Monthly Archives: August 2013

An open letter to voters Forestport highways in good hands

Dear Forestport Voters:

In response to previous letters in this paper, please don’t be fooled by the false accusations.

He mentioned in his letter all the places he had worked, but failed to mention he was employed by the Town of Forestport Highway Department and was dismissed because of violation of state regulations.

All of our high volume traffic roads are blacktopped, while low volume roads are oiled and stoned. All of our equipment has its own file and listed on the town’s computer. Our job in winter months is daily and not when you want to plow roads.

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Site plan approval: A look at docks, boathouses and ‘dry’ boathouses

shoreline structures

Any building or structure within the shoreline setback area is considered a “shoreline structure.”

The setback distance can vary from fifty [50] to one-hundred [100] depending on what part of the town the property is in.

The entire Fulton Chain, that is within the Town of Webb, has a fifty [50] foot setback requirement.

This measurement is based from the mean high water mark to the closest part of the structure including chimneys, decks, stairs, porches or cantilevered second stories and is always measured horizontally.

Certain specific structures are actually allowed to be inside the shoreline setback area, subject to the normal building permit process just like any other structure.

Examples may be docks and boathouses. Both of these are considered a standard/permitted structure, not subject to any special board oversight or action.

Obviously, to be a dock or boathouse, they must be in the water.

Always, side property line setback of twenty-five [25] feet applies to all boathouses and docks.

If this type of proposed structure complies with the minimum/ maximum standards, only the normal building permit process is required.

Occasionally, a “dry boat-house” is proposed. This is one that is not over the water, and cannot be driven into with the boat.

To qualify as a dry boathouse, and be potentially allowable without any special permits or variances, the structure must be within two [2] feet of the mean high water mark and have a ramp that extends from the front down into the water.

These structures usually are for the storage of canoes, kayaks, row boats and similar type of non-motorized water draft.

The key here is, within two [2] feet of the mean high water mark, not more.

A shed twenty feet from the lake is a shed, not a dry boathouse.

Any boathouse is subject to the maximum size of 1,200 sq. ft. of area and shall not be taller than fifteen [15] as measured form the deck or berthing area around the boat slip.

Docks shall not be larger than 300 sq. ft. or wider than eight [8] feet.

Both docks and boathouses shall not go out farther than forty [40] feet into the water, which could be less if it creates a hazard to navigation.

Anything other than a boathouse, a dry boathouse or a dock would be subject to site plan approval of Town Planning Board.

Something like a lean-to, storage sheds or gazebos are considered to be typical shoreline structures.

So, if it’s not a dock, boathouse or dry boathouse, you have to go to the Town Planning Board.

These type of structures are also limited to a maximum size of one-hundred [100] sq. ft. of area and shall comply with the side property line setback of ten [10] feet minimum.

When you ride around the lakes you will see many older boathouses and docks that clearly exceed these basic dimensional requirements.

If they have been there, or replaced another structure that was there, since 1965 they are what most people refer to as “grandfathered.”

These structures are allowed to be maintained and used forever.

Expansion, major remodeling and/or replacement of these old grandfathered shoreline structures will be subject to [again] Town Planning Board site plan approval.

If you read the legal notices in the local paper you may occasionally see an advertisement for a public hearing regarding this type of application.

The notice may read similar to; “to allow the replacement of a lawful, pre-existing, non-conforming shoreline boathouse structure.”

Lawful, pre-existing, non-conforming is basically the same as grandfathered.

There are certain rights a grandfathered structure has; however none of those rights absolutely guarantee approval for the replacement in the exact same location.

The Planning Board’s job, as it should be, is to encourage compliance, or at least more compliance if possible.

Each case is different and will be decided on the merits of the situation.

Now, what about the Adiron-dack Park Agency [APA]? Although much of what the town requires is the same as the APA, the process may be different.

Always, always, always when dealing with shoreline structures, especially an old non-conforming one, contact the APA directly.

