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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-0221 March 02, 1994 The Lansing Town Board met in Special Session at the Lansing Town Hall Board Room on March 02, 1994 at 7:00 P.M. with Supervisor Kirby presiding. Jeannine Kirby Herbert Beckwith Paul Butler Jeffrey Cleveland Larry Tvaroha Bonita Boles Debbie Crandall Richard John ROLL CALL Supervisor Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman Town Clerk Deputy Town Clerk Town Attorney Present Present Absent Absent Present Absent Present Present Visitors: David Herrick, Town Engineer, George Totman, Code Enforcement Officer, Jeff Clark, Marty Christopher, Lawrence & Connie Conlon, Terry Bowen, J.J. Trotter, Rod Kearl, Mike Walter, Lin Davidson, Larry & Lindy Wilcox, Louis Emmick, Gary Wood, Kathy Kemple, Caren Baldini, Robin Burke, Brian & Barb Bennett, Kevin Kauffman, Herbert Howell, Robert & Jacoba Baker, Dean Rager, Tricia Torney, Dean Long, representative from the LA Group and three representatives from the Watchtower Bible Tract Society. The Supervisor called the meeting to order having the clerk take the Roll Call. Proof of Notice having been furnished, the Watchtower Scoping Session and Public Hearing was opened at 7:25 P.M. Mr. Dean Long the LA Group SEQR Representative from Saratoga Springs explained the purpose of the meeting. The meeting is called a Scoping Session which is a process where the Town tells the applicant what should be in the draft Environmental Impact Statement. Out of tonight what will be derived is an outline for the Impact Statement to be prepared by the applicant. The primary things that are to be made clear for the applicant tonight is what information we are going to need and what information the Town Board is going to need in order to make their decisions on the project. At this time with the assistance of the Town Attorney and the Town Board the LA Group has circulated an outlined draft scoping document of what should be in the impact statement. Comments on the document have been received from the County Planning Office. Those comments will be put in the final scoping document. This document will be prepared sometime within the next week or week and a half. What has gotten us to this point that the Town Board because of the size that an application has been made for what is called a Positive Declaration means it is time for the applicant to p of the process is basically and type of the project and a Water District has issued The Positive Declaration repare the Impact Statement, 0 This is the very beginning of this process and the applicant will give a brief presentation on process will be. Public comments information and what types of ques can be incorporated into the scopi what the scope of the project will be taken on what types of tions need to be answered so it ng document. Mr. Long asked if anyone had any questions as to where we are in the process at this time. No questions at this time. Mr. Long then turned the presentation part of the Public Hearing over to the Watchtower Society Group. 2' March 02, 1994, continued The group passed out the following. PROPOSED OUTLINE FOR DEIS Cover Sheet Executive Summary 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION Location Including Local Maps and Property Survey 1.5 Construction and Operation Schedule of construction Future potential development Schedule and type of operation 2.0 IMPACT ON LAND 2.1 Environmental Setting Subsurface material composition, suitability for construction material Soil maps and types, characteristics, suitability for use Topography 2.2 Project Impact Impact of construction 2.3 Mitigation Measures Reuse of construction material Minimizing disturbance Erosion control measures Erosion control plan 2.4 Commitment of Resources 3.0 IMPACT ON WATER 3.1 Environmental Setting Depth to water table, existing sources of water, Access to site Description Description of existing zoning and land use Project Purpose and Need quality Background and history Uses and Objectives of project surface sponsor Design and Layout drainage patterns and flood plains 3.2 Project Impact Open space vs. development Impact of wastewater discharge on surface water Impact of storm Land Use to surface flow patterns Site plans 3.3 Mitigation Measures Structures Approvals Quality of wastewater discharge Town of Lansing for water district extension NYSDEC for SPDES permit Erosion control plan NYSDOH for sewer and water distribution detention NYSDOT for driveway access and contaminant TCDOH for sewer 3.4 and water construction permits 1.5 Construction and Operation Schedule of construction Future potential development Schedule and type of operation 2.0 IMPACT ON LAND 2.1 Environmental Setting Subsurface material composition, suitability for construction material Soil maps and types, characteristics, suitability for use Topography 2.2 Project Impact Impact of construction 2.3 Mitigation Measures Reuse of construction material Minimizing disturbance Erosion control measures Erosion control plan 2.4 Commitment of Resources 3.0 IMPACT ON WATER 3.1 Environmental Setting Depth to water table, existing sources of water, Impact of wastewater discharge on surface waters El agricultural uses Description of surface waters, classification and quality Uses and level of use of surface waters Description of drainage patterns and flood plains 3.2 Project Impact Impact of wastewater discharge on surface water Impact of storm water changes to surface flow patterns 3.3 Mitigation Measures Quality of wastewater discharge Water conservation Erosion control plan Storm water detention Storm water and contaminant reduction 3.4 Commitment of Resources Impact of wastewater discharge on surface waters El March 02, 1994, continued 4.0 IMPACT ON AIR 4.1 Environmental Setting Describe climate and NYS air quality indicators Identify local receptors 4.2 Project Impact Impact of construction Impact of boilers, generators and autos on air 4.3 Mitigation Measures Fugitive dust control Proper maintenance and operation of construction equipment Emission control through primary use of gas Traffic flow to prevent congestion and vehicle delay 4.4 Commitment of Resources • Impact of boilers, generators and autos on air 5.0 IMPACT ON ECOLOGY 5.1 Environmental Setting Vegetation maps and identifications Wildlife population characteristics and potentials Protected areas in or adjacent to the site 5.2 Project Impact Reduction of agricultural land 5.3 Mitigation Measures Site preservation as open agricultural space Revegetation for aesthetic value and wildlife repatriation 5.4 Commitment of Resources Reduction of agricultural land 6.0 IMPACTS ON TRAFFIC 6.1 Environmental Setting Available services and levels of service 6.2 Project Impact Analysis of new traffic distribution 6.3 Mitigation Measures Traffic control 6.4 Commitment of Resources Analysis of new traffic distribution 7.0 IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SERVICES 7.1 Environmental Setting Fire Health care Recreation Police Water utility Gas & electric utility Description of services not impacted such educational and social 7.2 Project Impact Impact on public water Impact on gas and electric