An Earth Day Clean-up Day was discussed at the March 21 Wawarsing Town Board meeting, followed by an active public hearing on the town’s proposals to control short-term rentals.

Elena Santogade, wearing her COFFE (Citizens of Forward-Facing Ellenville) hat, appeared before the board to discuss Earth Day and the clean-up scheduled for April 20. “The rain date will be April 27, the following Saturday.”

Last year they collected 50 big orange bags of trash from the streets of Ellenville. And while on the color scheme, the volunteers will wear safety vest in dayglo green.

Santogade made the crucial point that this trash pick-up will not be for large items. This will not be an excuse for people to put pianos and defunct TVs out on the curb. Not even tires will be taken.

“This year it’s a big push to get everything into the bags,” she said.

The Wawarsing Transfer Station will take the bags, with no charge. The Ellenville Streets Department will handle transport to the transfer station, and extra roll-offs (dumpsters) will be provided in case of overflow. Volunteers are asked to arrive by 11 a.m. in Liberty Square.

Short-Term Rental Law Discussion

At the public hearing on a law to control short-term rentals, board member Johnny Frost said that Ulster County Planning was urging a cap on the numbers of short-term rentals that the town could allow. He said that the town was looking to establish the law without a cap and added that “in the future we can impose a cap if needed.”

A question on whether to regulate short-term rentals via permit or license was also raised. The town will go with licensing.

Frost also noted that the Town Planning Board recommended that non-local owners of short-term rentals provide a manager or agent who can be reached within a certain distance of the property in case of an emergency.

Karen Osterhoudt spoke from the audience, and questioned the need for a cap, arguing that the town does not have any hotels and asked, "Why do caps make any sense?" She also questioned the differentiation between long and short-term rentals, explaining that she has one short-term and two long-term rentals at a multi-family property that she owns. Frost suggested that a percentage solution could be found.

The Public Hearing will continue at 7:05 p.m. at the April 18 board meeting.

The Pond at Lippman Park

Deputy Supervisor Bill Brown said the town had been informed by the NYS DEC that they do not have the capacity or the personnel to repair the clogged drainage of the pond in Lippman Park. It is thought by town workers that the clog is due to an overgrowth of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) which bloomed early in the month as unseasonably warm temperatures took effect. The town will have to seek a private firm for the job.