March 2020 - Warwick Village Board Election
Introduction
SW has initiated a process we call “Green Screen” where we interview candidates for local office — Town Board, Village Board and School Board — and ask them questions related to sustainability that are relevant for that particular election. The Green Screen Committee is composed of community members, some drawn from SW and some from other areas of community involvement, and all with a deep concern for issues of sustainability on the local level, in a sustainable Warwick. We see this process as a service to both the candidates and the Warwick voters. This year, the elections for Warwick Village Board will be on March 18th. In the months leading up to that date, SW has held interviews with Barry Cheney, Corey Bachman, and Stephen Kitar. (There is a fourth candidate, Alfonso Gonnella, the last-minute substitute for Mark O’Mahoney, Mr Kitar’s original running mate on the GROW party. Mr Gonnella did not respond to our request for an interview.) Here are the questions we asked each candidate.
Question #1:
Considering the threat of climate change, what are your views about managing the vIllage’s carbon footprint? Do you have any specific areas you would wish work on to make the Village “greener”.
Barry Cheney: As a member of the Village Board for the past 12 years, Barry can point to a number of initiatives and achievements in the area of sustainability and environmental stewardship: — Getting the Village started on the path to being a DEC-designated "Clean Energy Community” by meeting three of the four elements required: —simplifying solar permitting and using a unified application process; — Installing an electric vehicle charging station in the South St Parking lot —Having Village Code Enforcement Officer attend building code training for solar regulations — Fourth element will likely be installation of LED Streetlights — Purchased a second electric-vehicle charging station through a grant which will be installed at Stanley-Deming Park — Getting 150 trees planted as part of the Village’s 150th celebration — Converting Village Hall to LED lighting (with other Village buildings to follow) Barry also is looking forward to future developments now in the pipeline: — A new, $12 million wastewater treatment facility with greater energy efficiency and many environmental upgrades — Completing the requirements for Clean Energy Community designation and starting the more rigorous designation as a “Climate Smart Community — Exploring conversion to electric vehicles where practical in the Village fleet — Converting to LED street lights within 2 years — Review all Village purchasing to have “greener” practices Finally, Barry pointed to collaborative actions the Village Board has taken with Sustainable Warwick over the years: — A Village composting facility in Memorial Park run by the DPW using a system devised by SW — Working with SW on energy efficient programs for residents like Solarize and the Heat Pump Initiative.
Corey Bachman: Corey will focus on improving the infrastructure of the village. Specifically repairing and improving the sidewalks which are currently in dangerous state of disrepair; adding bike lanes to help the village become a more ‘walkable’ environment; adding solar panels to appropriate rooftops in the village (on the backside roofs of downtown business buildings), adding recycle garbage bins throughout the village, working with local producers to improve the 'buy local' concept; setting up a plan [or possible even a business] to recycle unused food from the farmers market, local restaurants and events.
Stephen Kitar: The question of how to be greener resonates with me personally, since 15 years ago we were doing what everyone is talking about today. I brought organic and locally grown foods to the Spring Street Market and brought in a green dry cleaning to Ledo Cleaning. I come from Europe that leads environmental movements and has the most efficient energy and strict building codes. When thinking of the Village of Warwick, we could solarize, recycle, and use more sustainable means of transportation. In the summer we have DPW employees watering the planters on Main Street. This could be done by volunteers or local business owners instead. The Village does not have to invent solutions; we need to use what we have in place. For example, using the Village and school busses for local events, like concerts, school games, plays, etc.
Question #2:
What are your views on development in the Village? Please include your views on Village View, Pulpit Rock and Yesterday’s in your answer. How do you see the village growing in the next 10 years. Do you think we have to revisit zoning?
