Penn Yan's wetlands get 'protected' status

    PENN YAN—The Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) met Wednesday, Aug. 15 and discussed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) declaration of a protected wetland area near the proposed development of the Penn Yan Marine site.
    Community Development Director Alex Taylor said the DEC came down to inspect the area in July and declared the area as a protected wetland after discovering that water chestnuts were growing in the marsh. He said because of the designation, the DEC declared any new development at the Penn Yan Marine site must be built 50 to 100 feet back from the wetland.
    Taylor said the area was not a protected area until the water chestnut—an invasive species—was found growing in the wetlands. County Chairman Taylor Fitch cited Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-N.Y.) recent visit to the area promoting a bill aimed at getting rid of invasive species, saying he does not know why the DEC would want to protect one.
    In other news: The FLEDC board members approved the motions put forth by the finance committee regarding a recent influx of bad checks. CFO and Administrative Assistant Doreen Jensen said there usually has not been a problem with bad checks, but in the past six months they have received three or four. Secretary Craig Densmore said it would be a good idea to institute a fee for future bad checks.
    • Secretary Craig Densmore said he did a Google search on the two developers proposing ideas for the Penn Yan Marine site and expressed his concerns with some of their previous projects, saying “It sure looked like there was some foot-dragging going on.” Vice-chairman Tim Dennis also brought up questions about the developers, saying “There needs to be some indication that there is some true money behind them.” Fitch said the county still has to re-interview both developers, and that the taskforce still has to make an official recommendation to the county finance committee before they can make a recommendation to the Yates County legislature.
    • Taylor said Iverson Construction called and wanted to keep the payment in-lieu of taxes (PILOT) for the full 10 years regarding the company’s proposed apartment project to occupy the areas from 120 to 130 Water St. in Penn Yan. Taylor said Iverson told him keeping the PILOT the full 10 years was imperative for the company to make a profit. Densmore said there would need to be a discussion with the village as well as a public hearing before they vote on it.
    • Taylor said Abandon Brewing Company was looking to move their brewery out of their tasting house and into a separate barn they are renovating. Taylor also said Blue Eagle Tavern has been open for five weeks after renovations and have additional septic and drainage issues they need money to address.
    • The board approved a $30,000 loan for Dudley Poultry owner Teresa Jackson to put toward a new refrigerated truck. The board said the total cost of the truck was $110,000.
     The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.