Monday, August 19, 2024, was August's Town of Wappinger Town Board meeting - and it reflected the sluggish humid summer days of the month -- where one does what is required, but minds are clearly elsewhere ... like the beach, a barbecue with friends, a good book.
After the salute to the Flag, Imam Bada Usmani from the Mid-Hudson Islamic Association opened with a prayer, first singing it and then speaking it. There was then a moment of silence and we were asked to remember Donald J. Walker, an employee in the Village, who recently died.
The board, after adopting the agenda and acknowledging the minutes of the July meeting, opened the Public Hearing for Local Law 2 of 2024 - which would ammend Chapter 217 of the Town Code - which updates definitions used in the Town Code. Local Law number Two clarifies definitions used in the Zoning Code, which previous administrations have exploited by using the vague language to support large scale developments — for example indicating that local roads could be considered a “connector road” — this Local Law makes it much more specific… for example saying a connector road has to be a State or County Road. There have been some edits suggested by the Town Planner, which may make the conversation technical/detailed. - but basically supporting the changes. The Town Board Voted to Approve this Law.
The board then opened Public Hearing for Local Law Number 3
The Local Law Number Three — basically provides protections which are found in most Dutchess County Towns —further defines open space, buildable lots, wetlands , curbs, clarifies smoke and vape shop locations, defines massage therapist, and allows Tattoo parlors in an additional zoning code (basically Chelsea ridge shopping center).
The Town Planning Board has indicated they are in general agreement with the code changes, these changes will help them with their decision making. In a rapid fashion, the Board voted to adjourn the Public Hearing and the table a decision about passing this law until a later date (September 9?). This was disappointing to the members of public who came to the meeting on a hot August night to understand the Board's thinking and to view them approving these changes.
Public Portion of the meeting
No One spoke during the Public Portion of the meeting.
Consent Agenda - Resolutions been "pre-approved" by the board
2024-159 - Resolution Establishing Standard Workday for Elected and Appointed Officials.
A signed Record of Activities was submitted to the Office of the Town Clerk by elected and appointed officials in the NY State Retirement System who have not yet filed or maintained a that their daily record of actual time worked has changed from a prior report, and that the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger does
establish the standard workday for each elected and appointed official enrolled in the New York State Local Retirement System, which shall be not less than 6 hours per day; and not more than 8 hours per day by NY State law; and, is recorded in the attached that the standard work week shall be Monday through Friday.
WHEREAS, a signed Record of Activities was submitted to the Office of the Town Clerk by elected and appointed officials in the NY State Retirement System who have not yet filed or maintained a that their daily record of actual time worked has changed from a prior report, andBE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger does
hereby establish the standard workday for each elected and appointed official enrolled in the New York State Local Retirement System, which shall be not less than 6 hours per day; and not more than 8 hours per day by NY State law; and, is recorded in the attached form RS 2417 A and B.; and BE IT RESOLVED, that the standard work week shall be Monday
through Friday; andBE IT RESOLVED, that the following is a list of the elected and appointed officials in the New York State Retirement System.
2024-160 Resolution Authorizing a Water Tenancy Agreement with Caitlyn & Jess Shellock for 30 Easter Road.
2024-161 Resolution Authorizing a Water Tenancy Agreement for existing structures for Obercreek Brewing Company
2024-162 Resolution Appointing Fall Time Motor Equipment Operator in the Highway Department (Joseph Couto)
2024-164 Resolution Accepting Donations to the Town of Wappinger Department of Parks and Recreation - River Valley Arts Center and All Angels Montessori School donated to the Town's Summer Kick-off Program (thank you!)
2024-165 Resolution Authorizing Settlement for Tax Assessment for Outback Steakhouse
2024-166 Resolution Authorizing Settle for Tax Assessment for Wappingers Falls LLC
This is a series of 4 parcels of approximately 36 acres of vacant land off of Route 9D
from current assessment of approx. $870,000 to approx $615,000.
