Citizens Discomforted By Spraying From Whey Holding Facility - Council Supports OCCA Project

DAVENPORT - Davenport Residents Matt and Alyssa Zynda approached the town board with concerns about recent fertilization spraying from the new whey holding facility in the Pindars Corners hamlet.

The couple said the smell of the spraying on July 29th was "rough to be around" for three days. They said the facility is spraying whey rather than manure which is more commonly known. According to Matt, the facility emptied the 200,000-gallon tank of whey. Whey is a byproduct of cheese production and contains nitrogen among other nutrients beneficial for plant growth. 

The two were mostly concerned with the frequency of spraying. When speaking with the owners, the Zynda's said they plan to spray the max allowed, which could be each month. "They told us as long as there is no snow they will spray," said Alyssa.

Councilmember Mark Miller said most farmers spray four times a year. 

According to Alyssa, areas that are sprayed with whey cause a reaction with ticks in the area that lead to individuals going anaphylaxis.

Supervisor Tim Kelso advised the couple to reach out to Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), which is associated with the project. They would be able to explain what the details of the facility are, he explained. Kelso will also follow up with SWCD.

In another discussion, Amy Wyant of Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) asked the council for a letter of support for a new project. The council awarded the letter of support so OCCA can apply for grant funding.

OCCA is working to create an environmental education center that will feature outdoor recreation and access to gear and serve as a venue, among other support initiatives for low-income households. A few project goals include a full-day summer camp with a sliding pay scale, workforce development programs, and cooking and gardening classes. The facility will also act as an emergency center that can house up to 300 individuals with food rations and sleeping accommodations.

The project seeks to support surrounding communities including Davenport. Wyant said "we are up for anything," meaning they are looking for community input on what programs would be beneficial. OCCA is seeking a $2 million grant that will support the program for three years, though Wyant said there are several other grant opportunities to keep it going.

"There is a lot of potential for the community," said Miller.

In other business:

The council received a quote to paint town hall from Allen Thomas Property Services for $4,700. 

Kelso will borrow a floor stripper from the school to clean the town hall floors.

A budget workshop is scheduled Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.

The highway department has been short-staffed for a while and starting pay is at $23.20 per hour, Superintendent Fred Utter reported.

The council will begin union contract negotiations on Sept. 9. A report listing the surrounding town's pay scale will be collected. "We want to try and keep in the same ballpark," said Kelso.

The next regularly scheduled town council meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.