The June 24 Town Board Meeting was basically a "housekeeping" meeting, tightening up of definitions/procedures and a continuing effort to make a town department more efficient.
The meeting began with a salute to the flag and an invocation by Reverand John Young of Our Savior Lutheran Church (Fishkill) followed by a moment of silent meditation. (Invocations from non-Christians should also be scheduled at some point).
The public portion of the meeting was opened and closed with no comments (of course, not really understanding the boards discussion, dampens the desire of the public to make comments on the agenda).
Two Discussions by the Board
A proposal to hire a vehicle and small engine mechanic for the Buildings and Grounds Department. The department has an unknown number of small engine tools etc. (inventory to be done... and one really hopes that new equipment isn't being purchased because the current equipment isn't able to be found when needed) and number of tractors and vehicles that are unavailable, waiting to be serviced - when mowing/transportation is required. Currently employees are using their own vehicles (not a good idea) and the Department Head, currently on a pre-planned hiatus from his duties, was acting as the Department mechanic ... which was distracting from leadership/administration duties. The pros/cons of this were discussed (cheaper to use vendors for the work? could the highway department do the work? should it be postponed until next year when a line-item can be put in the "budget") and it was decided to approve the recommendation and to go ahead and advertise for the position.
A discussion about updating the zoning code in the Neighborhood Business Zoning District to include establishments that provide Tattoos. Currently artist workshops are allowed in the NB Zoning District. The areas of the town that are zoned NB -- include Chelsea Ridge Mall, and the New Hackensack Plaza on Route 376. The Board asked for time to do more research, overlooking the fact that this information had been provided to them the Friday before the meeting.
Resolutions that were approved as part of the Consent Agenda:
Resolution Authorizing the Agreement for the Operation of Carnival Rides, Concessions and Amusements for the Town of Wappinger Community Day (held in the fall)
Resolution Authorizing a Tax Settlement with the owners of a property on Marshall Road - this is an agreement to a settlement with a multi-year (2021-2024) agreement to reduce the assessment on the property as follows: WHEREAS, the parties agree to reduce the assessed valuation as follows:
WHEREAS, the Petitioner has agreed to waive any and all refunds from the Town and Town Special Districts based on the reduction of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Assessments; and
WHEREAS, the parties agree to reduce the Town’s 2024 tentative assessed valuation from $3,570,000 to $2,677,500; and
WHEREAS, the assessed valuation of $2,677,500 shall also held pursuant to RTL 727 and will not be subject to challenge for three years following this settlement.
Resolution establishing a standard workday for elected and appointed officials - information required for the state retirement system
Resolution Awarding a Contract for Annual Maintenance for Rockingham Park Pond - this is a continuation of the current contract of $4,386.00 to clean the pond
as an aside, the Town Board is also looking into a similar conract for Old Apple Orchard Pond
Non-Consent Agenda
Resolution Appointing Recreation Assistant in the Parks and Recreation Department, Senior Center Division - Kelly Ann Detheridge approved to this position, an announcement gleefully applauded.
Resolution Introducing Local Law number 2 of 2024 which ammends the Town Zoning Cde with a variety of definitions - part of the update to the town code/master plan an revise the definitions used in the town code to be more current and specific where required. The public hearing was set for July 8, 2024.
Items for Special Consideration/New Business
Bill Beale - Would like to have the IT Consultant come and speak to the board about cyber-security, especially since Newburgh had an incident that required a 5 day shutdown while the cyber incident was rectified.
Serious accident at Route 9/Myers Corner Road - first responders handled it well, the last Thursday of Deptember is the First Responders Awards Presentation
Angela Bettina - Everyone, please be careful this summer - watch children in pools
Chris Phillips - Thank you to Supervisor for the updates, Thank you to first responders, Equipment for Spook Hill Park has arrived
Al Casella - Ceremony at Inspiration Field for youngsters playing ball was wonderful. Challenger Field work is complete, Marz Field - have approval to replace lights with LED LIghts
J. Cavaccini - Congratulations to Class of 2024, End of School celebration at Marz Field June 25, Lt. Steward has organized targeted patrols around the town
Sonic Boom last week - from planned Central Hudson work on gas line, caused concern to residents - the town has reminded Central Hudson that there were issues in the past and people are understandably jumpy -- a "heads-up" required
Midpoint park sewer - Gran application to NY State has been made
All Angels Hill Road - to be repaved by county
Route 9D has been repaved to held address flooding between Hughsonville and Chelsea.
After Hours Comments
Hometown Heroes Banners - the group organizing the purchase and placement of the Hometown Heroes Banners is NOT part Town Government, it is a 501(c) 3 organization, which was the structure set up by a previous TOW adminstration. The Town did allocate up to $3000 for the group to arrange the hanging of banners this past season, a kind of support that the town provides other 501(c)3 (Not for profit) organizations -- likes the historical society, Little League etc. The Town has no oversight or audit capability of their activities or expenditures.
A reminder - not all Hometown Heroes wear uniforms -- the guy who helped a crew of contractors with a flat tire, the teacher working with dyslexia students to read, the neurosurgeon who performs emergency operations on accident victims, the hospice nurse helping patients through their medical procedures, the cooks/drivers for Meals on Wheels, engineers who provide solutions to technical problems (including cyber security incidents) -- and countless others -- are Hometown Heroes that are so important to our community and our families -- and for which we are very grateful and celebrate.
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