Reporting from Monday, March 2, 2009 :

Town Council Votes 3-2 to Take Over Comprehensive Plan

From the March 2 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

The Taghkanic Town Council Monday voted 3-2 to assume control of the town’s Comprehensive Plan.  Councilman Richard Skoda, a one-time member of the committee himself, introduced the motion to have the town board “take over” the comprehensive plan because, he said, it was time to “get it done already.” Skoda acknowledged that “the committee has worked its butt off” to develop a plan, but expressed impatience with the process and proposed that the town board “take it over.” Supervisor Betty Young and Councilwoman Carolyn Sammons joined in the majority vote, while councilmembers Tony LaSalvia and Erin Edwards opposed.  Edwards explained that the motion was unnecessary because the town board is already in charge of the plan and that the board would be responsible for the details of getting a plan in place if the CPC were not allowed to continue its work.

The supervisor herself formed the committee in July 2005 and appointed the six original members.  In 2007, the town board expanded the committee to 13 members plus a liaison member, and ultimately named Alice Platt as the committee’s new chair.  Under Platt, the committee brought in the services of an independent consultant and last summer presented a draft plan to the town board.  Since then, the board has conducted a line-by-line review of the draft.  The town board’s improper legal noticing of a joint CPC-Town Council meeting on Feb. 27 forced a postponement of a discussion of draft language concerning farmland protection, a provision Skoda and others have strongly opposed.  The board rescheduled that meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, March 16, and Young said she wanted Platt to “be involved.” No mention was made of the other CPC members.

A complete story covering Monday’s board meeting will appear shortly. 

Reporting from Monday, June 2, 2008 :

Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing

From the June 2 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

TC conducted its first official public hearing on the draft plan.  The hearing was continued until July 11, 2008.  In addition to the draft plan posted on the town website, a copy showing changes from the last prior draft will be added.

Reporting from Monday, May 5, 2008 :

Comprehensive Plan

From the May 5 Regular Meeting of the Town Council (TC)

The Comprehensive Plan Committee (CPC) has sent a draft plan to TC members for their review and consideration.  It’s posted on the town website, available in local libraries and can be purchased for $10 at the Town Clerk’s office.  The town submitted a voucher and has received the Greenway grant monies; the town’s matching contribution was satisfied by the volunteer hours put in by CPC and Subcommittee members.  The TC scheduled a public hearing for June 2, 2008, at 6:30 pm.