Town of Red Hook Town Board
December 7 2004
Public Hearing Cingular Wireless

A workshop of the Town Board was held December 7, 2004 with the following in attendance:

Supervisor – Marirose Blum Bump
Councilman – James Ross
Councilwoman – Sue Crane
Councilwoman – Jean Bordewich
Councilman – Harold Ramsey
Town Clerk – Margaret E. Doty

Supervisor Blum Bump opened the Workshop at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

Supervisor Blum Bump than opened with a 15 minute comment period.

Rosemarie Zengen from the Executive Board of Save Our Town Committee said she was appalled that adjacent land owners were not notified that this meeting was held on Field Day. The people and their neighbors should have been notified from the beginning.

If it were not for the Gazette Advertiser Reporter Kim who placed a brief in the newspaper there would have been little or no mention of this proposal being discussed.

Supervisor Blum Bump said it was announced at our last meeting. We are doing the best we can to notify people.

Mrs. Zengen said this is the third time that she has asked that the Save Our Town Committee be placed on the Town Board agenda and it hasn’t occurred.

Rosemarie Zengen than read a copy of the letter she had addressed to the Supervisor and Town Board, which is attached to the minutes containing 6 questions she felt the Town Board should answer, particularly on the Field Day Festival Proposal. Why wasn’t the public made aware of items discussed and decided upon as required through public notice section 104 of the Open Meetings Law, and why was no public hearing held before a permit was issued?

Supervisor Blum Bump said under our Mass Gathering Law they can apply for a permit. If they don’t meet the criteria they won’t have a permit.

Frank Pedatella whose wife and daughter own the Nursery School on Rockefeller Lane said if they already have a permit this is a very serious issue, as we were never notified they were making an application. Last time the camp grounds were set up right across from us and we had a lot of cleaning up to do. They broke down the fence we had sand boxes were destroyed and had to be replaced as hypodermic needles were found in them and we are responsible for 70 little lives. Don’t want to see this happen again as we could lose a child.

Rosemarie Zengen said it is very confusing for the public to participate in your many Board meetings which have not been adequately advertised.

Councilwoman Bordewich responded that in the beginning of the year times and dates are set up for the Town Board meeting.

Rosemarie Zengen questioned the difference between a Town Board Meeting and a workshop.

Councilwoman Bordewich stated a workshop is where discussion takes place and Town Board meeting is where decisions are made. All meetings are open to the public here in this meeting room not in the small back offices. We have made our meetings more open and assessable than previously.

Rosemarie Zengen said that’s fine but we should have the Agenda prior to these meetings. In reality Agendas are not prepared within a legal time frame, but only available the night of the meeting, the agenda for tonight was not available until 7:20 when the meeting was 7:30 p.m.

Councilman Ramsey said we will have to work on this and get the Agenda out sooner.

Supervisor Blum Bump said our next meetings are the 1st & 2nd Tuesday and the 4th Wednesday and I will see about improving on getting the Agenda’s out.

Resident Michael Yanetti said the public needs to be made aware, there is certainly room for improvement as the public has to be informed, use the newspapers. Now it is my understanding the permit was issued?

Supervisor Blum Bump said yes it was granted providing they meet the requirements.

Supervisor Blum Bump closed the comment period asked the people to hold their questions until Andrew Dreskin gave his presentation.

Mr. Dreskin said Green Acres Production, LLC is a company that has been formed to produce the Field Day Music Festival. This is music, arts and camping festival featuring leading performers from the modern rock music genre.

Mr. Dreskin has assembled a world class team of concert industry professionals to produce Field Day.

Project management for Field Day is being handled by Moe Morrison who has over 30 years in this field.

Field Day is a 2 day camping festival with multiple stages, tents, attractions; concessions (including beer and wine) vending and strong focus on contemporary art.

The primary mission of the Field Day is to present a world class line up. The music to be presented on outdoor stages from noon until approximately 11:00 p.m. and two indoor framed tents from noon until approximately 3:00 a.m. The event includes approximately 30 hours of musical performances.

The producers intend for the event to have a capacity of 45,000 attendees per day and expect 35,000 ticket buyers per day of which 50% will camp on site.

Conditions of the Permit will be met by the applicant who will furnish the Town with a comprehensive liability policy.

Written authorization will be furnished to the Town providing adequate police and fire protection and protecting persons and property from danger.

Field Day has agreed to pay the Town of Red Hook $1.00 per ticket and to fund local initiatives such as the Town’s Trail Plan.

Both the Town of Red Hook and Dutchess County will enjoy added tax revenues from the festival.

Local businesses will benefit within a 50 mile area of the site. Many goods and services required to stage the festival will be purchased from local venders.

At this time Mr. Dreskin introduced Moe Morrison from the LA Group, an award winning landscape architecture, site design mapping and engineering firm that specializes in festival planning. Mr. Morrison project manager for Field Day has over 30 years experience.

A professional parking service company will submit a detailed transportation and parking plan from an engineering firm to plan and oversee all transportation related matters coming and going from the site.

The site will have a network of interior roads which will be kept clear at all times for use of service and emergency vehicles.

Traffic Plan has already been discussed with Sheriff’s Department and the State Police.

Feel the road network can handle this event as this is a good site.

Resident Michael Yanetti said he feels this little town has insufficient roads structure to accommodate this amount of people.

Andrew Dreskin said this is a more suitable site than the Dutchess County Fair that has only one road in and out.

