Land vote may be in November
Beacon plan would prevent development
By David Paulsen Poughkeepsie Journal February 3, 2006

BEACON — A land preservation proposal would be decided by city voters in the November election if the city council approves the ballot question at its Monday meeting.
The referendum would be in response to a petition drive that collected more than 500 signatures. The petition sought to force a special election on the council's plan to borrow up to $1 million to support a city purchase of the undeveloped Hiddenbrooke property.
Instead of scheduling a special election, the council is set to vote Monday on a referendum to coincide with the next general election on Nov. 7. The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. at the city hall.
"I'm just happy that the people are going to get the opportunity to speak their minds on this issue," said resident Don Gallo, a petition drive organizer.
Special election costly
It would be nearly impossible to get the polls ready in time for a special election, and doing so would result in additional costs to the city, Mayor Clara Lou Gould said. Also, turnout typically is lower in special elections.
"You usually get more people at a general election," Gould said.
The timing could complicate the city's December pact with Hiddenbrooke's owner, Preshrock Corp. of Montrose. The deal gave the city six months to raise the $2.5 million needed to buy the 103-acre property near the Hudson Highlands. Preshrock agreed not to develop the property during that period.
The city can request an extension of its deal with Preshrock if it needs more than six months.
Some residents living near the property objected last year to Preshrock's residential development plans because of potential problems ranging from water runoff to traffic. The proposed development also drew fire from conservationists.
Other residents have argued that Preshrock would have left most of the property undeveloped so there was no need for the city to buy it, and the new homes would have increased the city's tax base.

David Paulsen can be reached at dpaulsen@poughkeepsiejournal.com

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