How many people does it take to get a lightbulb changed in a TOW park?

WAY TOO MANY!!!! When a Town Board spends Town Board Meeting time to discuss the changing of lightbulbs in recreation fields, and all the details of "it would be nice to weather proof the break box (what!?!) and move the mice out.... Why is this not a regular task that is just accomplished without any fanfare? Isn't that basic government -- put the damn lights on and make sure no one gets electrocuted in the process? Which by the way... the light at the entrance of Town Hall, lighting the intersection of the Town Hall Driveway and Middlebush Road has been out for months now.. Clarity is needed on where the Town Board is spending it's time (and by extension the town staff's and town resident's time) given the many issues and challenges facing the town. How about the ever increasing tax burden on property owners? the real and imagined pressures of additional housing requirements? Of large fossil-fuel based businesses in litigation with the town? Changing lightbulbs should not require long discussions and should NOT be a moment of celebration. Just get it done. Period.

So... the Monday February 12th Town Board Meeting Officially began at 5:00 PM so that an executive session interviewing Engineering & Planning Services Candidates could be held. Please note that 2 of the Town Board Members were unable to attend this Town Board meeting (Beale/Phillips). The Public meeting began around 7:00 PM with the Salute to the Flag, an Invocation by Paster Robinson and a moment of silence for Roderick Macleod who was very active in the Town, contributing in many ways, but most notably as New Hackensack Fire District Commissioner and as a Top Responder. Flags were flown at half-staff in the Town in his memory.

The agenda was adopted with a change to the published agenda - tabling a resolution (2024-71) regarding a bond in Connection with the Old Myers LLC Solar Project until more details of the agreement were made available.

There were no public comments during the initial public comment period (though perhaps there would have been AFTER the board held their discussions.

It was not all doom and gloom -- there were two positive discussions

1 - Two representatives from the Town of Fishkill Board (Brian Wrye and Greg Totino) in attendance explaining that the Town of Fishkill has a program of reaching out to nearby communities and organizations to work on issues/programs of mutual interest (noting that historically, the Town of Fishkill included the area now known as the Town of Wappinger). During their comments the Fishkill town board members mentioned the goals stated by Supervisor Cavaccini during his swearing in ceremony - Improving resident's quality of life, preserving open spaces and intelligent development. They recognized both towns have issues with traffic on Route 9 and 9D and also floated the idea of a "Unity Event" where residents of both towns come together and celebrate the good things enjoyed by residents in each town - and perhaps joint recreation possibilities. We hope that these ideas become more tangible soon and think this is a positive development.

2 - Brian Kolb presented an overview of the Carnwath Community Farm which had its first year last year on a 1 acre with 10 community gardens. The lessons learned were that there is a demand for community gardens (40 to 50 people have expressed interest) and the current site is too difficult to get to. Mr. Kolb proposed a new site at Carnwath that is 10 acres and closer to parking at Carnwath - so would like to update the lease that he and his wife Courtney have with the town to manage the Community Farm . Their plan includes a pollinator garden, and a joint project with the TOW Senior Center to make Signs for the Garden. A Seed Swap in January , with 150 residents attending was successful ... and they are participating in First Saturday in the Village activities with a presence at the Grinell Library (please visit them when you are in the village on First Saturdays). The Town Board members in attendance were very supportive and complimentary to the work of the Kolb's. Information about the community garden can be found at the Town website OR https://www.carnwathcommunityfarming.com (and on instagram and Facebook).

Then a discussion about the Martz Field Lighting Improvements was launched - (see above) and the options for replacing bleachers (purchase new vs. refurbish) -- with of course none of the specific estimates or details about cost, timelines etc. available - so we were treated to thoughts and general ideas. Along with the illuminating comment that surplus vehicles do better at auctions in March vs. February.

The Consent portion of the agenda (where there is no discussion because presumably the Town Board Members thoroughly understand all the details and approve the resolutions - posted on the Town Website) - all the following were approved:

Resolution Approving Full Salaries for Town of Wappinger Employees -

(for the Town Assessor (shared with Fishkill )and Tax Collector)

Resolution Promoting Employee to Junior Accountant

(part of the restructuring of the Comptroller's office)

Resolution to Authorize the Supervisor to Execute Memorandum of Understanding with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority

(to enable the town and the MTA to put sleeves under the track crossing in Chelsea so that, in the future, if the town water is extended, water lines can be placed under the tracks)

Resolution Authorizing MJM Television and Video Productions to Record the Dutchess County St. Patrick's Data Parade

(to spend $2600 recording this event -- because.... not sure why)

Resolution to Authorize the Sale of Abandoned Vehicle

(apparently a car was "left" at town hall and the owner could not be identified -- how does this happen?)

Resolution Authorizing Installation of Street Lighting Throughout the Town of Wappinger (the title is a bit overstated -- this is for Street Lights at the “t-intersections” where Stonewall Drive, Padasana Court, Astor Hill Drive, Lane Gate Road, Old All Angels Hill Road, and where Brown Road meets All Angels Hill Road, the “t-intersections” where Furnia Drive and the main entrance of the Hudson Valley Regional Airport meet New Hackensack Road, the roadway in front of 48 Top O Hill Road -- this requires monthly rental fee of $1,691.28 for nine LED luminaires plus the cost of electricity)

Resolution Honoring Black History Month in the Town of Wappinger

( a resolution to encourage our residents to honor and commemorate the history of African Americans in our community, state and nation.)

Acceptance of the Correspondence Log