Amenia supports survey of small Wassaic village park

AMENIA — Engaging in a variety of discussion topics, the Amenia Town Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21, agreed to hire a surveyor to define the boundaries of the small park in the center of Wassaic village.

The vote was unanimous to have surveyor Kirk Horton conduct the survey of the spot known locally as “Wassaic Pocket Park”” for a fee of $900.

Town Supervisor Leo Blackman noted that the surveyor’s fee is low because he indicated that he has done considerable surveying in the immediate area of the little park, so would have numerous existing points to measure from.

Water District

Reporting on discussion heard at the Wednesday, Nov. 20, meeting of the Water Committee concerning inaccessible meters, chairman Bill Flood sought Town Board approval for imposing a fine on property owners who have failed to allow access to repair non-functioning water meters.

The Town Board agreed that the Water District will make one more contact with the property owners, asking for access and notifying them of a pending fine. If no response is received, a fine of $500 will be levied, in accordance with water district policy.

Flood reported that an initial effort to access and repair non-working meters identified about 30 such meters within the water district. An initial mailing was successful in reducing the number to its current level of 19 meters, as homeowners responded and provided access.

“It’s much better if the meters are reading,” Nancy Nowak had said at the Water Committee meeting the previous night, commenting on her office’s responsibility for usage billing.

Flood reported that daily water usage within the district averages 225,000 to 250,000 gallons, although it fluctuates.

Cannabis Dispensary

Discussion continued about the drafting of a local law to regulate any retail cannabis establishment.

Distances from schools, houses of worship, cemeteries, parks, and other public places where young people might frequent were again discussed, along with where the measurements are taken from, whether property line or doorway.

Town Board member Paul Winters indicated that state law dictates that measurements be taken doorway to doorway.
“The state law is pretty detailed,” Town Attorney Ian Lindars commented.

The town’s planning consultant has been reviewing the state law, comparing the town’s views on restrictions to the state’s statutes, seeking to clarify relationships between the two. The consultant has found that most area towns with retail cannabis establishments require a special permit in order to operate.

Resident Walter Dietrich spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, indicating that the town can impose stricter guidelines than those of the state, if the town wishes to.

“The whole idea of a dispensary should be put to a town vote,” Dietrich said, “rather than be decided by the Town Board.”
Before the close of the meeting, Winters responded to Dietrich’s comment, indicating that town residents have already given the authority to the Town Board to act on their behalf.