Parts 1 and 2 - American Rescue Plan Funds

The December 9th Town Board Agenda went long...in part because one Town Council Member was apparently auditioning to be a Central Hudson spokesperson...and an ongoing discussion of the American Rescue Plan Act Funds (ARPA) which need to have signed contracts in place by December 31 to receive the grants from the program signed into law by President Joe Biden in March of 2021. So a "special" town board meeting was convened on December 16 at 4:00 pm to extend the discussions. While other topics were discussed/acted on... this last minute push by the board and the associated discussions on ARPA took up most of the time.

The December 9th meeting opened with a public hearing regarding imposing a weight limit for vehicles traveling on Dean Avenue, an historic, residential street that is unfortunately used by many as a cut-through (especially with the Central Hudson gas line replacement project). No one spoke, as most residents had made their support known in an October Town Board meeting. The resolution covering this was approved.

The public portion of the meeting was used by two residents speaking - both commenting on Dean Avenue issues -- one suggesting that through traffic be prohibited - a device that has been used in Town of Poughkeepsie and Town of Fishkill. He also mentioned that the Central Hudson project in Hughsonville has been highly disruptive to the residents/businesses of Hughsonville and expressing dissatisfaction that no one had any prior notification of the project and local government wasn't provided any insight. He also expressed support for the town's purchase of a vehicle lift for the Buildings and Grounds department, and installing the lift at Oakwood Knolls. A second resident commented on the metal plates used by the Central Hudson project and the on-going noise from traffic rumbling across the plates as well as the on-going smell of gas from the CH equipment on Dean Avenue.

Then -- there were four people from Central Hudson attending the Town Board meeting -- apparently in lieu of a meeting scheduled on December 12th, that they cancelled -- to "explain" Central Hudson's services. The intent of the December 12th meeting was to have residents be able to speak about issues of specific concern to them. Instead we got a very polished presentation by well schooled flacks on how Central Hudson is a "home town business" -- (a sleight of hand.. they are owned by Fortis, Inc a Canadian company) -- and that the majority of their workers live in an area serviced by Central Hudson (an attribute that one could also say about gangs - not that we're suggesting Central Hudson is a gang, but rather, this attribute is not a distinguishing factor) and that their rate increases were a result of NY State law requiring an upgrade to their 100 year old infrastructure design and their rate increases were lower than other Electrical Companies servicing NY State. This triggered Town Board Foghorn Leghorn to rail against New York State - and how evil the push to ensure that NY State's electrical grid is prepared for the economies and demands of the future - and how prescient he was in predicting this awful outcome which isn't in anyway the fault of Central Hudson (Please google Central Hudson executive compensation). This went on for some time with Foghorn Leghorm pitching softball questions and compliments to the Central Hudson Rep (which is interesting becuase when they aren't attending a meeting he takes them to task for their rates). It was so long in fact, that another board member, of the same party, explained to him that elections have consequences and that the Town Board did not have a role in Public Service Commission decisions (true). Then, as a coup de grace to the discussion, the Central Hudson Rep said they weren't fully versed in the 9D project and weren't prepared to answer questions about it!!! The reason that their attendance was requested was because of the 9D project, the issue that is specific to the Town of Wappinger and why (recent accidents and blow-off issues) the residents of the Town are particularly sensitive to the lack of communication and information provided them. What they COULD say, is that the Route 9D project is a gas line REPLACEMENT project - and is part of their efforts to upgrade their infrastructure and they think that the project, if the weather cooperates, will be done at the end of the year. Also, the Central Hudson rep mentioned a series of programs to help people who need help paying for their energy costs.. and reinforced that they don't terminate service during the winter months.

The public and board were then treated to a presentation by the Town Clerk, suggesting that there were various places in the Town of Wappinger that had the potential for Kayak Launches and given the Town's location on the Hudson River, Wappinger Creek and Sprout Creek - making it easier to launch kayaks would be beneficial to town residents and make Wappinger unique in Dutchess County.

The Board then went into Executive Session on "personnel" matters -- for around 60 minutes, affording the public attending the meeting an opportunity for a community get-together where everyone chatted about and commented on the behavior of various board members.

