Town of Washington passes resolutions, seeks bids

WASHINGTON — There were several issues brought up at the Thursday, Feb 9, Town Board meeting, first regarding the much-studied and long-awaited amendment to the Comprehensive Plan circa 2015 and the study of hospitality. Jeff Battistoni, attorney for the Town, advised that the amendment, as presented at the public hearing on Thursday, Jan. 12, was 295 pages while the original Comprehensive Plan was only 60 pages. He recommended that appendices A, B and C be omitted (available on the website version, however) and along with the environmental assessment signed by Supervisor Gary Ciferri, be submitted to the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development for the purpose of the State Environmental Quality Review Act  (SEQRA). The county then has 30 days to comment, or to ask that changes be made. If it doesn’t comment or ask for changes, the amendment could be adopted at the March meeting. This was voted on and approved.

Highway Superintendent Joe Spagnola reported that he had spent about $30,000 replenishing salt reserves. There have been 11 winter events so far. He also reported on the new truck, much smaller than the department has been using, being bought at half the cost of the larger trucks and better for the type of roads that the town needs to maintain.

Spagnola’s report was merged with the report from Councilman Joe Rochfort on the Killearn Road study. The Colliers engineering firm had suggested there should be a bidding process for the right of way and topographic study of the road. The Town voted to advertise for bids for the 3.25-mile area of the Killearn Road and Chestnut Ridge intersection. The bidding will be initiated, but the traffic survey and further site visits have to wait until after the spring thaw in order for the cable to be laid for the traffic study and for the roads to be in a condition as to be fairly and accurately assessed for the repair study.

Bookkeeper Lois Petrone reported that the new software she is using is effective; it will take time to move everything over. She asked for budget amendments including federal aid revenue of $96,267.60 to Highway Equipment Expense for the 2022 highway truck.

Assessor Lisa Evangelista proposed increasing the amount of the tax exemption for persons with disabilities and limited incomes pursuant to a Local Law No. 1 of 2019. The amount of $29,000 is changed and increased to $37,400. A second item, a new exemption for volunteer firefighters and emergency workers, is not a local law and can be passed through a resolution after a public hearing is held. For this purpose, a special meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

Building inspector and zoning administrator James Finley reported 47 building inspections in January, three fire inspections, 17 building permits issued, plus two investigations and 10 expired permits.

Recreation director Danielle Szalewicz asked for and received authorization to advertise for an RFP for an engineer to design a new well for the Town Park.

A report from Town Clerk Mary Alex said that tax collection is underway; an addendum will be posted regarding the Comprehensive Plan, and there is a discussion ensuing about the cost of mailing (ZBA and Planning Board) to neighbors and who should assume that cost.

Councilman Michael Murphy said that Judge Betsy Shequine is stepping down from the Ethics Committee, and it has been established that there can be five members where currently there have been three, which means the Ethics Committee is seeking three new members. Murphy also said that short-term rentals are in fact favored, but with restrictions.

Councilwoman Leslie Heaney reported that the Planning Board had three new applications, as well as a report on the CAC meeting.

The supervisor closed the meeting at 7:18 p.m.; the next regular meeting is on Thursday, March 9. All meetings are posted on the town website -washingtonny.org