A seemingly surprised Planning Board of the Town of Southeast was confronted by a full house of residents concerned about the Northeast Logistics Center Monday night (July 9th).
The meeting opened with a couple of smaller Planning Board items which then progressed into a 2 hour session beginning with a presentation by The Putnam Seabury Partners. The presentation involved and overview of the project (Northeast Logistics), a PowerPoint presentation (which included a computer animated version of what the project would look like from Rte 84 and 312 while driving).
Following this presentation, Planning Board Chairman Thomas LaPerch invited comments from the Board and then the audience. 21 people lined up to voice their concerns. None spoke in favor of the project.
From Board members, comments ranged from concerns about idling vehicles, the size of the project, to the “1 mile rule” from the facility to 84. One of the members of Seabury explained that the trucks will have access to Rte 6, which elicited an audible gasp from the audience.
The majority of the issues from the audience raised concerns about the traffic created by this project. Anything from tracker trailers that would back up onto 312 from the exit onto 84, to the added cars from the 655 workers proposed, plus additional obstructions (such as construction of the proposed round-about on 312/Pugsly Road) on an already congested situation on 312. Rick Feuerman said, “The traffic circle in the presentation looked smooth and flowing. But residents feel this is a logistical nightmare. Presentations inflate the positives and deflate the negatives. This is the wrong place from every perspective. There are better places to put these things.”
Some brought up the diminished quality of life issues if this facility were to go through citing the developers who focused on how it will look but not how living with this day-to-day will be for the community. Ann Fanissi said, “ Brewster is beautiful. Our community will be degraded by this proposal. It would be a shame to ruin the rural aspect of the community.”
Taxes and proposed revenue came into question citing the Home Depot project that promised to reduce taxes. Rob Gosselink had questions as to how the figure of $91M of economic benefit to the Town of Southeast was formulated. “I like to think with a calculator. Using the figures you gave us, my calculations show we would see $101,000 from each employee who would use our restaurants and stores.” He also added, “By the way, the 500+ trucks in and out of the facility is 1 truck every 2.8 minutes.” Others vocalized a lack of understanding regarding the PILOT program.
The subject of noise was addressed asking how sound would be measured and requested barriors for what they consider to be a potentially worrying situation.
One person who works at a logistics center asked what repair to the roads will cost the residents of the Town of Southeast. She pointed out that trucks of this size making huge grooves in the pavement.
Air quality was another issue directing the audiences attention to the need for trucks to idle. Although there is an ordinance against idling for more 5 minutes, many observed truckers idle their trucks anyway in order to stay warm or cold while they sleep.
Referring to the presentation by The Putnam Seabury Partners, several mentioned the narrow perspective, very few cars, and lack of trucks in the photos and computer automated videos. “Beware. Developers exaggerate. As seen in the proposed Sludge Plant a few years ago, developers told us it would be a small facility with very few trucks. After close investigation by astute members of this community, we uncovered lie after lie after lie. And we’ll do it again,” said Louise Bisogna. “People have the right to protect their land and community.”
Councilwoman Lynne Eckardt said she did not see the water tank in the presentation. “We’ve had problems with these in the past,” she said. “ People also need a clear answer about car counts and a clarification on what hazardous materials are.”
From a safety point of view, “I am a school bus driver,” said one of the speakers. “This will impact our ability to get to and from the schools.” With CareMount at the corner of 312 and 84, other concerns were for medical and fire vehicles who would find it more difficult to get where they need to be.
The subject of jobs was brought up. Discussed, was that these units are largely automated placing doubt as to the figures Seabury presented. More, “50% of Putnam County’s residents have college degrees and highest salary levels. Who will be filling these low skilled labor jobs? It will not be people inside, but outside our community,” said Ann Fanissi.
Also mentioned, were concerns about wildlife, open space promises, guarantees regarding land preservation if the project is not feasible, and the removal of the right on red onto 84 from 312.
There were some who spoke who do not live in the Town of Southeast (or who live in the Town, but not near the facility) voiced concerns about living with these trucks. A lawyer representing Twin Brooks informed the Board that will be addressing many of the issues raised at this meeting. There were also a number of questions for Seabury to answer at the next meeting. Many asked for a worst- case scenario, as opposed to one that was idealized, before any judgments can be made.
A follow-up meeting to this one is scheduled for July 23. Town of Southeast Town Hall. 7:30.
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