Consent Agenda - all approved:

• Resolution Authorizing Settlement of the Tax Certiorari Proceeding of Mycor Holdings LLC - agreement to reduced the assessed valuation from $16,206,800 to $15,820,900 - which is a 22.5 acre property, with commercial buildings, at 155-179 Meyers Corner Road.

• The appointment of a Full Time Motor Equipment Operator in the Highway Department

• Establishing standard workday for elected officials (this is for the purposes of pension credits)

• Setting a Performance Bond for Chelsea Subdivision - to ensure that the agreed upon development work is completed appropriately

  
  

The ARPA Funding Resolutions - long discussions..including trying to grapple with the updated estimate for a new stage at Schlathaus Park (from the initial $800K to over $1.2M - with the third ward council member voting no) and a determination that some of the projects should be funded by the A/B Fund Balances, freeing up more ARPA Money -- this was a gorpy, legalistic, emotional discussion that resulted in:

• Agreement to go ahead with the plans for a new stage at Schlathaus Park (the engineer commenting that additional costs was incurred because of the changes to the original design, tree removal, ground preparation etc.). Long discussion about the legality of changing the parameters of the bid, after the process has been closed.

• $$ to refurbish the Chelsea Boat Ramp

• $$ to compliment the funding from another grant to reburbish the HVAC and Chapel at Carnwath Farms to enable water, toilets and an event space

• $$ to upgrade sign at town (PS. The Social Media postings from people opposed to having Wappinger turn into "Las Vegas" or "Times Square" have proven somewhat effective in change some of the council members minds on what kinds of signs should be installed (The School District has set an horrible example) -- please keep up the pressure through your posts/feedback to your Town Board Members on keeping any signs in keeping with Wappinger's designation as a Greenway community)

• There were still funds that remained to be allocated.. hence the requirement for another meeting on December 16th)

• December 16th Decisions

  • Signs for Town Hall and Parks - Approved (no animation, LED on Black with Static Messaging)

  • Funding to be applied to Park Improvements

    
    
    
    

Additional Resolutions

• Setting of January 13th as the Town Board Reorganization Meeting

And then the vehicle lift... The Ward 4 council member apparently feels like that having a vehicle lift in "his" ward is some kind of feather in his cap... and has pushed to have the 1920 Dairy Barn at Martz Field retrofitted to include a vehicle lift - and quoted estimates of around $56K (which includes the lift) to make that happen... which did not include any improvemements in the barn roof, siding or aesthetics. The Buildings and Grounds recommendation is to install the lift at Oakwood Knolls. Then... out of thin air... a council member proposed that a new building be built - -cost - unknown, specifications - unknown, funding - unknown, timeline -unknown -- though they did agree that town property on airport drive could be considered -- (upon which time, they - looking at an aerial view of the property, decided where to site the building) -- with one council member offering up the view that there might be wetlands, and building that flooded wouldn't be good) -- agreed in a vote of 4 to 1 that a lift should be purchased. So the good news -- there is a much needed vehicle lift... perhaps a LIght Projection System can be developed to create a building around the lift while this board decides how a buidling is to be built. Also note -- that there is a difference of opinion about the Dairy Barn... it is historic and a unique buidling structure which the Supervisor would like to see restored and integrated into the recreation facilities of Martz Field. Others suggested that it be torn down (of course not knowing the financial costs of doing that... and wiping out part of the Town's Farming Legacy).

December 16th Resolutions -

• Resolution accepting the resignation of a Groundskeeper who wishes to pursue a different career path - Approved

• Resolution for a contract to the Carnwath HVAC upgrades -- which devolved into a shouting match as a board member ("the lady doth protest too much" to quote Wm Shakespeare) was vocal about a firm not being included in bidding process and No, No it wasn't because it was a friend and was the right bidding process used.... so the public bidding process is going to be reopened... the Town Lawyer needs to do some work as well as the Town Clerk.

• Resolution - accepting a Hearing Officer's findings and Recommendation on the dismissal of a town employee - approved

• Recycling Center Updates -- in an effort to be fair to Town of Wappinger Residents/Taxpayers - the process for 2025 is updated to limit commercial abusers/individuals from outside Wappinger who want to use the Town of Wappinger Recycling Center to dump construction debris etc. rather than using commercially available facilities. - Approved.