Bethel board passes comprehensive plan

Meeting marred by dispute over zoning issue

By FRITZ MAYER

BETHEL, NY—Bethel lawmakers voted three-to-two to approve the town’s new comprehensive plan, but the vote sparked controversy among many members of the public in attendance. The most contentious issue was the provision that all new single-family homes erected outside of sewer districts must be built on lots that are a minimum of one acre in size. The majority of the public at the meeting favored a minimum of two acres.

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New training for planning, zoning boards

Members must study four hours per year

By FRITZ MAYER

NEW YORK STATE—Beginning January 1, 2007, members of planning and zoning boards across the state will be required to have a minimum of four hours of training per year.

In New York, decisions by planning boards and zoning boards of appeals members are central to the way land is used in towns, villages and cities. But until now, there has been no formal training required to sit on these boards. Board members, who are appointed by town board officials, are unpaid volunteers.

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New movement on Mohawk Casino

BIA signals approval of environmental review

By FRITZ MAYER

WASHINGTON, DC—Sullivan County Chairman Chris Cunningham wrote a letter to Governor George Pataki on December 15 urging him to back the proposed St. Regis Mohawk casino at Monticello Gaming and Raceway. Cunningham said that because the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) offered a finding of “No Significant Environmental Impact” from the project, the governor should send a concurrence letter, which is one of the last hurdles to final approval of the facility.

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Other stories in this issue:

• La-Z-Boy chair raffled for soccer kids
• ECS gets YES to capital improvement project
• Landfill electricity plant explained to lawmakers
• Scouting for some good volunteers
• Tusten withdraws petition to upgrade railroad crossing
• Train wreck results in new guide
• Adopt a WWII vet

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S