TOWN OF WOODSTOCK
ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMISSION
Susan M. Paynter, Chair
Arlene Weissman, Vice-Chair
Julia Blelock
Laurie Kirby
Evan Neumann
Joe Otters
Kenneth Panza, Secretary

45 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, NY 12498
Agenda for the Meeting of
February 4, 2026
Call to Order
WEC Members Present
Guests Present
Approval of the Agenda
Consideration of Minutes
WEC meeting of January 21, 2026, previously updated and distributed
Correspondence
Announcements
Invited Guest Speakers
Marcel Nagele, Woodstockers United for Change
Shady Dump/10 Church Rd
Rachel Marco-Havens will speak about composting
New Business
Earth Day – Susan Paynter
Discussion and brainstorm on a community wide celebration
The Chair invited Woodstock’s eco-leaders to join an Earth Week brainstorming during WEC’s
meeting on Wednesday, Feb 4th at 6:00 at the Comeau. This year, Earth Day has evolved into
Earth Week.
Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 to promote environmental protection, raise awareness
about issues like pollution and climate change, and encourage global action for a sustainable future.
Initiated in 1970, it serves as a reminder to protect natural resources and supports the modern
environmental movement.
Old Business
Update Climate Smart Communities – Susan Paynter
DWSP2 Plan Implementation – Arlene Weissman & Julia Blelock
WEC/WLC collaboration – Arlene Weissman & Julia Blelock
Landfill Biofilter Project MOU – Laura Ricci
Public be Heard
Adjournment
Next scheduled WEC Meeting,
Wednesday, February 18, 6:00 PM,
Comeau Great Room

Minutes for the WEC Meeting of February 4, 2026
TOWN OF WOODSTOCK
ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMISSION
45 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, NY 12498
Susan M. Paynter, Chair
Arlene Weissman, Vice-Chair
Julia Blelock
Laurie Kirby
Evan Neumann
Joe Otters
Kenneth Panza, Secretary
The Open Meetings Law requires: Minutes of meetings of all public bodies shall be available to the
public in accordance with the provisions of the freedom of information law within two weeks from
the date of such meeting except that minutes taken pursuant to subdivision two of this section shall
be available to the public within one week from the date of the executive session.
Minutes for the Meeting of
February 4, 2026
Call to Order
A quorum being present, WEC Chair Susan Paynter called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
WEC Members Present
Susan M. Paynter, Chair
Arlene Weissman, Vice-Chair
Julia Blelock
Laurie Kirby
Evan Neumann
Joe Otters
Kenneth Panza, Secretary
Guests Present
Marcel Nagele,
Term: expires 12/31/2026
Term: expires 12/31/2026
Term: expires 12/31/2026
Term: expires 12/31/2026
Term: expires 12/31/2026
Term: expires 12/31/2026
Term: expires 12/31/2026
Woodstockers United for Change
Rachel Marco-Havens
Woodstock Chamber of Commerce &
Arts, Community Liaison
Laura Ricci, Councilwoman
Town Board Liaison
Climate Smart Task Force
Linda Setchell, Chair
Climate Smart Task Force
Lizzie Vann, Bearsville Center
Climate Smart Task Force
Dr. Keisha Hoerrner,
Communications & Outreach Manager,
Woodstock Land Conservancy
Linda Lover,
Woodstockers United for Change
Vincent Mow,
Woodstockers United for Change
Matthew Eshed,
Western Colorado University
Masters of Environmental Management
Sylvia Bullett
Approval of the Agenda
Agenda, as modified, approved by unanimous consent.
Consideration of Minutes
Laurie Felber, Third Act
Jo Schwartz, Beyond Plastics,
Citizens Concerned About Plastic
Pollution (CCAPP)
Minutes for the WEC meeting of January 21, 2026, previously updated and distributed, were
approved by unanimous consent.
Correction to the Minutes of January 21, 2026
Councilwoman Laura Rici was inadvertently left off the list of guests present at the January 21
WEC meeting. Laura did attend the January 21 meeting.
Archive of 2026 WEC Minutes
Archive of 2025 WEC Minutes
Correspondence
Received email from Ulster County Legislator Jeff Collins confirming support of 'Trails Only'
use along the undesignated, 1.8-mile section of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor for
reasons stated in WEC's letter.
Announcements
 Supervisor established the Woodstock Climate Smart Communities Task Force and
appointed Linda Setchell, Bob Wolff, Laura Ricci, Edward Swanson, Chloe Leader, Kaitlana
Viglielmo and Lizzie Vann as members. Linda Setchell was appointed as the Climate Smart
Task Force Chair.
 Linda Setchell appointed as representative for the Town of Woodstock to the Ulster County
Environmental Management Council (EMC).
 Saturday, February 7, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Repair Café — Toss it? No way!
