Amenia Town Board approves 470-acre Wassaic trails project

AMENIA — Town Board members gave unanimous approval to a trail project in Wassaic that would add 12 miles of hiking and biking trails across 470 acres of forested land.

Following months of consideration and approvals obtained from local and county officials, the Northern Red Oak Trail project won unanimous approval for a special permit from the Town Board at its meeting on Monday, March 9.

The meeting had been rescheduled from the Town Board’s regular meeting date of Thursday, March 5, due to inclement weather.

First proposed in July 2025, the recreational trail project will include about 470 acres along Old Route 22 to create 12 miles of hiking and biking trails traversing three contiguous parcels of land. Trails will be three feet in width with minimal impact to the land. Boardwalks will be installed only where necessary. A gravel parking area is planned to accommodate 12 to 15 cars.

A public hearing on the project was held on Thursday, Feb. 19, when a few residents voiced concerns over visual impact amid generally positive feedback.

The project is supported by Hollyhock Foundation, a New York City organization that focuses in part on environmental solutions to combat greenhouse gases. The nonprofit entity guiding the project is Northern Red Oak, LLC.

Report on AI

Exploring the use of artificial intelligence as an assist with town business, the Town Board heard a report from technician Matthew Hamm who presented aspects of AI that can streamline workflow, save time and reduce paperwork for staff.

The Town Hall uses Microsoft 365 systems, making Co-Pilot the logical AI system to explore. Hamm said that the Co-Pilot program is easy to navigate.

“It’s a digital multi-tool,” Hamm said, noting that AI can help with grant writing and researching available grants the town could apply for. Budget analysis is another strength of the systems. AI can also aid in communication, adept at language translation and simplification of legal terms, Hamm explained. He suggested starting small, as with a single grant.

“AI is not a shortcut,” Hamm cautioned, “It’s important to know exactly what you’re asking. As with any tool, it’s only useful if you use it correctly.”

Recreation funding

Adequate funding for town recreation programs was of concern to Councilmember Nicole Ahearn who reminded the Town Board of the history of using Cell Tower revenue to support the Recreation Commission’s programs.

Ahearn recalled that when the Recreation Commission was formed in 2005, the town passed a resolution stating that the Cell Tower Fund would be used for Recreation. But in 2011, the policy changed so that only $1,200 would be given to Recreation with the remainder to be placed into the General Fund.

The Recreation Commission is not being awarded grant funding, Ahearn noted, although she acknowledged that the town’s operating budget is largely supported only by tax revenue.

Councilmember Vicki Doyle suggested that recreation funding be discussed when budget proposals are being developed and that the town could decide on an amount for capital funding to assist the Recreation Commission’s planning.

“There should be a capital reserve fund for recreation, but it should be a thoughtful process,” Doyle said.

Recreation Commission chairman Judy Moran noted that her department had asked for funding to hire the services of a grant writer.

Moran noted that for the current year’s budget, recreation was asked to cut its budget, and the budget was cut as much as possible.

“We cut the budget,” she said. “But it’s hard to constantly beg.”

Town Board vacancy

Although a resolution to fill the vacant seat on the Town Board had been prepared to be considered at the meeting, the item was withdrawn from the agenda in the opening minutes of the meeting at Doyle’s suggestion. The vote to withdraw the resolution was unanimous. No reason was offered for the action. The vacancy that will expire in December 2027 occurred when Town Board member Rosanna Hamm won election in 2025 to serve as Town Supervisor.

During public comment, resident Jim Wright spoke in support of naming Charlie Miller to fill the vacant seat, citing Miller’s years of town service and skill at securing grants to fund capital projects. Resident Judy Moran spoke briefly to oppose the resolution that would have filled the seat.

The Town Board has been operating as a four-member board, rather than five, since the death of councilmember Paul Winters in early 2025.