By Gary Will
(Town of Lebanon, NY – Sept. 2014) Susan Galbraith, Chair person for the Town of Lebanon Comprehensive Planning Committee, and Lois Hartshorn, Chairperson for the Town of Lebanon Planning Board, announced a joint public hearing will be held in Randallsville at the Smith Valley Community Center on Wednesday Sept. 24 beginning at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend.
The purpose of the meeting is to show the town’s landowners the final draft of the comprehensive plan, which is now complete. Exactly three years ago, the Lebanon Town Board established this committee. Members of the committee include; Susan Galbraith, Julie Hammer, Jack and Carol King, Jim McDowell, Chadwick Nower, Matt Powrie, Patty Matson and Gary Will.
The presentation will include a one hour discussion of the comprehensive plan. This 80 page document, complete with charts and graphs is a culmination of the 2012 town wide survey and an inventory of the characteristics of the land including: natural resources, climate, geology, natural gas development and the flora and fauna of the Town. Most importantly, will be a review of the recommendations, per the survey and committee member experiences that could be implemented over the next 7 years.
The Planning Board and Planning Committee are eager to gather input from residents concerning the results of this multi-year plan. Feed back from this meeting will be important for the Planning Board as they make their review of the Plan and ultimately pass it along to the Town Board. The Town Board will make final decisions on the recommendations put forth.