Your Award-Winning News Source for the Upper Delaware River Valley Region Since 1975 Vol. 42 No. 42 Q OCTOBER 20 - 26, 2016 Q www.riverreporter.com Q $1.50 Solar complications for the river Are solar arrays power plants? By DAVID HULSE ARROWSBURG, NY — After a second debate on October 6, the National Park Service (NPS) was asked for a legal Nposition about the authority behind an Upper Delaware Council (UDC) position paper/memorandum querying mem- bers about solar power development in the river valley. Members said the impact of the position paper might require a revision of the river management plan (RMP). The memorandum went out in September to elected leaders in member towns, stating the UDC staff and NPS position that larg- er, usually commercial, solar panel arrays are “power plants” according to definitions in the land-use guidelines of the RMP, and that the plan defines power plants as non-conforming uses within river boundary. The towns and townships were asked to reply with their positions within 90 days. Several UDC members last month argued against the memo- randum, saying solar posed no harm to the valley and that the position overruled state-mandated land-use authority delegated to the local governments. At the council’s recent meeting, Town of Delaware delegate Harold Roeder reported that his investigation found several other national park units that had installed solar arrays for NPS use. These included the Natural Bridge National Monu- ment, the Manassas National Battlefield and the former Alca- traz Prison, which NPS now manages. “It’s rather embarrass- TRR photo by Fritz Mayer ing that NPS can [install an array] and a person here can’t,” The leaves turn above Lake Florence in the Town of Bethel. Roeder said. Whether those arrays are commercial or just for official park use, Roeder said “there is profit in many forms… if the NPS can, Autumn drifts by it’s thin ice for [local governments] to oppose it.” Whether arrays should be positioned near scenic areas in the EGION — As the chlorophyll in green leaves wind or falls from its own weight, it leaves behind a river corridor and what the findings of planning review will be breaks down letting reds, yellows and oranges leaf scar. are the questions. “No one has said that you can’t install an ar- Rshine through, the autumn show begins. “Temperature, light, and water supply have an in- ray,” NPS Superintendent Kris Heister said. This information from Environmental Learning fluence on the degree and the duration of fall color. “Let’s wait 90 days and see what happens,” Chairman Fred Resources from SUNY: “As the fall colors appear, oth- Low temperatures above freezing will favor antho- Peckham of Hancock suggested, but he went on to ask what the er changes are taking place. At the point where the cyanin formation, producing bright reds in maples. authority of memorandum was. “Is the position paper part of stem of the leaf is attached to the tree, a special layer However, early frost will weaken the brilliant red the plan?” he asked. “If it impacts the river, it has to be in the of cells develops and gradually severs the tissues that color. Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase plan,” he added. support the leaf. At the same time, the tree seals the the intensity of fall colors.” Continued on page 3 cut, so that when the leaf is finally blown off by the SPANNING 2 STATES, 4 COUNTIES, AND A RIVER THAT UNITES US HOW ‘BOUT BEARS EDGE THEM APPLES BULLDOGS 13 34 2 • OCTOBER 20 - 26, 2016 THE RIVER REPORTER IN BRIEF Bushkill man sentenced for shooting Down in the Highland budget approved daughter with BB gun MILFORD, PA — Sean Franklin Brown, 41 of Bush- ELDRED, NY — After pertinent public hearings, kill, was sentenced to state prison for up to six years the Highland Town Board at a rescheduled October dumps for assaulting his 14-year-old daughter. 13 meeting approved a local law to exceed the state According to Pike County District Attorney Ray budget cap, and also approved the 2017 budget and a Tonkin, on March 31 Brown shot his 14-year-old daugh- zoning amendment that incorporated a state model- Fate of Cochecton transfer ter 17 times with a BB gun. He did not provide her with permit application for small (12kw) solar-power units. any treatment for the wounds. When the child arrived The budget cap exception was necessary because station uncertain at school following the weekend, she reported the as- the town’s preliminary budget called for 1.85% tax in- sault to the school staff. The school nurse observed crease, while the state ceiling was set at 1.67%. By LINDA DROLLINGER multiple small open wounds on the child’s body. However, the exception may be a moot issue, as Su- The Pennsylvania State Police traveled to Brown’s AKE HUNTINGTON, NY — Before recycling cen- pervisor Jeff Haas said the new assessment roll shows residence, where he initially denied shooting the child ters, there were landfills. And before landfills, a $1.87 million increase in taxable properties. “I don’t with the BB gun. Police were able to locate metal BBs there were old-fashioned town dumps. At one time foresee any change at all on taxes at the town level,” L throughout the child’s bedroom and located the BB or another, 433 Mitchell Pond East Rd. has been all of Haas said of the budget. The new taxables could pro- gun concealed outside the home. these. Currently a trash and recycling station is operated vide a small decrease in town taxes in the January The child was immediately removed from Brown’s there by Sullivan County Department of Public Works town and county property tax bill. care and placed into protective custody by Pike Coun- (SCDPW); its future is uncertain. The 2017 budget calls for general and highway appro- ty Children and Youth Services. At the October 12 meeting of the Cochecton Town Board, priations totaling $2,309,325, an increase of $38,300 or Brown is the first individual convicted in Pike Coun- Supervisor Gary Maas said the county may choose to dis- 1.69% from the current year. It will require a tax levy ty under the new law making it a crime to obstruct continue its operation of the transfer station, effective $1,843,622, an increase of $33,527 or 1.85% above the investigators conducting a child-abuse investigation. December 31, 2016. current year. Tonkin said that his office is committed to pursuing The county says the transfer station is a money-losing The board also approved a local law amending town prosecutions against individuals for this new crime, operation. But anyone who uses it knows it does a land- zoning to include a three-page “Expedited Solar Per- when evidence shows someone is deliberately acting office business every Wednesday and Saturday, its reg- mit Process for Small-Scale Electric Systems” ap- to obstruct, interfere, impair or impede the investiga- ular operating days. SCDPW Commissioner Edward plication provided by New York State’s NY-Sun solar tion of child abuse. McAndrew says the county collects, on average, six tons initiative. In addition to being the town’s first zoning Senior Deputy District Attorney Sarah Wilson pros- of trash and recyclables daily from the site, more in peak law reference to solar energy, the permit application ecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. tourism months. was said to be the town’s first step in taking advantage Following sentencing in Pike County, Brown was re- McAndrew says it costs the county $130,000 to $140,000 of financial incentives associated with the state solar manded to a state correctional facility to begin serv- annually to operate the station. Contributing to the op- initiative. ing his prison sentence. erating costs are a lease agreement with the town of Co- checton at $15,000 per year, salary and benefits packages Man arrested in Wallkill shooting for site management and trucking staff, and the cost of Warren endorses Teachout TOWN OF WALLKILL, NY — New York State Police transport and disposal at Seneca Meadow Landfill in the MILFORD, PA — Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth War- have arrested Jaylin Smith, 18, for being involved in town of Seneca Lake. ren has endorsed Democrat Zephyr Teachout in her an incident on August 31 in which he and another man Asked if revenues derived from sale of recyclables offset race against Republican John Faso for Rep. Chris Gib- allegedly robbed five people at gunpoint. the cost of trash transport and disposal, McAndrew said, son’s congressional seat. During the robbery, one victim, Myles Morales, 19, of “No.” He added that recycling revenues fluctuate wildly, Warren said in a statement, “Everyone from billion- Middletown, was shot four times. He has been hospi- driven largely by global markets. And he said further that aire hedge fund managers to the Koch brothers’ cor- talized since the attack. Smith was arrested on Octo- the county’s single-stream recycling makes it difficult to porate PAC is pouring money into defeating Zephyr ber 14 during a traffic stop on Route 9 in the Town of gauge profitability of individual recycling streams. Some Teachout. Why is she one of the biggest targets in the Wappinger. He was charged with robbery, assault and streams are less profitable than others, electronics, “e- country? Because Zephyr isn’t for sale. They know possession of a controlled substance. scrap,” especially so now. At present, the county has no Zephyr will fight to protect social security from Wall Smith possessed 47 small bags of heroin on his per- electronics recycling, although McAndrew expects that Street.