Highland schedules hearing on gas drilling moratorium

Appoints supervisor as town budget officer; opposes NYRI Local Law Waiver

By SANDY LONG

ELDRED, NY — In order to gain time to gather more information about gas well drilling, the Highland Town Board has proposed a temporary six-month moratorium on new oil and natural gas extraction activities within the town. A public hearing will be held on June 24 at 6:30 p.m. for two local law changes related to zoning and the proposed moratorium, after which the board will reconvene the town meeting it recessed on June 10.

The moratorium is being sought to “protect the health, safety and welfare” of town residents, according to local law filing documents prepared by town attorney Michael Davidoff. “No one is 100 percent sure what local authorities can do, but we’ve got to do something to slow this down,” he said.

In part, the proposed local law reads, “The question of integrating oil and natural gas extraction within the Town’s existing pattern of predominantly residential and agricultural land use emphasizes the need for suitable siting, land use and zoning standards… The Town Board of the Town desires to address, in a careful manner, this integration question on a comprehensive Town-wide basis, rather than on an ad hoc basis, and to adopt Land Use Local Law provisions to properly regulate same.”

The town board also voted unanimously to appoint supervisor Tina Palecek as the town’s budget officer and determined a stipend of $10,000 for the position. The stipend serves as compensation for the additional duties associated with this role and is not considered a raise; changes to the supervisor’s salary of $15,000 require a public referendum.

It is common practice for towns to appoint budget officers and often supervisors fulfill that role, according to Palecek. “During preliminary budget review and review of last year’s budget process, there were serious deficiencies identified that indicated we needed an individual to specifically focus on the budget needs of the town,” she said.

Budget officers typically review, investigate, calculate and determine the best appropriations for the town’s budget and present their findings to the board. “The supervisor is the chief financial officer, which means I make sure all financial matters are in compliance with the New York State Comptroller and that all expenditures follow our adopted annual budget,” explained Palecek. “As budget officer, I will do in- depth research to ensure all budget lines are exactly what our town needs.” Palecek promised to create a budget that supports the functions of the town without sacrificing the needs of its citizens.

Palecek also announced that the town will receive a $10,000 grant for which she applied through Senator John Bonacic’s office. The grant can be used for town projects or equipment needs. Initial discussions about possible uses for the money will occur at the June 24 meeting.

In other matters, the town board took the following actions:

• Passed a resolution to oppose the Local Law Waiver sought by NYRI seeking exemption from restrictions such as stop work orders, clear cutting, outdoor noise and light levels and more, as established by town law.

• Appointed Fawn Schneider as interim dog control officer while the town advertises for a permanent replacement, with applications due by June 27.

• Passed a resolution to secure quotes to enact cleanup activities of a hazardous abandoned property at 26 Yulan Barryville Road, following declaration of the property as a clear and imminent danger to the safety and health of surrounding property holders by the town’s code enforcement officer.