Sometimes the quickest way between two points... is not a straight line

Sailors, hikers and airline pilots know that sometimes the quickest way to reach a destination is not a straight line. This is particularly frustrating if you can see the destination... but things like wind and terrain can intefer with the straight line approach. And sometimes it can seem like there are "unnecessary" obstacles in the way and one can spend time and energy to "remove" them... OR one can view those elements as part of the trip and integrate it into the planning. Things seemingly as obstacles were present at the October 15th Town Board Meeting. Coming off of the camradrie and community spirit of the long weekend and Carnifall, it was a bit frustrating to see objections and questions presented as obstacles/challenges - rather than gathering information to gain deeper understanding and better outcomes for the town.

The board meeting began with a salute to the flag and an invocation.

The Agenda, with some changes to resolutions from the "Consent" Agenda to the "Non-Consent" Agenda and the addition of a new resolution was adopted.

Three Public Hearings were held on three Resolutions - with no members of the public commenting.

• Introducing "a Local Law Regulating Hazardous Pollution Sources in Proximity to Public Water Supply Sources, Aquifers and Wetlands"

  • This law is like the resolution recently passed by the county legislature. The county planning department sent back comments (which means a super majority of the town board (4 votes) is required to pass it) -- with some concerns about the town's ability to implement the law given that the Board of Health has jurisdiction over the water quality measurements enacted. The Public Hearing was adjourned until the Town's Lawyer can review the public comments and respond.

• Introducing Local Law number 5 of 2026 which would ammend Chapter 240 Zoning, of the Town Code with respect to Tattoo Parlors

  • This would enable Tattoo artists to conduct business in areas zoned "neighborhood business zones" - no comments from the public and the public hearing was closed

• Introducting Local Law number 6 of 2024 which would amend chapter 217, subdivision and 240, zoning code - with respect to tree felling exceptions.

  • This will give the Planning Board additional ability to manage tree clearing by developers. no public comments - the public hearing was closed.

No public comments during public portion of the meeting.

Consent Agenda (not requiring discussion among board members, ostensibly because they have all agreed to these resolutions) - and all approved.

2024-190 Resolution Regarding Connection to the United Wappinger Water District for Diamond Properties (aka Alpine Commons)

The resolution denied the request for the water connection.

2024-193 Resolution Setting Public Hearing on Proposed Budgets, O&M Charges, Rates and Rents for Special. Improvement Districts and Special Improvement Areas for Fiscal Year 2025

Public Hearing set for October 28 at 7:00 PM

SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS:

Town-wide Ambulance District, United Wappinger Water District, Fleetwood Manor Water District, United Wappinger Sewer District, Wildwood Sewer District, Fleetwood Manor Sewer District, Mid-Point Park Sewer District

Cameli Lighting District, Chelsea Lighting District, Hughsonville Lighting District, The Regency at Wappinger Lighting District, Keenan Acres Drainage District,

Blackwatch Farms Drainage District, Meadowood Drainage District, Tuscany Subdivision Drainage District, The Hamlet Conservation Park District , Fieldstone Conservation Park District, Kendall Farms Conservation Park District, Chelsea Farms Drainage District

SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT AREAS:

WST/TIA - Phase 3ASewer Improvement Area #5, Wappinger Sewer Improvement Area No.1, Watch Hill Sewer Improvement Area , Watch Hill Water Improvement Area

This is a bit of a mystery... because the budgets ... and the taxpayer implications haven't been published/discussed -- so not sure what the public is supposed to react to/speak on at the public hearing.

2024-194 Resolution Authorizing Re-Levy of Unpaid 2024 Water & Sewer Charges

• Authorizing the Town to forward unpaid water & sewer bills to the county November 4.

2024-195 - Resolution Appointing Chairman of the Town of Wappinger Zoning Board of Appeals.

