7:30 p.m. following Workshop by Mayor with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Council Members Present: Deanna Leake, Samuel Way, Lee Kyriacou and Fred Antalek.

Excused: Eleanor Thompson and Mike Fasano

Also Present: City Administrator, Joseph Braun

City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli

David Stolman, AICP, PP President Frederick P. Clark Associates, Inc. Planning/Development/Environment/ Transportation

The media were represented by: Michelle Lee, Poughkeepsie Journal

Resident Present at Beginning: 35

Public Hearings:

1. Proposed Local Laws Changing the Zoning Laws A, B and C:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Beacon will hold public hearings on Monday, March 21, 2005 at the City of Beacon Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York at 7:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter is reached on the agenda, to consider three Proposed Local Laws:

1. Proposed Local Law A: Changing the Zoning of Property from R1-10 One Family Residence District to R1-40 One Family Residence District.

2. Proposed Local Law B: Changing the Zoning of Property from R-1-40 One Family Residence District to R1-80 One Family Residence District.

3. Proposed Local Law C: Changing the Zoning of Property from R-1-40 One Family Residence District to R1-120 One Family Residence District.

These local laws are intended to implement an updating of the City’s Development Plan. The local laws will affect changes to the zoning of parcel No. 6054-02-596808 owned by Preshrock Corp., known as the Ursuline property.

The above local laws would take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. Complete copies of the proposed local laws are available at the Municipal Center for inspection during regular business hours.

All interested persons and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the date, time and place aforesaid.

Public Comments on Public Hearing:

Dave Stolman gave the following explanation of this public hearing: We are talking about the Hiddenbrooke Property, also known as the Ursuline Property. That property is currently in two different zoning districts. The portion closest to Depuyster Avenue is zoned R1-10 which currently permits approximately four dwelling units per acre. One dwelling for every 10,000 square feet. The rest of the property is currently zoned R1-40. This is approximately one dwelling per acre. The proposals before the city council are to take the portion that is currently zoned R1-10 and rezone that R1-40. This would basically take the density of that area along Depuyster Avenue and make it one-quarter of what it is right now. Instead of four units per acre, it would be one unit per acre. For the central part of the property that is zoned now as one unit per acre will become R1-80 that is one unit every two acres. The portion of the property that is closest to the town of Fishkill easterly boundary will go from R1-40 that is one dwelling per acre to a zone of R1-120 which would be one dwelling for every three acres. That is essentially proposed with these three local laws tonight.

Dennis Pavelock, Judson St. Beacon read the following comments dated March 21, 2005:

I want to make my comments known regarding the Hiddenbrooke property. I’d like to see the city council step up to the plate and protect this property at all costs. Other than our protected trails and our parks, what else is left to protect. According to our Master Plan of 1974, the conclusion for recreation says this: Employing National Recreation Association minimum standards, an additional 75 acres of municipal recreation space will be needed by 1990 for a total of 160 acres to be devoted to this use. We have proposed 123 acres. That’s a start. Respectfully submitted, Dennis Pavelock.

Brian Peralta read the following comments:

We have a problem now with flooding; with heavy rains and melting snow/rain combinations, as you know. This will clearly be exacerbated with the extensive development and the destruction of the mature woodlands. It is my hope that a comprehensive and unbiased environmental assessment will determine that there is a significant possibility that this project will have an adverse environmental impact such that a positive declaration is issued requiring further revision and limitations with respect to building and developing this property. We are counting on the city council to protect current homeowners from potential damage to our properties.

David Stolman gave a comment: I would like to make a couple of points. The City Council has been entertaining this kind of rezoning for this property for quite some time. It goes back to 2003 if not further back. This is not something that is occurring in response to any particular plan that has been put forth. Secondly, the plans that people may have seen recently would not merely comply with the proposals that the city council is currently entertaining. Essentially the applicant or the property owner would have to go back pretty much to the drawing board if these three local laws are adopted by the city council. As I mentioned before, the density would be a whole lot lower than what is being proposed by virtue of those plans right now.

