Town of Ballston residents will have a chance to discuss Ballston Lake Overlay District regulations during a public workshop to be held Tuesday, April 22, in the community room of Town Hall.
We, at this time, really want to talk to the public, said Kathryn Serra, the town’s engineer from CT Male in Latham.
She said the overlay regulations would primarily affect development and major construction projects, not the average property owner.
The majority of the overlay district regulations deal with septic systems and stormwater runoff, which would typically affect large-scale construction projects, Serra said.
`Ballston has a problem with failing septic systems, especially in the watershed,` Serra said. `If the septic system is failing it must be replaced.`
She said that failing septic systems were always a violation under state law, but, with the creation of an overlay district, law enforcement can now ensure the law is enforced in the watershed.
She compared the new rules regarding the watershed to those governing a state-owned highway. She said on a state highway, state police, as well as local law enforcement, can pull over a vehicle on a traffic violation. The creation of the overlay district gives the town authority over the watershed.
The April 22 workshop is intended to provide town officials with feedback on two proposed overlay district maps, which are available in the town clerk’s office and through the town’s Web site.
`The maps are practically the same,` Serra said.
One proposed map regulates properties with 50 percent or more land within the watershed. The other encompasses properties that are 25 percent or more within the watershed.
A watershed is defined as any region draining into a body of water. In Ballston, the watershed includes all properties that, when it rains, will drain into Ballston Lake, according to Serra.
None of the restrictions will apply to farmers, Serra said.
`We do not burden the farmers,` she said.
Serra said that as a right-to-farm town, officials did not think it was appropriate to impose restrictions on farmers.
According to Serra, creation of an overlay district allows for enforcement of the regulations on a local level. She said the restrictions are modeled after state regulations.
Supervisor Patti Southworth said town officials went through the proposed overlay district to ensure that businesses operating in the overlay could continue to operate as usual. She said no businesses are affected by the overlay.
Five properties on Outlet Road have been removed from the map because they do not drain into the lake, according to Serra. Although, the maps do not reflect this change, Serra said she will be able to explain the removal at the public workshop.
`We feel that what we proposed is close to what the town wants,` Serra said.
She said there is a lot of misinformation about which properties are included in the overlay and the specific regulations. She said this is due to old maps and code that are still floating around from when they first looked at the overlay.
She encouraged residents to attend the workshop.
The town was required under state law to adopt a MS4, or Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, map to control storm water runoff around Ballston Lake.
The Town Board adopted the map in early January.
`It’s not more regulations, it’s just different enforcement,` she said.
In other business, the Town of Ballston is looking for volunteers to take water samples from Ballston Lake per state requirements beginning in June. Volunteers can pick up vials for water collection at the Town Hall.
The town is also accepting resumes for a Board of Assessment Review member. Members are required to attend one state-mandated training session and meet twice in May to organize and then review assessment grievances.
Interested candidates can send resumes to Patti Southworth, Town Supervisor, 323 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa 12020.“