NOT-FOR-PROFITS & WASTE COLLECTION

The list of “Non-Profit" Organizations that operate in the City of Kingston has long been the focus of the Common Council; especially around Budget time in late fall. During my second term in office, Alderman Chris Gonyea and I set out to restructure the refuse collection process in the city.

With Chris running the meetings we had DPW staff and key personnel from local groups interested in helping with the effort. The Reform Committee met throughout the year, but little was hammered out because the task of changing the collection operation in DPW hit strong resistance. To give him credit where due; Gonyea did try.

Fast forward to 2007, Alderman Teetsel and I engaged in another attempt to make sweeping changes in refuse collection. Teetsel had little time to address these issues before dealing with family issues. Leaving myself, Larry Bergoti, Dave Wolff and others to review what had been left from the prior attempts.

By the time our dozen meetings came to a close, we had an inch thick document of changes that we would offer the Council's Laws & Rules Committee. Very little was acted on. I know, you're shocked.

We did achieve a fee structure for TV, monitor screens and electronics as well as changing the method of public access to the transfer station on Rt 32. But that was it. Shortly after that, Dave retired, Larry moved on in frustration and the slim chance of getting “Non Profits” contributing to the cities tipping fees was lost. Until Now!

In recent conversation with current Alderman Polacco regarding "Non Profits” and the attempt to bring them in, I did a quick review of the past efforts and he suggested just focusing on just those groups and see what other towns got away with regarding their legal limits. I said, you can talk to Corp Counsel and get another initiative started. Maybe something changed in the state.

We have long understood that there is a great deal of property in the City of Kingston that is not taxed. Almost 45% to be precise. Mixed in that figure is all the property consisting of City, County, State and Federal Property, School and Library property as well as Churches, Grave Yards, Jails & Hospitals, UPAC, City managed housing and all the Parks. You end up with a small portion of property that makes up the focus of this refuse collection proposal. About 3% actually represents social organizations.

Those institutions include the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA & YWCA, Family of Woodstock, RUPCO, Trolley & Maritime Museum, Catskill Mt Rail beds, Queens Galley, LGBTQ Center, and a host of others that provide an unmeasurable contribution to the fabric of our city.

Once we understood that the group that we were looking to bring in, was small, not that financially burdensome and provided such intrinsic services, the push for change in refuse collection shifted back to a city wide bag system...hoping to encourage recycling efforts there.

Steve Noble and staff, with the support of Alderman Reynolds presented the latest effort under the program: RecycleBank. Which, on the face, seemed an ideal concept. The Council once again had many meetings on the subject of changing the methods of collecting refuse. This time, the Unions came in and offered their opinions. Somehow, the project slipped into limbo as the budget talks consumed the conversation.

Let it be known, Steve & Julie Noble will be presenting the General Government Committee with a new refined approach to bringing “Not for Profits” into the fiscal contribution pool by offering a Pay As You Throw option.

I am looking forward to what Steve has to say. I have been a strong advocate for recycling enforcement and have even petitioned our state lawmakers to advance the Bigger Bottle Bill to help in this effort. I encourage members of the public who are interested in this issue to join us MAY 21 at City Hall at 7pm.

ANIMAL SHELTER "BALE OUT"

The Catskill Animal Sanctuary, located on the border of Ulster and Saugerties, is in financial need just like everyone else. However this haven for abused and neglected farm animals, houses creatures we call "the voiceless victims" of the economic crisis.

So many people in Ulster County have made farm animals part of their families, but when times are tough and the threat of losing thier home or health insurance, they can no longer afford to care for these animals.

Two years ago, my friend Bettie and I rescued a domesticated Goose down by Rosita's Restaurant on the Rondout. It was frightened and limping when we finally caught her. Patrons of the bar threw stones at the friendly foul over the weekend and luckily did little harm. CAS is where we took her; Bettie and I visit the Sanctuary twice a year to check up on her.

Sanctuary director Kathy Stevens said in the Record this week:"Our waiting list of people desperate to place animals, from rabbits to draft horses, is seven pages long,"

So the Sanctuary is having what they call a "Bale Out" [yes they went there] Animals rescued by the sanctuary require hay, grain, bedding, shelter construction, caregiver salaries, medical supplies and veterinary care.

Money raised this winter through the "Bale Out" will go into an account to be used only for expenses directly related to the care of the animals. You can donate by visiting www.casanctuary.org where you can track the progress of this campaign.

Even if you don't have a needy animal or the means to donate right now, you can stop in for the winter open house on weekends. Bring the kids and witness the good work this organisation does. No dogs.

Directions: From Kingston, take 9W north through Ulster, past QuickChek and Angela Pizza until you reach Old Stage Road on your right. Follow signs. 336-8447

COMMON FIRE BOARDING HOUSE SAGA

Neighbors around the proposed boarding house on Stuyvesant St are pleased to hear there will be a public meeting this Thursday at City Hall, sponsored by Alderman Robert Senor.

This quiet little street with limited parking is about to get a 12 member family at the cliff-side property of 35 Stuyvesant. A charming Queen Ann style home with a 4 car driveway, this single family home is the focus of "Common Fire" communities based out of Tivoli NY.

With 1 & half bath and an illegally renovated attic space, they plan on sharing expenses amongst the members of the home.

On the surface, the business plan sounds great, and there are some great people running the program, but the location is what has the neighborhood upset. Nestled at the end of this cull-du-sac, this home is slated for renovation. [The Greenification] Well, that means a standard home in “move-in” condition will be the source of additional waste at the dump. Correct? That wont help diminish the waste stream.

I have asked a few proponents of the boarding house to drive to the driveway and turn around, like a homework assignment. No-one has reported back with any pleasant stories. And not one has told me where the off-street dumpster will be located.

Here are some properties on the market that would better serve such a large group of people:

This one on Delaware ave is going for $330K and has 5 bedrooms, all of which are bigger than those in the Stuyvesant home. With a circle driveway around the house, it’s better suited than the proposed site. You could park 10 cars on-site easy.

This one is on Greenkill Ave is close to the three bus routes and houses 5 apartments with enough parking spaces to store five school busses. Going for $450K, the “Fire” people could double their occupancy and greater diminish their dependence on energy. An acre of gardening space would make them the “Garden Co-op” champions of the city.

These are just two examples of better suited properties within Kingston. I’m sure if we look in the Town of Ulster, we would find even more.

All of these choices would be excellent if full taxes were offered. Think about it...People in regular single family homes throughout the city are paying property taxes. They are families struggling to make ends meet.

This proposal intends to take the property off the tax rolls. What effect do you think that has on the greater community?

Some proponents of “Common Fire”, as well meaning as they are, are also touting that they would be happy to pay higher property taxes if it meant this boarding house moved into their neighborhood. I suggest the folks in this income bracket should wear a T-Shirt with that sentiment printed on it and walk around their neighborhood.

In conclusion, the scouting for property and negotiations with the departments could have seen more sunlight long before it got to this stage. Coming to the city or town with pride at the start would have prompted a helping hand from everyone. Now, with lawyers and angry neighbors, it will be hard to shift public sentiment. And thanks for letting the Aldermen know. No, really!

Note: the Tivoli location is in a less dense neighborhood and parking is a non-issue.