Bob Outer, 8 Robin Lane – The problem we have is with the pond that is there now. That pond is filled with silt from Mount Beacon that is now six-feet deep. When it rains, all these fine neighbors do everything they can to get the water out of that park including opening up the dam. We hope we don’t have to blow up that dam. There are also seven springs coming from the property that you are thinking about developing. These are coming through properties into the pond. If they develop that pond, where will the water from the springs go?

Bendan Mayor, Attorney at Law, Shamberg Marwell, Davis & Hollis, P. C. – We represent the property owners. I am pleased that the council will be holding this meeting open for a couple of weeks. A lot of comments expressed here this evening need to go through the planning review process. The developers are eager to work with the council. We will be able to sit with the council’ prior to the April 4, 2005 meeting, and review the three proposals we have prepared and answer any questions they may have. Thank you for your time.

Richard Sugg, 21 Violet Drive– read the following comments:

I’m against the building of homes on the Ursuline Property for the following reasons:

1. Flooding will occur when trees and land are cleared for housing - heavy rains or spring thaws will cause this to happen.

2. The access road being proposed on Violet Drive and Jessen Avenue should not be considered because Public Works use their backhoe to clear the culvert of rock and mud on either side. Any road would block access to doing this work that is necessary after heavy rains and you would not be able to clean the pipes at all.

3. Existing Sewage Systems will not be adequate for all these homes.

4. An environmental study should be requested because of flooding and traffic that will occur when all these homes are built. Cleared areas for new homes will have a severe impact on the residents in the Lake Carol area and Jessen Park.

5. No homes should be built on less than three acre lots and only single-family homes should be considered.

6. A moratorium on building in this area until proper studies have been made. Cleared areas will cause severe flooding. This water will go into existing streams that empty into the Jessen Park and Lake Carol development.

Mayor Clara Lou Gould read the following letter dated March 21, 2005 from John Clarke regarding Referral 05-089 Local Law A, B, & C of 2005

To: City Council, City of Beacon Re: Referral! 05-089, Local Laws A, B, and C of 2005

The Dutchess County Department of Planning & Development has reviewed the subject referral -within the framework of General Municipal Law (Article 12B, Sections 239-1 and 239-m). After considering the proposed action in the context of countywide and inter-municipal factors, the Department finds that the Board's decision involves a matter of some concern,

Action

The City is proposing changes to its Zoning that lower residential densities for a large parcel in the eastern portion of Beacon between DePuyster Avenue and Mountain Lane.

Comments

The City has been raising minimum density requirements for large residential areas in a series of zoning changes over recent years. As we have recommended in the past, the City should address its housing and zoning needs in a more comprehensive city-wide approach, The City's overall Development Plan is now over 30 years old.

From a general policy viewpoint, our department promotes existing cities, villages and hamlet centers as the proper place for higher densities of both residential and commercial uses. This is a. fundamental tenet of "smart growth" strategies, recently incorporated, into Greenway Connections, the Greenway Compact Program for Dutchess County (see pages 24 and 27, as well as Guide B 1).

Beacon has existing central utilities and road, rail, and recreational infrastructure to support compact neighborhood development, Concentrating development in and immediately around existing centers counteracts the inefficient, sprawling use of land typical of most suburban development in southern Dutchess County.

The proposed amendments would increase the required land per unit in areas capable of being serviced by central utility lines. One- and two-acre lots are inefficient for connection to central utilities. We have not seen any specific evidence that the environmental carrying capacities east of DePuyster are insufficient to support the current zoning densities. On the other hand, proper development of this parcel could perhaps cure the existing drainage problems in the immediate area.

The City can balance the desire for protection of potentially difficult topography and sensitive historic properties with the more efficient use of land offered by conservation subdivision techniques. Unless required to cluster by the Planning Board, changing these key parcels to lower densities may result in uniform large lots in a standard suburban pattern with little usable open space preserved.

