Town of Wappinger a step closer to a "Central Park"

The Highlight of the March 23 Town Board Meeting was a presentation made by Supervisor Cavaccini on the proposed purchase of approximately 326 acres known as Cranberry Hill. This was in preparation for votes on a series of resolutions that would enable the Supervisor to negotiate with the owner and apply for a grant to make the purchase. These 326 acres stretch from Imperial Boulevard almost to All Angels Hill Road - stretching to Widmer Road, surrounding RC Ketcham and Meyers Corners Road. There are also several properties adjoining this property that the town currently owns. The Supervisor explained that the "as of right" (meaning it is in the zoning code and needs no special permission) is that 150 homes could be built on this property. There have been proposals in the past to build up to 1200 multi-unit homes. He went through the arithmetic to answer the quetion -- "wouldn't the town get additional tax revenue from new houses?" Yes, there would be additional town tax revenue generated, but that revenue would pale in comparison to the additional costs the Town would be burdened with - water, sewer, government support like building department, highway department costs -- never mind the potential need for additional requirements for police, ambulance or school expansion.

The Supervisor's presentation came after the public portion of the agenda, where numerous people spoke in favor of the town's purchase and the need for public green space to preserve/improve the quality of life in the town and to reduce the push for increased density and congestion. Several speakers spoke of the times they have spent on the property enjoying the wildlife, the trails, hunting (?!?) and peaceful times they have had in the property (one hopes that this was all with the owners' permission.... aaahhhemmm). The proximity to RCK and the potential for a green space for young people to enjoy - as well as the potential for trails and walkways to enable people to connect between neighborhoods was also imagined.

The three resolutions voted on ... and approved are:

1) Authorizing the Town Supervisor to sign a letter of intent to purchase with the owners.

2) Authorizing the Supervisor to apply for a NYSDEC Open Space Conservation Grant.

-- if the grant is not successful, the town will borrow dollars through the bond market, and given the town's excellent credit rating, it is anticipated the cost of borrowing will be low.

3) A Resolution declaring that the Town of Wappinger will be a lead agency in the State Environmental Quality Review. (By the way, the county planning board did point out -- that if there is any development on this property major upgrades to surrounding roads would be required to handle the additional traffic generated -- and reallly -- no one wants their street/road "upgraded" to handle more traffic).

Also voted on in the meeting (with no public comment during the pubic hearing) - was the approval of a law banning large scale solar farms in the community. This does not mean that solar panels for personal use - homes, farms, businesses are banned -- but rather solar farms that blanket a large number of acres for the purpose of selling energy to a utility, not for local use. One can think of it as a different kind of "mining" and selling of a natural resource.

Approved as part of the Consent Agenda -

• Declaration that the instrument filed with the NY Secretary of State as Local Law #1 of 2020 is Void -- this is cleaning up a mess made by the previous Town administration in an attempt to encourage the installation of a propane storage facility

• Resolution accepting the resignation of a Town employee - Dan Franks from the Building department who is leaving to pursue another opportunity.

• Declaring March as Women's History Month

• Declaring March as Youth Art Month (mentioned and thanked by a student during the public portion of the meeting)

Additional Items discussed

• Approved a budget ammendment resulting from town board discussions with department heads -- (one does wonder about the Open Meetings laws during these sessions - the summary of the changes included in the Town Board website requires a decoder ring.

Items for Special Consideration/New Business

• Reopened Senior Center March 17

• Women of Distinction Event March 25

• Highway Department Wash bay project progressing

• 20 roads will be paved during 2026 paving searson

• March 28 - Easter Egg Hunt in Robinson Lane

• April 11 - Opening Day of Baseball

• Veterans Run - May 17 and in July a Clay Shot