Bethel board to comment on Toronto

FRITZ MAYER
Posted 6/21/17

BETHEL, NY — The board of the Town of Bethel voted to send comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the Mongaup River Project, which includes the Toronto Reservoir …

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Bethel board to comment on Toronto

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BETHEL, NY — The board of the Town of Bethel voted to send comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the Mongaup River Project, which includes the Toronto Reservoir and the hydro-electric facilities operated as part of the project. The 30-year license to operate the hydro operation, now held by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, will expire in 2022, and in advance of renewal of the project FERC is seeking comment.

Public access to the Toronto East Access has been the subject of legal battles going back to about 2002, and when Eagle Creek moved to purchase the five reservoirs and three hydroelectric stations that make up the system. FERC held up the sale until the public was once again allowed to use the access area, which had been blocked.

Public access is once again in question as a property-owner and the developer have urged the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to label the access area a “bathing beach,” which would block people from using it for swimming. Regardless, there is a 50-foot easement from the edge of the water inward, which is open to the public. A DOH tribunal was held and completed a month ago, but the DOH has not yet issued a determination in the matter.

Bethel supervisor Dan Sturm said the board would issue comments saying the town wanted no prohibition on swimming at Toronto East Access; they want the access to be open to the public from dawn to dusk. He said the town would comment on related matters. The town will issue written comments by July 29.

There will be two public hearings on the matter on the license on June 22 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Monticello Firehouse.

Council member Lillian Hendrickson said the access area is now visited by unleashed dogs. She said, “It’s very scary when these dogs come out of nowhere and scare you away.”

Spending the Golden Feather

As part of a program aimed at improving the health of the community, the town received from Cornell Cooperative Extension eight pieces of outdoor exercise equipment, which have been installed at the Forest Reserve in Smallwood. The town paid for the installation of the equipment and for a footbridge over White Lake Brook, which cost a total of $10,058.

Sturm said the funds would come from the $100,000 Golden Feather Award that the town won last year. He recounted that the board had previously agreed to spend $48,000 for new playground equipment. The board also agreed to spend $34,000 on improvements to the playground and park. The improvements would include moving the basketball court and the creation of a pickleball court. Pickleball is a paddle sport with a net that combines some of the elements of tennis and ping pong. The improvements also include new pavement and clearing land to provide more space for recreation.

BETHEL, NY — The board of the Town of Bethel voted to send comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the Mongaup River Project, which includes the Toronto Reservoir and the hydro-electric facilities operated as part of the project. The 30-year license to operate the hydro operation, now held by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, will expire in 2022, and in advance of renewal of the project FERC is seeking comment.

Public access to the Toronto East Access has been the subject of legal battles going back to about 2002, and when Eagle Creek moved to purchase the five reservoirs and three hydroelectric stations that make up the system. FERC held up the sale until the public was once again allowed to use the access area, which had been blocked.

Public access is once again in question as a property-owner and the developer have urged the New York State Department of Health (DOH) to label the access area a “bathing beach,” which would block people from using it for swimming. Regardless, there is a 50-foot easement from the edge of the water inward, which is open to the public. A DOH tribunal was held and completed a month ago, but the DOH has not yet issued a determination in the matter.

Bethel supervisor Dan Sturm said the board would issue comments saying the town wanted no prohibition on swimming at Toronto East Access; they want the access to be open to the public from dawn to dusk. He said the town would comment on related matters. The town will issue written comments by July 29.

There will be two public hearings on the matter on the license on June 22 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Monticello Firehouse.

Council member Lillian Hendrickson said the access area is now visited by unleashed dogs. She said, “It’s very scary when these dogs come out of nowhere and scare you away.”

Spending the Golden Feather

As part of a program aimed at improving the health of the community, the town received from Cornell Cooperative Extension eight pieces of outdoor exercise equipment, which have been installed at the Forest Reserve in Smallwood. The town paid for the installation of the equipment and for a footbridge over White Lake Brook, which cost a total of $10,058.

Sturm said the funds would come from the $100,000 Golden Feather Award that the town won last year. He recounted that the board had previously agreed to spend $48,000 for new playground equipment. The board also agreed to spend $34,000 on improvements to the playground and park. The improvements would include moving the basketball court and the creation of a pickleball court. Pickleball is a paddle sport with a net that combines some of the elements of tennis and ping pong. The improvements also include new pavement and clearing land to provide more space for recreation.

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