Recommendation

The Department recommends that the Board rely upon its own study of the facts in the case with due consideration of the above comments.

Garry Wood - I would like to ask Mr. Stolman to clarify something. Regarding the three proposals – Do you know if they comply with current zoning or do they need to apply for variances?

Dave Stolman answered: To the best of my knowledge, there hasn’t been any review by me or the city engineer in respect to those proposals. My understanding is that a letter from Preshrock, the current owners, with the three plans attached was sent to the City Clerk. I also heard that they made an overture to meet with the planning board. But, to the best of my knowledge there hasn’t been anything submitted to me or to the city engineer. I think that what they are proposing is to take the overall density that may be attributable to the property and clustering it all down. With the City Council’s permission, the Planning Board can mandate clustering.

Brendan Mayor, Attorney for Owners - As the County Planning Board noted, there are environmental positives to clustering in subdivisions especially in a city such as Beacon where there is infrastructure already available. There are studies that say that up zoning is not the best way to protect the environment. I hope that the city takes my request to meet with them so we can come up with an agreement. The clustered subdivision will leave 90 acres of open space. Again, thank you for your time.

Randall Martin, 19 Water Street – I just wanted to make a remark about the Dutchess County Planning Board’s ideas about putting more developments in a city like Beacon where “we already have an infrastructure”. The people in Beacon say the infrastructure in Beacon is crumbly and old. It is a much bigger problem than that. It is something that can be looked at if we had studies for a master plan

Shannon Murphy, 59 Beacon Street - Ninety acres of open space is a wonderful idea. Spreading housing over the entire parcel is not a good idea. A negative declaration cannot be submitted without a public hearing. We have a wonderful thing called SEQR. We have to follow the steps of a SEQR program. We need to research what is there. The volume of water coming through it is astounding. It should be studied.

David Stoleman gave a comment: Let me comment on what Shannon just said. There is a SEQR process that is underway here at the city council level regarding the rezoning and you may have seen the words “negative declaration:” on the agenda in relation to the rezoning through local laws. I have not seen any official paperwork that has been submitted to the planning board. The SEQR process will start at the Planning Board level that they will conduct. There will be an environmental analysis and completed environmental assessment form with attachments submitted by the applicant. The Planning Board will decide if there will be a negative declaration or a positive declaration. The positive declaration will be a requirement for submission of the environmental impact statement. This will begin after the application is submitted to the Planning Board for sub-division approval.

Lou Sebesta, 47 Russell Avenue – Comments consisted of a portion of a letter that was printed in the newspaper:

We should conserve for our citizens this rarest of resources – the most significant open territory in Beacon

Hiddenbrooke is a natural and cultural treasure, embracing scenic forests, streams and wildlife habitat with great potential for low impact public recreation. Its gentle, rolling terrain is more accessible than the steeper Hudson Highlands upslope. Relying solely on our mostly private waterfront will not preserve enough of our precious natural resources for the common good.

Nature has long been cherished for engendering a high quality of life. Our awareness is increased as more land is devoured by encroaching sprawl. Many seek sanctuary from congestion and the hectic pace and stresses of modern life in the renewing peace and beauty of nature. Let’s not wait to discover the natural heritage we saved inadequate to sustain our expanding population.

Rezoning for larger parcels is NOT the answer, since most developers do not build in harmony with nature; instead, they cut down all the trees to create vast sterile acreage planted with high-income enclaves of mega mansions. A “cluster design”, closer to Depuyster Avenue’s existing utilities, would cost the city less to provide services, while presenting fewer environmental constraints and consequences.

Ideally, the city should offer the owners compensation and plan instead for uses respecting its cultural, historic, and natural character.

The majority of ecologically sensitive wetlands and pristine, secluded forest suitable for hiking trails and low impact recreation should be maintained for the public in a permanent conservation easement held by the city.

