Marlborough adopts state climate smart pledge

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 1/18/23

Last week the Marlborough Town Board passed a resolution unanimously to adopt the New York State Climate Smart Communities Pledge that advocates building a climate smart community by keeping an …

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Marlborough adopts state climate smart pledge

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Last week the Marlborough Town Board passed a resolution unanimously to adopt the New York State Climate Smart Communities Pledge that advocates building a climate smart community by keeping an inventory on emissions, by setting goals and to have a plan for climate action; aiming to decrease energy usage while shifting to clean, renewable energy; using climate smart materials management practices; implementing climate smart land use; enhancing community resilience to climate change; supporting a green innovation economy; informing and inspiring the public and engaging in an evolving process of climate action.

The resolution also stated that participation as a Climate Smart community will allow Marlborough access to services that will assist the town in achieving these goals and may allow the town to secure new grant opportunities. It was also noted that participation in the program is voluntary, “and can be pursued, postponed or discontinued at any time at the discretion of the Town Board.”
The resolution also named Jannelle Koszarek as the Climate Smart Coordinator for the Town of Marlborough.

Supervisor Scott Corcoran said on February 7 he will attend a New York State Climate Smart Community meeting under the aegis of Ulster County Planning Board Director Dennis Doyle. Corcoran said the county is asking that towns begin to look at creating ‘housing smart communities’ that will provide affordable residential housing. He said the county is also suggesting that towns pass codes and laws that favor affordable housing.

“Personally, just to let the board know, I’m not at this point in favor of passing any town codes in that direction, but I’ll have to see what they present to us,” he said.

In other town business, Corcoran offered a few updates, starting with the Dockside residential project, slated to be built on the eastern side of Route 9W near the Hamlet of Marlboro. He said the town is very close to arriving at the number of years in a contract agreement. In an additional comments, Corcoran said this pertains to the sewer expansion.
“They will be paying money upfront before the [sewer] plant updates are completed. They want assurances that it will be started this year, and I want assurances they will complete the project in no more than four years,” he said.

Corcoran pointed out that the Bayside residential project that is being built next to the Middle School has been, “moving forward nicely. Some footings have been poured and the Code Enforcement Officer has been on site doing inspections [and] a temporary road is being put in.” He said blasting work has been underway and he has not received any complaints from the school district.

Corcoran said developer Bob Pollock has started his Milton Main Street project that will be built on the west side of Main Street, with storefronts on the ground floor and apartments on the second floor. It will run from the red brick building, where the Post Office is located, down to the Milton Turnpike.
“Excavation began last week and today was the first day they had to do some hammering to remove some of the rock,” he said. “Up to this point the shale bed has been coming out without having to hammer any of the rock out, so it’s been going a lot better than they anticipated.”

Corcoran said the rehabilitation of the TOMVAC building is also moving forward, “a little slower than I had wanted but the weather is still cooperating with them. They finished the backside of the roof and they’ve been working on the last dormer off the front and they ripped off the shingles today. Hopefully by the end of the week the front side of the building will be all roofed up. There was a lot more sheathing and plywood that had to be replaced since it’s a 50 year old roof with ½ inch plywood on it.” He said contingencies were included in the contract to cover these types of unexpected expenses.

Corcoran said all of the venting has been put in for the HVAC system and the contractor has started the electrical work, by installing a new electrical panel. He said deliveries of the windows and a few other items the builder needs are en route to the site.

“Things are moving, but slowly,” he summarized.

Corcoran will be meeting with Emma Cohen from NYS Sen. Michelle Hinchey’s office to start looking at available grants for which Marlborough can submit an application.

“This is the first step when you meet with the new Senator to see what grants they have that fit the projects that we will be looking to do in the coming year,” he said. “In February I have a meeting with Michelle. She will come down here and tour Marlborough and look at the facilities that we want to renovate and hopefully we can match up some grants to what we want to build.”