Ed Jackson creates time for thoughtful growth

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

NARROWSBURG, NY — At the beginning of his first evening as chairman of the Town of Tusten Planning Board, Ed Jackson changed the land-use application process because it had rushed full consideration of planning in the past, he said.

“On the first night of an applicant’s appearance, we will only look at paperwork. No action will be taken until the planning board has had one month to think about it,” Jackson said.

“I would rather take more time and know for sure that something will work in Tusten,” he said. Also, applicants must now notify the town at least two weeks before they plan to appear before the planning board.

“I think things went well, though I’m going to try to cut down on long oratory. At the same time, everyone needs to be heard,” Jackson said after the meeting.

In other business, the board considered new drawings by Scott Geiger who is the engineer for the five-lot Baimwood subdivision off of Route 97, which now corresponds with the 200-foot road frontage requirement on cul-de-sac roads; granted preliminary approval to Charles Petersheim for a three-lot subdivision off of Crystal Lake Road; held a public hearing to discuss the presence of New York State endangered timber rattlesnakes and the development of property on Cackletown Road; heard a NYSEG representative explain that the utility is not able to provide electrical site design without the board’s preliminary approval of a project; and set a 7:55 p.m. public hearing for a two-lot subdivision on Oak Street in the hamlet of Narrowsburg for May 19.