“Because of this overlay district discussion, we’ve heard concerns from the public about heavy truck traffic and safety, and infrastructure damage to historic buildings,” Lisa Giannico said.

The planned overlay districts in Marbletown have kicked off discussion about traffic in Stone Ridge. In response, Giannico, a member of the town board, used a portion of the September 1 board meeting to present a Marbletown Traffic Improvement Update.

The overlay districts proposed for High Falls and Stone Ridge, board member Max Stratton explained at the most recent planning board meeting, intend to build “cottage communities” and “pocket neighborhoods” to create more affordable housing options for seniors, working families, and single-person households. They have met pushback from residents worried about water, price, and traffic.

Giannico offered strategies to “amend the vibrational impact that’s being transferred from the ground on Main Street, especially in Stone Ridge.” Such vibrations are a common problem in districts with historical buildings, “damaging their foundations.” Environmental considerations, truck shockwave reduction, and innovations that could generally reduce traffic congestion were presented.

Speed Limits

“Lowering speed limits minimizes the destructive kinetic energy transfer from speeding vehicles. This results in less vibrational impact transferred through the ground to the Town’s fragile historic buildings, resulting in repair savings,” the Improvement Update states.

Increased traffic enforcement and speed data studies from NYSDOT have been requested. “Dynamic speed displays,” roadside digital signs to show drivers how fast they’re going, were also suggested. Supervisor Parete is communicating with DOT and police agencies, hoping to use this quantitative data for an “updated speed data study.”

Route 209 Repair Project

Some local roads have not been repaved since 2009. Road quality was brought up during the public comment period as a means of reducing heavy truck vibration damage.

Per the Update, “NYSDOT’s major resurfacing or paving projects are typically scheduled every ten to fifteen plus years...Rich Parete is communicating strong concerns regarding Main Street road conditions and is discussing State estimated road repair date, as well as Historic Preservation Commission discussing steps they can take to mitigate damage.”

Deputy Superintendent of Highways Scott Hikade added: “They’ve got to mill it out.” Milling is the process of removing some of the road surface to even it out. “That will alleviate the bouncing. A lot of that vibration is just from the holes.”

The Traffic Improvement Update indicates that this process is “different than ongoing pothole patching.”

Sidewalk/Pedestrian Safety

A Rosendale pedestrian highway death in February 2025 underscores concerns for safe walkways.

Designated footpaths and “a walkable pedestrian corridor” have safety benefits, fuel use reduction benefits and notable commercial advantages. Giannico estimated that pedestrian traffic to local stores could “boost retail sales by 10 to 15 percent.”

A crosswalk plan from 2009 to connect portions of Route 9 could be revisited after Ulster County transportation Council ( UCTC) re-examines this stretch. An application is “pending with DOT High Falls sidewalk project grant.”

Package Delivery Locker Hub

“We are an e-commerce culture now. Our streets are jam packed with UPS, Amazon (and) FedEx,” Giannico said, as strategies were presented for “minimizing the amount of package delivery trucks.” A locker hub for residents to pick up packages could reduce truck traffic. The “closest locker hubs are in Kingston or New Paltz, making Marbletown an ideal candidate.”

Locker advantages listed in the Update include lower carbon dioxide emissions resulting from fewer circling trucks, a “secured delivery” place, and a reduction in “porch piracy.”

Data is forthcoming: “Marbletown ECC to research the plausibility of this project and, if feasible, will make recommendations to the Town Board.”

Minimize Heavy Trucks

“It’s not so much the truck weight, it’s the axle weight,” Hikade said as discussions shifted to cargo vehicles.

“Local private carting trucks can weigh over 60,000 pounds when fully loaded...Currently, multiple private trash companies drive these heavy trucks throughout the town on different days. By establishing several single-source geographic zones...each zone gets serviced only one day a week,” the document indicates.

Advantages include reduced noise, less pollution from leaky vehicles hauling waste, and ultimately lower road repair costs from reduced heavy vehicle wear and tear. The Environmental Conservation Committee and the Highway Department plan to “research the plausibility of initiative.” The Highway Department and the ECC are planning feasibility studies.

“All of these departments and commissions are developing a multi-prong, organized, and very aligned effort to unify,” Giannico concluded.

A public hearing on the overlay districts will be held on September 15 at 6 p.m. It is expected to be heavily attended.