Unofficial summary. This is a community summary of the town's official minutes, provided so the record is searchable and readable. It condenses the meeting and may omit detail. Some private individuals’ personal details have been left out. The official signed PDF is the complete record of authority.
A note on the link above: the town’s record of this meeting is a Word document from the Town Clerk’s office, and it is no longer available on the town’s website. The “Official PDF” link is a copy we host, converted to PDF for reading; the content is the town’s, unaltered, and we keep the original Word file alongside it. For a certified copy, ask the Town Clerk.
Office of the Planning Board, Town of Schaghticoke — June 5, 2024, at the Town Hall, 290 Northline Drive, Melrose.
Public hearings
None.
Regular meeting (7:00 PM)
Members present: Kasey Casas, Dan Clow, Elizabeth Hale, Vince Ragone, and Chris Reynolds. Absent: Frank Alessandrini and Bob Weir. In the Chairman’s absence, Elizabeth Hale acted as Chair. David Brennan, Town Attorney, was present. The Board approved the May 1, 2024 minutes (Clow · Ragone · all).
Applications
- ASD Solar II (former landfill, Tax Map #21.-2-5) and ASD Solar III (highway garage, Tax Map #21.-2-4.2). Jason Dell, P.E., of Lansing Engineering LLC, and Paul Kruger of Active Solar Development (ASD) updated the Board on the amended designs for the two facilities at 863 and 895 Old Schaghticoke Road (NYS Route 67), approved in November 2023. The interconnect is moving to a single common point near the high-tension lines; brush and trees along Route 67 will be replaced with an evergreen mix. Arborist Sean Garrity recommended a Norway spruce, balsam, and white pine mix planted in two rows; Acting Chair Hale suggested that, given the town’s character, a natural appearance with some deciduous trees would be preferable. ASD expects to begin the project in spring 2025. The Board granted conditional site-plan approval, with final approval to follow once the final design is presented (Clow · Ragone · all).
- Phillips conservation subdivision (Tax Map #71.-1-5.21). Surveyor Brian Holbritter presented the 23.68-acre parcel at the end of Brielle Road off Ryan Road, owned by Anita and John Phillips, who seek a 1.33-acre one-lot subdivision for their son to build a house (residual 23.35 acres). Because it is a conservation subdivision, the Board has flexibility on road frontage and found the proposed 27.37-foot access acceptable. The Board reviewed the EAF with no concerns and issued a negative declaration under SEQR (Ragone · Reynolds · all); a public hearing will be scheduled for July.
- Hansen Road estate subdivision (441 Hansen Road). Surveyor Mark Danskin presented a court-approved subdivision of an 18.04-acre parcel into a 3.0-acre lot with an existing residence and a vacant 15.04-acre lot. Because the New York State Surrogate’s Court (Rensselaer County) had settled the estate and ordered the subdivision — and the map had been filed with the County Clerk — Town Attorney Dave Brennan confirmed the court’s decision stands and no Planning Board action is required.
- Briggs timber harvest. George Weber of Mountain View appeared for owner Paul Briggs, who proposes a timber harvest of about 167 vacant acres at Neeson Lane off Sliter Road — clear-cutting roughly 40 acres for an agricultural field and selectively cutting the remainder. The harvest plan, application, and $100 fee were submitted, and a public hearing will be scheduled for July.
The Board adjourned at 7:55 p.m. (Casas · Ragone · all).
Respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Hale, Clerk.
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