Logging Discussion Continues

BOVINA - The Bovina Town Council is exploring logging of the roughly 65 acres surrounding the transfer station. The idea was proposed following the rejection of a grant application to update the existing playground through the O'Connor Foundation. 

Supervisor Tina Molè upholds that the discussion is research-based to potentially log, sell, subdivide, or maintain the property as current. 

The board invited a representative from the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) to discuss best logging practices and educate those interested in the process. The representative attended the Feb. 11 meeting. WAC works with landowners and logging companies to ensure Best Management Practices (BMPs) are used and the land maintains opportunity for regeneration. He explained that the best protocol would be to survey the property and take soil samples to determine which trees and how many trees could be removed with continued water quality protection and minimal erosion. In some cases, he said, repair of the area may be needed to ensure water quality damage or erosion does not take place. Logging equipment is very heavy and damaging, he said, but there are ways to go about it to maintain regeneration properties. 

Members of the public have opposed the potential logging as many hike the area and surrounding landowners worry about water and erosion damage.

The WAC representative suggested maintaining an open conversation between the town and the community when reviewing potential plans. "These are difficult discussions that need to be had," he said, adding that they often end in compromise. 

Penelope Brackett and another attendee mentioned that neighboring properties have been logged and there is no regrowth, only raspberries and low shrubs. Brackett noted that many people moved to the area because of its beautiful forests. 

While validating the concerns, the WAC representative noted that trees have a much longer lifespan than humans. If they were logged ten years prior, likely small trees hiding in the raspberries, he said. When reviewing forest regeneration it's important to adjust your mindset, he said. There might not be a matured forest there in our lifetime and those are the decisions that need to be made, how can the property adequately serve the community, he said.

One attendee supported the town in its research efforts and suggested bringing in three or four logging companies to see what they could do and how they could best work with the community and its needs. 

The town will continue to gather information. The exact property location will be posted on the town's website at bovinany.org. 

In another discussion, Molè reported the town attorney found no evidence in legislation indicating a need for a trained operator of an AED if installed at the community center. However, the attorney noted another potential concern - the community center has no regular business hours. If an individual knew the AED was at town hall and came here for help, Molè said, it could end up being a waste of time for them. 

The Bovina Emergency Department has asked the town to consider placing automated external defibrillators (AED) at the community center. The device is used to treat a person experiencing heart conditions such as cardiac arrest when the heart stops working. Other community organizations asked to participate include the church, library, historical society, and Veterans Affairs. 

Fire department representatives noted the concern with hours and said that with proper communication of availability, this does not appear to be a major issue. They also noted that other organizations asked to participate are waiting on a decision based on information from the town attorney. 

Councilmember Marni Greenberg read from the leading agency in AEDs which noted that New York state has regulations requiring trained individuals for operation. 

The town attorney will confer with the New York State Department of Health. The council is expected to continue the discussion at the March meeting.

In other business

The dog control officer was permitted to purchase a new kennel as the door latch is broken on the old one.

The council approved an RFP (request for proposal) to be submitted for town-wide mowing services and for the septic field. Bids are due March 10 at noon.

The highway department will purchase a sweeper broom at a cost between $7,500 and $10,000 which will come from the equipment fund. The department will use the same fund to purchase a toolbox for roughly $5,000. 

The highway department had an OSHA inspection with 13 violations. Many violations were small repairs that were completed in two days, reported Superintendent Ed Weber. Items included cleaning the eye wash station, removing two extension cords, installing railings in the loft area, and relocating boxes in front of the electrical box, among other items. The main issue, said Weber, was out-of-date staff training. The staff have until April 25 to complete the required training.

The council paid bills including general $10,583.76, water $12,119.19, septic $1,112, and highway $16,497.31. The lighting district bill has not been received yet, the council approved Molè to pay the bill upon receipt. The bill is typically around $100, Molè reported. 

The next regular meeting is scheduled Tuesday, March 11 at 6 p.m.