Legislative Committees Meet On Hurricane Irene Follow-Up And Eminent Domain Action

The Rockland County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee will follow-up on previous discussions about Rockland’s response to in 2011. Another agenda item is voting on a resolution to use $100,00 of federal forfeiture funds. The county district attorney wants to use the money to partially reimburse the Village of Suffern for the police officer assigned to the from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. 

The committee will also vote on the appointment of Chief William Barbera of the Sheriff’s Office to the county Traffic Safety Board. The committee meeting begins at 5 p.m.

The Multi Services Committee convenes at 6 p.m. to set a public hearing date on a local law amending the county’s Multiple Dwelling Smoking Policy.  The amendment would require property owners to create and implement a smoking policy designating where and when smoking is allowed on the rental property.

Its members are also expected to vote on the county health commissioner’s request to approve agreements for 15 providers of Early Intervention and Special Education Services in Pre-Schools.  The agreements would run from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 at a total cost of $24,220,000.

The Planning & Public Works Committee meets at 7 p.m. followed by the Budget & Finance Committee at 7:15 p.m. They have several of the same resolutions to act on.  Legislators will set a date for a public hearing on eminent domain procedure law to acquire property in the Town of Ramapo. 

The county wants to use a parcel at 10 Eastview Road for a countywide public safety radio communications project.  However, the town’s planning board denied the county’s application for site plan approval.   Rockland wants to install seven antennas and an equipment shelter on the property currently owned by CSC Holdings, Inc.  The cost to design and build the system to enable police, fire and emergency services to communicate throughout the county would cost more than $30 million. 

Committee members will also consider a resolution asking the governor to include mandate relief for all counties in the state if state lawmakers receive pay increases in 2012.  The resolution states the potential increases could amount to $4.25 million.

The legislative committees meet in the Allison-Parris Office Building at 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.