Cell Tower Update
There is a proposal to put a 5G cell tower at the Town Highway Department municipal site at 630 S. Mountain Rd (near Shaft Rd). Because the site is on “The Ridge”, town zoning requires a special use permit, if the proposal warrants it and meets the permit criteria. A “CELL NO!” movement has sprung up to try and block the installation of the tower at this location. On April 12, the town board took no action after hearing radio frequency engineer William Johnson’s report about cell coverage from the proposed tower and kept the public hearing open until its next meeting on May 10th, 7pm. For more info: townofgardiner.org.
Climate Smart Gardiner (CSG)
We are planning several Spring events and hope local residents can participate in picking up garbage at the Riverkeeper Sweep, planting native trees/shrubs at Trees for Tribs, and planting more trees at an Arbor Day event. Gardiner has completed the pre-requisite actions for the NYSERDA Clean Energy Communities Program, making a $5000 grant available to us for green projects. In coordination with other municipal stakeholders, we are considering a solar array at the Gardiner landfill. Gardiner’s LED streetlight conversion with NYPA will result in lower costs and decreased Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. We are also working on a Community GHG Emissions Inventory, so we can better understand where to locally target our community GHG emissions mitigation efforts. Through the Community Choice Aggregation program, we are working to offer the best green deal on renewable electricity to residents and will offer public information sessions in the coming months. www.facebook.com/climatesmartgardiner
Environmental Conservation Commission (ECC)
An attempt to explain away protections of the Shawangunk Ridge Protection District (SP) reached the Planning Board. A request for special permit approval for a building site in SP2 has been submitted. The applicant identified an alternate building site on the same lot in the less restrictive SP1 zone. The ECC feels that this application does not warrant an exception to grant approval for a building site in SP2 and will continue to push for the town board to apply the SP code as intended: to contain development to the least restrictive SP1 zone and at the lowest elevation in that zone.
Fire & Rescue
The Gardiner Fire Department will be hosting the Gardiner 5K Classic on Thursday, July 21st at 6:30 p.m. at Majestic Park. We are bringing back the barbeque and the kids run. Register for the run online or get directions on how to print, complete, and mail in an application at gardinerfireandrescue.org. We are also looking for sponsors for the run. Contact Donna Lyons at 845-255-5887 for sponsorship levels. We look forward to seeing you there.
Gardiner Library Needs You!
Take our survey to help the Gardiner Library identify where to invest our resources for new initiatives, services, and programs to make the maximum impact and meet the specific needs of our community. Your feedback will be used to develop a new Plan of Service, also known as a 3 Year Strategic Plan, which will specify goals, activities, and measurable objectives that will guide the implementation and support of future services and programs. Share your opinions and be part of the process! To participate, use the QR Code or visit our website at gardinerlibrary.org. For focus group participation, please contact Nicole at nlane@rcls.org. Thank you.
Summer @ the Gardiner Library
Great programs and events for all ages, including: afternoon art programs, storytimes with Miss Amy, drop-off gaming and manga movie nights with pizza, basket weaving, felting and paper cutting classes for adults, Slow Jam, Ukuleleans, and SongClub meet-ups, Art and Nature Series with Elissa, bird identification walks, Book Club and Slow Stitch gatherings, wildlife programs, our annual book sale, Teen Literary magazine meet-ups, Music with Miss Amy, and more! gardinerlibrary.org
Highway Department
Springtime always feels like a new beginning and there really isn’t a better time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and wish to see the winter season behind us. Yard work is nearly upon us, so please take the opportunity of good weather to repair your mailbox posts and keep your basketball hoops and garbage cans out of the traveling road way and placed in your driveway. Do not blow your grass clippings or leaves or any other debris into the roadway. Pay attention and get where you’re going safely. Spring brings sun glares that can obstruct your views as well as more people, bicycles, motorcycles and wildlife on roads. April starts construction season for the MANY Town Highway, County DPW and State DOT Departments Road Crews. All Town roads are scheduled for sweeping the winter materials off. This process prepares our roads for any needed repairs, drainage improvements or reconstruction projects. Please budget extra time to travel and be cooperative and courteous with road crews who are working hard to make your travels safer by improving our roads. Stay tuned for news about the Clove Road Bridge Project.
Parks & Recreation
Gardiner Parks & Recreation Committee will soon be rolling out a new schedule of events and programming for this year. Check our Facebook page and the Parks and Recreation page of the Town’s website for upcoming events you might enjoy. This season’s offerings include ‘Instructional Saturdays’ at Majestic Park, sports (i.e., basketball, disc golf & volleyball). Upcoming are the first annual Dump Run 5k & 10k at our new Riverbend Trails at Gardiner Park and our second Movie Night “under the stars” at Majestic Park. Please email parksrec.tog@gmail.com to get involved!
Planning Board
The Planning Board reviews Site Plans, Subdivision applications and Lot Line revisions for compliance with environmental regulations and conformance with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, the Planning Board is focused on safeguarding the orderly growth of the Town of Gardiner through encouraging a balance between residential, commercial and industrial uses. Current projects that are under review can be found at townofgardiner.org/planning-board-zoning-board-of-appeals. The Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
Town Supervisor Marybeth Majestic
As Gardiner enters the rebirth of Spring, the Town Board is focused on longer term projects to improve resident’s quality of life via a focus on improving Gardiner’s infrastructure and protecting its environment. Key Projects include: completing the Comprehensive Plan (last revised in 2004), improving the Sewer System, completion of the Clove Road bridge rebuild, evaluating the South Mountain Road cell tower application, assessing the quality and quantity of drinking water, and developing a long-term plan for preserving Gardiner’s environment and open space. If you would like to know more about any of these topics, please contact Supervisor Marybeth Majestic 845-255-9675 x101 or supervisor.tog@gmail.com.