Tom Baldino, 19 North Street - I would like to remind the city council and the people in the audience, pertaining to the use of this parcel of land. We have had some bad experiences recently with developers going in and not following the original plan causing the people at the bottom to have water problems. There is no real enforcement power. Why is it that nothing is done about the problem at this point? Also, at several of these council meetings, the issue of accountability was raised. The city council did increase the fines for those developers who defaulted on their obligations but in comparison to the money they make, the penalties are relatively insignificant.

Mayor read the following Email from a resident Gary Larson, 63 Falconer Street dated March 21, 2005:

Dear Mayor Clara Lou Gould and Members of the Beacon City Council:

I would like to voice my concern regarding the proposed residential development of the Hiddenbrooke area.

I would only hope that you and anybody that would make a final decision on this project would first visit the property, and view firsthand the beauty of this land. If this forest is bulldozed away, we will all have forever lost one of the most beautiful and irreplaceable parts of our city.

What makes Beacon special to many of us is the river, the mountains, and the town in between. We should stop encroaching on Mt. Beacon. We should not exchange the beauty of the Hiddenbrooke area for more blacktop and McMansion houses.

If there is any way to preserve Hiddenbrooke in its current natural state, I beg you to explore every possibility. Thank you for your consideration.

Craig Wolf, 379 Liberty St. – When there is a snowmelt, the water comes down like a freight train. Come and stand on the Liberty St. Bridge and see what happens during heavy rains. When you take away the vegetation, you get a lot of wash that is bigger than egg size gravel. That stream is very powerful. There is an enormous amount of water and it will get worse when you remove more vegetation. It is not acceptable to leave it up to the planning board. I cannot see how you are coming up with a negative declaration at this stage of the game. This usually comes at the end of the process.

David Stolman gave these comments: The city council has not reached any conclusions regarding the SEQR project. As the Mayor said at the outset, the prime reason that this public hearing is being adjourned until April 4 is because we are still working and analyzing. We have not reached any conclusions and to suggest that the city council has reached conclusions is erroneous.

Sue Anfanto, 159 Washington Avenue: I want to reiterate what Shannon and others are saying here tonight. We are all aware of the natural beauty of this place. I have been working for the past five years as a volunteer for the Audubon Society and Cornell University. I [have] a list of all the birds that are breeding there. There are at least twenty-five. (The list was given to the Mayor.)

Chuck Clement, 82 Jessen Place – I too am against the development of this property. But if something happens and it should be developed, I would like to suggest that the city consider dredging Lake Carol so the slope can handle more water. I don’t think Outsiders should come here and tell Beacon what we should do.

Bernadette Clement, 82 Jessen Place – I don’t know if anyone has seen the map. There are lines that show the springs and incline. There is a possibility that the land might protect itself.

Vicki Fox, 379 Liberty St. We have been hearing a lot about the amount of water that is up in that mountain. When it rains, there is a large amount of rain coming down that mountain which is a potential of a lot of disaster. We should look into purchasing this land back. It may cost more money to repair the damage that the water does than it would be to purchase the land back. It is so beautiful and easy to walk on. Maybe we need to have a referendum.

Shannon Murphy – The Chapel on that property is a gem. It is a beautiful piece of architecture. It is open to everyone and it should be open to everyone. Beacon is becoming a Nature and Art Mecca. Over 100,000 people came to visit Dia last year.

Peter Gadbois, 55 Jessen Place – I am totally against clustered housing. It seems that everyone here is accepting this as a final decision. Clustered housing is not better than building individual homes. I lived in Fishkill in Clustered housing. There were continual sewage problems. When they had their own facilities, raw sewage continually flowed into areas where the kids played. When they changed to the town sewage, there were still backup problems. Clustered housing does nothing for sewage safety. I am against all of this. Purchasing the land for park use is definitely something the city should consider.

Diana Rubertin, 84 Jessen Place - My question is what guarantees do the people of Beacon have that this will not create a water problem? Are you going to be environmentally sensitive to the residents, trees, animals and the things that live there? Are we safe?

