Agenda Management and Clear Communications missing at December 12 Town Board Meeting

The first item on the agenda was a public hearing to discuss two resolutions: 2022-168 Resolution Adopting Negative Declaration for Local Law No. 7 of the Year 2022 Entitled "A Local Law to Eliminate the Authority for Designed Residential Developments in the Town of Wappinger" and 2022-169 Resolution Adopting Local Law No.7 of 2022 " A Local Law to Eliminate the Authority for Designed Residential Developments in the Town of Wappinger.

Add in -- that the very last item on the agenda (the 3rd of 3 pages) was the topic "Receipt Applications and Referrals, Cedar Hill - Thurston" -- and the handout provided by Mid-Hudson Development, Corp discussing Cedar Hill Heights proposed development, the topic that most of the residents in attendance were interested in and one can ensure that a bit of chaos would ensue... and so it did.

The town attorney's explanation of the zoning code change was tortured and unintelligible - despite the fact that it has been under discussion by the town board since October of this year. It required many questions and clarifications -- including a plaintive plea from a resident to "please explain this in crayon" -- an unnecessarily self-deprecating comment from an individual who was able to cut to the heart of the matter. The Zoning Code under discussion to be eliminated from the Town Zoning Code would preclude the type of development proposed by Cedar Hill Heights - basically a combination of single family housing, apartments and condos - creating a high density development in an area currently zoned for single family housing.

Cedar Hill Heights development (one of three proposed developments in this area) are suggesting that this would be a good trade-off to an "as-of right" development which would potentially support man more houses, wells, children and roadway. What was NOT discussed was whether the topology would support such a development.

Added to the mix of confusion, was Attorney Kenneth Stenger, representing the the developer for 8 days, speaking directly to the residents, turning his back to the town board -- who got up from their chairs to listen to Mr. Stenger explain his client's position.

A question asked by a resident was if the application by the developer was made before the law was changed -- would that still be a valid application? There seems to be a dispute on whether the application filed was a "complete application".

Add in that the town attorney mentioned that Dutchess County Planning does not agree with the proposal to repeal the law, and would prefer that the law be amended. This took over an hour of discussion -- with the Public hearing Adjourned to January 9 2023.

The confusion and mishandling of the agenda seems very deliberate - setting up the Town to once again "accidentally on purpose" creating a situation that goes against the residents' wishes.

January 9, 2023 was set-up as the re-organization meeting for the town board -- at which time a discussion that items place on the town board agenda must have a town board member as a sponsor. No other internal or external person can place items on the agenda. Not sure what this is to address, other than completely managing any discussion, counter opinions etc.

A series of Resolutions were then discussed and passed involving transferring of funds, and appointing personnel - with the exception of an executive session required to appoint an recreation assistant (really?) and tabling of hiring an appraisal service for potential purchase of real estate (this has been tabled for several meetings - very mysterious -- if we are not ready to discuss, why is it on the agenda? why are the specifics not published?).

A scintillating discussion about replacing automated bay doors and toilets in the EMS building then occurred (why is this not business as usual, and what particular insight do elected officials have about these topics?) -- are not functioning buildings a "meets minimum" requirement?

We then got to the point where a proclamation of Congratulations for US Mens Soccer Team and Captain Tyler Adams was read -- and a Resolution acknowledging the contributions of Joe Incorronato to the town ... Why were these buried in the back of the agenda. Aren't these individuals worthy of a first on the agenda acknowledgement? Not as an afterthought, when most of the residents have fled the meeting, desperate to get homes and get their sleep?

The board then went off to their executive session... to return about 30 minutes later -- with the attorney announcing "no action in executive session" -- BUT then the board passed a resolution ( 2022-146) would mean that the recreation assistant position would be split into two job codes.... which appears that an action was taken.