CWC Elected Officers

ARKVILLE — The Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) held its Annual Meeting of Watershed Towns on April 5.
A large crowd of local, state, and federal agency representatives and regional partners attended, including Patrick Palmer and colleagues from New York State Department of Health; and colleagues from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Lisa Melville from New York State Department of State and Watershed Protection and Partnership Council, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and many local town supervisors attended the meeting.
Allen Hinkley, Supervisor of the Town of Roxbury, Arthur Merrillof the Town of Colchester in and James Eisel, of the Town of Harpersfield were re-elected to the CWC Board of Directors by their fellow Delaware County Watershed Town Supervisors.
The 2021 Annual Report was released at the meeting. It can be viewed at cwconline.org (Documents). To get a paper copy of the Annual Report, call 845-586-1400, or email scosta@cwconline.org.
Last year’s work
Highlights CWC accomplishments in 2021:
• 225 failed residential septic systems were repaired or replaced through grants to homeowners by the CWC Septic Program. Primary residents were reimbursed 100 percent of eligible costs, second homeowners were reimbursed 60 percent.
· 604 septic systems installed since 1995 were pumped out and inspected in 2021. CWC reimbursed half the cost for each.
• Construction of the West Conesville Community Septic System continued. It is expected to be complete and operational by summer of 2022. Designs for the New Kingston Community Septic System and the Halcottsville Collection System were completed and construction for both is planned to start this spring.
• The CWC Board approved funding from the Flood Hazard Mitigation Implementation Program for numerous feasibility studies to investigate options for flood proofing designs and construction for homes, municipal buildings, businesses, and institutions throughout the West of Hudson watershed.
Stormwater
upgrades
· Twelve property owners in Delaware, Greene, and Ulster Counties were approved for reimbursement for costs of NYCDEP required stormwater controls. Some of these projects included Getaway Roscoe’s Campground, Tractor Supply in Stamford, Catskill Mountain Foundation, Windham Mountain, Copperhood Inn, and several residences.
· Nine low-interest loans were approved for businesses in Watershed Towns through the CWC’s Catskill Fund for the Future. These included Maple Shade Farm NY Inc. in the Town of Delhi, Catskill Momos in the Town of Delhi, MTC Cable in the Village of Margaretville, West Branch Collision in the Town of Walton, KDR Self Storage in Dunraven, Terrace Motel in Ellenville, Rippling Waters Retreat in the Town of Delhi, Old Mill in the Town of Roxbury and Roxbury General in the Town of Roxbury. Other economic development initiatives included the Commemorative Sign project and loans for the Community Wastewater Program. The Reservoir Boating Program drew 1,826 kayaks and canoes to four NYC reservoirs.
• The board awarded 28 Watershed Education Grants to schools and non-profit organizations in the Catskill-Delaware Watershed and in New York City, for projects such as Trout in the Classroom and public performances of Arm of the Sea Theater. These programs reached over seven thousand students and teachers.
CWC’s Executive Director Jason Merwin, acknowledged Alan Rosa, who was CWC’s first President, and Executive Director from 1998 until he retired at the end of April 2021. Jason thanked Alan for all he did to make CWC what it is today. He also acknowledged staff for working efficiently in to make 2021 another successful year in spite of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 challenges.
CWC is a not-for-profit local development corporation responsible for several environmental protection, economic development, and education programs in the New York City Watershed West of the Hudson River.