Reese Park Entrance on 9D to Expand

Sometimes it makes sense to eat desert first ... so to jump to the end of the September 25 Town Board Agenda...the Town Board voted to use funds from the "Fund Balance" (aka the Town's equivalent of a savings account) to purchase property at the 9D Entrance of Reese Park. A resident offered the property to the Town and hopefully will be the start of providing more visibility to this rustic, pretty piece of property for residents.

The beginning of the September 25 meeting began with the public portion of the meeting used by Ken Stenger, representing developers who want to develop cluster housing off of Old Hopewell Road, pointing out that the head of Dutchess County Board of Health has written a letter reminding the Town that Dutchess County regulations insist that when Public Water Systems are available they are to be used vs. a new water system (or well) - so basically trying to get the Town to extend the water district to cover this property. He held out the inducement that this would allow an extension to Cedar Hill and Dorothy Lane, and help the 35 homeowners on Cedar Hill Road. Lots of things NOT said during those statements -- like what other developments/building would also be enabled -- and the cost in Water Taxes, water usage, buy-in and connection fees that would be imposed on those residents. The Town Board politely listened.

The Public Portion of the agenda was closed - and then the discussion period of the agenda opened with a statement that the United Wappinger Water District is "more than adequate". Color me skeptical, but "more than adequate" doesn't ensure anything -- numbers, assumptions and evaluations by experts would be more useful information.

Kevin Hathorn then reported on his planned activities supporting veterans during the Carni'fall celebrations.

The planned Friends of Carnwarth update was postponed to another Board Meeting.

The Head of Recreation then explained the details regarding parking management/pedestrian safety during Carni'fall. Also a planned celebration for the 35 year anniversary of the Senior Center.

Then the representative from the firm who provides engineering services to the Town explained change orders required for the Town Highway Garage renovations. These were characterized as the Highway crew suddenly deciding they needed additional power outlets and plumbing. Excuse me, but shouldn't the engineer and the hiring of the engineer - -who charges the town for their work, including managing the change requests have anticipated/planned for these requirements? That is the point of hiring them -- this should not be characterized as the Highway Crew initiated change, but rather items the engineering firm overlooked or didn't research thoroughly during their original design. The resolution was passed accepting the change order.

The Resolution for Payment in Lieu of Taxes for Old Myers Solar Farm -- Tabled yet again... what a streak of tabling!

A resolution to authorize a notice to a probationary employee was tabled to be handled in executive session (after the executive session, the board voted 3 to 2 to issue the notice to the employee).

The Board accepted the resolution to use the figures issued by the New York State Office of Real Property -- did anyone really understand what they were voting on? Especially as characterized by the town attorney as a "black box".

Two Resolutions arranging public hearings in the Future were voted on

Public Hearing on Proposed Benefit Assessment Rolls for Special Improvement Districts for 2024 - Set for October 23

Public Hearing on Proposed Budgets, O&M charges, Water/Sewer Rates for 2024 - Set for October 23.

Two Resolutions - characterized as "the same as last year" -- were passed proclaiming Native American Heritage Moth and Italian American Heritage Day. Such heartfelt feeling.

A Resolution returning a Community Development Block Grant Award -- not using this grant, issued several years ago, was preventing the town from applying for other grants.

After a fairly quick (in Town Board Time) executive session - the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.