A say in Tusten’s future

By LINDA DROLLINGER
Posted 2/17/21

NARROWSBURG, NY — “We want to hear what you think about our draft 2021 comprehensive plan. We need you to tell us what you think is missing from it, or is not adequately or accurately …

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A say in Tusten’s future

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NARROWSBURG, NY — “We want to hear what you think about our draft 2021 comprehensive plan. We need you to tell us what you think is missing from it, or is not adequately or accurately addressed within it.” Tusten Comprehensive Plan Committee member Mike Farrell’s remarks, made at the February 9 Tusten Town Board meeting, were directed to the general public; they came shortly after the completion of a new draft Tusten Comprehensive Plan was announced.

Before the 100-plus-page plan is adopted, it will undergo a period of public review, followed by two Zoom public comment meetings: the first on Monday, March 22 and another to be scheduled during the first week in April. The public will be able to read the plan in its entirety during the public review period. It will be posted to the town’s website (www.townoftusten.org) and the town’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TownofTusten).

Farrell said, “Yes, it’s long, but it’s written in everyday language that anybody can understand. I hope you’ll take the time to review it and share your thoughts about it with us.”

The town’s comprehensive plan forms the basis of the town’s vision for its own future. As well as being a blueprint for the town’s architectural, environmental, commercial and transportation infrastructure, it forms the groundwork for the town’s zoning and code enforcement law. And it will be used frequently during the next 20 years as documentation for various grant funding requests.

At the same meeting, the Tusten Energy Committee celebrated its 10th anniversary. Chair Brandi Merolla cited significant projects the committee has shepherded to completion: certification of Tusten as a Climate Smart Community, installation of a municipal solar array, replacement of aging town streetlights, establishment of a soft plastic collection program and installation of the town’s first food waste digester.

In other business, the board voted to give the Tusten Youth Commission $7,700 in funding and the Tusten Ambulance Corps $20,000 per year for a period not to exceed four years.

Two prospective Narrowsburg beautification projects were brought before the board for its consideration. More than just a beautification project, the planting of native trees and shrubs on the banks of Little Lake Erie will discourage the growth of Japanese Knotweed, an invasive ornamental plant species. The project, to be overseen (and maybe funded) by Sullivan Renaissance, would take place on Lake Street. Although the Monday, March 1 grant application deadline is nearing, councilman Al Smith asked if the project has yet received the blessing of New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation. Beautification Group member Jane Morris replied that it has not, but that she will now seek it.

Beautification group member Star Hesse asked the board if it would be opposed to the commissioning of a mural for the side of the town hall building that faces the library. Board members said that they would have to know more about the mural before giving their consent. But supervisor Ben Johnson said, “Almost any art that draws attention away from the boarded-up windows on the theater would be welcome.”

NARROWSBURG, 2021 comprehensive plan, Tusten, Sullivan Renaissance,

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