DELAWARE – Concerned neighbors of the property that hosts the summer camp, Bnos Rochel, gathered before the Town of Delaware Planning Board during a public hearing on May 18, raising to light issues pertaining to noise complaints and claims of trespassers entering onto neighboring properties.

The Delaware Planning Board received comments from a handful of residents regarding those alleged issues, as well as concerns involving littering in and around private property, and various farm animals that were reported to be left behind to wander onto neighboring properties.

In a suggestion for an immediate solution for the allegations of trespassing, Town Attorney Ken Klein and Delaware Planning Board member Tom Shepstone proposed the idea of installing physical barriers along property lines.

However, residents are hesitant on the idea and are seeking alternative solutions and answers as to what can be done.

“We clearly have a problem,” Shepstone said.

Addressing the residents and members of the Board was President of Bnos Rochel, Rabbi Jacob Berkowitz, who sympathized with those affected.

“I was shocked to hear about the trespassing,” Berkowitz said.

Berkowitz addressed other issues brought up by residents, including the allegations relating to animals, stating he did not know how they managed to get there in the first place.

Another issue that was brought up involved an off-season caretaker of the camp property who was reported by residents to be playing loud music.

According to Berkowitz, he was unaware of that specific noise issue.

“It’s bothering me to no end, especially [for the] neighbors, why should they suffer ...” Berkowitz said.

The Planning Board discussed looking into drafting up a resolution to move forward in correcting the addressed issues.

“We have time to address this [before the camp opens],” Shepstone said. “These are serious issues... and we will deal with them.”

The camp has hosted a number of campers for the past 18 summer seasons, and is currently scheduled to reopen on June 29.

Delaware Concerned Citizens squad up

An association of Delaware residents called Delaware Concerned Citizens (DCC) gathered to voice concerns regarding the currently proposed Gabel Road subdivision.

Although the DCC were denied public comment by the board on the proposed subdivision, the project on  Gabel Road was reintroduced to the board by Kevin Wall of Rielly Engineering on behalf of 356 Gabel Road LLC. Following the discussion, the proposed project was tabled until further notice.

The legal representative brought on by the DCC who submitted two letters to the Planning Board regarding the proposed subdivision was John Barone of Tooher and Barone LLP.

The two letters, one written on January 18 and the latest written on May 18, highlighted the DCC’s main concerns with the proposed subdivision.

According to the letter on January 18, the DCC hired Paul Rubin of HydroQuest as a consulting hydrogeologist to review the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

Rubin’s findings raised concerns for the DCC. Those included in the January letter were the potential for runoff to enter into the unnamed creek that is onsite and risk of runoff entering into septic leach fields. Rubin also noted that driveway site lines along Gabel Road need further study, and that there are potential impacts to the areas utilized by Bald Eagles.

According to Barone, in addition to the environmental concerns, residents are worried about maintaining the ‘community character.’

These concerns were also addressed in the May 18 letter.

Barone told the Democrat that the DCC is hoping the board will issue a positive declaration on the proposed subdivision’s New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

Barone confirmed that the DCC is willing to discuss these issues with Rielly Engineering but have yet to partake in any conversations.

The Democrat reached out to Rielly Engineering, who did not return a request for comment by presstime.