Amenia Town Board conducts public hearings on local law changes

AMENIA — Two local boards anticipating changes to their structures and administration, along with a proposed law to provide guidance on food truck operations were the subject of public hearings at the regular meeting of the Town Board held on Thursday, Sept. 18.

As directed by the Town Board, the local Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals are considering changes to their operations to allow for the selection and seating of alternate members to serve in the event of a regular board member’s absence. In addition, the ZBA law change is seeking to establish attendance and training requirements.

As no members of the public offered any comment in relation to the changes, the public hearings were brief.

Both boards, however, had furnished comments for consideration by the Town Board. Those comments are being compiled by the board’s attorney Ian Lindars to be discussed at a future Town Board meeting.

Establishing guidelines for the operation of food trucks did draw some comment during public hearing. Planning Board member Ken Topolsky suggested a period of ten days be required between the filing of an application and the event when the food truck would conduct business. He also asked that the upcoming Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, be exempted from the changes.

Resident Charlie Miller also raised questions of location limitations, including distance from restaurants and a minimum lot size stipulation. He also suggested a maximum of three trucks at any event.

Settlement of Silo Ridge tax certiorari cases

Following years of litigation, the Town Board has agreed to assessment adjustments, bringing a close to twelve cases brought by Silo Ridge entities and individual property owners within that development. Also authorized by the Town Board was settlement of the “fee in lieu of” agreement whereby Silo Ridge development is to pay an agreed-upon amount to the town, rather than being required to construct affordable housing units on their acreage.