The April 8 Town Board Meeting began at 6:00 PM with an hour long executive session, the mood in the Town Hall was jovial because there were a number of people there to see the opening of the Wappingers Historical Society Newest exhibit celebrating the role of Baseball in the town.
The Public portion of the meeting began at 7:00 with a salute to the flag and an appropriate invocation from Pastor Ray Weickel from Vineyard Community Church which acknowledged that differences of opinions can occur but by working together we can solve problems. A moment of silence followed to remember a former town employee Charlie Reinhart.
During the public portion of the meeting a member of the United Wappinger Soccer Club implored the board to pass the resolution enabling water availability at Airport Park, citing safety and convenience for maintenance and cleanliness as reasons to enable running water at the Park. Another member of the public rose to thank the board for acknowledging Autism Awareness Month and to support the water project at Airport Park.
The Board then moved to a discussion of bleacher and bench replacement for the town parks....another round about discussion with no details and suggestions/ideas flying (aluminum vs. steel) who could do the work, how long etc etc. - a discussion of a goal to get half (half of what?) completed this year -- with a promise to follow-up at the next board meeting (It would be really nice to have a fact sheet prepared ahead of time with prices, timelines, options stated in black & white for the board and the public to review ahead of time... this really isn't rocket science). And then the Director of Parks & Recreation providing a detailed - machine by machine - explanation of the adult exercise machines which are scheduled to be installed at Spook Hill Park -- to compliment the children' exercise equipment. Many of the machines will be able to be accessed by individuals in wheelchairs.
There is also concern about parking at Spook Hill Park. -- the current parking area is crowded often.. and a plan to move a basketball court was discussed.
The Consent Agenda - several items were removed from the Consent Agenda and will be discussed later
These resolutions were approved:
Resolution Authorizing Execution of Dog Control Housing Agreement.
an agreement with CARE of DC, Inc. and Mutts Mansion Inc. to house Animals when required by the town
Resolution authorizing the town supervisor to execute right of way agreement
For Verizon project on Spook Hill/Kent Road
Resolution Declaring April as Autism Awareness Month in the town of Wappinger
The Non-Consent Agenda - requiring Discussion
Resolution Authorizing Work to be performed at Airport Park to Activate Well Head
There was agreement that with the water infrastructure already in place (since 1990) that the additional equipment necessary to activate the well should be installed. A question was raised as to why this wasn't done in the 1990s.... and if the original contract included this work. This will be researched, in the meantime, the board authorized spending $13,000 to have the work done -- if the funding is required
Resolution Directing the Removal of Unsafe Structure
The background on this... there is a derelict home on Dogwood Hill. There was an engineering assessment done in June of 2023 (noted in the town board meeting minutes)... that the structure is completely unsafe - the roof has been compromised, the indoor flooring has been compromised -- it was mandated at that time that no one should be entering the premises -- and wildlife has probably entered the premises. It is unsafe, unhealthy and unsightly. One can infer that there are social service issues which should not be discussed publicly and are being dealt with. The property owner had arranged for a demolition permit, but then rescinded it. This resolution was to enable the town to arrange for demolition in the next 30 days. A Council Member - from another ward, not the one that this home is in, weighed in declaring loudly that he opposed such action. The Town Lawyer offered up an alternative, that the resolution could be extended to 60 days, to enable the property owner to make other arrangements in the meantime, but understanding that there would be a 60 day deadline. The Council Member, who advocates for public safety and emergency service personnel safety at all opportunities - stated that the property owner should be able to retrieve belongings, while acknowledging that it is unsafe for anyone to be in the building. He pushed to have the resolution tabled...and it was.... with no criteria, milestone, next step -- and here we go for another year of letting nature do the demolition work.
New Business
April 8 Eclipse party at town hall was a success. Veterans run scheduled for April 13, Town Clean-up scheduled for April 20, Hughsonville & Wheeler Hill Community Association Scheduled for April 13. April 9 is 100 day anniversary of Cavaccini administration.
Ward 1 - getting estimates to beautify the Town Hall and EMS Properties -- including whether or not to remove a stone wall. Reiterated the need for a water policy to govern access to the NYC Water Line. The town attorney and town strategy and planning lead to work on a draft.
Ward 2 - additional patrols covering ward 2 because there have been incidents of reckless driving. Agreed a water policy is needed
Ward 3 - no update
Ward 4 - Opening day for Baseball - April 13. Beale/Cassella Pickleball Challenge -- is it a whimsy?
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