By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO — November 2, 2004 – Water storage and filtration problems at Emerald Green’s water plant have caused an uproar from those who have purchased property but cannot build on it at the Rock Hill development.
Richard Steinberg of Ronstein Construction one of the major developers, was among those who appeared in front of the Town of Thompson Board recently to complain about the failure of the Emerald Green Homeowner’s Association to address the problem.
Steinberg claimed the association was attempting to block his development. He sued the association once already and was successful in obtaining a court order to build one of his developments there. He said one of the principal flaws with the water plant is the over-use of water by many who live at Emerald Green.
The board responded by holding a meeting with the New York State Health Department, attorneys for the water company and the builders.
The board issued a 90-day moratorium on building at Emerald Green. A similar moratorium was suggested by the health department last spring but was not passed. This time, the town and state health department will assist with locating grants for repairing the plant. The total cost for expansion of the plant has been estimated to be $3 million.
Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini said that if the water company does not address the matter in the appropriate fashion within three months, the Public Service Commission and the New York State Health Department could get further involved.
In other Town of Thompson Board business, Cellini announced that the town will not raise taxes after all. An increase in mortgage tax revenues and a little sharpening of the pencils on the budget helped secure a zero tax increase. He said there would be no cuts in services as well.
The highway department received a portion of their request for additional funding for road repairs, and the budget calls for a two percent raise for town employees across the board, including all elected officials.
The board will hold a public hearing on the budget this Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Town of Thompson Hall in Monticello. The board is expected to vote on the budget afterwards.
Cellini stated that the town has secured over a million dollars in funding for the widening of Route 42, in case the New York State Department of Transportation fails to follow through with their plan to widen it in the near future.
Cellini said that Louis Cappelli of Cappelli Enterprises, which owns the old Concord Resort, has pledged a million dollars. Caesar’s Entertainment and Columbia Development Corporation have also pledged funds in case the DOT falters.
The supervisor said the DOT had previously stated they would build lights and sidewalks throughout the Kiamesha corridor this fall. Their new estimate is for next spring.