Tom Joyce, 136 Washington Avenue – I raised all of my boys in this beautiful city. It’s a great place to live. I am worried that with that amount of housing being built, where will they put the children? My kids are hopefully going to live in Beacon and I will be having grand kids. With more housing, there will be more problems. The roads are getting to be like a major highway. I have friends who have sewage coming into their basements. Our sewage system is not sufficient to handle these problems. Our infrastructure is being taxed. Our city needs to take a look and plan.

Christopher Ruhe, 37 Dutchess Terrace – I thought there was a law about building on a certain amount of grade. Whatever happened to those laws? I hope you will abide by these laws that pertain to steep slopes.

Dave Stoleman gave his comments: We did amend the zoning law with respect to steep slopes. The city is more protected than it was before. The code was amended to make it more environmentally protected.

No further comments on Public Hearing.

Motion to Adjourn Public Hearing until April 4, 2005: Council Member Way. Seconded Council Member Antalek. All voted in favor. Motion carried

Community Segment: None

Mayor Clara Lou Gould asked for Approval of Minutes for Council Meeting as follows -

March 7, 2005

Motion to approve March 7, 2005 Council Meeting Minutes: Council Member Way. Seconded: Council Member Leake. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Reports: Text from these reports for March 21, 2005 is at the end of these minutes.

Mayor’s Communications read by Mayor Clara Lou Gould

City Attorney Report of Activities – 1^st Meeting of the Month

Mayor Clara Lou Gould read her Report of Activities

Council Reports of Activities gave their report of activities

Public Comments: Pertaining to This Agenda Only - None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Resolutions:

Local Laws and Ordinances: The following local laws were tabled until after Public Hearing which was adjourned until April 4, 2005.

1. Proposed Local Law A: Changing the Zoning of Property from R1-10 One Family Residence District to R1-40 One Family Residence District. Second Reading:
2. Proposed Local Law B: Changing the Zoning of Property from R-1-40 One Family Residence District to R1-80 One Family Residence District. Second Reading

3. Proposed Local Law C: Changing the Zoning of Property from R-1-40 One Family Residence District to R1-120 One Family Residence District. Second Reading.

Motion to table 1,2&3 pending outcome of Public Hearing that has been adjourned until April 4, 2005: Council Member Antalek. Seconded: Council Member Way. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Resolutions: -

1. Resolution No. 30 of 2005 - Authorizing the City of Beacon Tax Department to Waive the $49.00 filing fee when the balance owed on any account is $10.00 or less.

WHEREAS, the City of Beacon Tax Department has requested that the City of Beacon City Council forgive the $49.00 filing fee when the balance owed on any account is $10.00 or less.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the City Council hereby authorizes the City of Beacon Tax Department to forgive the $49.00 filing fee when the balance owed on any account is $10.00 or less.

Motion to Waive $49.00 fee when balance owed is less than $10:00: Council Member Way. Seconded: Council Member Leake. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried

2. Resolution No. 31 of 2005 – Authorize Mayor to sign agreement to hire Cashin Associates, P.C. For The City of Beacon Harbor Management Plan at no Cost to the City read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

RESOLVED, the City Council hereby agrees to hire Cashin Associates, P.C. for the City of Beacon Harbor Management Plan at no cost to the City; and be it further

RESOLVED, the Mayor is authorized to sign a contract with Cashin Associates, P.C. concerning the City of Beacon Harbor Management Plan.

Motion to sign agreement to hire Cashin Associates, P.C.: Council Member Way. Seconded: Council Member Kyriacou. On a roll call voted, all voted in favor. Motion carried.

Local Laws And Ordinances:

Ratifications:

Appointments/Announcements:

1. Resolution No. 32 of 2005 - Human Relations Commission:

Gary D. Perez for a two-year term. Term to Expire December 31, 2006

Motion to appoint: Council Member Antalek. Seconded: Council Member Leake. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Final Opportunity for Public Comments:

Sam Baldino, 19 North Street – Wind power – read a newspaper article regarding wind power.

