At the Goshen City Council meeting on Aug. 8, the public objected to the proposed repeal of Chapter 93 of the city’s water regulations code. The city had announced the change as an amendment, not a repeal. Its agenda even referred to it as an amendment, which Councilman Joseph Betro told The Chronicle was a typo.

At the meeting, one resident complained that the law had been touted as a change rather than a repeal. She said, “I couldn’t do anything with the law. I had to start it over again… it was fine the way it was.”

Another resident also complained that the committee is repealing the law rather than amending it. She asked why the law is being repealed now, claiming that the city ordinance states that it cannot be repealed. She also said the committee needs to “start over” and hold another public hearing.

Resident Chris Healey said he also believes it is an amendment, not a repeal. He said, “I think we should start from scratch again” and that the board “has found a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.”

Supervisor Betro said the city will keep the public hearing open indefinitely.

A city attorney drafted the bill and was available to answer questions. He said the purpose of the bill is to codify changes the council made last year.

Councilman George Lyons asked if he could add language regarding developer agreements. The attorney said he could add language, but he thought a better approach would be for developers to sign an escrow agreement and pay the city-designated engineer. They should discuss this with the Planning Board, he said, but ultimately conceded he would add language to the law.

Supervisor Betro said he would like to see the law include a precedence clause stating that this law takes precedence when there are conflicts with other laws. He also mentioned that the new law allows certain lawn sprinklers that are currently not allowed under city code.

Councilman Philip Canterino wanted to clarify that the city does not cover the costs of the water districts, but that those costs are to be borne by the developers. The attorney said he believes the city code already makes that clear, but he could add language to the new code if the council wishes.

Miscellaneous

The City also held a public hearing on consolidating Sewer District No. 1 – Hambletonian Park Sewer – and District No. 2 – Arcadia Hill Sewer District – into a single sewer district.

A city official said consolidation was recommended in the 2022 Master Plan report. Users will be charged $12.81 per thousand gallons. In the new system, those who use less water will pay less and those who use more will pay more. The consolidation would take effect on October 1. The board closed the public hearing and voted to pass the bill.

The board has introduced Local Law #10 of 2024. The law is necessary for Interstate Waste Services (IWS) to continue operating at its current location. The law would also charge IWS $1 per ton of waste going forward – about $640 per day – as well as $200,000 in back payments for money never paid. The board has declared itself the lead SEQRA agency and issued a negative declaration. A public hearing on the matter will be held on September 12.

The board voted to award the Hambletonian Park Water Treatment Improvement Project. Tam Enterprises won both bids – $1,311,639 for the manufactured housing contract and $356,000 for the electrical contract. Councilman Richard Florio abstained.

The Board voted to extend the 60-day public comment period for the Lightstar special permit until October 10.

They also approved the appointment of Robert Miller as hydrogeological consultant to the Planning Board.