Shandaken Opts Out of Phoenicia School Purchase, County to Explore Housing - Wellington Hotel Grant Hopes Emerge

SHANDAKEN – The Shandaken Town Board announced at its June 2 meeting that it will not proceed with purchasing the former Phoenicia Elementary School, with Ulster County now exploring affordable housing and recreational options for the site. The board also heard promising news of a potential $1.5 million federal funding recommendation for the Pinehill Wellington Hotel project and discussed Ulster County's new EMS stabilization plan, which will significantly involve Shandaken's ambulance service.

Supervisor Peter Davant stated the town decided to move away from acquiring the Phoenicia School. The Ulster County Executive's office will now work on potentially developing affordable housing at the location, while also aiming to maintain a community recreation center aspect.

In other major announcements, Jan, an owner of the Pinehill Wellington Hotel, reported that Congressman Pat Riley has recommended a $1.5 million community-funded project grant for the historic hotel's restoration. While subject to congressional approval, the news was met with enthusiasm. The hotel was also recently named one of the nation's 11 most endangered historic places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Davant also announced a $14,800 grant for flood studies at the Bridge Street Bridge and a $39,000 Natural Resources Inventory grant for the town's Conservation Advisory Council (CAC).

Ambulance Chief Mike (Drake) detailed Ulster County's $4.7 million EMS stabilization and enhancement plan, confirming Shandaken qualifies for funding from both its $2 million pool for existing services and a $2.7 million pool for Advanced Life Support (ALS) anchor agencies. As an ALS anchor agency, Shandaken's paramedics may be contracted by the county to provide services to neighboring towns like Olive, Hardenburg, and Denning. The Shandaken ambulance squad also recently received a Unit Citation award for its response to a serious motor vehicle accident in January 2024.

The town is moving forward with electric vehicle (EV) initiatives, purchasing a Chevrolet Blazer EV using a $50,000 NYSERDA grant. Davant noted that while a proposed EV charging station at Glen Brook Park is estimated at $12,000, a $41,000 estimate for a Level 3 charger at the Pine Hill parking lot may require rebidding.

During public comment, resident Bill Fitchner inquired about the process for selling his mobile home park. Supervisor Davant clarified that while the sale itself doesn't need town approval, a new owner wishing to continue its operation as a mobile home park must obtain such approval due to its pre-existing, non-conforming status.

A significant portion of public comment focused on rumors surrounding the Pine Hill Veterans Memorial. Several residents expressed concern over misinformation suggesting the memorial might be moved or diminished for parking. Supervisor Davant emphatically stated there are no current plans to move or destroy the memorial. He explained that ongoing work in the park area relates to soil testing for an underground drainage system to mitigate local flooding, and that any discussion of moving the memorial was from years prior and is off the table if the community wishes it to remain.

Among numerous resolutions, the board:

- Approved participation in the New York City-funded flood buyout program for the Town Hall/Highway Garage complex.

- Expressed support for pursuing a consolidated municipal campus at a new parcel.

- Authorized a contract with MARK Project Inc. to administer the Pine Hill Main Street Revitalization Program grant application.

- Passed banking resolutions to close a high-fee Key Bank account, transferring funds to Community Bank, and to open new accounts with the Bank of Greene County, citing other local bank branch closures.

- Appointed Manuel Jeanpierre as Summer Recreation Director, Raven Ryan as Assistant Director, and Raya Hart as Recreation Specialist, and authorized related summer program contracts.

- Scheduled a public hearing for an environmental impact statement on the Glen Brook EV charger location for July 7th at 6:30 p.m.

- Committee reports highlighted the formation of a new housing nonprofit, the Catskill Alliance for Housing and Preservation (CAHP), which will work closely with the town’s housing committee and support the Pine Hill Main Street project. The housing committee is also nearing completion of a town-wide housing site inventory with assistance from Ulster County Planning. 

- The Parks and Recreation committee announced River Hoffman as the new dog park manager. The CAC will host a "Shandaken Prepares" flood assistance meeting on June 16th. The Comprehensive Plan committee has scheduled public engagement days for Sunday, July 20th, and is planning a second community survey.

The board also approved the prior month's minutes and the supervisor's financial report, which showed May revenues of $68,430.88. An executive session was held after the regular meeting to discuss personnel and water issues.