Amenia adopts plan to promote affordable housing

AMENIA —  Following public hearings on changes to town regulations regarding housing and changes to the town’s comprehensive plan where affordable housing is a stated goal, the town board unanimously voted approval of the changes at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 16.

No further discussion was heard before the resolutions were adopted. Two public hearings had accommodated public comment on the changes.

The changes to the comprehensive plan and the amendments to the housing regulations were the work of town planning consultants AKRF, Inc. of New York City. The approved addendum to the comprehensive plan is intended to align the plan with the housing regulations, enabling the town to encourage affordable housing opportunities.

Board member Leo Blackman expressed thanks to the Amenia Housing Board and the planning consultant for the work.

“I’m pleased and excited,” said housing board Chairman Charles Miller after the meeting, noting that the regulation changes had taken two years to bring about. Although the process was slow, he sees the move toward addressing affordable housing needs as proceeding “one step at a time.”

Details of a community-wide celebration of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, were described by town board member Vicki Doyle, who said that activities will include a town clean-up in the morning and a repair café at the Town Hall in the afternoon. The repair café is to be hosted by the Amenia Climate Smart Task Force, a subcommittee of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC).

Earth Day activities are sponsored by the CAC and the town’s Enhancement Committee. For additional information, go to www.ameniany.gov.

After an interview process, appointments to the town’s Water Committee were announced by the town board. Named as members are William Flood, Tony Maillet, Katie Martyniak, Patrick Nelligan and James Walsh.

A donation from the Amenia Wassaic Community Organization has assisted in furnishing a Town Hall office for Parks and Recreation Department personnel. Donated items were officially accepted by the town board and included a laptop computer, color printer, laminator, small refrigerator, office chair, and a variety of office supplies.