Carmela and Dennis Walden, 9 Miller Street - We own property on Main St. We have been here four times in the last few months. Main Street is getting terrible. There are gangs, prostitutes and drugs – It is out of control. Something must be done. I have already tried calling the Police. It takes them 45 minutes to respond. There is going to be a disaster. These people are not Beacon children. I am concerned about the influence they have on the good kids. All of the business owners are complaining. Council Member Antalek has a good idea suggesting that they have a police presence on Main Street. They are thugs. Now they are bringing pit bulls. Why are we not following the many laws that are in place about these situations? I can be stopped quicker for a traffic violation than these kids being controlled.

Perry Pendleton – I want to thank Council Member Antalek for his comments about Main St. When I get out of work, the speed on Main Street is too fast. Anyone with a disability is more difficult. The Jay walking in this town is unreal. Nobody cares, they will step out in front of you and they don’t care how fast or slow the cars are coming.

Shannon Murphy – Less cars are better. I am serious about the economic sense of Hiddenbrook.

No further comments

Budget Amendments requiring Council Action for March 21,2005:

Amend general fund balance - $18,000 for the Highway Department – Additional Sand & Salt

Motion to amend general fund balance: Council Member Way. Seconded: Council Member Leake. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.

Review of Bills: Total disbursements as of March 21, 2005: $229,583.78

Next Workshop Date: Monday, March 28, 2005 at 7:00 pm. – Municipal Center

Next Council Meeting: Monday, April 4, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. – Municipal Center

Motion to Enter into an Executive Session regarding Pursuit Policy at 9:15 p.m.: Council Member Antalek. Seconded: Council Member Kyriacou. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion to end Executive Session at 9:45 p.m.: Council Member Antalek. Seconded: Council Member Kyriacou. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.: Council Member Kyriacou. Seconded: Council Member Antalek. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Text from reports for March 21, 2005:

Mayor’s Communication

02/28/05: Laurissa Parent – Division of Coastal Resources – NYS Department of State

RE: City of Beacon Waterfront Rediscovery Initiative #C006246

Payment request #1 for costs incurred through January 1, 2005 has been reviewed and a payment in the amount of $50,000.00 has been approved and submitted to the Office of the State Comptroller for processing. The City should receive payment within 15 days.

03/02/05: Patricia J. Hohmann, Clerk – D.C. Legislature

RE: Assisting Community Organizations to Recover and Reorganize

Legislators KELLER-COFFEY, MOLINARO, NESBITT, ROLISON, HORTON, REILLY, FETTES, GOLDBERG, HIGGINS, JETER-JACKSON, KNAPP, MCCABE,

TYNER, and CLEARWATER offer the following and move its adoption:

WHEREAS, there is a significant portion of our Dutchess County community who, in order to be contributing members of society, need assistance and services, and

WHEREAS, the YWCA of Dutchess County has served as the provider of several such necessary programs, including Teen Parent Services, Family Court Supervised Visitation, General Equivalency Diploma education (G.E.D.), and daycare for children, and

WHEREAS, the Youth Resources Development Corporation (YRCD) has also served to provide life altering programs such as Youth Work, the Summer Youth Employment Project, Poughkeepsie's Promise, and Public Land Corps. and

WHEREAS, the YWCA and YRCD have served as the only providers of some of these services and the primary providers for others, and

WHEREAS, it is beneficial for all of Dutchess County that these programs be available to citizens, and

WHEREAS, for varied reasons, including cuts in state and federal funding, both of these organizations were forced to close down their operations and facilities this week, therefore leaving many Dutchess County residents more vulnerable to circumstances, sometimes beyond their control, and

WHEREAS, the Youth Board Director and Commissioner of Social Services are presently making substantial efforts in exploring options in filling the void left by the termination of some youth and human services, now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that Dutchess County Government, through combined efforts of the Legislature and the Executive, utilize available resources and influence to coordinate efforts by all levels of government, other existing non-profit organizations, and the private sector to develop strategies for re-establishing these vital programs, and, be it further