Woodstock Community Center, 56 Rock City Road, Woodstock
Hosted by Woodstock NY Transition and the Woodstock Environmental Commission
 Sally Rodgers joined AWSMP as Education Program Manager. Sally graduated in May 2025
with a Masters of Science in Climate Science and Policy from Bard College. She also earned a
BA in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making with a minor in Legal Studies from
St. John’s University in 2022. Sally’s Master’s thesis focused on flood mitigation in Ulster
County. She has a range of work experience including Environmental Educator with the
Hudson River Park, field data collection, and municipal technical assistance for policy review
and analysis. She came to CCE from Ulster County, where she was an Emergency Management
Fellow where she centered her work on building resilience to the effects of climate change
within the county.
 Ulster County launches ‘Green the Scene’ grant program to support zero-waste events.
Eligible grant expenses include zero waste supplies (bins, compostable bags, compostable
service ware, cleaning supplies, etc.), hauling and composting services. Ulster County is
seeking to hire a Zero-Waste Coordinator for the 2026 festival season to improve organic
waste diversion and educate the public on best recycling practices at key events in Ulster
County.
 Marc Rider, Executive Director, UCRRA, is offering local communities a presentation on
"Together Toward Zero," UCRRA's plan for diverting 30% of Ulster County's waste by
2030; 60% by 2040; and 90% by 2050.
 Circular Economy Summit February 13, 2026: The Circular Economy Strategic Plan is a plan
for Ulster County to divert reusable and recyclable materials before they enter the waste
stream. With seed funding from the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency, the project is
being implemented by Sustainable Hudson Valley and Circularly, a Public Benefit Corporation
that helps businesses and communities build the infrastructure required to make a just and
circular economy a reality.
Rachel Marco-Havens
Presented a proposal for a composting program that involves Woodstock’s Community Garden and
Greenway Environmental Services, patterned on the Town of Hurley Zero Waste Initiative.
Marcel Nagele, Woodstockers United for Change
Shady Dump/10 Church Rd
Marcel reminded the WEC that it has been seven years since the contaminated C&D material was
dumped at 10 Church Rd. Since then, the New York State Attorney General reached a $6 million
settlement with Karolas, the owner of the processing site that was the source of contaminated C&D
debris, and the haulers that trucked C&D material from New York City to the Karolas’ site.
Some of the settlement funds have been distributed to victims, and Marcel encouraged the WEC to
take the necessary steps to reestablish the zoning violations at 10 Church Rd and become eligible
for payments from the settlement funds.
New Business
Earth Day – Susan Paynter
The Chair invited Woodstock’s eco-leaders to join an Earth Week brainstorming during WEC’s
meeting on Wednesday, Feb 4th at 6:00 at the Comeau. This year, Earth Day has evolved into
Earth Week.
A full and vibrant discussion took place, with many excellent ideas and proposals for events during
Earth Week. The discussions and planning will continue as the organizers focus on timing, venue
availability, and the capabilities necessary to support a week-long, multiple event activity.
Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 to promote environmental protection, raise awareness
about issues like pollution and climate change, and encourage global action for a sustainable future.
Initiated in 1970, it serves as a reminder to protect natural resources and supports the modern
environmental movement.
Old Business
Climate Smart Communities (CSC) – Susan Paynter, Arlene Weissman & Julia Blelock
Supervisor established the Woodstock Climate Smart Communities Task Force and appointed
Linda Setchell, Bob Wolff, Laura Ricci, Edward Swanson, Chloe Leader, Kaitlana Viglielmo and
Lizzie Vann as members. Linda Setchell was appointed as the Climate Smart Task Force Chair.
Susan Paynter, Arlene Weissman and Julia Blelock will continue as advisors to the task force.
DWSP2 Plan Implementation – Arlene Weissman & Julia Blelock
Town of Woodstock requested a pause as they review the DWSP2 draft plan. Launch date has been
postponed to March.
WLC/WEC Collaboration – Arlene Weissman & Julia Blelock
The DWSP2 working group agreed to make a brief (10-to-15-minute) presentation, in conjunction
with the Woodstock Environmental Commission at the WLC event, “How Is the Sawkill?” on
Saturday, March 14, from 5 to 7:30 PM at Mountainview Studios. DWSP2 will co-host a table with
WEC.
Landfill Biofilter Project MOU – Laura Ricci
The Town Board approved the Landfill Biofilter Project MOU at its February 3rd meeting.
Public be Heard
Adjournment
Next scheduled WEC Meeting,
Wednesday, February 18, 6:00 PM,
Comeau Great Room
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth S. Panza, Secretary
Woodstock Environmental Commission
Other Meeting Announcements
February 17, 2026 08:30 AM, How Development Impacts the Biodiversity of our Region
Via Zoom. Erik Kiviat, executive director of Hudsonia, joins us for this special opening webinar of
our 2026 Morning Coffee Series to present his talk, "Biodiversity Change: What a Damaged
Landscape Teaches About the Future of the Mid-Hudson Region."
Register for a Zoom Link
Saturday, March 14, 5 to 7:30 pm at Mountainview Studios, “How is the Sawkill?”
Woodstock Land Conservancy's 2026 program, "Ecologies of Water," features the book, Drinkable
Rivers by Li An Phoa and Maarten Van Der Schaaf, that promotes awareness and action for
healthy waterways through events, workshops, and citizen science, and connecting local water
health to global efforts for clean, living rivers.
Reserve Your Tickets for March 14