2024-171 Resolution Authorizing the Termination of a Town Employee
Non - Consent Agenda - Resolution the Town Board to Discuss
2024-173 - Resolution Authorizing the Lease of the Carnwath Manor and Portion of the Carnwath Chapel - this was tabled
Looking to establish a private/public partnership to enable investment in some of the buildings at Carnwath - a Boutique B&B in the Manor (20+ rooms) and an event space at the Chapel. Apparently there have been discussions going on since February of this year, and the board has received a contract that they would like to review. There will be a walkthrough with the board on Saturday morning. This is the first time that this has been presented to the public -- there were no details presented, even at a conceptual level. While everyone is excited about improvements at Carnwath, without specifics, there is a lot that needs to be explained and understood -- impacts on the public who use Carnwath, the neighbors on Wheeler Hill Road (the town's only historic district) and while this is being promoted as a Zero cost project for the taxpayer -- there are a lot of ways to understand costs and their implications.
2024-167 - Resolution Authorizing the Use of Electronic Mail for the Purpose of Proposed Local Laws to the Town Board.
Bringing the town board into the 21st century of electronic documents (of course we are assuming that they will be managed/tracked well) the board approved a resolution to enable the use of e-mail. The Board did ask to still receive hardcopy meeting packets so that they would have something to write on during Town Board Meetings (clearly need to improve their understanding of how things like printers, tablets, document management software works.)
2024-168 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement Between the Town of Wappinger and the Wappinger United Soccer Club - Approved
Authorizing the Wappinger United Soccer Club to assist the Town of Wappinger in maintaining the soccer fields and facilities (Airport Park Soccer Complex and Rockingham Park) on which its teams play.
2024-169 Resolution Appointing Recreation Assistant in the Parks and Recreation Department - Approved.
Katie Sterk has been hired.
2024-170 Resolution Authorizing Repairing Damaged Electrical Utilities at Martz Field
Approved - $6758 at Martz Field, Thunderstorm knocked rotted utility pole. The Highway department buried the line and the electrical contractor will connect within the next two weeks.
2024-172 Resolution Authorzing CAMO Pollution Control to Purchase a Replacement Generator
Approved- June 30 storm knocked out Generator. The Sewer Fund will pay for the new generator (a backup has been used in the meantime) - a grant will be submitted to the state requesting reimbursement.
2024-163 - Resolution Appointing Full Time Automotive Mechanice in Buildings and Grounds -
Approved - Leonardo Santucci Jr.
Items for Special Consideration/New Business (Show & Tell by the Board Members)
Ward 1 - Mail to Hughsonville PO Disrupted due to construction at the Hughsonville Mart - Mail available at Wappingers Post Office.
September 11th Service at 8:30 a.m. at Sgt. Palmateer Park, 6:00 at New Hackensack and the Village also does a service.
September 15th - 6 PM First Responders Awards - this year will include dispatchers and call takers.
September 18th - County Project - Vietnam Veterans Replica will be moved to Bowdoin Park. First Responders will be lining the roads as it is moved from Route 84, Route 9D, New Hamburg Road to Channingville and Sheafe Road -- to stay at Bowdoin Park from 9/18 to 9/22.
Ward 2 - Thanks to the public for attending the meeting and watching. Enjoy the end of the summer and stay safe.
Ward 3 - Severe Storms - Mike Sheehan and Highway Department clean-up the roads and have been addressing drainage issues that result.
Spook Hill Park improvements are continuing.
Ward 4 - Congratulations to Ann Lydic on her 100th Birthday.
Improvements at Parks
Martz - Lights being fixed, moving Major Martz statue.
Repairs to Tennis corts & cleaning of stains.
Rockingham - Flag Pole with Solar Light
Challenger - outfield improved paid for by federal funding
Robinson Lane. - Modem being replaced - will include a surge protector
Cemetary near Robinson Lane has been cleaned up from brush.
Supervisor -
Thank the Board for adopting Local Law #2.
Have meet with DEC Regional HQs and EPA to discuss a more cost effective way to upgrade Wildwood Sewer - old plan was $5M and wouldn't address many of the issues - including connecting to mobile home park on New Hackensack Road - working on a $1M plan. Discussed other plans that had been presented to DEC by previous town administration - but not presented to town board that were just as far reaching and inefficient.
Buildings & Grounds have done repairs at Castle Point .
The Board then went off to a lengthy executive session with no reason provided to the public.
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