Look out Planning Board, here it comes....

The May 13th Town Board meeting's main attraction were the resolutions regarding to large housing developments -- which because the timing of their filings and court orders are not included in the recently enacted subdivision moratorium.

The meeting opened with a salute to the flag and an innvocation by Pastor Patrick Guarracino from Immanuel Church.

During the public portion of the meeting Attorney Ken Stenger rose to explain that while he very much wants the two projects that he is representing the developer referred to the Planning Board as the next step -- he cautioned that some of the language in the resolution explaining the town board's lack of inclination to enable connection to the water district and other desires was "pre-judging" the application. The Town Board later explained, that given a previous lawsuit that resulted in a judge admonishing the board for their lack of transparency and not following open meeting laws, they wanted to be fully transparent and express their desires in the resolution. Mr. Stenger also noted that the words "multi-family" were inappropriate in describing the proposed development at Conservation Corners (formerly known as Joey Estates) -- and that the new design includes town houses that are attached, and the developer will be selling these as single family homes, not renting them. . A resident then rose to ask about the process... which is a bit convoluted, but the town attorney explained in to clear language (a refreshing change). The first step is that the Town Board has resolutions in front of them at this meeting, where they can refer the projects to the Planning Board. This does NOT signify an endorsement. The Planning Board is to go through the plans in detail, including environmental reviews (SEQR) and public hearings - and because Special Use Permits are required, and in one case inclusion in a town water district and in both cases inclusion in the Tri-Muni Water District...the projects will need to go back to the Town Board for approval. Whew!

And that was the public portion of the meeting.

Consent -- all approved by the board in one vote

• Resolution declaring May as Mental Health Month in the Town of Wappinger.

• Resolution requesting that NYS DOT authorize a reduction of Speed LImit on Jackson Road from the current 55 MPH to 40 MPH.

• Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing for the "Increase and Improvement" of the Facility of Mid-Point Park Sewer District... (Not sure what an "Increase" of Sewer District is... the Public Hearing is scheduled for June 10 at 7 PM at Town Hall.... maybe we'll learn at that time what an increase is... and why the word improvement isn't sufficient.)

• Resolution Authorizing Installation of Street Lighting Throughout the Town of Wappinger - Throughout apparently means the corner of Taryl Court and Meyers Corner Road

Non Consent Resolutions - requiring discussion by the board before a vote

• Resolution Correcting Salary Appropriations in the Justice Court. The resolution as presented in the published agenda needed to be corrected.... and the new amount $22.55/hour is consistent with union agreements. - approved by board.

• Resolution Authorizing Funding to Complete the Spook Hill Park Reconstruction Project - $235K was appropriated and a council member requested that a Capital Asset Line Item be set up, the Comptroller agreed. - approved by board

• Resolution Referring Application to Planning Board Cedar Hills LLC. This project is for 78 units on 10 acres. This property is in the water and sewer districts. This project is being proposed under zoning code 240-50 (the portion of the code that the board attempted to repeal... but because of the manner in which they did it... was reinstated). - this was approved by a 5 - 0 vote of the board. This will also enable a lawsuit against the town to be dropped.

• Resolution Referring Application to Planning Board Conservation Corners - Previously known as "Joey Estates" this project is for 66 units on Cedar Hill Road - townhouses. This project is not in the Town Water District, but is in the Tri-Municipal Sewer District. Council Member Phillips stated that the SEQR process for each of these projects need to be viewed holistically, not segemented out -- as each will affect the other. This was approved by a 4 - 1 vote by the board.

Items for Special Consideration/New Business

Ward 1 - Council member Beale addressed constituent concerns on Dean Avenue, indicating that a weight limit for the vehicles traveling on Dean Avenue, built in the 1800s, was going to be explored.

He then provided an estimate to do spring clean-up around Town Hall and the EMS building (it will shortly be known as the summer/fall clean-up) -- and the town supervisor mentioned an estiamte for planting dogwood trees and other clean-up measures, leading the town board to vote to authorize $3500 for the clean-up efforts.

He then moved on to New Hackensack Fire Company's 75th Anniversary Celebration -- and the requirement to have an ambulance at the site of the celebrations - and requesting that the town pay $5000 for this service. (does this apply to all large gatherings in town?)

Ward 2 - Council member Bettina stated everything is fine in Ward 2 and to reach out -- though she then followed up with a statement about the Wappingers and Beacon School districts having different approaches and urging people to vote in the upcoming elections (May 21).

Ward 3 - Council member Phillips explained that road paving was going well.

Ward 4 - Council member Casella - Challenger Field upgrades going well... should be ready in 2 weeks, New Mower at Robinson Lane, Marz Field has a telephone pole that is rotting out and Robinson Lane and other sports fields are being sprayed for pests this week.

Then came a discussion about the Veterans Banners -- that they need to be waving from utility poles before Memorial Day, and that Town Highway is working diligently on paving so the Town Board Allocated $3,000 to help the Veterans committee with the tasks of hanging banners.