Hazard Mitigation Plan
Glen Gidaly, senior project manager for the village's engineering firm, Barton & Loguidice, updated the village board and assembled residents about the progress of the village's hazard mitigation plan, which began development informally in September 2005. Hazard mitigation issues revolve mainly around dealing with naturally occurring hazards in the village, such as fires and floods. In June 2006, the village received FEMA funding to pay for the development of an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan. Throughout 2006 and 2007, meetings took place to help develop this plan.

Gidaly defined hazard mitigation as "any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to human life and property." Gidaly also provided a quote from Art Snyder, Ulster County's Director of Emergency Management, that, from 1996 to 2006, "Ulster County experienced more Emergency Declarations and Disaster Declarations, combined, than any other county in the State of New York." When the village approves the proposed plan, which is concerned with eliminating and minimizing natural hazards before they happen, Ellenville will be the first such community in the county with a federal and state approved plan, and will be eligible for grant funding for which other communities would not be eligible.

Mayor Kaplan commended the plan and the work put into its development, but still expressed his desire for more protocols regarding what to do and where to check when hazards strike the village. Gidaly responded saying that such protocols would be included in an Emergency Management plan, which would be separate from the Hazard Mitigation plan.

Lease
Mayor Kaplan reviewed the proposed lease agreement for Barton & Loguidice to rent out a portion of the third floor of the Government Center, and recommended two main revisions: that the village be provided with a key to their office, and that the lease be changed from one year to two in order to help justify the expense of the lease's allowance of up to $8,500 for Barton & Loguidice to renovate the space. Should the firm exercise this option, the changes they make may wind up not being of use to any future tenants who occupy the space should the firm decide to end their rental agreement after a year, thereby creating a future cost for the village.

Glen Gidaly, who remained at the meeting after his presentation to act as a representative from his company, told the board that the key would not be an issue, but that he was unable to give the board a definite answer regarding the effect the change of the lease's length will have on his company's decision to rent the space. However, Gidaly said the company was committed to the move to Ellenville, and would certainly intend to stay there for longer than 12 months.

Bond Anticipation Note For EGC Heating Plant
The board voted to authorize the village's Treasurer to go out for a Bond Anticipation Note for heating plant upgrades, fire alarm system upgrades, and security systems installations in the Government Center up to $100,000. Based on the suggestion of Building Code Enforcement officer Brian Shug, who believed that the combined costs of all of the listed upgrades and installations would likely exceed $100,000, the bond amount to be sought was then increased to $150,000. No money is yet being borrowed, however.

Proposed Public Gardens
Dyami Nason-Regan, representative from the Family of Ellenville and the Adventure Base Counselor and Life Skills Trainer for the organization, made an appearance before the board to request an eighth to a quarter acre plot of land at Mill Street Park to start a sustainable, permaculture community garden project, which she will begin with the under-privileged at-risk 16 to 20-year-olds from Ellenville with whom she works. Mayor Kaplan asked if this would interfere with the plans for the skateboard park proposed for the same area, and Village Manager Elliott Auerbach said that it should be possible to divide up the land so that the two projects don't conflict. Nason-Regan also proposed the idea of painting the gazebo as a future project for her group, and Mayor Kaplan suggested other sites around the village that could use a touch-up that her group could tackle.

EFD Makes Final Presentation Before Tuesday's Vote
Ellenville Fire Department Commissioner Mike Moschetta was joined by Gary Horowitz and George Budd to update the village board and assembled residents on the progress of the then-upcoming firehouse vote, which took place this Tuesday. Moschetta mainly reiterated much of what he discussed at last week's meeting at the Greenfield Firehouse, though the group made sure to update the board with information regarding the second polling place in Village Hall, and the constant telecommunication between presiding election officials that will prevent people from voting twice.

In Other News…

• The board reappointed Marion Dumond and Mary Sheeley to the Historic Preservation Committee, appointments which will expire in August 2012.
• The board voted to retain Arcady Solutions (Nikki Nielson, formerly of now-defunct Shingebiss) to provide a thorough grant review including status, contracts, applications, and funding, which is not to exceed $520.
• The board approved the $1,878.28 purchase of four truck tires, eight truck rims, and eight valve stems from NYS Contractor Van Kleecks Tire, based out of Lake Katrine, NY, for Ellenville's Street Department. Mayor Kaplan also made it a point to say that he only wants to see exact amounts for any future purchases in an effort to keep a tight grip on village expenses.
• The board authorized the $4,246 purchase of a cab system and accessories for the Water Departments Rhino all-terrain-vehicle from Ray's Sports & Cycle.

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