New York Rising Communities' local rebuilding efforts moved onto the next stage Thursday in Schoharie, when a list of prioritized projects was unveiled at the second of four expected community meetings.
Eventually, some of the projects will be funded through the $12 million Governor Andrew Cuomo pledged to the Town and Village of Esperance and the Villages of Schoharie and Middleburgh for post-Irene and Lee recovery in a September 10 visit to SUNY Cobleskill.
In October, residents had a chance to comment on the NYRC committee's progress to date at a meeting in Esperance.
Thursday's session offered some specifics on how to achieve things like busier Main Streets, more housing options, and a friendlier Schoharie Creek.
State planner and Richmondville resident Jamie Ethier told the crowd of about 50 people that the local committee has been working to identify key projects based on what's important and what was lost during the storms.
While $3 million for each of the four communities sounds like a lot of money, Mr. Ethier said realistically, it will be seed money and what can't be accomplished with the first round of money will likely be eligible when additional funding becomes available.
Two more community meetings will be held before mid-February; the completed plan needs to be in Albany in March.
Among the projects identified so far:

Town and Village
of Esperance
_ Relocating the Esperance and Central Bridge firehouses to higher ground.
_ Water and sewer improvements.
_ Increasing the number of temporary shelters.
_ Stream bank assessment.
_ Researching solar energy for possible upgrades to the firehouse and other municipal buildings.

Village of Middleburgh
_ Stormwater and drainage evaluations.
_ Infrastructure improvements.
_ Working with DOT on storefront and curb-cut improvements.
_ Improving emergency communications.

Village of Schoharie
_ Finding a new owner for the Parrott House as an anchor attraction, key business, and historic building.
_ Establishing a community warehouse of items often needed after floods.
_ Developing a warning and response plan.
_ Helping impacted businesses pursue grant money for rehabilitation and capital improvements.

Area-wide
_ Promote resources for homeowners.
_ A public education campaign that covers how to protect homes and properties during a flood.
_ Funding a reconstruction coordinator to oversee NYCR projects.
_ Continuing FEMA buyouts.
_ Establishing an emergency notification system with texting capabilities.
A copy of the report to date has been posted online; go to stormrecovery.ny.gov, then "Communities" and click on the light blue portion of the map. Scroll down "Communities" on the left side of the screen for the local plan.