RESOLVED, that Dutchess County Government, in partnership with other organizations, encourage the non-profits of our county community to better coordinate operations so as not to duplicate services and to maximize impacts as much as possible, and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Dutchess County Legislature supports the efforts being made by the Youth Bureau and Department of Social Services, and, be it further

RESOLVED that that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to

United States Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Congresswoman Sue Kelly and Congressmen Maurice Hinchey and John E. Sweeney, Governor George E. Pataki, Senators Stephen M. Saland and Vincent Leibell, Assemblymen Thomas Kirwan, Joel M. Miller, Patrick R. Manning, Willis H. Stephens Jr., and Kevin Cahill, Supervisors of the Towns and Mayors of the Villages and Cities in Dutchess County, and the supervisors and the towns and mayors of the villages and cities in Dutchess County.

03/02/05: Waldemar Przylozynski, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

RE: Annual Compliance Inspections – SPDES Permit No. NY 0025976

An annual inspection of the referenced facility was recently performed by a representative of this Department for purpose of evaluating compliance with the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit and Article 17 of the Environmental Conservation Law.

Please refer to the attached copy of the inspection report for more detailed information.

The facility was found to be operating in a satisfactory manner during this inspection and no deficiencies were noted.

Your cooperation in complying with your SPDES Permit and the protection of New York's waters will be appreciated. I can be reached at; (914) 332-1835 x.362 if you should have any questions or need assistance.

03/02/05: Laurissa Parent, Secretary 1, NYS Department of State

RE: Agreement C006403 – Harbor Management Planning and Design of Waterfront Facility Renovation.

Your request to amend the budget in Appendix B and the work program in Appendix D of the Agreement has been reviewed and approved. Enclosed is a copy for your file.

If you have any questions please contact me at (518) 473-2466 or lparent@dos.state.ny.us .

Division of Coastal Resources

03/02/05: Roger Conner, Cablevision

RE: Programming Changes Coming April 4th

Through Cablevision's continuing efforts, to improve the choice, variety and value of our cable television services, there are a few programming changes scheduled to take place on April 4 that I'd like to bring to your attention:

ü The SciFi Channel has been unscrambled and added to the Family tier; on April 4 it will move from channel 73 to channel 48;

ü QVC, which has only been available to customers with the Family tier and above levels of service, will move from channel 48 to channel 78 and be made available to all customers;

ü The Public Access channel will move from channel 78 to channel 21;

ü FitTV will be added to the line-up and will broadcast from 2AM to 8PM daily on channel 73, Pay-Per-View services will be offered on channel 73 between 8PM and 2AM

ü Depending on your service area, the Classified Ad Channel or CMT that have been broadcasting part-time on. Channel 21 between 2AM and 8PM, will be discontinued- CMT continues as a full-time channel on 187 and plans are in I development for a new interactive real estate classified ads channel similar to the Optimum Autos services on channel 605.

These changes follow recent additions to our channel line up: FUSE, a new popular music channel, has been added to our line-up for Family tier M, iO customers with digital converters on channel 87, W Showcase has been added to the line-up on channel 101, Telemundo Puerto Rico has been added to the iO tier on. Channel 198 and Nickelodeon On Demand has been added as a free service to iO tier customers, None of these programming changes will effect current pricing, but will certainly add value to our levels of cable television services.

If you have any questions or suggestions concerning cable television, please don't hesitate to

call me at (845) 296-3564 or via email at rconnor@cablevision.com

03/02/05: D. David Conklin, President – Dutchess Community College

RE: Public Issue Forum

I am inviting you to attend a Public Issues Forum on Saturday, April 16, 2005, from 9:00a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m. at Dutchess Community College. The topic of the forum will

be "Dysfunctional Democracy: How Can We Improve Our State Government?" Our sponsors

include the Poughkeepsie Journal, the Gillespie Forum, the College's Political Science Club, and

the Dutchess Community College Foundation. The purpose of this forum is to bring citizens of

diverse backgrounds together to discuss issues in a non-confrontational fashion, The Poughkeepsie

Journal plans to provide extensive coverage of the forum and of the conclusions of the participants.

