Stony Point Board Honors Community Service, Sets Dates for Sign Law Hearing and Tentative Budget Discussion at Tuesday Meeting

BY CHERYL SLAVIN

Community service highlighted the regular Tuesday meeting of the Stony Point Town Board. The town honored the Inserra family, owner/operators of the local Shoprite supermarket, for their unwavering support since their 2010 arrival in town.

Reading from a proclamation declaring Saturday, September 27 as “Inserra Supermarket Day,” Supervisor Geoff Finn and the board acknowledged the many contributions the Inserras have made to fundraisers and activities geared toward improving the community and bolstering its viability. Whenever a helping hand has been needed they have been there, exemplifying the true meaning of civic participation.

The board also honored seven North Rockland High School students along with their teacher, Karen Bauman, with certificates thanking them for their hard work and dedication this summer. Amanda Bueno, Kaitlyn Berlanga, Lauren O’Shea, Dylan Zappier, Michele Aricho and Justin Hall designed and painted 16 beautifully colored murals for the RHO game room walls, encompassing the theme, “Let the Fun Begin.” The panels, along with a 17th honoring the individual artists, comprise a permanent and much needed improvement to that space and represent the best of what Stony Point’s young residents have to offer.

The board set October 14 as the date for the first public discussion of its tentative 2015 budget. There will also be a meeting on October 14 at 6 p.m., just prior to the regular meeting, to discuss proposed zoning changes for the Letchworth Village property.

The board also set October 28 as the date for the public hearing on a proposed amendment to the town’s sign law. The amendment would permit the installation of an electric “gateway” sign at a prominent public location. Such as sign would serve the purpose as an additional means to transmit town news and announcements, but would also carry commercial advertising.

The hearing is for the purpose of discussing the concept and the amendment to the law only; particular vendors, as well as locations, will not be addressed at that time. In general the board appears to favor the idea of installing the sign, but others might disagree. During public input resident George Potanovic questioned the necessity of the sign, as well as its look, dimensions, and impact on the sign law.

In his supervisor’s report, Finn briefly touched on a number of important developments for the community. He stated that he has been in contact with representatives from Tractor Supply Co. and confirmed that they are working on a lease for the empty space next to the Aldi supermarket. The long anticipated work on the RHO bathrooms has been delayed for a few weeks yet again, this time for additional asbestos removal.

He also stated that his idea for a North Rockland Economic Development Committee was rejected by the Town and Village of Haverstraw. Thus, even though it was warmly embraced by the North Rockland School District and the Village of West Haverstraw, he has decided not to pursue that idea right now.

Councilman Tom Basile inquired of Highway Supervisor Larry Brissing about the progress in clearing the Little League parking lot. Brissing responded that most of the dirt has been removed and that all that is needed is the installation of gravel. Finn added that about eight or nine large containers of waste have been removed and that there are plans in the future for a number of dumpsters to accommodate the different kinds of waste, such as highway concrete or golf course grass cuttings.