A Very Sad, Upsetting Day

The January 27 Town Board meeting was somewhat subdued as the community was processing the horror that occured on Marlorville Road on January 26th. The Supervisor announced at the beginning of the meeting that 78 Marlorville Road was the site of a fire where two members of our community died, the Haits, who residence was burned. This incident required an extraordinary effort on behalf of fire companies, police departments and ambulance services. The fire started Sunday evening, in bitter cold weather, requiring the first responders to work in very difficult, dangerous conditions. An arrest has been made. Please keep thoughts of this family in your hearts.

Council member Bettina also asked to speak - to remind everyone it was International Holocaust Rememberence day, marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. She took the opportunity to praise US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Consent agenda - approved the following resolutions:

• Authorizing the agreement between the Town of Wappinger and the Little League Association - the Town and the Little League will work together to maintain the fields used by the Little League and Softball leagues.

• Authoizing the agreement between the Town of Wappinger and the Wappinger United Soccer Club - The Town and the Soccer Club where both parties will maintain the soccer facilities.

• Authorizing MJM Television and Video Productions to Record the 30th Dutchess County St. Patrick's Parade (scheduled for March 1, 2025

• Authorizing the Settlement on Tax Certiorari Proceedings with Riverview Land Company, LLC - Agreement to change the valuation of 157 River Road North in Chelsea from $1,023,300.00 to $950,000.00

• Authorizing the Settlement on Tax Certiorari Proceedings with HD Development of MD - changes the valuation of 1570 Route 9 - the Home Depot Site - from $9,975,000.00 to $9,750,000.00

• Authorizing the Settlement on Tax Certiorari Proceedings with Riverview Land Company - changes the valuation of 157 River Road North from $1,023,300.00 to $950,000.00 - and provides for the valuation to be applied retroactively to previous tax years.

The NON Consent agenda (resolutions requiring discussion)

• Resolution Appointing Certified Public Accountants - Tabled until February 10th meeting, where the accountants are to provide the board with a report

• Resolution Appointing Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds - this was tabled so that the board could discuss in executive session, but when they came back from their lengthy Executive Session (approx 90 minutes, compared to the town board meeting held in public of about 40 minutes) - they approved this appointment.

• Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Docks for Chelsea Boat Ramp and Lower Wappinger Creek - Tabled -- having realized that other work needs to be designed and done before installing ramps/kayak launch points - including a larger gang plank.

• Resolution Authorizing HVAC workk for the Reese Cultural Center at Carnwath Farms. After the drama of the last Town Board meeting where remedial schooling on the bid process needed to be done, the supervisor announced that 2 bids were received, only one was qualified (the same as last board meeting) so the Bid of $139,000 was accepted - $100,000 funding from a grant and $39,000 from the B fund - the Town Board congratulating themselves on the $3 or 4 thousand dollars they "saved" by jumping through these hoops.

After the executive session - the board came back and approved 4 additional resolutions (in addition to appointing the supervisor of buildings and grounds) - which authorizes the town clerk to advertise for professional services for each of the town's sewer distracts and town's water distract -- to enable the town to apply for grants to upgrade these facilities.