April 14, 2026

Board Members Present: Supervisor David Helsley, Deputy Supervisor Austin Sullivan, Councilmember Kaare Christian, Councilmember John Kukon, Councilmember Sarah Suarez

Staff Present: Town Attorney Corinne Smith, Town Clerk Joyce Vale

Others Present: Sandra Osborne, Recreation Committee member; Andrews Johnson, 11 Main Street Cold Storage; Martin Overington, Waterfront Advisory Committee; Tom Shannon, Town Historian; Community Members

Cable franchise agreement approved

Prior to the meeting, the Town Board held a public hearing on the proposed extension of the cable franchise agreement and received no public comments. The Board then unanimously approved the extension with Archtop Fiber (formerly Hilltop Communications) through December 2027.

Background: The original cable franchise agreement between Germantown and Hilltop Communications dates to July 19, 2010, with an initial 15-year term. Archtop Fiber, LLC, as the corporate successor to Hilltop, has been seeking a temporary extension while a new long-term agreement is negotiated. At the March meeting, the town received overdue franchise payments for 2024 and 2025, and a public hearing was scheduled for April 14.

Zoning and Subdivision Law update

The long-running project to update Germantown’s zoning and subdivision codes continues toward the formal public review stage. Code Enforcement Officer Mullin’s comments have been incorporated into the draft and sent back to planning consultant Matthew Rogers of LaBella Associates, who is expected to return a revised version by approximately April 24th. The Board will then circulate the draft to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Code Enforcement — giving those bodies roughly a month to respond. A workshop is expected in June to review their comments. Only after that internal review will the draft be referred to Columbia County Planning, a process that typically requires about two months before a public hearing can be scheduled.

Town Attorney Smith advised the Board to build in adequate lead time before the county referral given how county meeting schedules fall, and to set the public hearing date far enough out to ensure county comments are received in advance.

Background: The Zoning and Subdivision Law revision has been underway for more than two years, guided by LaBella Associates and a committee that included Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals representatives. The project aims to align local regulations with the Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2021, with key provisions covering expanded housing types, signage rules, short-term rental regulations, and historic resource protections. At the March meeting, the Board also agreed to incorporate artist studio home occupation rules following a community request.

Theodore Robinson Community Forest opens April 26

The grand opening of the Theodore Robinson Community Forest is set for Sunday, April 26 (Earth Day) with a full schedule of events. The Recreation Committee will host a family nature walk along the trail starting at 10:30 AM, followed by the opening ceremony on the steps of the Parsonage at 11 AM. Supervisor Helsley will officiate, delivering the declaration that the forest is open to the public. There will be guided botany tours of the forest, and Town Historian Tom Shannon will give a historical talk at the Germantown Library. Cups Coffee will provide coffee and a ceremonial non-alcoholic beverage.

The Board also approved a request from the Girl Scouts to plant native trees on town property in conjunction with the opening., either at Roe Jan Park or near the Theodore Robinson Forest.

Background: The legal and contractual establishment of the Theodore Robinson Community Forest was completed in March 2026, with a revised survey map filed and the DEC notified. The 23-acre parcel, adjacent to the historic 1767 Parsonage, was acquired with a DEC Community Forest Conservation Grant and is named for Theodore Robinson, a Black Civil War veteran who lived and worked adjacent to the land.

Salt shed solar array

The solar array installation on the town’s salt shed is complete. The only remaining step is the final connection to National Grid, expected within the next couple of weeks. Once the system is operational, the town will be eligible to apply for IRS Elective Pay, the federal mechanism through which municipalities receive a direct cash payment equivalent to renewable energy tax credits. Supervisor Helsley and the Town Clerk plan to work through the registration together, noting that the online process does not appear to be overly complicated.

New docks at Lasher Park installed

New docks at Lasher Park boat launch have been installed, replacing aging structures. A minor assembly issue has been identified and will be corrected.

