No more large monopoles in Wappinger?

The most interesting part of the February 9 Town Board Meeting came near the end of the agenda - when the Supervisor was discussing items for special consideration/new business -- and he and the council person from Ward 3 were relating their meeting with Verizon, where Verizon is adding small scale cellular installations (on top of utility poles) in the Ward 3 area, which will improve cellular coverage in those neighborhoods -- they mentioned that they expressed to Verizon that the Town does not want anymore large monopoles that require lots of navigation lights and otherwise mar the landscape. This decision comes too late for Didell Road or Chelsea (thanks to the previous Supervisor whose asthetic tastes and understanding of quality of life in Wappinger was very wanting) -- but is a welcome policy change. Not included in code changes at this point.. but again a very welcome policy change.

The meat of the agenda started with Public Hearing for the proposed new Resolutions which limit the amount of extensions provided to those who have approved site plans. The planning board has been asked to grant extensions to site plans that were years, sometimes decades old -- and often there are code changes, traffic patterns changed etc. that need to be reassessed -- but the town is "stuck" with albatross development.

So - here's the resolutions -- which subsequently were passed after some brief discussion during the Non Consent Part of the agenda.

So New Local Laws:

• Approval of a final subdivision plat shall expire one year from the date of the resolution granting that approval if no application for building permit is submitted within such period. However, the time limit specified above may be extended by the Planning Board for good cause shown upon the written request of the owner of the property or a duly authorized agent made at least 30 days before the expiration of approval. Extensions of final subdivision plat approval shall not exceed one year for each extension. In no case shall final subdivision plat approval be extended beyond three years from the date of original approval.

• An application for extension of site plan approval shall be made by the application to the Planning Board prior to the expiration of the specific time period sought to be extended. The Planning Board may extend all time limits for good cause shown, upon the written request of the owner of the property or a duly authorized agent made at least 30 days before the expiration of approval. Extensions of final site plan approval shall not exceed one year for each extension. In no case shall final site plan approval be extended beyond three years from the date of original approval.

  • Note - an attorney representing CarMax had some concerns about this law, however it was pointed out that permits have been issued for CarMax, so they would not require an extension. The point was made that if an applicant/developer requires an extension, the planning board can now request an update to the Site Plan and enforce changes/updates to make the approved plan more current, in line with the Town's current needs/requirements.

• Also in the public hearing and passed is a local law exempting disabled military veteran's from paying Town Property Taxes.

  • Primary residence of any permanently and totally disabled military veteran shall be fully exempt from Town and special district charges, assessments, and special ad valorem levies, provided that such veteran meets all of the requirements.

Consent Agenda - Passed with no discussion

• Proclaiming February as Black History Month in the Town

• Proclaiming February as American Heart Month in the Town

• Authorization for MJM Television and Video Productions to record the 31st Dutchess County St. Patrick's Day Parade

• Authorization of a a budget transfer in the amount of $3,000 from A Fund Balance to budget line A.7145.400 - Joint Recreation Partnerships for the purpose of purchasing field line paint for use by the Wappinger United Soccer Club, Inc. in maintaining Town-owned soccer fields and parks.

• Authorization for the purchase of one Kioti K9 Cab Side-by-Side with 72" snow plow attachment from MTE Equipment Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $38,124.00; and a budget transfer in the amount of $38,124.00 from B-Fund Balance to budget line B.7110.200.

• Declare intent for lead agency and to classify project as an unlisted action for Wildwood Waste Water Treatment plant.

Non Consent Agenda - discussion

• In addition to those Laws discussed above, a resolution to set a public hearing for February 23 to amend the code to Further Regulate Overnight Parking of Tow Truck Vehicles on Town Roads. This was discussed as a safety issue of having large commercial vehicles parked in residential areas.

Additional items for Special Considerations/New Business -

• NY State - Code Blue in effect - please be aware of the resources available to people having issues with the cold.

• Sr. Center Updates in progress

• Camo pollution helping those in the water districts with frozen pipes

• Highway Department Wash Bay Project is well underway, enabling to wash large trucks, improving their longevity.

• Veterans for Valentines Craft Night

• Emerald Ball/St. Patrick's Day Parade

• VFW 80 Anniversary

• Souper Ball - Hughsonville Fire Department provided soup to the Sr. Center

• Little League Sign-ups will be conducted soon.