Barry Cheney: Barry points out that the “Village is basically built out” with only 3 parcels of any size remaining undeveloped — one next to Double S Smokehouse on Rte 94S, one on Brady Rd, and one towards the top of Locust St (Village View). The other option is if property owners request the Village to annex land and the Village agrees. But this option is restricted by properties which have already been developed and “gateway” properties that have been preserved which currently border the Village. In terms of some of the more controversial projects currently under way, Barry says: Pulpit Rock is outside of the Village, so we don’t have control. We have however, shared our views with the Town Planning Board on what should be included in the Environmental Impact Statement. Yesterday’s is on property that the Village wanted very much to purchase for additional Village parking, but the price rose to a point where it wasn’t no longer a viable option. The Village does, however, have zoning restrictions regarding both noise and lighting, and I will push to ensure that such restrictions are enforced. The Village View project will require action by the Village Board relative to the additional units the applicant is requesting. He has attended Planning Board meetings and the public hearing and has heard the concerns expressed by the public and believes that they need to be addressed adequately in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. He will use those findings to judge the project and base his vote. In his view, the new Village Comprehensive Master Plan as the greatest opportunity to put their "views on development” into action, especially since that Plan will almost certainly lead to revised zoning. As part of this process, the Village Board, the Village Planning Board, and the Village Zoning Board of Appeals will coordinate and hold meetings to receive public input to ensure that the community has the opportunity to be heard. The biggest challenge, he adds, is to try and ‘manage the always-tricky interface” between commercial and residential uses in a way that balances economic growth and the character of the Village.
Corey Bachman: Corey’s goal is to protect the neighborhoods. Any proposed developments within the community must have the infrastructure able to support it with full studies required as a first step. There should be more transparency about decision making that can affect local residents. The criteria of the zoning Board should be studied, and more effort made to talk to local residents on decisions affecting them. Certain sites should be designated as historically significant and these would be protected from any development. The new Master Plan should be the opportunity for the Village Board to focus on all the big questions about development in the Village.
Stephen Kitar: I would like local businesses to thrive. I think the rapid turnover on Main Street is a big problem. I see the changes in the Village of Florida as an example of positive change. We should not fight the organic growth and evolution of our community – it is counterproductive. Instead of fighting CVS or Dunkin’ Donuts, wasting money and trying to keep them out, we should make it different from the franchise model, make it Warwick-specific, a good example of rural architecture seamlessly blending into our neighborhood. I am running on the GROW (Growth Respectful Of Warwick) platform. You can’t stop growth, we need to embrace it and control it. Change is a law of life. I want our community to be like a healthy family that grows. We have to control and allocate growth following the zoning process. We need to follow the letter of the law and follow due process. We need to revisit the current zoning plan and make sure that we have the infrastructure to support expansion. I am not saying that we have to do things very differently. Let’s work on more solutions to problems we are having.
Question #3:
Would you support the establishment of a “Green Committee” on the Village Board?
Barry Cheney: Unlike the County Legislature (where Barry served on the Green Committee), the Village Board is not really large enough to have subcommittees. What he would support, however, is a combined "Village/community Green Committee" to focus on issues of sustainability.
Corey Bachman: There cannot be a sub committee of the Village Board but Corey feels it is important to start educating everyone about Green issues from the school level on up. He believes the groups like the Lions Club and the Rotary Club should work more closely with groups like Sustainable Warwick to further this education process. Some school students attend SW meetings which is a good start.
Stephen Kitar: We would need to assess and review what would be the purpose of a Green Committee. We would need to understand what it would cost. It could be a good idea but needs to be examined.
Question #4:
Do you have any other thoughts about village sustainability that have not been covered in your previous answers.
Barry Cheney: I would like to see the Village continue to play a leadership role in working with organizations and residents to promote sustainability and energy efficiency. And to continue to follow and take advantage of advances in technology, such as battery storage. The Village is considering adding commercial scale Battery Storage regulations to the Zoning Ordinance to allow this sustainable technology which would also improve our energy resiliency.
Corey Bachman: Corey wants to review the Master Plan for the village. He reviewed NY State Stretch Energy Codes 2020 and found many good ideas that the Village could consider adopting. The proposed new Skate Park is an interesting idea, but views from all, including neighbors, should be heard.
Stephen Kitar: People are the primary thing that needs to be sustained in Warwick in addition to open spaces. Local businesses serving our community need to be sustained. Let’s do things “in addition to”, not “instead of”.