Kerilands developer seeks dialogue

But board nixes talk request

By Amy Hines | Manor Ink Mentor

Neversink, NY – More than 40 people turned out for the Neversink Town Board meeting held on Sept. 13, to find out why Jonathan Leitersdorf was a guest listed on the public agenda. Leitersdorf is the owner of the 3,150 acres on Slawson Mountain that he hopes to develop as a resort area to be known as Kerilands.

Town Supervisor Chris Mathews welcomed community members and invited Leitersdorf to make any comments or ask any questions of the board. Leitersdorf, however, indicated that he was present to engage in a direct dialogue with the residents.

Council member Rick Coombe explained that because the meeting had not been called as a public hearing, the agenda could not be changed to accommodate the developer’s request. After a back-and-forth about whether Leitersdorf could go off to a different venue for private discussion, the matter was closed and most community members left.

The Neversink Town Board is in its initial review phase of the Kerilands project, which included a well-attended public hearing on July 12 in Claryville. This review is a critical one during which the town board must determine if the project fits with the town’s vision for the future, as codified in its Master Plan.

The board must now decide whether to consider changes to the plan that would be necessary for the Kerilands proposal to be further evaluated, developed and possibly approved. Regional advocates of economic development initiatives in Sullivan County have endorsed the project’s concept. But, according to Mathews, the Neversink Town Board agrees that the Kerilands plan does not fit within the parameters of the town’s Master Plan.

“We need more time for due diligence to make the best decision for the town. When we have all the information, we will make a decision,” Matthews said.