WHITE LAKE — Bethel residents challenged proposed Local Laws 2 and 3 during the October 28 Town Board meeting, questioning whether new regulations governing private wastewater treatment plants and conservation subdivisions adequately reflect the town’s recently adopted comprehensive plan.

Proposed Local Law 2 would establish regulations for privately operated package wastewater treatment plants, while Local Law 3 would revise the town’s conservation subdivision requirements to preserve open space, protect natural resources and guide residential development toward less environmentally sensitive areas. The conservation subdivision proposal generally maintains existing residential density limits while allowing flexibility in how homes are arranged.

The board closed public hearings on both proposals without adopting either law, agreeing to accept additional written comments through November 4.

Members of the Bethel Roundtable, a citizens group, raised concerns about minimum lot sizes, open space requirements, groundwater protection and the financial consequences of private wastewater systems failing.

Supervisor Daniel Sturm defended the legislation’s objectives, saying the laws would protect Bethel’s rural character while providing a framework for future development.

“Conservation subdivisions are not about stopping development. They’re about doing a better job of planning for it,” Sturm said.

Hal Tietelbaum of Chapin Estates, speaking for the Roundtable, questioned provisions allowing quarter-acre conservation subdivision lots when the comprehensive plan recommends a half-acre minimum.

He also challenged exceptions to the plan’s recommended 50% open space requirement. Local Law 3 would allow reductions for certain properties of 15 acres or less and properties within the Kauneonga Lake sewer district.

Roundtable members questioned whether environmentally constrained land, including wetlands and steep slopes, should count toward the required conserved acreage, and how infrastructure-related incentives might affect the total number of homes permitted.

“Conservation design should protect the land’s most important environmental features first,” Tietelbaum said.

Jonathan Hyman of Smallwood urged the board to consider the cumulative effects of development rather than evaluating projects individually.

“The town should not authorize greater development intensity without a sound understanding of the cumulative effects on groundwater, drinking water and wastewater management infrastructure,” Hyman said.

He urged the town to consider Sullivan County’s ongoing groundwater study before adopting regulations that could increase water demand.

The Roundtable also sought stronger financial safeguards for privately operated wastewater systems, including replacement reserves, backup power requirements and provisions ensuring continued service if an operator fails.

Sturm said the wastewater legislation is intended to strengthen oversight and protect taxpayers from the costs of failing private systems. He also argued that properly maintained community treatment plants could reduce contamination associated with individual septic systems in unsuitable locations.

Residents also requested a six-month extension of the town’s moratorium on new high-density residential development applications, which they said expires November 4.

Adopted April 22 as Local Law No. 1 of 2026, the moratorium temporarily restricts certain multifamily developments, seasonal dwelling conversions and major subdivisions while the town reviews its zoning regulations.

Roundtable members argued an extension would provide time to reconcile the proposed laws with the comprehensive plan and consider the county’s groundwater findings.

Sturm said town officials and professional advisers would review the comments and consider revisions before adopting either law.

“Closing the public hearing does not mean ignoring public input,” Sturm said.

He added that substantive changes could require additional public hearings.

The board unanimously closed both hearings while accepting written comments through November 4. No action was taken on the requested moratorium extension.