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Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , January 24 , 2018

PUBLIC AGENDA

THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 1 Montgomery Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Government Center , 110 Bracken Road , Montgomery . Shawangunk Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 14 Central Ave ., Wallkill .

TUESDAY , FEBRUARY 6

Walden Village Board of Trustees , 6:30 p . m . Village Hall , 1 Municipal Square . Town of Shawangunk Planning Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 14 Central Ave ., Wallkill . Montgomery Village Board , 7:30 p . m . Village Hall , 133 Clinton Street .

THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 8

Montgomery Town Board Audit / Work Session , 7 p . m . Town Government Center , 110 Bracken Road , Montgomery .

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The Wallkill Valley Times , ( USPS 699-490 ) is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday at Newburgh , N . Y . 12550 , with offices at 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . Single copy : $ 1 at newsstand . By mail in Orange , Ulster or Sullivan Counties : $ 40 annually , $ 44 out of county . Periodicals permit at Newburgh , N . Y . POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Wallkill Valley Times , 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . 12550

The total array area would cover 94 acres , with a fenced area of about 124 acres .

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“ We tried to lay out in a way that would minimize impacts and conserve as much of the woodlands on site as possible ,” said Andy Catania , presenting for Geronimo Energy .

Catania said in the current design , they will only remove six acres of woodland and will not disturb any of the wetlands . In addition , they remain open to additional plantings to screen the project from the neighboring homes , providing renderings of the expected views from those homes .

The project ’ s ambassadors acknowledged that the property is owned by the Donner Trust and has a rich history — which might make town residents reluctant to see the development .

“ Geronimo understands and appreciates the importance of rich local history , including the Borden farm ,” said Eric Will , New York Area Manager for Geronimo Energy in a submittal to the town board . “ Geronimo ’ s vision is to create and design a solar project that exists in congruence with the character of the land and history of the area .”

To make the project more appealing to the town , the company has offered to include areas for beekeeping , a 2-mile walking trail that will go around the perimeter of the facility , and a dog park area in the southern portion of the project .

Catania also advised the board that when the project reaches the end of its life ( in about 25 years ), all of the equipment can be removed and the property returned to meadowlands or grasslands . At that time , the property could be gifted to the community , providing “ an area within the community that was preserved and protected permanently .”

This decommissioning would be the responsibility of Geronimo Energy .

“ We really just wanted to throw our ideas out there and try to make a good effort at incorporating something that could work well in the community and see if there is a way to figure something out that works for everybody ,” said Catania .

The fate of the proposal rests on the local law the town board is looking to enact in the near future . It would put regulations in place for the town that could open the opportunity for a new revenue source , but also protect the town ’ s natural resources and scenic views .

Looking at the proposed local law , the main hurdles anticipated for the project are the use restriction and the proposed volume of the project .

The public hearing on the proposed local law is set for Thursday , Feb . 1 at 7 p . m . at the Shawangunk Town Hall . A copy of the proposed local law is available at the town clerk ’ s office or online at shawangunk . org .

In other business , the board appointed Steve Lenz to the Environmental Management Council for a one year term . They also approved the Walker Valley Fire Company 2017 Service Awards Points and a revised contract with the town ’ s highway superintendent with regard to the paving of town roads .

The town board anticipates moving forward with obtaining a new police vehicle at their next meeting .