by Kieron Kramer
The Grafton Planning Board met on Monday, May 20, and accepted the applications for two subdivisions, both on Edelmann Lane near the town line with Pittstown. One was the major subdivision of property owned by Clark Edelmann and his sister MaryLou MacNaughton into five parcels. The other was a three lot minor subdivision of the old Harbinger estate by Lawrence “Jamie” Meracle, Jr. [private]These subdivisions had been presented by surveyor Brian Holbritter, first in an informal discussion at the March meeting in which many potential impediments to the Meracle subdivision were raised and then in a more formal presentation in April in which the concerns of the Grafton Planning Board, the Grafton Highway Superintendent and the Grafton and Pittstown Fire Departments about both subdivisions were satisfied. No aspect of the subdivision applications accepted at this meeting were different from what was presented in April.
Meracle’s development is composed of six lots in Pittstown and three lots in Grafton. Two building lots in Grafton, of 6.7 acres and 7.2 acres, will be developed and one, of about 144 acres, will be “remaindered.” The topography makes the remaindered 144 acres unlikely to be developed. A road, Meracle Way, starting at Edelmann Lane, to provide access to all the parcels, is being constructed by the developer. The right of way of Meracle Way is 60 feet which will allow any road constructed in Grafton to be in accordance with the Town of Grafton Road Specifications. Grafton Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey said that the subdivision in Grafton is considered a minor subdivision and that only a short form Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS) will be needed with the application.
The Clark Edelmann and MaryLou MacNaughton subdivision would come off of Edelmann Lane next to the Meracle subdivision. It is a 5 lot major subdivision. All the new lots are in Grafton, with two Pittstown lots having already been approved by Pittstown. There will be a 42 acre lot, a 67 acre lot to be remaindered and three building lots of 6.6 acres, 6.6 acres and 8.3 acres. So that fire and emergency service vehicles can have access to the new lots the access road will be maintained and plowed for the Fire District by a Homeowners’ Association in an agreement which will be filed with the plot map. Withcuskey said, “This is a family subdivision, but who can tell what will happen in the future in 20 or 30 years.” Since this is a major subdivision a long form EAS would have to be submitted, Withcuskey said, and there is also a fee structure different from the minor subdivision rates.
Clark Edelmann and MaryLou MacNaughton were present at the meeting on Monday. Their mother died, and they are breaking up the farm for family members. Edelmann said, “This subdivision is all family, for her kids and my kids.” Withcuskey said to Edelmann and MacNaughton, “You’ve been working on this a long time to everybody’s benefit.” “What good is land if you can’t give it to your kids,” Clark Edelmann concluded.
It’s Not Unusual
In January of 2012 a public hearing was held regarding the lot line adjustment applied for by the Billingses for their property on Agan Way off of Shaver Pond Road. Four land owners, John and Patrice Nash, Leo and Marie Carroll, Thomas Pascucci and the Billings, agreed to accept a NY State Supreme Court ruling to settle their property line disputes. A lengthy resolution approving the boundary line adjustment passed a year later during the regular meeting in January 2013. However, Withcuskey received a communication before this meeting from the law firm of Maynard, O’Connor, Smith and Catalinolto asking that the plot maps stamped with the Planning Board’s approval be re-stamped and re-dated. The parties had just recently signed their agreement and, unfortunately, the maps were therefore not submitted to the County within 60 days of the original stamping. This is not an unusual happenstance – Withcuskey had to resign the map for Rynard Gundrum last September – so he agreed, and the Board voted readily to do so, 4-0.
New Business
Surveyor Rod Michaels, who represented Pat Halloran in his successful subdivision application in February, came back to this meeting to begin the process for a lot line adjustment of the Halloran parcel abutting a parcel owned by Dan Mimbule. Apparently, Mimbule has heavy equipment stored close to land that belongs to Halloran. The adjustment will increase Mimbule’s lot by .77 acres. All parties seem to agree that adjusting the lot line is easier than moving the equipment. When asked by Withcuskey if this solution was acceptable to Halloran, Michaels said, “Halloran is as happy as he can possibly be,”
Michaels had not filed an application yet so Withcuskey went back to his office to get an application, and Michaels filled out the application on the spot.
Fish Farm Is All Wet
Apparently the prospective fish farm project that would have been located at the former Grafton Elementary School property is all wet. A crestfallen Tom Withcuskey had high hopes for the project. “I don’t know what to believe now,” he said after the Planning Board meeting. The lawyer for the prospective buyer had told Withcuskey that the School District’s asking price was around $272,000 to which the buyer did not respond.
Those Graftonites who had hoped for an influx of jobs and capital into the Town will have to wait. And members of the School District might wonder, too. The District’s asking price is only $271,999 more than the District was willing to sell the property for to the Town of Grafton.
Public Hearings
The Board had voted 4-0, with Board Member Owen Grandjean absent, to accept the two subdivision applications and the boundary line application. Public hearings will be held before the next regular Planning Board meeting on June 17. The hearing on the Edelmann/MacNaughton subdivision will be held at 6:15 pm, the Meracle subdivision at 6:30 and the Halloran boundary line adjustment at 6:45 pm.[/private]