Facts vs Assertions

The April 28 Town Board Meeting was a fairly "normal" meeting until the correspondance log, normally glossed over quickly, was highlighted because it recorded a letter from Central Hudson stating that they are going forward to the Public Service Commission requesting a 5.3% increase for residential electrical customers and a 5.9% increase for residential gas customers. Well... this of course provides a platform for the Foghorn Leghorn council person, who is blaming the democrats in power at the state level for any ills that blow his way, which then triggered some residents to be vocal in reaction to his complaints (which encourages him to be more outlandish) - and he stated -- "It is a fact, it is a fact -- Assemblymen AJ Beephan says so..https://midhudsonnews.com/2025/04/27/beephan-drafts-letter-in-opposition-of-proposed-utility-rate-hike/, Rob Rolison says so , Central Hudson says so". Please note -that did not come from the CH spokesperson's mouth in such a direct manner, it was a factor among lots of other factors)... But in all the blustery assertions... no facts were ever presented during this rant. Just the repetitive, loud assertion. So -- until we see the facts presented -- it is an opinion.

No one is in favor of utility rate hikes. It would be great if the management of the utility resources would be able to be sustained through efficient management practices and prudent investing. However, here are the things that we also can agree on that we all want - efficient, predictable, safe delivery of our utility services. That requires upgrades (and we in Wappinger have seen the consequences of aging infrastructure), we are all using more electricity (which by the way, Central Hudson DELIVERS -- we have a choice in our SOURCE of electricity) - and industry, computers, search enginers, cryptocurrency etc. all use additional electricity. We want to have business and commercial users to have access to the electrical services they need and be able to grow in New York State, we want SAFE delivery, including the prevention of cybercrimes against our electrical grid. If there is an outage, we want quick restoration, which means more automation, more sensors, in other words, a more robust infrastructure. That all requires resources. Now, one would think that if there are more users, or more electricity, the costs per unit would reduce. The Assembly (AJ Beephan is a member) and Senate (Rob Rolison is a member) of NY State, recognizing that NY State needs to have an upgraded infrastructure from the one that has been in place for over 100 years and prepare for the next century, has passed legislation (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act) requiring Utility companies to begin that work, and to enable renewable energy sources to be part of that grid.

So -- Is CLCPA the reason for the current rate increase request? it is not clear. It is really kind of weird to see that Assembly Member Beephan is writing the Public Service Commission to urge them not to approve the increase because of CLCPA -- given that he is part of the body that voted for CLCPA). He may not have voted for it... but that is an odd reason to push on the PSC - if he has issues with the vote, it is his fellow Assembly Members that he should take to task, and surely there are other reasons that the PSC should be moving against the rate increase. And a Town of Wappinger Council Person -- and the residents - need learn the difference between loud assertions and true facts.

So-- the rest of the meeting --

A Public Hearing to amend the zoning code to update safety requirements, and registration of Short-Term Rentals in the town of Wappinger.

No one spoke.

No one spoke at the Public Portion of the Meeting because, of course, no one could anticipate some of the assertions made by town board members.

Comprehensive Plan Update. The Consultant provided an update to the board. Basically the Town of Wappinger Zoning Code is filled with contradictory regulations, that basically any thing has the potential for being built anywhere. As the Consultant keeps repeating -- Zoning Codes are meant to provide a level of predicatbility to residents and town government. To Residents... that the property that you have invested in -- will remain the same and hold its value -- that there aren't going to be surprises popping up in your backyard... like a gas station. To town government - unmanaged, surprise growth - means that the infrastructure, roads, sewers, water, schools, emergency services, social services etc, is always "catching up", creating problems for current users, requiring many more resources than anticipated and ending up with scenarios that no one likes. He also pointed out that the current comprehensive plan is dated, calling out for things like office parks, which no one wants/needs any longer. He said there would be a series of recommendations for resolutions presented to the board, reviewed by the county and the town planning board, a period of public comment -- with resolutions to be voted on, anticipated in August.

Side note -- the Council Person who lectured us during the last town board meeting that "Traffic is Traffic, get over it" -- is shocked, shocked, to find that "his" cul-de-sac could have multi-family housing built on it. Suddenly traffic has new meaning.

Resolutions

• Resolution Adopting the short-term rental amendments in the town zoning code -

Passed.

• Resolution Authorizing a Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceeding with Wappingers Shopping Center (Hannford Plaza) - Basically a reduction in the valuation of the property value for the purposes of tax assessments. - Passed

And having nothing to do with the change in valuation - this triggered the on-going conversation about the exit from the Shopping Center onto Myers Corner Road and how "something needs to be done", and how it is currently not conforming to the approved site plan.

• Resolution authorizing the purchase of two soccer goals ($4,000) to be used along with the two soccer goals purchased by United Soccer League. - Passed

• Resolution Authorizing the issuance of a $2.3M Bond for the purposes of paying or reconstruction/resurfacing of town roads for the next two years. The Bond interest rates are low, and the full amount doesn't have to be used. - Passed.

• Two Resolutions correcting/updating gymnastic instructor rates and Summer Camp

non-resident feeds - Passed.

Then came the Correspondance Log -- see above.

New business - the Supervisor reminding everyone that the areas in New York with the highest density ( Nassau County/Westchester) have the highest taxes - the work of the comprehensive plan to limit denisty is also an effort to continue to make Wappinger affordable. There are 10 Capital funding projects being implemented in the town - new stage, new playgrounds, updates to trees/landscaping. New Landscaping at Carnwath funded by a grant to Friends of Carnwath etc. There will be a walkway of heroes as Schlathaus Park and Hometown Hero banners will be hung there and on Myers Corner and Middlebush Roads.

The village of Wappinger has hired a building inspector - so the town's resources no longer have to be used, a suggestion that an agreement for emergency purposes (fire, building collapsing etc.) between the village and town be put into place was made.

Fishing Camp at Ye Olde Apple Orchard proposed for the future.

May 3 event at the Sports Museum.

Thanks to Highway Department for their work

Discussion about an in-house sign department.

Reducing the storm water flows into sewers -- will save everyone $$ - if you are in a sewer district and have a sump pump flowing into sewer system... please change.

Sports fields sprayed against mosquitos and other bothersome insects.