Concurrent with the Town's Planning Board Meeting, the Hughsonville Fire Department carried out training exercises - with bright lights, lots of vehicles and chainsaws - at the site of the proposed gas station. Lots of smoke filled the air. The Town Building Department leadership, attending the Planning Board Meeting, had no knowledge of this activity - despite issuing a demolition permit and given the responsibility to ensure that the Town code - governing hours of demolition activity, the proper disposal of materials and the manner in which the demolition activities are carried out -- including appropriate notification to neighbors. Apparently because the fire department is its own agency -- they don't have to let anyone know anything. The developer, who is in frequent contact with the Town Building Department also didn't feel it necessary to communicate any information. And even if the Town Building Department knew of the activity, not sure they would feel in appropriate to let neighbors know.
Who is protecting the interests of the residents? Who is explaining to parents of young children why their bedtime rituals were disrupted by bright lights, smoke and loud noise? Did any one ask if anyone in the immediate area had any respiratory problems? Training is very important... that is why the taxpayers have invested in the Dutchess County Fire Training Center and the Fire Training Division.
Update..... NO BURNING occurred on Monday.... the fire department was using smoke machines to help simulate fire conditions. Concerns about toxic building materials being burnt mean that Fire Departments no longer use controlled burns as an exercise. That is great news -- however the disruption and realistic conditions certainly created concerns for the immediate neighbors.
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