Lowdown on Stony Point’s March 13 Board Meeting

BY MICHAEL CAHILL

Police contract agree, fate of GenOn property discussed

The Stony Point Town Board met Tuesday night at the RHO Community Center Building to approve items for the summer and sign a new contract with the PBA.

After months of negotiation, the town and the PBA have come to an agreement for a new contract. The final vote was 4-1 with Democrat Luanne Konopko voting against the agreement. The last contract expired in December 2010, so this new agreement will be retroactive to then and be valid until December 2013. It calls for wage increases year to year of 2 percent in 2011, 2.75 percent in 2012, and 2.75 percent in 2013.

During the supervisor’s report, Supervisor Geoff Finn addressed the audience about the letter sent to GenOn, formerly Mirant, concerning the Lovett property. The letter urged GenOn to inform Stony Point of their plans for the property, otherwise it may be reposed by the town through eminent domain. Finn announced that he has received a response from GenOn saying they are willing to talk and evaluate the future of the property.

Opening the meeting was a brief statement from Susan Filgueras of the Stony Point Historical Society. Filgueras talked about several upcoming events sponsored by the historical society, including a Pyngyp School reunion on April 15. Filgueras also reminded the board of the impending Champlain Hudson Power Express project and its possible effect on the town.

The board then made motions to approve a group of purchase order requests, an audit of bills, and approve the minutes from the Feb. 14 and 28 meetings. All passed unanimously.

Police Chief Brian Moore updated the board on police department business. Chief Moore said that the department is now in the running for funding from the United States Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program. The program provides local police departments with funding to hire more officers.

Chief Moore also announced that he has been selected to participate in this year’s Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (MALEEDS), June 10 – 15. The board voted unanimously to approve funding for Chief Moore to attend.

The board also received a report from the Stony Point Ambulance Corps. So far this month, the ambulance corps has reduced its response time to less than three minutes.

For the economic development committee report, Councilwoman Luanne Konopko talked about ongoing plans for a town center district at the intersection of Main Street and Route 9W. Konopko was not prepared to speak about the plan this week, but she will present a detailed vision of the project to the board at the next meeting.

According to this week’s golf course report, it has been a great March so far. With the unseasonable weather, the course has taken in record revenues for this early in the year. The board voted unanimously to approve new town pool fees for this summer. For town residents there will be $5 fee for an ID card to use the pool all summer. Pool hours this year will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Also approved was the continuation of the town’s swim lessons program at the town pool. This year’s fee has increased to $175 for five 45-minute lessons from $150 last year. The lifeguards at the pool will lead the swim lessons.

The board approved several upcoming trips and events including, a Father’s Day trip to Rockland Boulder’s Stadium and a Lego Playworld Camp on April 2 – 6 at the community center. After some investigation the town has approved a bid for $9500 by the Laberge Group for surveying service at the Dunderberg Estate site.

The board approved a waiver of insurance for the Stony Point Historical Society for their garage/bake sale they wish to hold at the RHO Building on April 28. The motion passed 4 to 1.

Two seats on the Stony Point Architecture Review Board will be vacant in April, and the board is now officially accepting resumes for the open positions. Those who are interested can contact the Town of Stony Point.

The board then moved to an application for the Brownfield Opportunity Areas Grant. The grant would fund assessment and revitalization of designated brownfield areas. Konopko said there is a good chance for Stony Point to receive funding from the program, but the application process requires the help of a town planner.

Konopko and the board resolved to employ the Turner Miller Group to help with the application. The fee for this will be $140 an hour, not to exceed $4,500. The application is due by the end of the month, and if approved Stony Point could receive up to $120,000 in funding. The application will be reviewed the board at the next meeting before submission.

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