utility Impact on fire and police 7.3 Mitigation Measures Incorporation of water saving fixtures Implementation of water conservation plan Underground utility distribution as Energy efficient design and dual fuel burners Backup generators Fire resistive construction Fire fighting access and utilities Non - smoking environment On -site security provided Low use of police in other complexes On -site recreation facilities 7.4 Commitment of Resources Impact on public water Impact on gas and electric utility 2 Ll March 02, 1994, continued Impact on fire and police 8.0 IMPACT ON CHARACTER 8.1 Environmental Setting 10.0 ALTERNATIVE SITES Alternative sites on property At middle of property by old foundations By Route 34B 11.0 ALTERNATIVES Industrial Uses 12.0 NO ACTION Effect on developers' need Beneficial and adverse environmental impacts Am 13.0 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 14.0 GROWTH INDUCING ASPECTS 15.0 EFFECTS ON THE USE AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY References Appendices (as required) 8.1.1 Demographics Population distribution and density Projections for growth 8.1.2 Cultural Resources Describe physical character of community and surroundings Historic and archeological resources Existing noise levels 8.2 Project Impact 8.2.1 Demographics Impact on growth of town 8.2.2 Cultural Resources Impact on visual character Construction noise 8.3 Mitigation Measures 8.3.1 Demographics Benefits to town of growth with minimal use of community facilities 8.3.2 Cultural Resources Compatible architectural design Visibility reduced by distance and screening Low impact lighting design Construction hours limited Additional landscaping if needed to reduce noise 8.4 Commitment of Resources Impact on growth of town Impact on visual character 9.0 Alternative site layouts More residences of lower height More day -use buildings of smaller size 9.2 Alternative discharge at north end of site to stream #57 -3 -2 9.3 Alternative traffic patterns All traffic from Route 34B Some traffic from Route 34 10.0 ALTERNATIVE SITES Alternative sites on property At middle of property by old foundations By Route 34B 11.0 ALTERNATIVES Industrial Uses 12.0 NO ACTION Effect on developers' need Beneficial and adverse environmental impacts Am 13.0 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 14.0 GROWTH INDUCING ASPECTS 15.0 EFFECTS ON THE USE AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY References Appendices (as required) • E. March 02, 1994, continued The presentation started with the following information: The Watchtower society has owned the property on route 34 in the Town of Lansing since the 1930's. In 1943 there was a school set up there to train missionaries to be sent out into the world wide field. Since that time the interest in bibles and bible literature has really increased. At the time the property was purchased there was only about 100,000 ministers world wide. The number has grown to nearly 5 million and those that attend bible lectures have grown to over 11 million. So in order to keep up with the organizational growth branch organizations have been developed in about 100 countries. In recent years a lot of these have required expansion and relocation to larger facilities. To respond to this need design, engineering and construction organizations have been developed to care for the building of these at the.lowest cost since the Watchtower is a nonprofit corporation that operates off of the donations of others. There are branch office facilities in Poland, Puerto Rico, Western Samoa and Korea. In the United States headquarter growth has been needed in Brooklyn and Putnam County, New York. Within the next ten years or so in order to continue to support the headquarters operation in Brooklyn the Watchtower society is pursuing permits to allow development of a support office facility. If these permits are obtained then the society will be in a position to develop this site as this becomes necessary. The society is now at the beginning of the New York State Environmental Quality Review process called SEQR. So far the first stage of the Environmental Assessment form has been filed. Based on the information that was provided, the Town Board made a Positive Declaration indicating they would like to see more information. In other words an Environmental Impact Statement. There are several things involved in an Environmental Impact Statement, the first is tonights scoping session to determine the issues that are going to be addressed in that impact statement. This Public Hearing is to assist in that. The results will be a draft Environmental Impact Statement. There will also be a Public Hearing on that. The information that is accumulated at that hearing will be the basis for a Final Environmental Impact Statement. That in turn will allow the Town Board to make proper decisions. The group then gave a brief presentation on the handout and went through the outlined proposed draft Environment Impact Statement. Mr. Long then asked if the: audience. He stated that this i process where the input from the c will determine what the character will allow the Town Board to make -e were any questions from the s one of the parts in the SEQR ommunity is very important. This of the document will be, which its decision. QUESTION: Patricia Torney - How may people do you propose to put in there and we have heard that there will be no children so this will not effect the schools and is this true? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - There will be a maximum of 1200 people and this will be an adult population. QUESTION: Patricia Torney - What if you expand it further? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - As we explained to the Board when we first started thought on this, it has been our experience in developments such as this, things range from 1,000 to 1,500. What we try and do is have a master plan that we grow to then we have to look for another area. This is what was done in the facility in Wallkill. There are 1,000 there. They have also developed Putnam County and that facility has not started it's final use yet. Sometime down the road instead of enlarging one of those facilities March 02, 1994, continued another one will be formed. QUESTION: impact on will be 1200 Herbert the local adult Howell schools. people - In reference It is coming to to her hard for me to this area with question, the believe there no school age children. How do you justify that? should we just ask questions? