Southern Ulster Times Nov. 08 2017 | Page 3

3 Southern Ulster Times, Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Dunkin Donuts in Marlboro still proceeding By MARK REYNOLDS [email protected] Developer Mickey Jamal, of Chestnut Petroleum, has been working to turn the former Dickie’s Diner site into a Dunkin Donuts- gas and convenience store for about a decade. Although at times progress has been slow, Jamal expects to break ground next spring, with construction taking about six months to complete. Jamal said his biggest concern was to ensure there would be water and sewer to the site that is located at 1470 Rte. 9W in Marlboro. He has previously addressed the size of the site, which is 1/10th less than the required two acres, with the Zoning Board. Supervisor Al Lanzetta said Jamal “did the right thing by going and getting the variance [from the Zoning Board] but they really didn’t have to if you look at the code, that’s my understanding talking to the Building Inspector.” Jamal also met the stipulations on canopies, signage, setbacks, moving eight Central Hudson telephone poles and adherence to Department of Transportation [DOT] ingress, egress and width requirements. “They did all their homework and they did their due diligence and that’s why the town Planning Board passed it five months ago,” Lanzetta said. “Basically they are ready to put a shovel in the ground.” Jamal said he is reviewing his project because a few minor changes had to be made at the request of the DOT “and we are hoping to get the sewer up Route 9W.” The town recently announced they will be receiving $500,000 for sewer infrastructure along the corridor on up to the industrial park that was jointly secured by NYS Assemblyman Frank Skartados and NYS Sen. William Larkin. Lanzetta addressed possible criticism that the town is helping one developer, saying that after Skartados made the offer for the sewer infrastructure, the Town Board began compiling a map report and plan that will show exactly where infrastructure along the Rte. 9W corridor would go and how much effluent can go into the town’s sewer plant. “What that tells you is all the people who can get into that district,” he said. “So its not just going to benefit Chestnut Petroleum, its going to benefit everybody along that district...You have to have infrastructure for people to come and develop or to even have ideas about developing; you need the sewer. This is going to help everybody along Photos provided A rendering of the Dunkin Donuts/gas and convenience store that is proposed for the former Dickies Diner site in Marlboro. the Route 9W corridor.” He pointed out that businesses in the industrial park would also benefit because they presently have septic systems. Jamal said it is “encouraging” to see that sewer is being brought in, “I think now you will see development in the future.” Lanzetta pointed out that when he came into office the first time there was a grant of about $300,000 for infrastructure that was targeted for the area around Kedem Winery. The town, however, was advised that their sewer plant could not handle this type of by-product. “Its too toxic and is too acidic, he said. “That’s the reason it didn’t go through.” Lanzetta believes local governments should foster relationships with developers like Jamal that will ultimately benefit the town. Jamal said his facility will be open 24/7 and he expects to employ about 20 people. “We are looking forward to this project being built and [with] the Route 9W infrastructure we’re hoping to see growth in Marlboro and Milton,” he said. “Its going to be a beautiful project and bring people into the town to shop here.” Lanzetta said the entire Town Board has a vision of growth along the Rte. 9W corridor. “We’re tired of saying no we can’t because we don’t have the infrastructure. We want to work with people that want to say yes, they want to come, they want to develop,” he said. “People are going to see this project and how great it is and see economically what it does for the town. We’re excited about this and we’re moving forward.” The project viewed from above.