So just how were the tax levy & your tax bill calculated?

The shocking news dropped at the July 8 Town Board Meeting was the review by Jessica Servidio - the town's comptroller - about how appallingly the Town's finances were managed the past few years. Please remember this is not a situation where a new party/majority came into office and want to disparage the other party's spending and priorities. This is very basic accounting and tracking of dollars... tax payer dollars. She cited example after example of incorrectly made pension payments, incorrect W2 statements, Purchase Orders handled improperly, investments poorly managed... too much to cite here. Please review the video of the report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awkJ1O2UdnE. -- start at the 24 minute mark in the meeting. And as appalling as all of these findings are, and the assurance that things are now "in control"... please remember that these are the numbers that were used to calculate the yearly tax levy.... and your tax bill! As well as the town's spending priorities. Where was the oversight by any other organization while this was happening? 2022 Books never closed out. This is "boring" mundane stuff that we think professionals are managing for us. Not true! We have to become ever more vigiliant and ask hard questions on what actions/decisions are being made on our behalf and are affecting our bank accounts as well as our quality of life.

Note - there is only one Town Board Meeting in July, this one ... and One in August (unless a special meeting is called) -- August 19th.

The meeting began with the salute to the flag and an innvocation byt Bishop Gerardo Colacicco of St. Mary, Our Lady of the Falls Catholic Church in Wappingers.

A public hearing on proposed Local Law No. 2 was opened. This law amends/updates definitions in the Town Code Dealing with Subdivisions. It was pointed out that the Subdivision Section of the code is entangled with the Zoning Code section (240) -- and consistencies between these two sections are necessary... and need to reinforce the Greenway Connection part of the code -- which asks that the Town Planning and Zoning Board consider the statement, principles and guidelines of the Greenway act when they make their decisions. Let's continue to press on all three boards that this is a critical part of their responsibilities.

The county planning board has been asked for their opinion, which has not yet been received, so the public hearing was tabled and will remain open until the August 19th Town Board Meeting.

During the Public Comment period, Grace Martin thanked the board for the support of the vets in the town and encouraged the spending of funds to restore the Major Daniel Martz Vietnam War Memorial - he was a Town of Wappinger service member who lost his life in Viet Nam.

Discussion Items

• Town Financial Update -- please see the comments above and view the video for the full report.

• Town IT Infrastructure Update -- Council Member Beale had asked that Craig Roberts provide an IT Cybersecurity update, in light of the recent attack on the Newburgh Municipal IT System, which basically caused a week long shutdown. Mr. Roberts outlined the ongoing issues and vulnerabilities in IT, emphasized that all town employees need to complete their cybersecurity training and he outlined the actions has taken to protect the Town's systems.

Consent Agenda - all approved

• Resolution Authorizing the Supervisor to apply for Grants to the Mid-Point Park Sewer District (The Funding, not covered by the grant...needs to come from the Sewer District.... not Town wide budgets)

  • Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to prepare and submit a 2024 NYSDEC WQIP grant application on behalf of the Town of Wappinger on or before the grant deadline of July 31, 2024 for construction of the identified required improvements to Mid-Point Park Sewer District;

  • The Town hereby commits to using municipal funds to provide a local cash match of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the grant request towards eligible expenses

  • The engineering and design of the required improvements are not an eligible grant expense and therefore the Town of Wappinger hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to engage the Town’s engineering consultant to complete the engineering and final design using non-WQIP funds

• Resolution Authorizing the termination of a Town of Wappinger Provisional Employee.

• Resolution appointing Seasonal Laborers - 5 Seasonal Laborers, for 4 this is a retroactive resolution.

Resolutions - Non Consent Agenda -

• Resolution to Adopt Local Law # 2 (see above) - since the Public Hearing was tabled, an action to adopt the Law was also tabled.
  

• Authorizing the town to join a class-action lawsuit, no funding required, against AT&T, Verizon and other parties to recover damages related to contamination of soil caused by abandoned, degrading lead cables - Sue Serino requested this action. The Board Approved.

• Resolution Introducing Local Law #3 of the 2024 -- which would Amend Chapter 247 and Chapter 240 of the Town Code (Zoning Codes) - which updates definitions -

  • Bill Beale asked that "Tiny Houses" be defined and the definitions for "Massage" be updated. The Board agreed to set the Public Hearing for August 19 - so a legal notice will be published reflecting that.

• Resolution Awarding a Contract to rehabilitate the Major Daniel Martz Vietnam War Memorial - Aguado Landscaping was the lowest quote at $29,980.00 - the funding to come from Parkland Trust. - Board Approved.

Items for Special Consideration/New Business

• Council Member Bill Beale - Another Motorcycle accident - this one on July 4 and EMTs happened to be at intersection when the accident occured. Wish everyone a safe summer

• Council Member Angela Bettina - Commented on recent boat rescue in the Hudson River requiring the coordination of 4 units. Thanked the Garden Club for their efforts. Implored everyone to be careful in the summer and to watch children carefully around pools.

• Council Member Chris Phillips - As an avid motorcycle rider, asked motorcyclists to drive safely.

• Council Member Al Casella - Thank Highway team for clean-up efforts from recent storm. Summer kick-off event on June 25th was fun and very successful

• Supervisor Joseph Cavaccini - The Town had two back to back storms that caused tree limbs to come down etc./power outages - the Town Highway crew very responsive. The Financial Software updates are underway. Town Camps underway and kids having a good time. This coming saturday a Car Show at Schlathaus to help raise fundds for a memorial Gazebo in memory of Melanie Chianese. A pop-up event on Sunday sponsored by Safe Haven Animal Shelter. Cooling Center available during working hours at Town Hall.

The Board then went into a two hour executive session for "Personnel Matters"