Most of the meeting's time went to a long forum for interested residents to discuss their concerns regarding the moratorium proposed by Trustee Steve Krulick to put a temporary stop to large scale development while the Town of Wawarsing conducted an economic impact study on the area by a proposed Wal-Mart at the town's Napanoch Valley Mall.
While the village has no direct authority over the town's decision, a town resident requested that the village consider a resolution recommending a moratorium and study to the town. The Village Board voted down the resolution to recommend the moratorium by a count of 2-1. Mayor Jeff Kaplan, citing his professional relationship to the possible sale of the Napanoch Valley Mall, disqualified himself from the vote and Trustee Teresa Hyatt was not in attendance. That left Deputy Mayor Ray Younger and Trustee Efrain Lopez to counter Trustee Krulick's lone "aye" vote.
When the issue was opened for discussion, a number in the audience offered their views on the subject.
David Winograd said, "Don't get me wrong, I am definitely supportive of growth. And I am wearing Sam's Club jeans. We would all love something there [at the Napanoch mall] but I think it's a good idea to take time to study the issue. I think Steve Krulick is on the right track."
The gentleman sitting next to Mr. Winograd, Stan Stanton, offered his perspective saying, "I don't think there needs to be a study. It's time for this community to move forward. We need Wal-Mart. We can't afford to let it get away."
Joan Beck, who first spoke about her concerns at the Town of Wawarsing's last board meeting, asked the board to consider doing more research on the matter and that it encourage the town to do the same. "I don't know what will happen [if Wal-Mart comes] but I do know that there are mounds of information. I hope this board will work with the town to articulate some sort of strategy to deal with this. I would hate to see that something was done in the name of emotion and without the facts."
Beck went on to add, "It's wonderful that somebody wants to come in. But let it be the right somebody."
Bella Volchik, owner of two stores at the Napanoch Valley Mall, has been very vocal in her support of a proposed sale to the retail giant. Ms. Volchik said that, "The local business community's morale is very low. Over the years several stores have closed. We need to take advantage of this [Wal-Mart's arrival] and make the town a destination to get more traffic into the area. We can't wait any longer. The time to make a decision for our future is now."
Ms. Volchik went on to attack Trustee Krulick for, what she argued, was a slanted approach to his research regarding Wal-Mart and its effects on local businesses.
Another area resident, Pat Dillon, argued that the village was, "not thinking of the little people." Dillon also warned that, "If you do this study you will lose this. Nobody wants to come here. There is nothing here."
Several area citizens offered their opinions both for and against the moratorium prior to the board's vote. When the resolution was defeated, those against it's passing applauded the board's actions.
Though the recommendation for a moratorium was voted down, Deputy Mayor Younger suggested that a new resolution could be considered that would urge the Town of Wawarsing to conduct the study the former resolution suggested without the moratorium.
