Zoning administrator resigns, replacement swiftly appointed

WASHINGTON — The regular monthly meeting of the Town of Washington (TOW) Town Board opened at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, with town Supervisor Gary Ciferri accepting the resignation of Zoning Administrator Nancy Patrick. James Finley was swiftly appointed as the full-time provisional building and zoning administrator to replace her.

A second request was made and approved, based on the recommendation of Highway Superintendent Joseph Spagnola, to appoint Kathleen Velletri as his secretary. 

The Town Board is scheduling interviews with potential candidates for the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC). 

CP Update Committee

The Comprehensive Plan Update Committee was appointed. Members will include: Millbrook Village Trustee Buffy Arborgast; Timothy Bontecou; Claudia Heunis; Fernanda Kellogg; Timothy Mayhew; and Margaret Schneible. TOW Councilmen Robert Audia and Joseph Rochfort will serve as liaisons to the committee.

Assessor’s report

Assessor Lisa Evangelista is still looking for a part-time data collector. She reported that a tentative roll was filed and published on time; Grievance Day held on Tuesday, May 25.  

The town assessors are working on updating Washington’s Real Property Search (RPS), including addresses, inventory, sales and new permits, which got behind while focusing on exemptions and finalizing the tentative roll during the last few months. 

Most of the permits on the building permit report dating back to 2016 that needed to be addressed and valued have been, according to Evangelista. The remainder will be entered and addressed over the summer. 

The town is in the process of making a list of suggestions for revised building permits, to assist in properly changing its inventory and valuing its permits, which will result in a more accurate assessment roll and inventory on the RPS/parcel access, said Evangelista. 

The assessors are working on updates to the department’s policies and procedures and there will be a review of its acreage section to confirm parcels are correctly coded as are reconciles to the total acreage, according to Evangelista’s report. 

Road work, recreation

A Request for Proposals (RFP) was made for qualified professional engineering firms and/or individuals to provide professional services required for the development of the Killearn Road Improvement Project. 

The project will be done entirely within the boundaries of the TOW and will consist of a 28-mile long gravel road from Hoxie Road to Chestnut Ridge Road (Dutchess County Route 23). Portions of the road are subject to surface failure during the winter  and spring months.  

The town is looking to resurface Killearn Road after residents raised complaints about the road conditions.

Councilman Steve Turletes, in conjunction with Recreation Department Director Chelsea Edson, reported that the mandate for filling only 50% of the registration slots for summer camp had not been lifted by May, when there was still a waiting list in the case of the state mandate changed. 

Also mentioned during the meeting were upcoming recreation programs, such as youth tennis (at the village courts); youth yoga, teen yoga with vision boards, LMC adult basketball 3V3 competitions and soccer.

It was noted that the fence project at Town Park was expected to be finished and that the mini-golf course was being rejuvenated. The pool valve was to be opened in May and the water filled at the pool so it could open by the first weekend in June.

Miscellaneous

Councilman Audia reported that no bids had been received for the new generators at Town Hall and the Town Garage at that time.

Bookkeeper to the Supervisor Lois Petrone reported  all of the work in her department was in order and that all monthly administrative and departmental reports were received and filed.

Petrone’s report was followed by Town Clerk and Tax Collector Mary Alex, who reported the TOW website was still being updated. The town was also replying to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests. She added Transfer Station permits for 2021-22 are also available. 

The next Town Board meeting is set for Thursday, June 10, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. For more information or to access the link,  go to www.washingtonny.org or call 845-677-3419.