Town Board collects data surveys, hears reports, discusses litigation

WASHINGTON — Town of Washington (TOW) town Supervisor Gary Ciferri opened the Thursday, April 14, Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. and noted the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee (CPRC) has released its survey to the community in person and online; it planned to collect responses by May 6.

The Town Board also discussed the Assessor’s Office advisement that the 2022 Equalization Rate will be 88%.  Grievance Day was set for Tuesday, May 4. The Chatillon Realty Zoning Board of Appeals for a project on Woodstock Road was withdrawn by the applicant.

A resolution was introduced to support a grant application by the Millbrook fire department in conjunction with the Village of Millbrook and the TOW. It was described as a “municipal investment,” prioritized because  it was a fire and rescue organization. The board passed the resolution to apply for the grant.

The board also voted to declare April Parkinson’s Awareness Month at the request of the Parkinson’s Disease Support Group of the Mid-Hudson Valley. Town Clerk Mary Alex prepared a proclamation to formalize it.

Budget amendments were discussed by Bookkeeper to the Supervisor Lois Petrone. Petrone was authorized to increase the town’s snow expense line in the budget; to amend/transfer the personal services amount line in the budget from the CE line per IRS regulations; and to increase an expense line by an amount the town received in revenue for which it had not previously budgeted.

Dutchess County Legislator Deirdre Houston (R-25) reported on a Legislative meeting from Monday, April 11, noting changes in the county  budget, including a new plan that called for the reallocation of $9.5 million in ARPA funds that had been earmarked for county parks, including the Dutchess County Stadium. Those funds are now being used for “housing availability,” according to County Executive Marc Molinaro. 

Molinaro’s plan calls for the ARPA funds to be supplemented with $4 million of county funding, for an investment of $13.5 million in housing money. Houston said that the county is about 2,000 housing units short of what it needs.

Alex noted she has received all monthly reports from the Assessor’s Office, the Building and Zoning Department, the Recreation Director and her own Town Clerk Office and in her role as tax collector.

Alex also reported that employees of all TOW departments have received training on posting information to the town website.

Tax payments for March have been made to the TOW (in the amount of $4,533.85) and Dutchess County (in the amount of $1,215,74.02); the town had 2% in fees, including bank, interest and memo fees.

The Office of the New York State Comptroller requested that a revision be made to the 2021 Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution for Elected and Appointed Officials. The Town Board therefor made a resolution to approve the revision of the record of activities for Highway Superintendent Joseph Spagnola and the town clerk from 20 to 30.

Alex asked for and received authorization to advertise a Request for Proposals (RFP) for generators for Town Hall, the Highway Garage and for IT and computer services.

Councilwoman Leslie Heaney recommended the board hire AKRF Environmental, Planning and Engineering Consultants as consultants for the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). After further discussion the board agreed; AKRF began advising at both boards’ May meetings.

The TOW Recreation Department is gearing up for a busy summer; schedules are posted online.

A motion was made for the board to go into Executive Session to discuss possible litigation; after a return to the regular session, a motion was made that claims be accepted as presented. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned.

For more information on TOW meetings, go to www.washingtonny.org and make sure to read future editions of The Millerton News.