The Board discussed whether to pursue an additional courtesy dock on the north side of the double-wide boat launch (a quote came in at $43,000–$45,000, higher than anticipated.) The consensus was to observe usage through the coming season before making a commitment. If there are complaints or congestion, the town could apply for a Greenway grant for an additional dock.

The Board learned DEC plans to remove a cluster of mature cottonwood trees at the center of the parking circle when it repaves the lot in August. The trees serve as a visual landmark and help direct traffic at the launch. Supervisor Helsley will consult the town’s regular tree contractor about whether the trees could be preserved for another decade; if removal proves unavoidable, the Board would like to work with the DEC on a replanting plan rather than simply paving over the area. DEC’s current proposal would replace the trees with an invasive species disposal bin, a solution the Board does not consider adequate.

The DEC will install underground conduits for electrical service during the paving project, making possible an upgrade to LED fixtures on new, more accessible poles by the dock. The current poles make bulb replacement difficult and potentially hazardous. Martin Overington, present at the meeting, suggested full pole replacement as the most practical solution. Greenway funding may be available for lighting improvements as part of a broader waterfront project.

Background: The DEC dock replacement project at Lasher Park has been in development since the fall of 2024. New heavier-duty docks were installed this April; the DEC’s complementary work of parking lot resurfacing, kiosk replacement, and electrical trenching is expected in late summer.

Recreation Committee gets approval to apply for grant

The Board approved the Recreation Committee’s idea for a grant proposal to the Ackerman Foundation. The grant, anticipated at approximately $5,000, would fund two initiatives:

Basketball court improvements at Palatine Park: Replacement of basketball backboards at an estimated cost of approximately $1,000, responding to strong community interest in the facilities.

Supervised kayak program at Lake George: Purchase of four to six sit-on-top kayaks to be stored on-site, with organized lessons, safety equipment, and participant waivers. The program would be run by trained volunteers. Recreation Committee member Tatiana Carayannis, who served on a NYC board kayak organization, will bring expertise to the program’s structure and safety protocols.

The Germantown Park Commission, as an established 501(c)(3), will serve as the sponsoring organization for the grant application. The Board noted the program’s similarities to past kayak events at the waterfront during Fourth of July celebrations, while observing that this program would be more formalized and ongoing.

Kayak storage rack proposed for Lasher Park

The Board discussed a proposal to build a kayak storage rack at Lasher Park, using the remaining support posts of an old building on the site as structural anchors. Volunteer builder Andy Fennel has prepared a preliminary sketch and materials list, estimating approximately $1,300 in lumber and hardware; he would donate his labor. The rack would have three levels and be elevated off the ground to avoid flood damage.

The Board agreed that a kayak rack would serve a community need, particularly for residents without roof racks capable of transporting kayaks. The consensus was to proceed once Code Enforcement Officer Mullins reviews the design to ensure proper structural specifications. Funding would come from a combination of the Park Commission and the Waterfront Advisory Committee (WAC) through the LWRP program. The rack could be expanded in future seasons if demand warrants.

Columbia County Solid Waste is running at a deficit

Supervisor Helsley reported that the county’s solid waste system has been running at an annual deficit of nearly $1 million per year for several years. A county workgroup was formed to review operations and identify cost savings. The New Lebanon and Gallatin transfer stations have been closed; their planned reopening in June has been deferred pending further review.

Supervisor Helsley reported that the Germantown Transfer Station had been identified as a candidate for closure. Helsley attended the relevant county workgroup meeting, reviewed the financial data, and determined that closing Germantown’s station would not yield significant savings. As of the meeting date, the station is not scheduled to close. Supervisor Helsley intends to continue monitoring the situation and will push back if the case for closure is not supported by the numbers.

Greene County cement plant redevelopment — worth watching

Councilmember Christian attended a citizen advisory committee meeting organized by the Greene County Economic Development Corporation regarding plans to redevelop the former cement plant properties along the Hudson River, directly across from Germantown. Owned by multiple parties, the properties encompass three former cement plant sites and total approximately 4,000 acres. As of this time, only one landowner has committed to the plan.

