Town Board

June 26, 2018

CLOSED SESSION

Litigation

 

OPEN SESSION

1. Con Ed/Gomer Street update

Representatives of the utility company gave the board an update on the status of the work, including how they are handling detours and notifying affected homeowners.  They except all work to stop by late September so that the road can be repaved.

 

As part of the discussion, it was explained that residents who are within 100 feet of the existing gas line, either on Gomer Street or the other streets the utility is working on, and who want the ability to hook up to the line, can contact Con Ed’s Energy Services division and request that a stub be installed in the line.  Once their request becomes active, the construction crew can install the stub.

 

Updates are posted on the town’s web site and available by signing up for Nixle alerts, also available on the town web site.

 

2. Mohegan Retaining Wall

(See Town Board, 3-28-2017.) Mr. Paganelli asked the board to take a proactive approach to rebuilding the 600 foot wall. Explaining that the wall is not in imminent danger of collapse, he said that given the road’s use for school buses, the lack of a suitable detour once construction begins and the existing hills, it would be best to undertake the project, estimated to take four months, when school was closed rather than on an emergency basis.  He estimated that the project would cost about $850,000 and did not qualify for any currently available grants. Advising the board that bid specs for the project have already been drawn up, he suggested that the board go out to bid in Jan/Feb so that the project could be begin next June. The board agreed on the proactive approach and even suggested going out to bid this year, giving contractors an opportunity to plan their work.

 

In response to a question for Ken Belfer, president of the Mohegan Lake Improvement District, Mr. Paganelli said that the bid specs included a stormwater plan that would stop phosphorous from entering the lake.

 

As part of the discussion, Comptroller Pat Caporale explained cash flow issues associated with pending capital projects.  While state grants will pay the roughly $3 million for two culvert projects, the town has to lay out the money which means that $3 million of the town’s existing fund balance is encumbered and not available. She said that as the first bills are ready to be sent to the state for reimbursement, the town should have a better idea of how long the reimbursement process will take.

 

3. Pipeline project

In an item not on the agenda, Supervisor Gilbert said his office had received complaints about night noise emanating from the project’s drilling. While Enbridge explained that the project’s permit permitted night drilling, he was advised that no more night drilling was anticipated and that the company would be contacting affected property owners offering some form of compensation.

 

4. The Weyant/Roma Building Mini Master Plan

Traffic consultant Phil Grealey and Planning Director John Tegeder gave the board an update on the status of the plan. A final report is expected in 1 to 1½months. The plan was developed after meetings with DOT officials but has not yet been reviewed by the state agency.

 

The plan calls for reducing the existing curb cuts to both sites from five to 2½ (the half being an emergency exit) which Mr. Grealey explained is a positive.  The two developments would share a new curb cut onto Route 202, roughly opposite the western driveway for the Verizon building (formerly Chase bank) and across the street from an undeveloped town right of way.  A second curb cut would be an emergency exit at the eastern end of the Roma building. The Weyant project would have a secondary exit to Hamblyn Street.

 

 

The concept plan includes widening Route 202 and Saw Mill River Road to create turning lanes on land that would have to be acquired from both projects. While the acquisition would require minor adjustments to the proposed 36 unit Weyant plan, it would have more impact on the initial Roma building proposal because it would eliminate some of the parking for retrial space.  Representatives of the Roma Building project have been involved in the preparation of the mini master plan but have not commented yet on how the reduction would impact the financial calculations for the project. John DeVito, the developer for The Weyant, said he had no problem with the concept plan and could adjust his initial site plan to reflect the new Route 202 entrance. (See below for additional comments on The Weyant plan.).

 

The additional turning lane on Saw Mill River Road could also extend beyond the Roma Building/Mobil gas station to include possible changes to the Maria’s Pizza parcel next to the gas station.  The parcel is currently owned by the owner of the Triangle Shopping Center  who has had preliinary discussions with tow officials about changes to the center.

 

Changes to pedestrian access through the intersection would also need to be worked out.

 

Moving forward, Mr. Grealey advised the board that the most critical part of implementing the concept plan would be to include the land acquisition as part of any site plan approval, even if the acquisition was done over time as individual parcels came before the town for site plan approval. He explained that cost was the major issue in the road widening parts of the plan and that currently the state had no money for these types of projects. However, he added,  as one of the major components of a road widening project was the cost of land acquisition, if that was in place, it theoretically could make the project for feasible if and when money became available.

 

The Weyant

As part of the presentation, three different development plans were presented: the original plan for a 36 unit apartment development in two 3-story buildings based on a transitional rezoning and either a 23 unit townhouse development or a 20 unit duplex development based on R-3 multi family zoning.  According to Mr. Grealey the difference in the traffic impact of 20 or 36 units was insignificant.

 

After discussing the three options, there was a clear board consensus in favor of the 36 unit proposal based on the following reasons: It creates the largest buffer to the single family homes in the rear of the parcel, it provided one level units for seniors (the buildings will have elevators), and the attractive design and architectural treatment as illustrated in previously available renderings.   Based on the consensus, Mr. DeVito will rework his numbers and return to the board.

 

Because the Route 202 road widening will not be accomplished as part of The Weyant  development, it was suggested that as an interim measure the tow acess points to the development be flipped: access to and from the  shared curb cut shown on the concept plan would serve as the secondary access and would be restricted by signs while the secondary access to Hamblyn St will become the primary access point. As previously explained, the engineering for Hamblyn will deter right turns leaving the site onto Hamblyn or left turns from Route 202 onto Hamblyn.

 

5. East Main Street, Shrub Oak Traffic Study

(See Town Board 10-10-2017.) Traffic consultant Phil Grealey gave the board an update on preliminary plans for addressing traffic on the street, including potential traffic calming measures along East Main Street such as stripping and the installation of “rapid flashing beacon” lights, and a new traffic light at intersection of East Main and Stony Streets.  He explained the traffic volumes, current and projected, justified the installation of the light that would cost an estimated $150,000. The installation would require the town acquiring easements on some of the corners.

 

6. Honoring former supervisor Albert Capellini

In an item not on the agenda, the board passed a resolution naming the YCCC the Albert A. Capellini Community and Cultural Center.

 

7. Pool discounts

In an item not on the agenda, the board approved a resolution, recommended by the Recreation Commission, to make pool discounts available to active military and veterans: $100 for a family and $50 for singles.

 

8, Other resolutions

Granite Knolls: Approved a $137,425  change order payment to the contractors and a $100,000 credit from the contractors to the town as a reimbursement.

 

Approved an easement agreement with the Shrub Oak International School for the installation of a sewer system.