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - The representative was from the Wallkill facility where there were 1100 workers. There are no school age children at that facility. The reason is because volunteers that work at these complexes are young men and young women who are unmarried and young single couples without families. We have a process when they are selected they turn in applications to be accepted to work at a facility like this. We would select individuals from those applications based on their work experience and our needs. One of the qualifications is that they don't have dependents oR children. That is the reason why there are no school age children at these facilities. This holds true for Patterson and the Brooklyn facility. There are very rare exceptions. They would include possibly having a doctor on staff that would include a couple of kids, or a lawyer. But only exceptions like this that are very rare. There are none right now. QUESTION: Patricia - The presentation Torney - Are you going to be going through everything again or should we just ask questions? Is there going to be anymore of Obviously a presentation? district impacts is part ANSWER: LA Rep - The presentation that we have given tonight is just to let you know what we are thinking needs to be in the document. Now we want to hear your opinions as to what you believe to be in the document. Obviously the school district and school district impacts is part of the project description. It is clear from the comments that we have already got that Kingdom Farms needs to be very clear on what their past track record has been at their other facilities so that the community understands the potential level for impacts on the school district. QUESTION: Connie Conlon Is this now open forum or are you waiting to present more information? ANSWER: LA Rep - This is now open forum. QUESTION: Connie Conlon - Just about the end of every single section you state commitment of resources. I presume you mean commitment of Town resources. ANSWER: LA Rep - In some instances yes as it relates to some of the community character. When we are speaking of commitment of resources here for instance in impact in land and also in community character is commitment of the Agricultural Resources. If the project is approved there is going to be a conversion of some acre from ag fields to buildings. In the SEQR context in the impact statement context that is a commitment of a resource is that you change the land. It can no longer be used the way it was previously used. Same thing on the water supply issue. There that commitment of resource is that a certain amount of the Town's water supply is going to be allocated for the use of Kingdom Farm. Which is taking it out of the Town's overall capacity to supply water. That is one of the key decisions that the Town Board is facing. That is why a Positive Declaration was issued by the Town. This causes the impact statement to be prepared to get the full scope and complete idea of what this project is. QUESTION: Connie Conlon - Right now we do not have water going up to that area so how did this come about? ANSWER: Jeannine Kirby - They would take it up themselves. LA Rep - As part of the impact statement they would have to reveal how they are planning on making that district extension for that part of the project. Ell i�',r ^1 Y Y March 02, 1994, continued QUESTION: Patricia Torney - Are you going to have on site sewage? ANSWER: DEC. It Watchtower will have Rep - They have been working this out with the to be a pretty high quality one. QUESTION: acreage Lawrence Conlon - What of the site including the roadways? is the approximate size and ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - As proposed it is about 58 acres. QUESTION: Jeff Clark - What are the benefits to the Town and this community for this project coming here? You are going to be taking quite a few things by the sounds of it, what exactly are the benefits to the Town? • ANSWER: LA Right now we on the Town That is why Farms to ana Rep - That do not know. Board's min as part of lyze if the is the purpose of the impact statement. Certainly it is one of the key questions d is what are all the various benefits. this the Town has asked for the Kingdom property is used for alternative uses. QUESTION: Jeff Clark - Such as? ANSWER: LA Rep - Such as industrial. QUESTION: Jeff Clark - There is no tax base for this project coming to the town. ANSWER. LA Rep - That is true. Again part of the reasoning why the impact statement is being asked for so the Town understands. Part of the process will be Kingdom Farm will present information concerning its Wallkill and other properties and try to show the balance of what has happened in those communities. So that the Town Board understands what are the long term impacts of this project. QUESTION: Jeff Clark - Is this project you are building going to be self sustaining to people on it? Or are they going to come out into the community? Or are all their needs going to be provided for on this project? Where is the work going to come from? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Typically in the attempt to keep our bible literature distribution basically free just on a contribution basis, we do everything on a contribution basis. Even the labor for erecting a facility is on a contribution basis. People from all over the country will volunteer to assist in the construction. The construction force that we have for all of the facilities that you saw is a volunteer construction force. QUESTION: Jeff Clark - Where will this force stay while they are here? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - That is one of the things that we need to look into as part of the statement. We have had all sorts of situations, temporary housing, people nearby commuting, things of that nature. • QUESTION: Robin Burke - What happens to the temporary housing? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - That's up for discussion. QUESTION: Robin Burke - Who would own the temporary housing? Would the housing be built on another property? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - I can try to answer that. Our temporary housing needs are covered by several different options. One is, temporary housing on site. Typically this is a type of housing that we would want to reuse at another construction site. In fact we may bring from the Patterson Facility or Wallkill Facility direct on site for the construction period and then we would move March 02, 1994, continued on to the next site. Completely owned by the Another way that we have accommodated a few Watchtower Society. people and in the Patterson area and also Wallkill is by leasing, also fits renting or by buying a few then put homes in the area. These are used back on the market or terminate for a lease short term and or rents of agreement after to accommodate the our construction period. We utilize workers. different ways QUESTION: Marty Christopher - Could you clarify a point that Bud Howell asked earlier on about the population that might be 1,000 to 1,500 in indicating that there weren't going to be any children. Which you clarified by indicating that they were going to be young couples or singles. Well obviously they are not going to be the permanent residents that are going to be there after the project is completed. They are going to come in, work on the project, complete the project then your population is going to come in. That's the way I see what your saying. Is that not correct? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Yes, but the population that comes in also fits in the same category. QUESTION: Marty Christopher - They are going to be young single men and women or couples that are going to be there? AN SW faci inst woul indi ER: lit anc dn' vid Watchtower ies is to supp e if you have t be help by uals there are Rep - That is the whole purpose of these ort world wide activity. In this particular a large contingency of children then there all the individuals there. That way the able to make a full contribution. QUESTION: Marty Christopher - Then it sounds also that there are going to be contingency of these people that are working there that are going to end up staying there. Isn't that true? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - There would be a core group of construction workers that would come from either Patterson or Wallkill facility to start the construction phase up here. We augment that by inviting others to come from anywhere in the United States to supplement those crews. Some of that core may stay there for maintenance purposes. The base of them will go on to the next project wherever that may be. QUESTION: Marty Christopher - Once the project is completed the people that are staying there as permanent residences, what is the percentage from male to female? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - There are about 1/3 female and 2/3 male. There is a mixture of singles probably about half married couples. QUESTION: Marty Christopher - They will then be going out into the field once they receive their training? It this basically what happens? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - No, this is an office facility. QUESTION: Marty Christopher - Half are going to be married couples and half single? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - That is not a rule but that is about what it is. o QUESTION: Unidentified - Don't couples result into children? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Sure then they leave and start a home. QUESTION: Robin Burke - I have a question about the traffic. Are these 1200 people going to be driving cars up and down Buck Road? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - That is one of the things that we would also address in the impact statement. Because they work and live ki March 02, 1994, continued on the site you don't have the traffic you typically expect like from a large industrial or residential complex where they are in and out all the time. QUESTION: Robin Burke - I thought I heard there was a four story parking garage that was going to be erected? ANSWER$ Watchtower Rep - Yes, typically that we find for every two people there is a car. QUESTION: Robin Burke - Every two people of these 1200 people, which is 600 cars? SANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Yes. RESPONSE: Robin Burke - This is an incredible large amount of traffic for Buck Road, RESPONSE. Watchtower Rep - True as some of our neighbors expressed. That is why we are looking at alternate routes. QUESTION: Herbert Howell - You mentioned there is going to be an impact according to the study on the fire and police protection. Do you plan to make any payments in lieu of taxes to support this I mpact? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - That is something that could be addressed. RESPONSE: Herbert Howell - Other companies do this. QUESTION: Lawrence Conlon - Have you in Orange or Putnam County made any commitments on that point? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - In different communities we contribute in different ways. We have made annual donations to local fire departments. The Wallkill facility has fire fighting apparatus on site at the request of the local fire department. It is a little different there. We do not intend to do that at this facility. We contribute to the local fire department in other ways besides monetary donations. We try to assist and help them with expenditures as far as the buildings and maintenance of the facilities are concerned. To answer your question there are no set ways we contribute. We try to look at what the need is and respond to the need. QUESTION: Unidentified - Do any of the people from your group volunteer such as in the Fire Department? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We have not done that to date. QUESTION. Jeff Clark - What is the length of the project anticipated to do this? RESPONSE: Watchtower Rep - Duration? • RESPONSE: Jeff Clark - Yes? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - The one at Patterson was a little larger and that is going to be about a six year project. So probably 5 years. QUESTION. Jeff Clark - What is the percentage of the people leaving your organization and staying in the community as you grow? Not everybody joins, people leave. ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We do not know. QUESTION: Jeff Clark - It sounds like you want a lot of things from the community but what are you putting back for the community? (4 f March 02, 1994, continued What are you giving in return for this? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - I don't know if I can address that or not. ANSWER: LA Rep - That is sc areas of interest. What are and police protection do community normally provides I mpact. The document will everybody can analyze that. imething that will be one of the major the community impacts? How much fire they need? Whatever resource the for citizens and what will be the hopefully clearly get that across so QUESTION: Louis Emmick - If you were to buy some homes for your residents would they be taken off the tax roll? Since you are a tax exempt organization. ANSWER: LA Rep - I temporary arrangement their proposed plans f impact statement. The As a rental I don't bi may. believe what they were referr for construction. If that bec or housing people that will be bottom line is I don't know how =lieve it would as a purchase I ing omes part that bel to some one of of the works. ieve it QUESTION: Herbert Howell - I believe you plan to extend this water to this site and to finance it yourself. What about the yearly maintenance on the whole district and the administrative maintenance? Do you plan to contribute to that? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We will pay for the water just like everyone else would. QUESTION: Herbert Howell - Along with the administration and the repairs? ANSWER: LA Rep - That is another item that they will have to make clear in the impact statement. They would pay their usage fee. In the impact statement they will discuss dedication of the line following construction. Dedication at no cost to the Town. RESPONSE: Louis Emmick - They will pay operation and maintenance fees, (0 & M). RESPONSE: LA Rep - Yes, they will pay the same fees as everyone else. QUESTION: Lawrence Conlon - What is your policy on purchasing what ever needed goods and materials locally during construction of these kinds of facilities? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We do not have a policy. QUESTION: Lawrence Conlon - I am not trying to pin you down. In past experiences have you tended to purchase locally? Or being a large organization do you go to a regional market or world wide market? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - I would hav are certain bulk construction goods t large quantities that are not availabl things that are available we purchase e to say we do both. There hat you have to purchase in e in a small community. But locally. QUESTION: Lawrence Conlon - You wouldn't want to venture to say whether you purchase 250 locally and 750 outside? