Board establishes committee to address residents' concerns

By Joe Stampfel Voice Ledger February 22, 2006

Some questions to be included in the survey will be:
o Do you see a need to preserve the open space of the town?
o Do you support the plan to preserve the open space of the town?
o How many additional taxes are you willing to pay to help preserve the space?

"We felt we needed a committee to help preserve the open space."
Councilman Dale Borchert

PRESERVING PASTURES: The Town of LaGrange has begun the planning phase of its open space committee to help preserve the area's natural splendor. (Photo by Joe Stampfel)
Open space issues command attention of town
Town officials are looking at new ways of improving the quality of life in the area; defending its open space is one of them.
Councilman Dale Borchert and other members of the town board noticed during the 2005 election campaign that many residents expressed apprehension concerning commercial development in the town.
As the town's population increases and new businesses spring up, some townspeople believe the beauty of their countryside is fading.
"We felt we needed a committee to help preserve the open space," said Borchert.
In December, that committee was formed and has since set itself the task of brainstorming new ways to help preserve the cherished hills and valleys scattered throughout the town.
Borchert said the last four to six months have been spent simply educating the committee on the importance of open space planning and learning the tools necessary for the process.
Members are now developing a survey, which they intend to send out to large landowners, farmers and other residents who share their concern about preserving open space.
Some questions to be included in the survey will be:
o Do you see a need to preserve the open space of the town?
o Do you support the plan to preserve the open space of the town?
o How many additional taxes are you willing to pay to help preserve the space?
LaGrange has looked at previous projects carried out by the towns of Red Hook and Beekman to find help and inspiration in designing its own programs.
The committee is now in the process of contacting residents and spreading the idea about open space preservation.
"We are setting up our long-range plan at this point," said Borchert.
"We're talking with the people of the community, we're knocking on doors, sending out surveys and educating ourselves on the tools available," he said.
Borchert said he expected the town would have the project running by 2007.

©The Voice Ledger 2006

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