AMENIA — Having accepted the donation of the twin restored Wassaic charcoal kilns, the Town Board approved the next steps for the acquisition at their regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 15.
The vote was unanimous to use the engineering services of LaBella Associates of Poughkeepsie to conduct an environmental review of the 0.29 acre site, looking for evidence of any hazardous substance deposits. The cost of that review was approved at $1,900.
In a separate vote, the board unanimously voted to approve expense for a title search and title insurance for the site at a cost of $1,857.
In another action a Conservation Easement of 50% of the land comprising Troutbeck Conference Center was accepted by the town to be preserved and remain undeveloped in perpetuity. The action is part of Troutbeck’s 8-phase adaptive re-use plan requiring a special permit that is unfolding before the Planning Board.
Within the easement that includes a management plan are areas including an open water pond, wetlands and wetland buffers, stream corridors including Webutuck Creek, existing vegetative buffers, scenic areas, steep slopes and forested areas containing old growth and specimen trees.
The vote to accept the conservation easement and management plan was unanimous.
With the Ambulance Service contract about to expire on Dec. 31, the town board unanimously voted to renew a five-year contract with Northern Dutchess Paramedics. The contract is part of a joint agreement among the towns of Amenia, Dover and North East for emergency services.
Appointed by unanimous vote to fill a vacancy on the Housing Board was Juan Torres who brings a wealth of experience with housing matters, including as a member of the Board of Directors of the Silo Ridge Community Foundation, primary funding organization of the Amenia Wassaic Community Organization. He also serves as a principal within Stone Leaf Construction, LLC.
The board also accepted the recent resignation of Katie Sterk-Grassi from her position as the town’s Recreation Director.
Town Supervisor Leo Blackman sought town board members’ guidance on whether to continue to research an electronic information sign for the Town Hall. Board members’ comments were positive with member Paul Winters feeling a sign would be beneficial and councilmember Brad Rebillard agreeing.
Rebillard added that the water spigot at Fountain Square has undergone long-anticipated repair, enabling volunteers to water the planters without needing to haul water to the site.
Justine and Victor Valla in their studio with a painting of Victor’s,”Jonah and the Whale.” Robin Roraback 
