Councilman pans hunt law

By DAVID HULSE

ELDRED, NY — One member of the Highland Town Board this week went on record in opposition to a proposed town law that would prohibit new construction within a 500-foot buffer for any adjoining hunting club property.

In an open letter, Joseph McDonald, the senior councilman on the Highland Town Board, this week stated that there are so many unanswered questions related to the proposal that, “I wouldn’t even consider a favorable vote nor should we waste our time on the costs of advertising and conducting a public hearing.”

McDonald posed a series of 15 questions and observations related to the proposal, such as “Is it constitutional?” or would the law constitute a “taking” of property adjoining the clubs.

McDonald questioned the numbers, saying that for every 1,000 running feet of hunting club land, approximately 12.5 acres of adjoining land would be affected. He also noted that many adjoining parcels do not have a 500-foot expanse, so “if passed this law would encumber thousands of acres of lands.”

Following considerable public opposition at the town board’s May meeting, Supervisor Allan Schadt said he was developing reservations about the proposal himself, but would nonetheless move ahead with drafting of the legislation and scheduling of a public hearing at the June 14 meeting.

Schadt and Councilman Andrew Valenti have been the proposal’s principal proponents. Both are hunting club members and have been questioned about their eligibility to vote on the measure.

Councilman Paul Zimmerman has not taken a public position, while Councilman Bob Burrow has already voiced his opposition.

The law is modeled after one adopted by the Town of Deerpark in Orange County.