Business wants Bethel Woods to expand sewer extension

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

BETHEL, NY — Town of Bethel officials have great expectations for the stretch of Route 17B that cuts west through rolling farmlands on its way to a budding, 17,000-seat performing arts center.

Proposed new infrastructure would allow this rural corridor to become a sibling—one loaded with development potential—to the restaurant-lined route through White Lake.

But the owner of a business on 17B says the new $3 million sewer district extension, proposed by the Gerry Foundation to service the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and advance an expressed town agenda to attract developers, isn’t good enough.

“The hottest corner for economic development on 17B is going to be at Hurd Road,” said Kevin Colston of the Woodstock Emporium. “So why would they stop the line short of Hurd Road?”

Colston was speaking on behalf of Woodstock Emporium owner Barbara Natelson, who said she has received offers from supermarket and hotel businesses interested in her property, located about a half-mile west of Hurd Road, which leads to Bethel Woods’ property.

“I want into the district.” Colston said, adding that this status would be attractive to investors.

During a September 22 public hearing held by the Bethel Town Board, attorney for the town, Robert McEwan, described the sewer extension, which would be built by Clough, Harbour and Associates LLP of Albany. The system’s main line would run from Bethel Woods to Route 17B and then turn east and run along the state highway, finally connecting with the existing system at the intersection of 17B and Route 55 West.

If included, the Emporium would be listed as a non-user since it is located well beyond 100 feet from the proposed main line.

Building a 3,000-foot connection to the line would cost Natelson about $300,000, town board members calculated.

If a property is not included in the district before the final map is approved, its owner would be required to either contract with the town to build a link to the system or petition the town to be included.

Colston said the Emporium was originally listed as inside the district boundary but then excluded.

“Now I’m out and I didn’t get a notification,” he said. “The growth is going to be out here where there’s open land people can develop. I thought I could have a sewer line and speak to the guys who wanted to build a hotel on my property.”

Colston added: “The project is supposed to be for everybody.”

In response, the board voted to go back to the drawing board to include Natelson’s property and scheduled another public hearing.

“If they want to expand the district, that’s what they can decide to do,” said Gerry Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Drapkin. However, he added, the plan for the sewer main line would not be changed.

District details

McEwan said the town board supports the sewer district extension because members want to encourage growth along Route 17B. Following are details of McEwan’s presentation:

• The capital cost of the project, to be paid over 30 years upon the issuance of bonds, would be $3,074,500. The annual cost to the town would be $137,276.

• Bethel Woods would be responsible for costs if the fees collected from users do not meet the required capital debt payments. The estimated annual fee for single-family homes connected to the system is $573.

• Owners of existing homes within the new district boundary won’t be required to connect or pay fees unless their private septic systems fail and remain broken for 180 days. Owners of vacant land don’t have to hook up or pay fees until their land is improved.

• If a property border lies more than 100 feet from the proposed system’s main line, the owner will in no case be required to connect.

• If a property owner opts against connecting initially, and then decides to hook on later, an extra fee may be charged based on what users have paid towards the capital debt.

• Fees for homeowners relying on the existing sewer district, which runs under the White and Kauneonga Lake communities, would not increase despite plans to improve the existing district’s pump station.

The new public hearing will begin Monday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town of Bethel Senior Center.