Only two projects went before the October 12 Mamakating Planning Board meeting. Rueben Buck represented Lane Meadow Farm, LLC, the proposed 11-lot subdivision located on Winters Lane. Some approvals, like those needed from the Department of Health, are still pending. The board accepted Buck's request for conditional approval for the project.

Next was the public hearing for Delaware River Solar, LLC on behalf of NFM Enterprises, LLC and the Wurtsboro Airport Foundation, LLC. Ross Winglovitz represented the project, displaying the site's plans and outlining the latest planning board concerns the project has addressed.

One of the concerns addressed was the "extensive work" complying with the flood plain concerns. Over 30 people commented in writing.

Planning Board Chairman Lorrence Green acknowledged the public's input by reading their names and thanking each one. Most of the comments were from members of the Basha Kill Area Association (BKAA). The comments were not directly opposed to the projects. They were addressing environmental impact concerns outlined by an independent research company, Hudsonia.

The non-profit Environmental Research and Education Institute provided, at the request of the BKAA, a biodiversity assessment of the site. BKAA President Paula Medley was in-person and addressed those concerns during the public hearing. Speaking on behalf of the BKAA, she wanted it known that the BKAA does not stand in opposition to the project. She stated that the Hudsonia report contained, "...nothing overly egregious” that would lead the group to "outright oppose" the project. She added an important second part of that statement, "that in order for us to wholeheartedly endorse it, certain recommendations [made by Hudsonia] need to be addressed."

Medley diagramed the recommendations already addressed, citing that the original plan for disturbance of more than 20 acres would have definitely been opposed by the group.

This project is the first solar array project in the Town of Mamakating planned to this extent under the new guidelines of the new solar array law, which Winglovitz described as "rigorous."

Medley cited the key point of visual impact. She stated that the arrays will be visible from the Shawangunk Ridge; which she cited as one of the most valuable assets the town has. She thanked the board for their work to try to lessen this impact.

The key points that remain are regarding vegetation. The Hudsonia review; which, aside from aerial research, spent many hours conducting field research, discovered a unique herbaceous area on the site. Medley described the drought-resistant vegetation as ideal for the area and urged the project to "use what you have" instead of the re-seeding as Winglovitz proposed.

Another important point took Medley by surprise. In the time that the project has been before the board, October 2020, there was no mention of grazing as an alternative to mowing the area. The BKAA would prefer the project mow once a year. Rich Winter, CEO of DRS, was present at the meeting and said that the grazing is done at many other solar array sites the company has in the area. He said the grazing is done by sheep. This worried Medley as this introduces new wildlife into an area that the organization is doing everything it can to preserve.

In addition to BKAA members, one commenter, speaking from Zoom, was opposed to the project as the plans are now. The commenter is a glider pilot using the airport since 1988. He said the airport, which is one of the oldest in the country, is unique in its design of four runways. The commenter urged the project to maintain all four lanes, as they are all used and sought after by glider pilots nationwide.

The planning board closed the public hearing and made a provision to let Winglovitz and DRS respond in writing to the Hudsonia comments after the planning submission deadline of October 19. This was largely in part due to Medley's request that the project respond in writing to Hudsonia's review and allow the BKAA members to review and comment to DRS's responses. DRS will respond in writing by October 22. That will give Medley and other public time to comment by the next planning board meeting on November 9.