Eye-popping statements at Town Board Meeting treated as BAU

The June 12 Town Board Meeting began with the usual formalities about agenda adoption, a financial review with comptroller (things seem ok). (Please remember the June 10 Town Board Workshop was all about WATER and Water investments.)

The first is that there has been a multi-year effort to replace water meters in the Town's water districts. Apparently, up until fairly recently, about 300 water system users did not have their meters replaced - so not necessarily paying what they owed. With some focus by the Fourth Ward councilman, that number has dropped to 50. Each of the users has gotten multiple notices and letters. The Town Attorney then went on to explain the numerous ways (death, living in a nursing home, abandoned homes were his favorites to cite) that ownership of the property may not be reachable. This also begs the question, which was asked, but not answered - and how are they paying their property taxes? Anyway this rabbit hole was thoroughly explored with no real resolution, other than a vague suggestion that the town attorney perhaps should look into this. (Why would not the list be divided into the appropriate wards and have the ward council people spend a little time finding out what is up with their neighbors).

We then moved on to the on-going discussion about abating the odors from the Tri-Municipal Sewer Facility... and a vote to table the issue (again) because the suggested investments would not improve the capacity or efficiency of the plant -- OR bring it to higher standards of dumping into the Hudson... and the village and the Town of Poughkeepsie haven't voted on anything yet either.

THEN... came the news that The Nature Preserve development in Hughsonville lost 1 of their two wells June 1, with the second well failing 6 days later. (None of this was mentioned during the great water project discussions held during the Town workshop on the 10th). Camo, the contractor working for the town on water/sewer -- provided a temporary fix from the New Hamburg Road Water Line - via using a hydrant (Please be assured, that Public Safety is NOT an issue and that the first ward councilman expressed his grave concerns about any issues with an ability to fight a fire -- and was reassured that there is plenty of nozzle connections and water pressure available to fight a fire).

So the 53 homes in Nature Preserve now have better quality water than before with a temporary fix. Now for the really interesting part. Camo, understandably, wants to be very sure that before connecting to the Nature Preserve Water System (privately managed) -- that the pipes and electrical systems are up to snuff and won't cause problems for the Town Water System. However, THEY DON'T KNOW THIS because THERE ARE NO RECORDS OF THE ELECTRICAL and WATER SYSTEMS are CURRENTLY INSTALLED. The Board of Health, the Town Engineers, the Town -- according to the discussion at the board meeting - none have any records of what is installed. This is the same town that wants to expand the municipal water/sewer supplies - has several complexes with water/sewer issues (Fleetwood/Wildwood - Nature Preserve) -- that wants us to have confidence in building more infrastructure and MORE development. Please remember that the Nature Preserve is about 15 years old... apparently in these "ancient times" this kind of documentation wasn't required? Clearly a more permanent solution will need to be developed, and the engineer from Camo indicated that because of the proximity to the water line on New Hamburg Road -- this will be a fairly simple and straightforward physical job. However, how this will be managed, who will pay for it, how the water will be metered (either to the Home Owners Association or to individuals units), etc are still matters to be decided, with no clear path on what that process will be defined. The conversation then segued to extending the line even further, over/under Hunter Creek -- and providing the Town Hall and Emergency Services Building with water service.

With barely a blink or a dropped jaw at the information above - the agenda moved on to other items -- including change orders for the work being done on the Highway Garage, a Resolution to go ahead with a STUDY of the Fleetwood Sewer District (a $30K grant was awarded.. requiring a 20% match) -- which will provide the Town with Alternatives and an agreement to change the titles from laborer to groundskeeper for 3 building department positions, enabling more flexibility in assigning activities. Good news -- Fireworks for the October Town event will cost the same as last year.

The Board also approved paying $1900 to repaint the stripes in the EMS parking lot and pay for a 3 year HVAC Maintenance Contract.... and to look into options for adding "additional capacity/cleaning" to Portable Toilets in town parks that are highly used.

The Board retired to an executive session at 8:37 - to interview a candidate for the recreation department staff - and returned in record time at 9:03, adjourning shortly after that.