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - I really don't know, I'm not involved in that area. We do not keep records on that kind of stuff. We could probably come up with it if that was a question that needed to be addressed. ANSWER: LA Rep - Probably as part of the track record at Wallkill If '(1 • s March 02, 1994, continued and such. Whatever some irrelevant Understanding that construction material is sensitive. Some things are just impartible bring it in. experience roughly. very transportation to buy elsewhere and QUESTION: Robin Burke - You would not be purchasing Rep - I most of your building materials locally and you would not be using economic local labor, but yet we have to endure a five to ten year period of construction? plumbing supplier during is sort of as ANSWER: - Watchtower Clark Rep - I can answer from request the comment earlier. the economic Plumbing to add supplies for example, to our primary scoping plumbing supplier during is just 10 minutes away from the farm. Not only for the Wallkill facility but also the Patterson facility to a great extent. There are limitations obviously depending on what manufacturer a plumbing supplier will handle. I say that because you think of a plumbing supply you think of truck loads coming from the west coast or wherever. That is one example we choose to purchase that locally. Again there are other commodities in which we do the same. What the market is here I don't know, we haven't done any research. We are certainly not crossing that off the list at this time. One comment is for instance concrete one of our biggest building materials. When we use concrete obviously we have to get it in the very closest place you can because you have to haul that material in. That is a big thing that will be done locally. But when it comes to steel, it could come from California or anywhere. QUESTION: Robin Burke - You will definitely build this facility with all volunteer workers? You do not hire it out? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - No, you saw some evidences in the presentation, a lot of people feel the same way it is hard to believe. RESPONSE: Robin Burke It is hard to believe. QUESTION: Jeff Again, I Clark What - Was that a request on the economic impacts to add they that purchased to the scoping Conlon - Relevant to that do you during construction sort of as well as after? ANSWER. LA Rep - Yes. QUESTION: Unidentified LA Rep - Again, I - What about things can bring out as far like food, clothing, and automobiles, are be in the operational they usually purchased as well. exempt. So locally? Connie Conlon - Relevant to that do you ANSWER. LA Rep - Again, I don't know. I think that is something that they can bring out as far as what their local expenditures may be in the operational phase of the project. as well. exempt. So QUESTION: Connie Conlon - Relevant to that do you normally have a commissary sort of thing on the site? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We have at best we can call it a commissary of very limited goods of what is there. If someone needs to go down to get a bag of potato chips they can do that. To respond to the question that was raised earlier recently we have done a study at the Wallkill facility is a here and determined that the Watchtower per year. grocery question, to some residents spend close to three million in the community Among the goods and services, restaurants, clothing, stores and that type of commodities. So to answer your yes we will be spending, obviously we will not be going distance places to spend money. QUESTION: Unidentified - Do you pay sales tax? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Yes, we do. Watchtower exempt Religious Organization so that's why the society property is a here tax in the Town of Watchtower Lansing Society is is tax tax property tax exempt as far exempt. as sales Corporation, tax is concerned the as well. exempt. So Individuals any of their that live or purchases are are volunteers not tax exempt. are not tax I1 3? March 02, 1994, continued QUESTION: Unidentified - How many meetings or opportunities are available before the actual decision or construction of the project? ANSWER: LA REP - Basically where we stand now, after the scoping document is complete in the next two weeks, Watchtower Society and Kingdom Farms will go off and prepare the draft Environmental Impact Statement. We have no idea how long that is going to take them. Once they complete drafting of the Environmental Impact Statement it will be submitted to the Town Board. The Town Board will in turn review it and look at it as well as the LA Group. That will be during a phase of the project called completeness review. A key thing on completeness review is how, they answer or how they address all the issues in the scoping document. It is not whether it is right or wrong or that we necessarily agree with it but is there enough factual information in the document. So once we complete this there will be a period where everybody is welcome to write in their response and there will be another public open forum comment session. When everybody will have an opportunity to look at the document at least 15 days prior to a Public Hearing and they have at least 10 days left in the public comment period. So there will be a period of time when the document is available for study. Everybody can look at it and come to the Public Comment Meeting, make their statements as to what they feel is right or wrong with the project or document. After that happens then there is another document that is prepared that is called the Final Environmental Impact Statement. The Final Environmental Impact Statement is the last opportunity for the Town Board and the applicant to review the comments. If there are comments on the traffic and the people do not believe that the intersection is going to work and DOT has a similar comment, Kingdom Farms would work to rework the intersection to make it better so that hopefully the project will be approvable. That is what the Final Environmental Impact Statement process is. At the end of that, that is when actually a decision to approve or disapprove the project happens. So basically there is a period of time here for the community when nothing is going to happen. Then we will have another public comment period, after that there will be some additional changes, rediscussion and reanalysis of the project. Finally after that is when the Town Board will make it's decision. QUESTION: Louis Emmick - The Town Board is acting as the Lead Agent I understand. ANSWER: LA Rep - Yes, QUESTION: Louis Emmick - Anytime they find something that doesn't quite satisfy them they can ask you for further information, stopping the process until it is received. ANSWER: LA Rep - Correct. The LA Group is working for the Town Board to assist them in this. RESPONSE: Watchtower Rep - I would like to add one thing to your comments. Our society is not a secretive organization and anything that you have questions on we would be more than happy to answer. So in addition to the process here for the State Environmental Quality Review, we as representing the Watchtower Society, want to answer every question you have. We don't expect everybody to sit and wade through the documents of a draft environmental impact statement or a final statement and understand all that. We want to answer questions one on one. So whenever that is possible at a meeting like this or we are happy to leave our number. Call us, we feel that if there is information out there, there is going to be less questions. With more information you have, the more comfortable people feel with things. Or, the easier it is for us to address those issues. Don't wait for a Public Hearing to contact us, do that at anytime there are concerns. We would be C] n w I q .t March 02, 1994, continued happy to pass out whatever information we have at that time or do research if necessary. QUESTION: Kathy Kemple - You say that people in your other facilities spent three million dollars in the community? If they are volunteers where do they get three million dollars? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - When I say community you have to understand that our community is much like this from the stand point that Lansing and the Town of Shondon have very limited financial opportunities or businesses to put this into. The three million dollars comes from individuals that live and work there. Each one of us is given a reimbursement every month of $90.00. Obviously $90.00 doesn't go far these days. Because of the nature of our work many times a high percentage of those that volunteer are supported by someone outside, in other states, at home or whatever the case may be. Those consequently come to the Town as well not just individuals paying out of their pocket but they get funds from home as gifts. You will see that happens quite frequently. Because of the volunteer nature of the work. QUESTION: Caren Baldini - I just want to go back to the children in the schools. Do you ever change the focus of the community you are trying to establish? In five years down the road could you say we are not just going to have adults only we are going to change it to allow children? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - It hasn't been since 1919. I think that is so far a remote possibility that it is not worth considering. The facility is not even constructed for that. The type of facility wouldn't even accommodate children because of the way that the rooms are constructed. They are small rooms. If you are able to look at floor plans for one of the layouts the rooms are 450 or 500 square feet, it just wouldn't accommodate a family. It is very unlikely. QUESTION: Connie Conlon - If there is a change do your people rotate? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - To some extent. Our turnover last year was just 10.3 %. So out of the 1100 that are there, there are a little over 100 that leave and are replaced. QUESTION: Marty Christopher - I hope you are not misconstruing our questions about the children. We like children here in Lansing. It is just the idea and it is hard to believe the way we have children here in Lansing. It has to be a concern on our part.. That is something that from your past experience is not going to change? QUESTION: Lawrence Conlon - But you did say that when they have a family they leave? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Yes, and that makes up a large portion of the 10 %. QUESTION: Lawrence Conlon - Of the 10% when they leave are they apt to stay in the area or go back to their original roots. ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - I think there are probably a very few that do stay. Most of them go back to their home or whatever state they came from. QUESTION: Lin Davidson - Is there any covenant in the deed that if things don't go as planned, that if this goes on the market, that it is not sold to the highest bidder for whatever use? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We already own the property. Again, looking at the history of the organization we have never sold anything. The organization grows and we use these facilities. 34 March 02, 1994, continued Again, that would be a very remote possibility. But, frankly if anything ever did come up like that it would pretty much have to be used by a similar organization. RESPONSE: Lin Davidson - If it was remote enough then perhaps it could be an added covenant in the deed. RESPONSE: Lawrence Conlon - That is not quite a fair answer and I don't mean to be nasty but, maybe it is the only sale you have ever made, right here in Lansing when you sold to the west side of the road to the State of New York and etc. You can't say you have never sold anything. RESPONSE: Watchtower Rep - Okay, true, I guess what I meant was that a facility such as what is being proposed here. A working support facility, there was a school that was incorporated into our Brooklyn facility. point of what RESPONSE: Lawrence Conlon - I can also document this fact for a point of record as a licensed real estate broker, I had the entire property here under contract once upon a time. He brings up a good point of what the disposal of the property would be if and when it ever came to that point. QUESTION: Unidentified - You said that the three alternative sights that you proposed, one has an advantage over the other two. Could you comment on what those advantages are. ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - There are some things that we feel are advantages to this point. Frankly, when we look into details on the Environmental Impact Statement we may find out differently then the way we feel now. I think the primary benefit as far as we see is the aspect of visibility to the Town. That puts it from a distance from the main road and in an area that is fairly well protected. From our stand point that is an advantage. Another advantage is as far as the crops are concerned. That piece of land is the rockiest piece of land and that is where the shale is closest to the surface. As far as a piece of farming ground it would be the best one for taking for building. If we took the other two proposed sights then we would be getting into good farm land. QUESTION: Larry Wilcox - Do you know if you brought water up there would you be bringing it up Buck Road? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We really haven't looked into it. ANSWER: LA Rep - The routing and connection to the Town supply will have to be part of the document. ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Probably to that we will look at alternates and what the ramifications of the alternates will be. QUESTION: Larry Wilcox - Your site is going to run on natural gas. Is that correct? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We prefer to use natural gas as our chief source because it burns clean. But we also have some oil as back up. The gas company likes that because if there is an emergency situation we can switch over. QUESTION: Larry Wilcox - Will you be having natural gas or is that still a part of the process? