With the State of New York elevating the State's "Drought Watch" to a "WARNING", level for 15 counties (including Orange County), some extreme, necessary steps have been taken to protect the State and its people's water supplies and availability. Work on the Catskills Aqueduct has been temporarily halted to allow water to flow more freely from Upstate to the Croton Reservoir.
Locally, the Village of Washingtonville, which usually has enough water supplied by the Moodna Creek to supply its own needs and to sell some to companies like Spindler, which sells water commercially to pool owners and municipalities if they run into water problems. While its main well is holding reasonably steady and there is no emergency in the Village itself, there has been an outcry from some residents about water sales, which bring a nice extra income, but with drought warnings have its own residents wanting to conserve. particularly since the neighboring Village of South Blooming Grove is being seen by many to be disrespectful of environmental resources by building many more homes and businesses than they can provide water for. Mayor Tom DeVinko has held steadfast that he cannot and will not show bias about who the Village sells an ample supply to. However, under this statewide drought emergency "Warning" he has agreed that NO commercial water sales should be made. His fellow Trustees agreed with him in a 5-0 vote.
Village Extends Building Moratorium Another 6 Months
The Village has been working on a new Comprehensive Plan and associated codes, and in spite of it being about 85% complete there is still some work to be done. Tonight's Comprehensive Plan Meeting will come very close to finishing the new revision, but there will be one or two Public Hearings yet to receive public feedback and make any final changes. Deputy Mayor Donna Jacaruso has stated many times that they are as eager as anyone to have it completed, and that it may well be that the full six-month extension may not be necessary, and that they will schedule and add any necessary feedback changes from the public as soon as reasonably possible since the associated code changes will also need to be discussed and voted on.
Any changes that result from tonight's CP Meeting will be posted tomorrow.
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