In an atmosphere of increased security due to allegations of violence, an Ulster County Legislature committee has delayed a vote on a resolution declaring an undesignated 1.8-mile section of the Ulster & Delaware corridor for trail use only, citing the need for additional studies.
On June 5, the county Housing and Transportation Committee voted 5-2 to postpone a vote. Head of the Ulster & Delaware corridor advisory committee Jeff Collins and legislator Deborah Clinton voted against the delay.
“We may postpone again. We may not postpone again’ Collins said. “But it’ll be there until we either take action — I believe there’s a certain limit how many times it can be postponed before it just gets dropped.”
Legislator Eric Stewart recommended the postponement based on what he sees as a need for more study.
“One of the complaints that the Catskill Mountain Railroad (CMRR) lodged was that there was no study done this time as there had been ten years ago,” Stewart said. “They said that they would be willing to pay for it. And initially, I thought that might be a good idea. Then other legislators brought up that could perhaps color the findings of that study. But I’m happy to do it either way, whether the county pays for it, or we split the cost with them.”
Another reason Stewart cited was lack of input from the county planning and economic development departments.
The Woodstock Land Conservancy (WLC), which advocates trail-only use, expressed its disappointment over the, postponement. “No amount of further study or testimony can overcome the physical constraints of this portion of the U&D corridor,” WLC chairman Kevin Smith said.
Hurley’s town board, after considering a resolution in support of trail-only use, recently decided to back neither option. Attendees at its meeting were screened and state police provided enhanced security for a CMRR presentation due to death-threat allegations.
CMRR president Ernie Hunt said the threats were against the railroad. In fact they were in response to a reported February 12 threat against the WLC. The threats also led to enhanced security at the county legislature’s meetings.
“On that date, a staff member, who was alone in the WLC office, received an email with the subject line Catskill Mountain rail-trail,” the WLC said in a statement. “After consulting with leadership, the staff member contacted local, state and federal law-enforcement officials.
CMRR released a statement deploring any act or threat of violence, and claimed that it has been the subject of similar threats.
The two warring sides accused each other of insincerity — at the very least.
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