The operators of Bethlehem Cemetery have asked the town for help as they consider stepping away from the non-profit.
Supervisor John Clarkson made the announcement at the Town Board meeting on Wednesday, May 27. He said members of the Bethlehem Cemetery Association met with town officials earlier that week to discuss the possibility of abandoning the cemetery. This is when a non-profit ends operation of a cemetery, and maintenance is taken over by the local municipality.
“We have been in discussions because obviously the town would want to see the cemetery preserved for the beautiful community aspect that it is,” said Clarkson.
Bethlehem Cemetery has been in operation since 1865 and is the main cemetery in the center of town. Clarkson said it is financially viable, but the operators are getting older and wish to retire. Some options could be to find new members willing to join the association, or for another local cemetery to take it over. Discussions are still in the early stages.
Clarkson said the town has asked the Bethlehem Cemetery Association to hold an informational meeting for lot owners and members of the public. The meeting will be on Thursday, June 4, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
New Scotland Road Hamlet
At the same meeting, a presentation was given by the Windsor Companies on the proposed second phase of the New Scotland Road Hamlet Development Project.
The project would be an extension of The Hamlet housing development already built on New Scotland Road last year. The next two phases of development would include mixed-use retail and commercial buildings below apartments and luxury residential units. The development would be built on the corner of New Scotland and Maher roads.
The town asked Windsor to present on the next phases of the project because Town Board members would need to approve either a new overlay zone in the area, or create a planned hamlet district. An area variance has already been approved by the town’s Zoning Board because of the height of the project, while the second phases is now under review by the town’s Planning Board.
The first phase of The Hamlet, which has already been built, included 50 rental homes. The second phase would be four buildings, four stories high with 92 rental units and 7,000 square feet of rental and commercial space on the bottom floor. The third phase would have an additional 250 rental units, an enclosed garage and 15,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The entire development would include a pool for residents and about 7,000 square feet of flex space for meetings or those who may wish to rent office space below their apartments.
The developers said rent for the retail space would be below market rates because they want to attract small businesses that are able to survive. The plans call for between six or 10 small shops to be included in the third phases, with suggestions like a cafe, yoga studio and boutiques. The site will also have a pedestrian network for residents and shoppers to easily access the entire site, from Price Chopper Plaza to Maher Road.
Development of the third phase of the project would need future Town Board approval for a change of the area’s zoning.