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - We have made contact with NYSEG and they said they feel they can support us. They are just reviewing their information. QUESTION: Robin Burke - Is this site then in Lansing your number one choice at this time? E �J March 02, 1994, continued ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Yes. QUESTION: are you Kevin Kauffman also looking for - You an alternative mention alternatives for water, for sewage disposal as well, besides on site treatment? ANSWER: alternatives. falls on Watchtower Rep - The Town the developer if We are doesn't he wants not to have to date, no. There any infrastructure, do something. isn't so any it ' ANSWER: LA Rep - Most likely under the alternatives there are alternative technology that is often addressed. So they will probably end up describing to the DEC why they selected the particular type of sewage treatment plan that they are proposing. • RESPONSE: Kevin Kauffman - I was thinking more along the lines with mutual cooperation with the schools and possible other sewer districts within the Town. QUESTION: Robin Burke - I have a question about the roads and the traffic. Buck Road is in terrible shape right now with just the limited traffic that it has, what will happen? Will the road be widened to support more traffic? ANSWER: LA Rep - I now. But certainly they will have to do to bring out there. bring Buck Road or ingress or egress up Town, County and Stat scoping document. T] don't expect them to have that answer right as part of the traffic impact analysis what is identify how many vehicles they are going What type of improvements may be required to another local road or any other points of to a standard that would be acceptable to the e. The State DOT has already commented on the nose comments will be incorporated. RESPONSE: Robin Burke - I just can't see how this can not change the whole nature of this neighborhood. It will no longer be a rural country quite little street. RESPONSE: Barb Bennett - That is the reason most of us moved there because we have young kids. ANSWER: LA Rep - That is part of the decision process that we are embarking on. To get enough information for everybody so that the applicant has the opportunity to present a logical and valid case that can be verified independently as to what the levels of impact are going to be on the community. So that the Town Board can make a decision understanding those impacts. Earlier we heard about commitment of resources. Certainly the change of the visual environment is a commitment of a resource. Undoubtedly during the Public Hearing process and Final Environmental Impact Statement process, from the comments were are getting tonight, this will be discussed extensively. As an impact alternative analysis. Is it better to have two story buildings then a few more of them spread out? Or is it better to have three story buildings more compactly designed, further away from the roads behind screening, trees and whatever else? Those are the types of alternatives. That is the • type of information that we want to bring forth to the community so that everybody can make a decision. QUESTION: Unidentified - What other alternatives is there for a road to get to that? You don't have to go up Buck Road, ANSWER: LA Rep - Unfortunately I don't know but DOT has commented along with County Planning has commented. Certainly traffic is always a very extensive portion of Impact Statements. Alternative entry points are being discussed. RESPONSE: Unidentified - You could enter from 34B. RESPONSE: LA Rep - Certainly the local roads, there current 3 G) condition, level of traffic on the local roads, the capability of March 02, 1994, continued the local roads to handle the existing traffic as well as any new projected traffic will be a part of the Environmental Impact Statement. QUESTION: Unidentified - Is this a support type thing for a Brooklyn facility? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Basically the World Head Quarters Facility is in Brooklyn. These offices are basically the satellite offices that support the operation. QUESTION: Watchtower Unidentified Rep - - That question is related to why it is being put on farm group in country versus urban and Wallkill, type area? ANSWER: Watchtower stated Rep - Beside the fact that this is between two of our facilities, we have the group in Putnam County, Brooklyn and Wallkill, there is also a major branch in Toronto Canada. This is almost at a half way point. The other fact is that we do own the property. You are certainly a lot better off trying to do something on your own property. QUESTION: LA Rep - Does anybody on the Board have comments? There were no comments at this time. RESPONSE: LA Rep - The SEQR process is a very powerful process and very comprehensive. Even though the Town doesn't have direct approval over a road or something because of issuing a highway permit or anything like that, simply if it can be found in the document that it avoids impact by having a road go in at a totally different direction the Town Board can make a finding. A finding is a decision to direct the applicant to build that road in this location to avoid the impacts. Certainly, in many of these documents that I have prepared impact avoidances, is a very import decision that the Lead Agency, in this case the Town Board has to make. If that is it, I think we have gotten a good chunk of information here tonight. Everybody understands what the process is going to be. Now the Watchtower group will go off and draft the Environmental Impact Statement. They will submit it to the Board and the LA Group. We will review it and determine whether or not it is complete. At that point is when the Public Hearing process and Public Comment process will start. There is no schedule for that right at this time. As the Watchtower group has stated, that if you have questions feel free to contact them and talk to them. All the SEQR process is, is a communication process. Whatever it takes to get everybody's ideas and concepts across is positive. QUESTION: Barb Bennett - This is definitely being built here? ANSWER: LA Rep - No. QUESTION: Barb Bennett - If everything is approved by the Environmental, etc is it going to be built here? ANSWER: LA Rep - If it receives approval under the SEAR process to be built in some certain fashion, it may not be exactly what they present in the documents and it is very unlikely not what they presented in slides tonight, yes it would be constructed following the SEQR approvals. RESPONSE: Rich John - If they choose to build it. RESPONSE: Robin Burke - They stated this was their number one site, I'm sure they will choose to build it here. QUESTION: Jeff Clark - Is there a proposed starting date in mind by the Watchtower group? I" March 02, 1994, continued ANSWER: LA Rep - When they met with me they basically told us that they understand that these things take awhile. It took them five years to build the other one. QUESTION: Jeannine Kirby - Was it Wallkill that you donate annually to the Fire Company? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Yes. QUESTION: Jeannine Kirby - What is that donation? . ANSWER: Watchtower addition to maintai • equipment sight. 