2024-196 - Resolution Accepting Resignation fo Chairman of the Town of Wappinger Zoining Board of Appeals

• these two resolutions the resignation of the current Chair Peter Galotti - effective September 24 - and the naming of John Lorenzinin - as chair through the end of 2024.

Non Consent Agenda -- (where discussions occur)

2024-173 - Resolution Authorizing the Lease of the Carnwath Manor and Portion of Carnwath Chapel - the Resolution was withdrawn.

2024-186 - Resolution Adopting Local Law Number 4 of the year 2024 Entitled "Regulating Hazardous Pollution Sources in Proximity to Public Water Sources, Aquifers and Wetlands" - tabled ... see notes in the public hearing section.

2024-187 - Resolution Adopting Local Law #5 - Enabling Tattoo Businesses in Neighborhood business Zones - Approved

2024-188 - Resolution Adoptng Local Law #6 - Tree Felling changes - Approved

2024-191 - Resolution Appointing a Part-time Intern to assist in Comptroller's office

• Hiring of a Marist Student, Finance Major at 17.50/hour. This was moved from the consent agenda to the non-consent agenda and there was a fair amount of discussion because town board members wanted to review the student's resume. Not sure of the behind the scenes discussions to put things on the agenda (consent/nonconsent) - but this seems like an administrative task that could have been brought up earlier in the process. The resolution was approved, with the caveat that the town board receives a resume before the end of the week. and let's make this SOP to have resumes if that helps with decision making.

2024-192 - Resolution Adopting Capital Budgets, O&M Charges and Water/Sewer Rates and Rents for Special Districts and Special Improvement Areas for Fiscal Year 2025.

• This was moved to non-consent agenda to fix an incorrect date listed in the resolution -- the correct date is October 28... and the difference between 2024-192 and 2024-193 requires a lawyer.. and still no rates etc. published.

2024-197 - Resolution to Designate a Portion of the American Rescue Plan Funds and Authorize Request for Proposal to Construct a New Live Performance Stage at Brexel Schalthaus Park. - Tabled.

• The Board has been talking about the necessity for some time - to replace the band shell at Schalthaus park.. that the electrical connections are a bit dicey, the infrastructure is aging and positioned in a manner that doesn't best suit today's needs. The Board agreed to have the supervisor work with the town engineer to draw up plans for a new structure. (By the way, the funds have to be allocated by year-end... and there is $2.2M of those funds available to the town). The estimate for the construction of the structure is $850K. Now, in the middle of October, the town board members want other designs and options (all which will drive up the cost because architects/engineers don't work for free). ... and it isn't that they don't like what is proposed (including the storage that will be available) .. but they just want choices of 3 different designs (Goldilocks?) and a workshop with the architects and residents. All of these are legitimate asks, but it would have been helpful to understand that requirement at the beginning of the process - not as an after thought.

No Executive Session -- but Bill Beale asked to have a Central Hudson Rep come and explain billing rates because his utility bills are increasing, he is sure other resident's bills are increasing and he wants to know why -- and somehow NY State is responsible for this also. Really, the Town Board doesn't have enough on their plate to work through -- like their own budgets etc. that acting as a shadow "PSC" makes sense? It was "semi" decided that the town offering an open house where residents could meet with Central Hudson Representatives, other elected officials would be appropriate.

He raised concerns about Zoning code for Short-term rentals, especially as there was a tragic fire in an AIRBNB elsewhere in the county over the weekend, where there were no working smoke dectectors. Barbara Roberti explained that she is reviewing zoning codes from other municipalities and will have some recommendations for the board.

December 7 - Leadership Training for Firefighters at Wappingers Jr. High -- and the town is paying $2,000 to help with the expenses of the session.

Angela Bettina gave a shout-out for Hispanic Heritage Month and Italian Heritage Month.

Everyone agreed that Carnifall was a sucess and thanked the Recreation Department and New Hackensack Fire Department. Halloween events around the corner. The Supervisor reflected that there has been a lot of progress in the Town in 2024 and thanked everyone for their part in it.