File a Jurisdictional Inquiry Form [JIF], which can be downloaded, on-line at www.apa.ny.gov, or call them at 518-891-4050.

You may be surprised what you can actually do.

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Letter to Editor Glad TOBIE’s on schedule

To the Editor:

I was glad to read Phase 2 of the TOBIE path project is on schedule.

I didn’t realize the plan was to tear up the front of all the businesses on the Thendara stretch the first of July & leave it that way for the summer.

I hope I will be around for the ribbon cutting ceremony in December.

Dick Bird,

Thendara

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Card of thanks

As you look around the Front Door Diner and Back Door Bar it’s hard to imagine back to day one, when Albert and Tom decided to take on this venture. Only to a determined dreamer’s eyes did the space look like a potential to be a beautiful building.

With that determination and passion they began their journey into opening the bar and restaurant. Today, they are almost a month open and continue to push forward.

They would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the many hands that had a part in this process. There would not be an open sign out front had it not been for the support and generosity of so many.

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Old Forge business Natural fragrances and scrubs ‘just make scents’ to local shop owner

Just Makes Scents, the all-natural bath and body shop in Old Forge, is wrapping up its first summer in Old Forge.

The store, located on Main Street across from the Town of Webb School, specializes in items that are made for sensitive skin.

Donna Waterman & Harlee

Owner Donna Waterman sells a number of organic products and makes her own homemade sugar and facial scrubs. She said these homemade scrubs, which are 100% natural, are her biggest sellers.

“I’m very proud of that,” she said.

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Service set for George Burton Harrold, 83

George Burton Harrold, 83, of Manlius, NY passed away at home on Monday, August 26, 2013. Born on June 27, 1930 in Geneva, NY,  he earned a MS in Electrical Engineering and has worked for GE and as an Adjunct Professor at Syracuse University.

Burt was an avid outdoorsman and ADK 46-er many times over, including climbing in the Alps. He enjoyed many hobbies including photography, boat building, sailing and a life-long love of music.

wedding 022  July 5, 2013, DadHe was predeceased by his first wife Lois Avery Harrold. Survivors include his wife of twenty years, Dorothy Foster Harrold; a daughter Cynthia Harrold Heller of CT; a son George Hilary Harrold of CT; two brothers, Raymond Harrold and Leon Harrold; eleven grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service is being planned for October 5th.

Contributions in Burt’s name can be directed to Manlius Senior Centre in gratitude to UGGH, Burt’s caregivers, at: 1 Arkie Albanese Ave., Manlius, NY 13104 or the Adirondack Mountain Club, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845.

To sign the guest book please visit; www.Scheppfamily.com.

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Old Forge Ballet School registration starting

Fall registration for The School of the Old Forge Ballet Company will begin the week of September 3rd. The school commences its 2013-2014 season on Tuesday, September 10th.

Preparation for the Decem-ber’s Nutcracker ballet is underway.

Classes for male and female students, pre-ballet through adults in the Cecchetti Method of classical ballet are taught. The concentration is on developing the students education through the art of dance with the focus on classical ballet as the basis for all creative movement.

New classes in other dance disciplines are offered with the minimum number of required students enrolled. They include: Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Modern, Latin, Boys’ Sport Dance and Slimming to the Oldies.

New students can enjoy free trial classes in any of the scheduled classes.

The staff of instructors includes Sue Ann Lorenz-Wallace, Director of the School and Artistic Director and President of the Company; Linda Lorenz LaDue, former Artistic Director and Vice-President of the Company; Whitney Clair Denesha, Professional Modern & Latin dancer and classical ballet instructor and Secretary of the Company; and Laurie Waranis, Company dancer.

The School of the Old Forge Ballet Company resides on the second floor of the North Woods Community Center at 110 Crosby Blvd. in Old Forge.

To register or for more information call Sue Ann Lorenz-Wallace at (315) 369-8721 or email: oldforgeballet@roadrunner.com.

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