North Greenbush officials press for action on flood-prone Wynantskill Creek after permit delays

Deputy Supervisor Hoffman opened the May 8 meeting with announcements before discussion turned to recurring flooding and a long-delayed permit to dredge Wynantskill Creek. Highway Superintendent Mike Martinez said the town’s permit application had been mailed out a year earlier and only received attention after Senator Jake Ashby contacted the Department of Environmental Conservation. "The permit was mailed out 1 year ago and after Ashby called Patrick O’Connell in DEC he received a call about the town’s application," Martinez said.

Hoffman and Councilman Gordon described recent local pumping and cleanup efforts. Hoffman said the town had removed "22 dump truck loads of debris and tree limbs" after a prior severe flood but that state permit limits had constrained how far upstream crews could clear. Councilman Gordon and other board members urged cooperation across political lines to speed work. Residents raised practical concerns: Martinez said the town’s jetting and pump work has been expensive, while some public commenters asked whether flood maps and management plans should be revisited. The board did not adopt a new action at the meeting beyond reporting continued effort; Martinez agreed to keep pursuing permits and the town will explore further remediation once DEC direction is received.