The county’s plan calls for preparing a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and a Generic SEQRA document broad enough to cover a wide range of potential future industrial and commercial uses. The county’s vision includes attracting new industrial tenants, a proposed new Thruway interchange, and leveraging two Hudson River docks on the site. The properties also contain several DEC-monitored brownfield sites, including former slag piles from cement operations.

Councilmember Christian expressed concern about the generic SEQRA approach, noting that environmental review is ordinarily tied to specific goals. Although the town of Germantown was not directly notified of the redevelopment plan, Greene County did reach out to the Friends of Historic Germantown (FOHG). Councilmember Christian intends to reach out to the Greene County Economic Development Corporation for further information. A publicly available presentation is reportedly on the Greene County Economic Development website.

New restaurants apply for state liquor licenses

The Board noted two pending State Liquor Authority applications from new businesses and recorded no objections. State law requires the SLA to provide municipalities with 30-day notice by certified mail; no formal Board approval is required, although the Board expressed support for both businesses.

Puddling Mates, DBA Nines: On Church and Main in the hamlet.

Two Guys Local Bites: (formerly Valley Harvest) The owners described it as primarily a seasonal takeout American food operation, with outdoor seating and beer on premises. No indoor seating is planned.

Historic Cheviot Railroad Watchbox: Proposed Donation to the Town

Town Historian Shannon proposed a donation to the town of a historic hexagonal watchbox, currently located on a Cheviot neighbor’s property. The structure, in fair condition and needing a new shingle roof and a fresh coat of paint, was used by railroad workers who operated the manual crossing arms at the Cheviot grade crossing before automated signals were installed.

The Board expressed interest in accepting this donation, which will happen in the next year or two. Shannon’s preferred location would be at the entrance to the Theodore Robinson Forest trail on the Parsonage property. Councilmember Suarez suggested the structure could serve as an interpretive kiosk displaying information about the forest, the Parsonage, and the area’s history. A formal acceptance resolution will be prepared for the May meeting, and Highway Superintendent Anthony will be consulted regarding moving logistics.

11 Main Street Cold Storage Warehouse: Reactivation Plans Presented

Andrews Johnson represented the team working to reactivate the historic Cold Storage Warehouse at 11 Main Street. He said the team envisions the building as a community-centered food and cultural hub, and they would like to offer free, nutrient-dense meals prepared in collaboration with local farmers and service organizations alongside programming designed to foster community connection.

The team plans to install a community refrigerator at the warehouse for distribution of prepared meals through partnerships with local organizations. Expanded food service and more ambitious cultural programs are planned for 2027. The team will pursue necessary permits and zoning specifications. A two-year pilot period is planned to gather community feedback and set direction for sustainable permanent occupancy of the building.

LWRP draft

The New York State Department of State is expected to return the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program draft with comments within about a week, after approximately one year of state review.

Other Business

Annual Germantown River Sweep: Saturday, May 2nd, 9 AM, starting at Lasher Park and ending at Cheviot. Boots and gloves are recommended. Led by Martin and Kathy Overington for 29 years running.

Germantown Yard Sale Day: Saturday, May 16, 9 AM–4 PM. Register at aroundgtown.com by May 13. The Garden Club plant and tag sale will be at the Pavilion, 8 AM–1 PM the same day.

Independence Day, Sunday July 5: Santore’s World Famous Fireworks and the Guilty Pleasure Band are both booked. Planning meeting forthcoming.

Invasive species pull at Palatine Park: Friday, April 17.

Ball field drainage: The Board met with Allegheny Drainage; a drainage proposal for the Palatine Park ball fields is expected within two to three weeks.

NYSLRS Record of Activities: A resolution approving the Standard Work Day for state and local retirement system participants will be prepared for the May meeting.

The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM.