Go-cart request returns before Town Board

NORTH EAST — North East attorney, businessman and developer Robert Trotta has once again submitted plans to the town for a go-cart track on Route 44 in the area near the Grand Union shopping plaza and the golf driving range. Last summer, on July 8, 2010, the board permanently tabled an apparently identical request from Trotta that generated a great deal of controversy in the community — as well as a petition against it, with 182 signatures.Trotta has proposed the track multiple times throughout the years, and has been denied each time.Many residents expressed concern that noise, air and light pollution from the track would impact the nearby residential and commercial neighborhoods, and could bring “a bad element” into the eastern part of town.At a Town Board meeting on Aug. 11, North East Supervisor Dave Sherman said Trotta submitted a written request that he be placed on the agenda for a Thursday, Sept. 8, meeting. When a request comes before the Town Board for a change in legislation, such as zoning (which would be required to permit a go-cart track), the board can choose not to consider it, Sherman said. However, as the Town Board membership changes every two years, there is the possibility of reevaluating those decisions at each two-year cycle. Thus what was once “permanently tabled,” could later reappear as town business.“So what one Town Board may choose to do or not to do another Town Board can do differently,” Sherman said. “So there’s no permanence in any decision made by a single board. It’s up to those people on how they’re to proceed.”At the Aug. 11 meeting, Councilman Carl Stahovec addressed Trotta’s request.“To be honest with you, we have to at least acknowledge any applicant, but I’m going to say we’ve heard this applicant three times already and it’s always the same reply,” Stahovec said. “I agree with Carl,” Councilman Dave McGhee said. “This is it.”“Should we put it in our code that go-carts are just not allowed and be done with it?” asked Stahovec.There was no response to his question. Sherman asked the board if it would be willing to hear Trotta out for 15 minutes at its next business meeting.“No,” McGhee replied. “Ten is good enough.”The topic was raised briefly once again at the board’s special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 17, confirming its place on the Thursday, Sept. 8, agenda.“I’ve had reaction from board members in the past as far as expressing concern to the request from Mr. Trotta,” Sherman said. “It’s up to the board whether it wants to entertain the request. And the door is open if people want to petition it.”