The forum planners are arranging a panel for the day, which win be composed of individuals

reflecting a broad cross-section of views on these issues.

All participants will receive a packet of preparatory materials in advance of the forum and all participants will be provided with refreshments and lunch at no cost to themselves. If you are interested in participating, please call and leave a clear message, including your name, mailing address, and telephone number at 431-8528, or write to either Professor Joel Diemond diernond@sunydutchess.edu) or Professor Richard Reitano (reitano@sunydutchess.edu) Dutchess Community College no later than Monday, April 4, 2005. If you have questions, please call Professor Diemond at 431-8515.

03/18/05: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator

RE: Restore Funding to the Community Development Block Grant

As an update, I wanted to let you know that last night the Senate approved an amendment to restore funding to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program in the fiscal year 2006 Budget. The amendment, which was approved by a vote of 66-31, will provide $2.07 billion in funding to restore the CDBG program and other programs that faced elimination under the President's Budget. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in Fiscal Year 2005, New York cities received almost $400 million in much-needed grants through the CDBG program for affordable housing, social services, neighborhood revitalization and job development.

The Community Development Block Grants program has long been a lifeline for local towns and cities, allowing them to make critical investments that have returns for years to come. I am glad that the Senate took action to restore the cuts and will continue to fight against any attempts to undermine these critical programs.

Since 1974, this successful program has provided critical funds to cities so that they can make affordable housing available, revitalize run down neighborhoods and provide economic development opportunities to those who need them most. I will work to ensure that this vital funding remains in the Budget as it proceeds through the appropriations process.

Mayor Clara Lou Gould’s Report for March 21, 2005

MAYOR'S REPORT MARCH 21, 2005

1. Attended the annual tea held by the Twilight chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star

2. A preview of the film Discover the Hudson River was shown at Beacon High's LGI Room. Once again the students, trained by Linda Houlihan, did a superior, professional job. They write their own interview questions, and in order to do that, they must do a fairly in depth study of the material, so they learn about history and the environment as well as develop writing and interviewing skills. It was really very impressive. And they say they are already beginning to plan on how they might contribute to the Hudson Fulton Champlain commemorations.

3. Attended a meeting of the Mt. Beacon Incline Society, which is still actively investigating the possibility of restoring rail access to the mountain.

4. The Po Valley in Italy had a delegation visiting our area, sponsored by the Hudson River Valley Greenway. They came to Beacon to visit Dia: Beacon, and it was my pleasure to greet them and spend a little time with them. Special thanks to Sara Pasti and some of the BACA members who contributed gifts from our city of Beacon.

5. Marriages 4 and 5 were witnessed.

6. Hebron Lodge held its annual breakfast, honoring the widows of the Lodge.

7. Alvin Reiss, a writer with Travel Arts Partnership, called to talk about Beacon, which will be featured in a future issue.

8. Tomorrow, March 22, is Small Business Day. Congratulations to all our city's small businesses. Remember, their success is our success, so it's smart to support your local businesses.

Council Member’s Reports for March 21, 2005

Council Member Antalek: Once again, I am asking that someone or a committee get involved with Main Street and pedestrians crossing Main Street. I said this in the past and I am saying it again. It is just a matter of time before we have a serious injury with a pedestrian on Main Street. The motorist in the city of Beacon and those outside of Beacon do not realize that the pedestrian has the right of way. Too often you see pedestrians waiting to cross and cars zipping up and down Main Street not stopping for these pedestrians. I have asked many times in the past year for something to be done. I see no improvement. It’s about somebody got out there with an education program regarding pedestrians on Main Street. Main Street should not be thirty miles an hour. I ask City Administrator, Joseph Braun and Mayor Gould to speak to the Police and do something about this.