Tannersville Advances Development Projects and Deliberates on Dissolution Plans

TANNERSVILLE — Last week's Village Board meeting convened after a session discussing the next steps toward the potential dissolution of the Village of Tannersville, and we saw movement.

The Board approved a motion to seek funding from the Local Government Efficiency Citizens Re-Organization Empowerment Grant (CREG) Program to support the process and help fund the hiring of the Albany-based Laberge Group as consultants for the dissolution study, citing their track record in similar endeavors.

Mayor Schneider said, "They are known as the best in the state."

Discussions then turned to the appointment of a dissolution steering committee. Town of Hunter Supervisor Sean Mahoney noted that he had a conversation with NYCOM's Wade Beltramo, who suggested participation from the Town. Mahoney referred to a slide from the previously held dissolution presentation that said the dissolution was a "Town Issue."

Deputy Mayor Kashman said, "While this board doesn't plan on being on the official steering committee, we plan to participate." Kashman asked the difference between being on the steering committee and participating.

Mahoney said, "Whether [village board members] are officially on it or unofficially on it, at the end of the day, your name is going on that plan, which should include what will happen to the Town. I don't understand why it isn't all of you," referring to the Board.

Mayor Schneider affirmed that Village Board members would be on the committee, at which Village Trustee Dylan Legg asked, "How are we part of the committee?"

Schneider reaffirmed his position that the Village Board was on the committee. Kashman then questioned if they were debating on semantics. "Whether you're on the committee or in attendance... I'm not sure of the difference," Kashman said.

Mahoney said, "Well, you're either on a committee or you're not on a committee. It determines when the committee meets [publicly] and when it meets privately. Let's get together officially, coordinate, and figure this out. I don't want to waste anybody's time. A bunch of committee people who are not elected are not in a position to determine what the Town will do."

Mayor Schneider said, "The committee has no real power. They're fact-finders who work with the consultant." He said the committee's job was to collect information for the Village Board. Mahoney replied, "Developing the dissolution plan—let's just think in our minds if some people which we name, exclusive of us, are going to be able to determine whether or not any plan for transferring or eliminating positions of public employees, village assets, including real or personal property..."

Mayor David Schneider said, "Let me stop you. The committee is working with Laberge. Once the study is completed, the plan goes into effect. There are two different stages here."  

Mayor Schneider continued, "The consultant is going to take all our data and compile everything into a report that will give recommendations. We will then take [dissolution] to a vote at that point. In between this, they will then develop the plan. There's a bit of confusion because most of the presentation was based on an electorate-initiated dissolution."

Mahoney then made a suggestion. "Don't name the [steering] committee, hire the consultant, and then let that consultant tell you who should be on the committee."

Mayor Schneider said, "Right now, the only thing the committee is doing, in essence, is making sure that public meetings don't devolve into chaos." He acknowledged the need for Town and Village officials to have a conversation.

Mayor Schneider then tabled the issue and reminded the audience that it was not the "privilege of the floor." "Now that we've hired Laberge," he said, "we can get more information from them on who they want on the committee."

Deputy Mayor Kashman agreed. "Let's hire the consultant, outline the specific roles and responsibilities of the committee, and outline the roles and responsibilities of the Town and Village boards and see what makes sense." Kashman added there would also be subcommittees for issues like water and sewer.

The dissolution conversation then concluded.

A resolution passed for the Board to apply for funding for educational signage at Rip Van Winkle Park and Huckleberry Trail.

Another resolution was passed to rezone village-owned properties acquired through a flood buyout program. Kashman said these properties were being rezoned, as they are now public. Village Trustee Mary Sue Timpson read the property descriptions. One of the properties is at 126 Railroad Avenue. The second property is at 86 Railroad Avenue. One parcel is vacant off South Main Street adjacent to the Department of Public Works parking lot. Another parcel is vacant land off Railroad Avenue near the village-owned section of the bike path (the former home of this newspaper). The final parcel is vacant land near the back side of Rip Van Winkle Lake. The motion to rezone the parcels was passed.

Blue Spruce Nursery, a Clifton Park-based contractor, secured the Board's nod to spearhead the Upper Lake Development project at Rip Van Winkle Lake. Village Clerk Robin Dumont disclosed that the selection was based on the "base bid" of $1,135,516, which emerged as the most competitive among the five bidders vying for the project. Construction is slated to begin this Spring.

The Board appointed a committee of community stakeholders for the Village of Tannersville Downtown Revitalization Fund (DRF), a $600,000 grant secured through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The funding is part of the $10 million grant awarded to the Village by the State of New York in 2021.

The committee members, Carl Giangrande, Reed Rubey, and Joe Pepe, were chosen for their professional expertise - Giagrande is the Village's building inspector, while Rubey and Pepe are both architects.

Applications for the DRF must be in by April 15, an extension from March 29. Those interested in participating in the program should contact LaBella’s Devin Bulger at dbulger@labellapc.com. 

Mark Gorelick, representing the Greene County Animal Alliance, sought a letter of support for their endeavor to establish a companion no-kill animal shelter in Greene County. The Board unanimously approved this Request. More information about the newly formed non-profit can be found at www.greenecountyanimalalliance.com.

The next Village meeting is on April 15.