North Salem Town Board Meeting and Worksession – July 22, 2025

The Town of North Salem Town Board met in person and via Zoom on July 22, 2025, convening at 6:30 p.m. for an executive session on personnel and legal advice before opening the regular meeting and worksession. The board heard a worksession presentation on Enbridge's proposed Project Maple gas pipeline, approved a lengthy list of resolutions, discussed traffic and farmers market concerns, and made decisions on additional Delancey Hall funding and relocation of the holly tree.

Worksession – Project Maple

• Invited speakers Amy and Susanna presented on Enbridge's proposed Algonquin Pipeline expansion, known as Project Maple. They said the pipeline runs near the North Salem/Southeast border, about two miles from Peach Lake and about 0.7 miles from Dingle Ridge, and that the project would expand the amount of gas transported by roughly 25 percent.
• Amy detailed pollution from the nearby Southeast compressor station, including 37.6 tons of nitrogen oxides, 32 tons of carbon monoxide, 24.6 tons of VOCs, 12.5 tons of PM2.5, 2 tons of formaldehyde, and 0.19 tons of benzene annually, and argued that expansion would increase local public health risks.
• Susanna listed state permits that could be used to oppose the project, including air permits, water quality certification, freshwater wetlands permits, water withdrawal permits, Public Service Law review, and coastal consistency review. She also said Food and Water Watch has made Project Maple, the revived Williams Constitution Pipeline, and the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline a priority.
• The town supervisor expressed support for the resolution but skepticism about whether state permits would survive federal interstate-commerce preemption, and suggested engaging the EPA. Another board member called the resolution a necessary first step for the state to assert its health, safety, and welfare position.
• The supervisor also notified the board of a scheduled July 25, 2025, 8 a.m. compressor blowdown of about 18,800 cubic feet of natural gas, roughly equal to 148 gallons of fuel oil, which could cause mercaptan odors near Peach Lake.
• The board adopted Resolution #16 as written, urging Governor Hochul and relevant state agencies to deny permits for Project Maple and for new or previously defeated pipelines, including the Williams Constitution Pipeline and NESE.

Resolutions

• Approved the minutes of the June 10, 2025 and June 24, 2025 regular meetings and worksessions.
• Authorized $1,677.25 in recreation program refunds to four participants.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign 2025 recreation services agreements with J&J Basketball Camp, Play-Well Tek Camp, and Saints Multi-Sport Camp.
• Appointed Skylar Smith as a seasonal recreation assistant at $13.10 per hour from July 25 through August 8, 2025.
• Authorized payment of $17,653.15 to Tundra Contracting Group, Inc. for Delancey Hall Change Order #1.
• Authorized $5,988 to Site Specific Design for a new E/One sewage grinder pump assembly at 14 Locust Drive; the homeowner will reimburse the town for the full cost.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign the Opal Energy Group, LLC solar installation agreement for the Highway Garage and Salt Shed, including an initial payment of $137,499.90. The total project cost is about $458,333 and is covered by grants; it is expected to offset electric bills and generate roughly $15,000 to $17,000 per year in credits or savings.
• Awarded Monroe Tractor the bid for two live-edge snow plow blades at $35,000 without delivery or $37,000 with delivery, and three 1.5 specific-gravity salt brine storage tanks at $48,861.20, following the July 3, 2025 bid opening, as recommended by Highway Superintendent Ward Hanaburg.
• Authorized payment of $1,749.40 to the Town of North Salem Tax Receiver to correct a clerical error made by the assessor; the amount will be refunded by the appropriate taxing jurisdiction.
• Authorized GPRS Inc. to perform leak detection services in the Croton Falls Water District at a cost of $3,410, after the district experienced roughly 25,000 to 26,000 gallons per day of water loss that could not be located by listening.
• Authorized the Police Chief to order a 2026 Ford Utility Police Interceptor AWD hybrid from Van Bortel Ford at $46,025.42.
• Authorized payment of $4,782.33 to ChargeSmart EV for a dual-port Level 2 electric vehicle charging station at the Croton Falls Community Green Space, covered by a grant.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign the Air Professional Associates, LLC agreement for repair of an air leak at 3 Owens, under work order 22988.
• Authorized payment of $5,887.50 to planB Engineering for Delancey Hall structural engineering services, invoice #24327-3.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A public speaker raised concerns about the proposed change of the North Salem Artisanal Farmers Market from monthly to weekly. She described traffic backing up onto Route 22, drivers and taxis/Ubers ignoring one-way streets on Front and Lumber Streets, and pedestrians walking in the roadway, and urged the board to assess parking capacity, improve parking lot flow, and add clearer one-way and temporary exit signage before approving the weekly market.
• A speaker identified as Natalie, associated with the farmers market, said vendors are required to park in the farther lot after unloading unless they have an ADA-related need. She also said attendance had ranged from about 1,400 to just over 2,000 people per monthly market this year, and she expected attendance could settle at about 1,200 people if the market became a weekly routine.

Discussion Items

• The board discussed a request for no-parking signs on Route 121 near Bloomer Road following a July 4th weekend cars and coffee event that drew very large crowds and blocked sightlines. Police Lieutenant Andrew recommended extending no-parking zones farther along Route 121, Bloomer Road, and Dingle Ridge Road to discourage parking and reduce pedestrian hazards. The county DOT said it would install signs after the town approved a resolution specifying distances. The item was tabled to the next meeting for exact distances and further coordination with the planning board.
• The board discussed the farmers market resolution. A board member wanted additional private discussions with the market organizers before voting. The DEP had indicated that weekly operation likely would not be a problem. The board tabled the farmers market resolution to the next meeting.
• The board discussed Delancey Hall financing. The project has grown significantly from an initial painting and roof repair, with the Tundra construction contract at $588,000 and total project costs now projected at roughly $900,000. The board adopted a resolution supplementing the January 14, 2025 bond resolution to authorize an additional $500,000 in bonds for the reconstruction of Delancey Hall, including incidental improvements. The supervisor noted the additional bond authority would allow flexibility on using fund balance and cash flow, with possible larger bonding around 2027.
• The board discussed the holly tree at Delancey Hall. A board member suggested cutting it down and planting a new tree instead, citing survival risk and cost. Other board members preferred to preserve the mature tree, noting it could also screen parking lot lights from the neighboring house. The board authorized moving the tree at a cost of $3,500, with plans for drip irrigation and watering.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolution #16 urging Governor Hochul and state agencies to deny permits for Project Maple, the Williams Constitution Pipeline, and NESE.
• Approved all listed resolutions and payments except the no-parking signs item and the farmers market resolution, which were tabled to the next meeting.
• Adopted the supplemental Delancey Hall bond resolution authorizing an additional $500,000; the roll call vote was Martin, Peter, Catherine, Brent, and the supervisor all in favor.
• Approved the relocation of the holly tree at Delancey Hall for $3,500.
• Approved the minutes of the June 10 and June 24, 2025 meetings.