Cosmello appointed to NM Council

BY STACI WILSON

All seven seats on New Milford Borough Council were briefly filled with the Thursday, March 1 appointment of Donna Cosmello to the one remaining open slot.

The borough even appointed a Junior Councilman, Troy Carey, who had expressed interest in the non-voting position.

But the full council didn’t last the meeting.

Following an early meeting presentation by Leatherstocking Gas (see story on page ??), the resignation of Councilwoman Penny Scarborough was accepted by the board, with regret.

Scarboroughwas not in attendance at the meeting but had submitted a letter of resignation to the borough.

Council discussed the gas impact fee and the effect the influx of funds could have on the tightNew Milfordbudget.

Cosmello said she had spoken with Rep. Sandra Major and Commissioner Alan Hall about the impact fee.

While not a perfect bill, Cosmello said, it is the one in place.

Councilman Rick Ainey said he hoped the county would vote in favor of the impact fee.

Some council members planned to attend the Tuesday morning gas impact fee meeting held by the county commissioners in Montrose.

Councilman Larry White said he had met with people from the Conservation District about storm water drainage issues on Meylert Creek, behindCobb St.

White said he had helped out with community members during a clean-up day of clearing brush that was restricting water flow from the creek. He also said other “community work days” will likely be held in the near future.

The work done on those days is by residents ofNew Milfordand not by the borough government.

Gulick said FEMA was sending corrected flood insurance rate maps to the borough and that council would be able to review the flood plains.

Ainey suggested the planning and zoning boards begin looking at the borough’s zoning ordinance.

The 20-year-old ordinance has been challenged in court in at least two different lawsuits in the past year and Ainey thought it would be prudent to see if the regulations need updating.

Council recessed the meeting. The meeting will resume, March 15 at7 p.m.