Mr. Yanetti questioned how are you going to handle 20,000 people?

Mr. Dreskin said we know our business and we will be able to handle it.

Mr. Yanetti asked how are you going to control drugs.

Mr. Dreskin… our age group are not drug users. They are all searched when they come in to help avoid this problem.

Councilman Ramsey said since so many feel the residents were not notified we could perhaps do a door to door.

Darlene Pedatella said we were not compensated for all the damage done to our property the last time, will that happen again?

Andrew Dreskin said that is a town related issue and you could be covered by our posted bond.

Supervisor Blum Bump said that Andrew Dreskin and his group will be back on January 18, 2005 for more updates.

Resident John Douglas suggested that post cards be mailed to those people on Rockefeller, Pitcher Lane and Whalesback Road to notify them of the next meeting.

Supervisor Blum Bump introduced Ruth Oja Conservation Advisory Council Chairman.


Ruth said they were asking the board to change their present status of Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) to that of a Conservation Advisory Board. They also asked that the change be made in time for them to begin functioning as a Board in January when the reorganization takes place.

If it is designated as a CAB it will be responsible for commenting on all applications submitted to Town Board, Planning and Zoning Boards asking to use or develop any open space areas listed in the open space index. The CAB must submit a written report to the permitting body involved within 45 days evaluating the impact of the proposed use on the open area affected.

The CAB will be an advisory board exactly as it was before. What re-designation does do is establish a regular, officially approved process by which conservation members can offer their information and expertise on a selected group of environmentally important Town policy decisions.

A list of the specific open areas as described in the 2000 Open Space Plan, the open space index areas which the CAB will review. The maps required by the law are the set of Environmental Protection Overlay Maps first developed by the CAC, recommended for adoption by the Working Group and now being reviewed by County Planning Board and Pace Law School.

Councilman Ross said he would like to see the maps approved and be officially part of our zoning. Does not see any need for the CAC to change, continue as it already does.

Councilwoman Crane responded that she agreed, our primary concern is we adopt the maps. Feel this would just be duplication as Planning and Zoning have asked their opinion, as Agriculture and Open Space Committees are already working on this.

Councilwoman Bordewich said in the beginning she was not particularly in favor. If we are going to get the full impact, service to the Town’s Planning and Zoning Boards this is a good idea.

Councilman Ramsey would very much like to see the maps as part of inventory for Open Space. I would also hope Planning and Zoning will consult with you when the need is there. This will make for less bureaucracy.

CAC Chairperson Oja…. You are going to miss a lot of important information. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t ask us. Don’t get the full account until it has passed.

Supervisor Blum Bump said the large picture is that all towns were encouraged to become a CAB. Time is now to way in on some of these issues. I agree that Red Hook CAC become a CAB.

Chairperson Oja said this group is here to offer free advice rather than do a catch up.

Chairman McKeon of the Agriculture Committee said he would bring it up to his board and suggested it be brought before Planning and Zoning to get their opinion.

John Douglas said it is difficult working with the present Planning Board used to take 10 days now it takes a month to get on the Agenda.

Marcy Appell… I know it is an extra layer but the Planning Board could use their help.

Kathy Stewart said I would think the more input you get the better working system you have.

Lorraine Wheeler suggested a member of the CAC serve a member of the Planning Board, therefore knowing what is taking place.

Councilman Ross said if you are brought in you are adding to the time frame. Open Space plans contain maps underground water etc. You are using these as reference materials.

Chairman Oja…we have a lot of material that we use for reference.

Supervisor Blum Bump said they would review everything and than make a decision. She thanked everyone for their input and for coming.

Chairman Robert McKeon of the Agricultural and Open Space Advisory Committee spoke on the Implication of Real Property Tax Revaluation on Open Space Preservation.

Preserving Agriculture and Open Space in the Town of Red Hook. Maintaining a viable industry will necessitate a critical mass of preserved farmland as well as measure to address profitability. The preservation of Open Space and its implication on past and future fiscal integrity.

He also discussed Conservation Easements, Taxation Policy and Landowner Township Outreach and Support. He used examples from other communities.

Supervisor Blum Bump said the Board had a copy of the Panda contract and asked they review it and if satisfactory authorize the signing at the Town Board meeting December 14th.

Councilman Ramsey report on the Fire Contracts were completed agreed to and sent to Attorney Trezza for his approval.

Councilwoman Bordewich report on the Town’s website. She will meet with Dick Wambach to see if we keep some of his website there or go with someone else.

Councilman Ramsey said this is a labor of love for Dick Wambach and he would like to keep involved.

All agreed to the Street Lighting cost recovery and reduction program service.

MVP Health Insurance Renewal- new contract to include increase co-pay and possible coverage for full time students until age 25.

The Board felt that at this time there were not enough students in this age group to warrant a new contract.

On the Town Vehicle Policy the issue was the liability question.

After some discussion it was decided they would discuss the policy at the next workshop.

Deputy Supervisor Bill O’Neil said he had received from 36 people prioritizing the Working Group’s Recommendations and found that all seven were important the way the people found them. We will track all seven and come up with a plan for 2005. Organize and adopt the maps one of the priorities.

Supervisor Blum Bump said we received from six Planners who are now being interviewed.

Deputy Supervisor O’Neill said he completed his research on the Tax Map Correction issue and each Board member has their copies to review before he submits it to the State Comptroller.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich and carried meeting adjourned 11:08 p.m.


Town Clerk

Margaret E. Doty