There have been some interesting discussions this week.

Topic A in Woodstock seems to be the Comeau Easement Stewardship plan and how extensive that document needs to be; how flexible and responsive is the mechanism that is set up deal with the points of the easement and management of the property. It’s important to remember that the town board has only accepted this document as a draft and that comments are yet to come from the Woodstock Land Conservancy, which oversees the administration of the easement. Before we judge the efficacy of the stewardship plan, let’s wait and see what those who will have to work with it have to say, and see how thoughtful comments from citizens about it are received.

And let’s also remember that this process, this plan to protect the Comeau property largely in its current form is probably 96.25 percent in place at this point, that any proposal to make any changes to the property will likely receive great scrutiny and be compelled to comply with the terms of the easement. As an official policy, one of which the people of Woodstock voted in favor several times, the Comeau Easement might be the finest accomplishment the current administration never wanted.

In Shandaken, the DEC rejected the town’s application for emergency relief from flooding to be provided by a stream modification project (or the dirty word, dredging) in the Stony Clove Creek. Seems the application had to be filed within 48 hours of the emergency. And there are turbidity concerns. DEC will help try to expedite the process of a new application, but you know what? Phoenicia may be washed away before approval is granted to do something. Maybe you witnessed it, or saw photos or that amazing web presentation, but hey, it was almost time to build an ark up there.

I don’t know if anyone noticed it, but there is a large snowpack in Shandaken that’s going to melt sometime, spring is the time for storms, and the old normal patterns of weather seem to be changing.

The state DEC must expedite this application immediately, and allow Shandaken to do what it can to prevent Main Street from washing away.

Seen enough winter yet? Well, just remember, it was a beautiful fall, one of the finest. And the days are getting longer. ++