PV Town Board Adopts Oscwana Plan

Putnam Valley- Lake Oscawana is  one of the glories of Putnam Valley and honestly, it is probably the main reason I haven’t sold my house and left town years ago.  Up until recently when it was determined that its water was compromised by excessive phosphorous and other nutrients, Oscawana was a relatively pristine place to go swimming and was enjoyed by the hundreds of people who either lived lakeside or had rights to one of the beaches that dot the circumference.  Anyone who lives in one of Putnam’s lake communities knows that all of these water bodies have been severely challenged by the development that has occurred in this county. The scientific name for this is “cultural eutrophication” which refers to the changes that occur in a lake due to development in its watershed.  Ultimately, eutrophication can  turn a lake into a swamp and then even a field.  Luckily, most Putnam residents who have access to lakes are very concerned about maintaining the quality of these important natural resources.  I know that several well informed contributors to Plan Putnam have formed associations to try and preserve and remediate their lakes, and once  Jeff is to be commended once again for providing a clearinghouse for information.

Twenty years ago I was instrumental in forming a taxing district for Lake Oscawana and it was the only time in the history of my taxpayer advocacy that I  worked to create a government agency that could extract money from its citizens.  At the time, it was a very hot topic (hey, after all, it’s Putnam Valley) and I remember being soundly denounced by my neighbors who predicted that no good would come of this District.  After seeing where we stand today and given everything that”s happened in the last two decades, I’m beginning to think they were right.

The MP that was adopted last week by our town board is a bold and sweeping plan that incorporates many of the techniques that we discussed when I was on the Lake Advisory Committee and the preliminary cost is estimated at, (gasp!) $1.3 million dollars.  Projects include such things as retro-fitting catch basins, installing stormwater management structures and aeration devices as well as setting up septic maintenance districts, all of which come with hefty price tags that will be paid for by district residents.

Which brings me to the main reason why I was against the board adopting this Plan in the first place.  Many of my lake friends have contacted me to let me know that they couldn’t believe that I, of all people would be against the Plan.  After all, haven’t I always been very outspoken when it comes to preserving Lake Oscawana?  Didn’t I help form the District in the first place and sit on the advisory board?  My explanation is very simple: I no longer trust government on any level to do the right thing, especially when it comes to something so hyper-technical as lake remediation which is more of an art than a science.  I would like to know how many of the TB members actually read and comprehended the Plan document before they unanimously voted YES; I doubt that any of them understood what they were reading, let alone were able to make an informed decision.  The Plan is a distillation and analysis of over 30 years of studies by limnologists, biologists and other scientists and is not easy reading, even if you have been educated in the subject.

Most importantly, I keep coming back to the biggest problem with trying to preserve our land, water and natural resources which is the SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT of our zoning and planning Codes.  This is the primary obstacle to success of the Oscawana Plan, and unless people are stopped from clear-cutting in the buffer zone, building on steep slopes, polluting the lake with their septic systems and putting massive amounts of fertilizer on their shoreline properties, we will be throwing our money away.  It’s that simple.  We have seen what Mr. Tendy and his GOB (Good Ole Boy) majority on the board did upon taking office, which was to get rid of the town Comprehensive Plan Committee and replace it with the so-called “Wordsmith Committee” that is now re-writing the zoning law to conform to wishes of the politicians and their supporters. How can these same people be trusted to implement something that is even more difficult and esoteric in some respects?  Generations of town and DEC officials allowed pollution of not just Oscwana, but Lake Peekskill and the Hollowbrook, and now we’re supposed to trust that they will fix the problems that they in large part created.

Last but not least- where are we going to get the money to pay for the Plan?  Tendy et al have told us not to worry, that we can get “grants.”  Oh really?  Maybe we can get on line for a bailout of Lake Oscwana; after all, everyone else is doing it.  Sorry, but I just don’t buy it.  Not at a time when New York state is broke and money is in short supply.  Since it will ultimately be the taxpayers’ responsibility to fund the cleanup, why not let us vote on it?  What’s the hurry to pass another unfunded mandate at a time when most people are getting ready for the Holidays?  If Tendy and the board sincerely want to enlist the support of the lake community, then a referendum should be held this spring.  Anything less is just more taxation without representation.

Patty Villanova

Related posts:

1. Putnam Valley Town Board 10/15/08 zoning discussion
2. Kent Town Board Meeting Agenda – 11/24/08
3. Putnam Valley Town Board – 10/15/08 Woods End Road and contracts
4. PV Planning Board 10/20/08
5. Putnam Valley Planning Board Meeting