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Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , June 21 , 2017
Gardiner adopts revised solar law ; buys decibel reader
Continuedfrom page 1 for deconstructing a solar array . This is the case if the
developer goes out of business or abandons their solar project .
In the wake of the town ’ s adoption of the mass gathering law , which regulates events that attract 500 or more attendees , the board approved the purchase of a decibel reader . The machine measures the noise level of a source , such as a gathering . The reader arrives amid criticism that the town code contains a noise ordinance — such as the one prescribed in the mass gathering law — but does not create a mechanism to enforce it .
After expressing his enthusiasm for the purchase , councilman David Dukler asked , who would enforce the law ? “ I ’ m sure other people have asked this , the issue is events on the weekend ,” he asked , “ so how is that going to work ?” Also posed during this discussion were questions of where the reader would be housed and who would operate it .
Majestic said she spoke with the zoning code enforcer who said noise complaints are filed with the state police . “ It ’ s not a town matter ,” Majestic explained and continued , “ there ’ s no one here on a Saturday night to call . The police would be called .”
Councilman John Hinson added that building inspectors respond to noise complaints in other towns . “ And they get a minimum number of hours just for responding to it ,” he said . Expressing his skepticism of police enforcement of the ordinance , “ I don ’ t see how the state police would be called in for our law ,” he added .
Gardiner resident Scott Bittner said that when residents call the state police with a noise complaint , officers instruct them to call the town code enforcement officer . “ So there is a miscommunication there ,” he said .
Responding to an earlier comment that the code
Carnes , adding that hopefully they would get water soon as well . The approval is subject to permissive referendum . The board also passed a bond resolution for the purchase of a dump truck with a plow . This was not for a new purchase , as the truck in question is already in the town ’ s possession and was pressed into service months ago . The motion was to enable the seller to be paid .
The town supervisor also brought up an issue that has arisen over use of the town fields , with groups moving to different fields without town permission and causing scheduling conflicts and difficulties with other groups . He explained that they are working on making changes to the process that may include a $ 1,000 deposit that is not refunded if the town rules are violated .
Carnes also commented on the recent UFO festival in the town , stating that for the first time the town was “ short ” revenue . enforcer will likely need to respond to complaints late on Saturday and Sunday evenings , “ that ’ s part of his job , whether he likes it or not ,” he said . Bittner also asked about consequences if someone does not comply with the ordinance , and noted that a small fine is a small price to pay for larger events , such as a wedding .
In response to questions posed during the discussion , Majestic called the decibel reader a “ first step ” towards working though the issue and said that more discussion needs to take place before a procedural policy can be drafted .
Near the close of the meeting , town highway superintendent Brian Stiscia called the board ’ s attention to the worsening condition of the rail trail . “ When we get the storms ,” he said , “ we ’ ve had trees into trees , and the canopy is getting so closed in we ’ re having a hard time getting the machinery in there .”
Stiscia said cleaning up the rail trail may be beyond the scope of the town highway department . In the past , the department was capable of removing small trees and limbs from the trail . Now , Stiscia identified the abundance of dead timber as an obstacle to machinery . He said the town may need to bring in someone to clear the trail , and quoted Dietz Tree Service who estimated the over seven-mile trail could be cleared in two weeks for $ 17,500 . This includes clearing ditches and removing debris . The job would be put out to bid .
Looking ahead , Stiscia said clearing the canopy would lead to long-term benefits . One criticism of the rail trail that runs through Gardiner is the water that collects on its surface . The superintendent said clearing the canopy would allow sunlight to reach the trail and dry it . During the trail ’ s clean up , Stiscia spoke about bringing in a machine to re-level the trail , which would allow the trail to shed water and prolong its improved condition .
Crawford town board
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Domanie Ragni , the town ’ s director of community services , explained that they had to purchase some items that they will reuse for future festivals , there were fewer vendors this year and participation in the parade was lacking .
“ I think it ’ s had its day ,” said Ragni , going on to suggest that the town do away with the parade for the UFO festival next year and instead add more vendors .
Currently on the drawing board for the town is a possible tractor parade , 5K race and antique car show — which could be separate events or combined .
In the meantime , the Ward Avenue walking trail project took another step forward as the board voted to accept the bid of J . Algarin Paving at $ 83,520 , which was the lowest bid received . The company will be paving the first phase of the project that will convert the abandoned town road to a public walking trail .
Carnes explained that most of the paving will be covered by a grant . The town received a $ 125,000 grant for the paving and bathrooms .
Police Blotter
TOWN OF CRAWFORD POLICE
Kristina Rodriguez , 29 , of Middletown , was charged June 1 with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle . Defendant was arrested on a bench warrant for failure to appear upon a suspended license charge . Upon being released she drove away from the station with a suspended license . She was processed and released to appear in Town Court on June 12 .
Eva Boice , 43 , of Pine Bush was charged June 2 with assault in the third . She was released to return on June 6 .
An 18 year-old Pine Bush female was charged June 4 with DWI and leaving scene of an accident . She was released to appear in court on June 6 .
David Stgermain , 29 , of Wallkill was charged June 8 with aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle and Suspended Vehicle Registration . He was processed and is to appear in Town court on August 7 .
Joshua Goodchild , 34 , of Hugenot was charged June 14 with Suspended Vehicle Registration and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle . He was processed and released to appear in Town Court on August 8 . Joseph Hadden , 29 , of Bloomingburg , was charged June 14 , with aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle . He was processed and released on $ 100 cash bail to appear in Town Court on August 8
Jesse Weed , 50 , of Pine Bush was charged June 16 with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle , DWI , and DWI refusal . He was arraigned in Town Court and remanded to Orange County Jail on no bail .
Faith Anderson , 38 , of Staten Island was charged June 16 , with Driving with Ability Impaired by Drugs and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle . She was arraigned in Town Court and remanded to Orange County Jail on $ 2,500 bail to return on June 11 .
Hans Appeles , 44 , of Walker Valley , was charged June 17 with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle . He was processed and released to appear in Town Court on August 8 .
Joann Appeles , 45 , of Walker Valley , was charged June 17 with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance . Police said she was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped and was found in possession of heroin . She was processed and released on $ 100 cash bail to appear in Town Court on August 7 .
Brandon Boniface , 22 , of Pine Bush was charged June 17 with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance . Police said he was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped and was found in possession of heroin . He was processed and released on $ 100 cash bail to appear in Town Court on August 7 .
TOWN OF WALLKILL POLICE
On Tuesday , June 13 , at 7 p . m . Town of Wallkill Detectives arrested Kenneth Niebuhr , a 28 year old , male , Beacon resident . Police said Niebuhr was arrested after an investigation disclosed that at 3:42 pm on June 8 , the defendant threatened an employee at JC Penney with a screwdriver prior to removing money from a cash register . Niebuhr was charged with Robbery in the First Degree and Petit Larceny .
The defendant was arraigned before Judge Peter Green , Town of Wallkill Court , where he was remanded to Orange County Jail on $ 50,000 cash /$ 100,000 bond .