GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008 7:30AM THE POSTAGE INN, TILLSON, NY

MEETING SUMMARY

1. Guest Speaker, Pat McDonough, Town Supervisor of Rosendale.

Pat spoke of his major focus as a Town Board member and now as Supervisor: Main Street revitalization. Rosendale has become a festival town, with the Rosendale Street Festival going strong after some 30 years and now bringing in over fifteen thousand people. Other festivals like the Pickle Festival and car show are important as well.

A new economic development committee has been created and the town has hired a consultant to help with a Route 32 corridor development study which is in draft form.

Pat then turned to the topic of the Canopy Development proposal for the 750 acre Williams Lake property. Approximately 400 acres of the total is under conservation easement. Canopy's development plans include the already "disturbed" thirty acres plus another twenty or so to be further built upon. Plans include a high end facility, including a large hotel, recreational facilities (spa, equestrian etc.), approximately 60 private homes, and retail.

The sale of the property has been finalized, and the DEC is in the process of determining the lead agency. Some aspects of approval will fall under the auspices of the Planning Board and some under the Town Board. SEQRA will take at the least 1 to 2 years.

An ad hoc committee has been created to review Rosendale's zoning codes with representatives from various commissions and boards, including environmental and planning/zoning.

Pat's perspective was summed up as follows: the benefits of bringing people/consumers to town and bolstering the tax base should be capitalized upon by the Town but only as one part of Rosendales economic development plan, i.e. Rosendale should not look to Canopy alone to improve business/economics in town. He also is optimistic about Canopy's openness to dialogue about traffic, environmental and other concerns. They have so far shown a willingness to mitigate negative impacts.

The Town is looking at potential tax assessment impacts. They are also anticipating negotiations over the type and scale of retail on the property, and have asked for the use of local contractors.

2. Members News/Announcements:

RV Scholarship Awards: Carl Pezzino announced the recipients of the 2008 Rondout Valley Scholarships and explained that the total amount awarded was in the vicinity of $30,000. The RVBA scholarship was awarded to Megan Davis.

Marbletown-Rondout Valley Garden Tour: Eric Stewart described plans for the June 28th Garden Tour (fundraiser) and recruited volunteers and RVBA businesses to advertise in the program.

RV Education Fund: Nancy Taylor talked about the RV Education Fund and described its current fundraising projects, including the Alumni Directory and Alumni Walkway Fund. The RVEF Board needs additional members and in particular is looking for someone with web design skills.

Thanks to Howard Mont: It was announced that Howard Mont (Sparrowhawk B & B owner and RVBA board member) is moving out of the area. Tim talked about Howard's contribution to the organization over the years and presented him with a small thank you gift on behalf of the RVBA.

Misc: Laurel Sweeney spoke about the June 28th RVGA wine dinner and Lori Childers made a point of thanking the Postage Inn for their hospitality as she admired their new facility.