Update to Town's Comprehensive Plan Passed

The star of the agenda on the August 11 Town Board Meeting was the Public Hearing and Resolution amending the Comprehensive Plan and corresponding Zoning Code. Basically without these changes, through the vague and contridictory language (several lawyers have admitted in various meetings the have no idea what some of the language means or what was intended) over 8,000 acres in the town could have been developed into multi-family housing, even in areas specifically zoned for single family housing. The Supervisor reiterated his vision that the Town of Wappinger is to remain a suburban/rural environment, and that additional development would strain the infrastructure - roads, sewer, water, emergency services, school etc. Two members of the public spoke during the public hearing portion of the agenda, pointing out that in the time that they have become residents here, the traffic -- and accompanying noise, disturbance -- has increased significantly, degrading their quality of life and would like to see more actions to manage traffic, especially large truck traffic in the town. The four members of the town board present voted to support the changes - with an eye to their Palm Cards for the 2025 Campaign.

Consent Agenda - all approved

2025-151 - Resolution Adopting Negative Declaration in Connection with the 2025 Town of Wappinger Comprehensive Plan update and Zoning Amendments. - this is required as part of NYS Environmental Review Process

2025-152 - Resolution of the Town Board to Adopt the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendments and Zoning Amendments -- here's the press release

https://townofwappingerny.gov/town-of-wappinger-adopts-comprehensive-plan-updates-and-zoning-code-amendments-to-protect-quality-of-life-and-prevent-overdevelopment/

2025-138 - Resolution Authorizing the Agreement for Carnival Rides, Concessions and Amusement for the Fall Festival - allows the signing of a contract with the vendor

2025-139 - A resolutions authorizing the issuance of $2,300,000 Bonds to pay for resurfacing of town roads - During the Public portion of the meeting, a resident asked about this - basically these are low cost 30 year bonds, which are standard to pay for road resurfacing. The cost of the bonds are lower than the return the town can get on their investments, and the bonding is for the expected life of the road surface.

2025-140 - Accepting the resignation of a town employee - Craig Bova, who has worked for the Town Highway Department for 30 years retired. The Town Board, in their comments later in the evening, praised Mr. Bova's work and thanked him for his years of service.

2025-141 - Promotion of an Employee to Working Supervisor in Highway Department -

John Barry will now be the working supervisor.

2025-142 - Promotion of an Employee to Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Kevin Bohannon has been promoted

2025-144 - Authorizing Sign Purchases for Fowler House Park and Angel Brook Park

2025-145 - Appointing Full time maintenance Worker in Buildings and Grounds - appointing Juan Carlos Perez to this position

2025-147 - Appointing a Seasonal Laborer for Buildings & Grounds - Michael Thomas appointed

2025-148 - Acknowledging the termination of a Town Employee's employment - during probationary period

Non- Consent Resolutions - requiring discussion

2025-118 - Resolution Amending the Fee Schedule for Town of Wappinger Parks and Recreation Facilities -Approved - now published in town website, the board acknowledging that they may need to change this, but trying to balance between residents/non-residents and ensuring that the fees appropriately cover the costs for the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities.

2025-123 - Resolution Awarding Contract to complete Highway Department Improvements - Approved - awarded to Rozell Industries to build 3 bays and wash basin at Highway Department

2025-146 - Resolution authorizing the reconstruction of the town Highway Garage at a Maximum cost of $1,578,000 and the issuance of bonds. Approved - - authorizing the funds to pay for the upgrades.

2025-143, 149 and 150 - Resolution issuing bonds for the upgrades to the Wildwood, Mid-point and Fleetwood sewer systems -Approved - the costs to be born by the users of those systems.

Items for Special Consideration -

The Board Congratulated themselves on all the park improvement that have taken place in 2025, Bill Beale taking special pleasure in the updates to the Stage at Schlaathaus park and that "while Covid kept us apart, these investments help bring the community together -- and that is really important - this includes the Chelsea Boat Ramp rehabilitation" (of course no one mentioned that the funds for these investments came from funds made available through the actions of President Biden).

An Eagle Scout candidate has completed the rehabilitation of the structure protecting the Colonial Post Road Marker on Route 9 - the town is very proud and grateful for this accomplishment.

September 14 - First Responder Awards

The TOW Girls Little League Team won NYS Championship

County awarded $75,000 for Senior Center Upgrades

TOW VFW hosted Kick off for spirit of 45 - marking the end of WWII

Robinson Lane hosted 52 games this past weekend.

Friends of Grinell Library event - September 13.