0 quite a few projects bays onto their fire materials and labor assist. We can make Rep - Right now it is $2,000.00. That is in ning our own fire apparatus and or own fire ver the last four or five years we have done for them to. For example they have added four station. We donated about $12,000.00 worth of to do that. We look for opportunities like to donations of labor, that is easy for us to do. QUESTION: Jeannine Kirby - Did you have to buy that property at Wallkill? ANSWER: Watchtower Rep - Yes. QUESTION: Jeannine Kirby - What did you have to pay for that property? ANSWER: Watchtower be at 8:40 Rep - We try to spend under a $1,000 an acre. Recently that has been difficult to do but we haven't been purchasing a lot of agricultural land. Our farming is just about at its limit. Farming is not an industry to get into anymore, obviously. We did a study on that and in 1960 we paid on the average under $300.00 an acre. All persons desiring Public Hearing was terminated to be at 8:40 heard, having been heard, the P.M. David Herrick reported on the following: the Preliminary and Final As far as the funding for the NYSEG project, it appears that it is acceptable to the State to proceed with the private activity bond. Dave was contacted by NYSEG and they asked him what the status was of the preliminary final designs for the project. He explained to them that since we had no formal opinions on the plans that we could not or the Town did not want to proceed with further expenditures on this project. We have not done any design work at all. Back in November we talked a little bit about the issue of Ag District #9 vs Water District 17. That is still an issue that has to be resolved. Dave reviewed the following with the Board concerning what needs to be done or has already been done concerning the project. • #1. The Engineers Report is done. The Public Hearing was last year. The only modification being the financing is not going to be serial bonds, it will be private activity bonds. #2. During the Report and Study Phase the Engineer shall: Prepare the Preliminary and Final 'Notice of Intent' for submittal to NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets in accordance with Section Agriculture 305 of Article 25AA. Present Protection Board. the notice to Tompkins County Assist owner in the preparation of SEQR Long EAF and attend public hearing, if required by NYSDEC. 33 March 02, 1994, continued Convert existing KY Pipe hydraulic model of entire water system to updated Cybernet format and perform hydraulic analysis to determine suitable elevations for storage tank, pump station and distribution main extension. Assist owner in the investigation and selection of alternate sites for storage tank and pump station. #3. During the Preliminary Design Phase the Engineer shall: Provide property surveys for the transfer of interests in real property for the sites and access drives of storage tank (Ridge Road) pump station (Ludlowville). Provide site and route topographic surveys incident water system improvements. Obtain the services of a consultant electrical engin New York State for the design of electrical systems Meet and consult with staff of Southern Cayuga Lake Water Commission (S.C.L.I.W.C.) regarding hydrauli and telemetry systems, al to design of eer licensed in and telemetry. Intermunicipal C, electrical, Recommend and stakeout locations for subsurface investigations and assist owner in obtaining the consultant services of a soils testing laboratory. #4. During the Final Design Phase the Engineer shall: Assist owner with completing and submitting NYSDEC water supply permit applications. Present to the owner 'self -help' alternatives to the construction of the project that can be completed in whole or in part by owner's staff or through the owner's procurement system. Coordinate the specified electrical and telemetry systems with the S.C.L.I.W.C. facilities. #5. During the Bidding or Negotiating Phase the Engineer shall: Reproduce Bidding Documents as necessary to meet the demands of bidders. #6. During the Construction Phase the Engineer shall: Conduct one inspection in company with owner and resident project representative when the work is substantially complete and prepare a 'punch list' of outstanding work or defective work to be completed by Contractor before a final inspection is scheduled. Conduct one final inspection in company with owner and resident project representative per paragraph 1.6.11. Prepare a set of reproducibl those changes made during tho marked -up prints, drawings contractor(s) to engineer and Dave then reviewed the District No. 170 e record grin• construction and other which engineer estimated pro s of drawings showing process, based on the data furnished by considers significant. ject budget for Water The next step is for the Board to move forward and consider a consultant for the design work. Mr. Herrick stated that T.G. Miller's would like to be one of the consultants to be considered for the job. Mr. Herrick stated that the time frame would be to get the design work done beginning 1995. The painting March 02, 1994, continued this that spring and summer and start be the of the construction The weather has at the of the for fall. The completion date being the summer of things that might hamper construction would be the of the tank. The weather has to be right for that. One other thing Mr. Herrick pointed out concerning the Watch Tower, there had been originally some talk about them considering a storage tank. Mr. Herrick recommended that as part of the Town's scoping document they might want to have a requirement that they have a storage tank. The tank should be 100' high to consider the fire flow. Mr. Herrick also stated that if the Board would like T.G. Miller's to look at specific things concerning the water system their office could do that for the Board. They have the • capabilities to look at the situation in regards to having a choice between site A, B, or C. They can do the flow analysis to let them know what it is going to be. Mr. Herrick was most concerned about the large population. The Board may want to look at how they are going to impact the new storage system that was just built. What we now have here for available storage for the next twenty years just may be shortened by fifteen years. Mr. Herrick suggested that all the water concerns should go in as part of the Town's Scoping Document. Mr. Herrick informed the Board that they may have an opportunity to participate in the GIS mapping that NYSEG and others participate in. One of the things that could come available is the Board could have an opportunity to get all the mapping of the south end of the Town that has water in it. There would be a charge for this and that has not been determined at this time. The mapping would include all the roads, trees, houses, driveways, etc. Mr. Herrick will inform the Board later on the mapping possibility. RESOLUTION offered by Mr. Beckwith who moved its adoption, seconded by Mr. Tvaroha: RESOLVED that the Special Meeting be adjourned to go into Executive Session at 9:50 P.M. RESOLUTION offered by Mr. Beckwith who moved its adoption, seconded by Mr. Tvaroha: RESOLVED that the Executive Session be terminated at 10:12 P.M. and the Special Meeting be reconvened. Meeting adjourned at the call of the Supervisor. Minutes taken and executed by the Deputy Town Clerk. 0 wre