February 10, 2004

7:30pm
Red Hook Town Board Meeting

A regular monthly meeting of the Red Hook Town Board was held Tuesday February 10, 2004 at the Red Hook Firehouse 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

Approximately 300 residents in attendance.
Absent- Highway Superintendent Wayne Hildenbrand

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

Supervisor Blum Bump welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Town Board and explained we have a number of business items on the agenda and than we will have a special presentation from guest speaker John Nolan from Pace University Land Use Law Center. After Professor Nolan’s presentation there will be a question and answer period.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich and carried unanimously dispensing with the reading of the minutes.

Supervisor Blum Bump read her monthly Statement for January.

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilman Ross and carried unanimously accepting the Supervisor’s Report as read.

RESOLUTION 2004 #3
RE – Budget Adjustments

Resolution was offered by Councilwoman Sue Crane, seconded by Councilwoman James Ross and carried unanimously authorizing the Supervisor to make the following Budget Adjustments and Transfers.

Copy Attached

Supervisor Blum Bump said before we welcome Professor Nolan I would like to speak to everyone.

At our workshop last week, I proposed the Town Board discuss the possibility of adopting a moratorium on certain planning and zoning activities.

After listening to many residents of our Town react to last week’s meeting I realized that I am responsible for some confusion and fear and anger that is surrounding the issue of a limited building moratorium in the Town of Red Hook.

I had intended that the generic draft moratorium be discussed and refined and targeted to Red Hook’s specific needs. However, it is not the time to proceed in that direction, so I am withdrawing my suggestion that we discuss a moratorium. I would like to clarify what I believe we are here to do. Together with the people of this town, we the elected officials take responsibility for shaping Red Hook’s future.

I ask you to remember, I am not here to get what Marirose wants, I am here to help the people of Red Hook get what they want- open government, fair taxes, and a small rural town with a great quality of life.

Second item on the Agenda is the Planning and Zoning working group. The Board recommends that we establish a development and Land use working group with members from the community. Landowners, builders and developers, 9 members and two chairs and a steering committee. Applying for a Greenway Grant to pay for the working groups activity, including hiring an experienced planner and Pace University Land Use Law Center to assist in community planning and public participation process.

The Town Board expects to receive a report the area plans, and expectation from the working group not later than its July meeting. The town’s match for the grant will be primarily in house contributions. Due date for filing is this Friday February 13th.

Supervisor Blum Bump gave a description of the project as written on the application for the Greenway Grant.

This project involves creating a strategic plan for the most immediate land use for priority areas to implement, within the context of the Dutchess County regional compact Greenway Connections, the goals of natural and cultural resource protection, economic development and regional planning.

The project will be guided by inter-municipal steering committee members from the Town Board, Village of Tivoli and the Village of Red Hook and Red Hook Central School District. Also included in this effort will be representatives from the community who represent the public, environmental groups, businesses who have a strong desire to build a healthy, stable and safe environment, working to insure that outcome is possible for Red Hook.

Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich that we establish a Development and Land Use Group, seconded by Councilwoman Crane.

Councilman Ross said would this be the group we discussed Land Use Task Force Group?

Councilwoman Bordewich explained that this group would have a time for our July meeting. They are going to be recommending to us the Town Board, we could take that in close relation to land use and zoning group they would than have a clearer mandate at that point. Some of them could serve on the on going committee.

Councilman Ramsey said I think the Zoning Review Committee should be an on going committee that we have established, as we had one in the past and should consider that along with the present members.

Councilman Ross said that’s fine, as present Zoning Review Committee is a very viable committee and very possible we should consider reinstituting this committee to work in concert with the Task Force if need be.

Councilwoman Crane said whether the Zoning Review is appointed now or in July, it wouldn’t matter as long as it is an ongoing committee.

Supervisor Blum Bump suggested that we put the Zoning Review Committee on for the March meeting. Right now we stick to the motion to establish this committee,

Councilman Ross said I understand you plan on having this committee filled by next month and at that time we can decide if the Zoning Review Committee will be part thereof or a separate committee again.

Supervisor Blum Bump replied that we will discuss that, yes.

Councilwoman Bordewich said that looking at the Workers Steering Group they can also look at candidates for the Zoning Review as there are vacancies. They could look at the composition of this and make recommendations next month.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump that we establish a Development and Land Use working group, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich.

Vote: Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump that the Town Board appoint an inter-municipal Steering Committee composed of Jean Bordewich and Sue Crane, Town of Red Hook, Tom Cordier, Village of Tivoli, Brent Kovalchik, Village of Red Hook, Susan Van Reusner Red Hook Central School District, Marc Molinaro Dutchess County. The Steering Committee will recommend co-chairs for the Working Group, and the co-chairs and steering committee will than recommend members for the Working Group to the Town Board. The full group will be appointed no later than the March Town Board meeting, seconded by Councilman Ramsey.

Councilman Ross asked this steering committee, what is going to be the make up of this group, 12 citizens?

Councilwoman Bordewich said the steering committee is really just the inter-municipal officials. They would take back to their people how this was progressing. Co-chairs and working group would be separate people or could be the same. There would be weekly meetings and public would be welcome to come.

Supervisor Blum Bump asked Motion to Approve, and was carried.

Vote: Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Supervisor Blum Bump said we pass a resolution for the Hudson Valley Greenway Application.

RESOLUTION 2004 #4
RE- Greenway Compact Grant


Resolution was offered by Supervisor Marirose Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Jean Bordewich and carried.

Copy Attached

Vote: Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilwoman Crane I think that it is important because whenever a grant is applied for, question always is how are we going to pay for this. We have to have matching price for this in house service. People we put on this will do that matching without outer budget expense.

Supervisor Blum Bump said the application is for $15,000 with the match in kind from the town for $15,000.

Please welcome Professor John Nolan of the Pace University Land Use Law Center. John is known through the Hudson Valley for the work Pace is doing to assist communities in improving their planning and developing efforts.

Professor Nolan said, great news the moratorium is off the table and you are still here.

This problem that you are dealing with in Red Hook is going on in Ulster, Sullivan, Orange County all the way into Dutchess County as well as Putnam. This problem will affect the quality of our community.

In 1994 an advisory board was established to discuss the problem with land use sale and development rights, with people like yourselves on the board, held conferences, talk to people, read everything we could on development and land use in this area.

If we continue in all our communities like Red Hook the way we were developing in the 80’s and 90’s there was 70% open space now there is 30% in 50 years. This is a comment on the way we have chosen to go with development. This is going to affect the community as we know it, going to affect the quality of our life, communities as we know them, municipal services, taxes and our environmental resources.

We are learning so much and people are going out like they do here tonight. We are training planning and zoning boards. We have trained 350 people in Dutchess County. Doing a tremendous amount of education so communities are going from here to there.

You should always be working on the matter with a vision of your community future in mind, as we all have a vision it should be incorporated in your Master Plan. Than you should see that the zoning and planning laws take you to that vision.

Red Hook has done a lot of this already. Red Hook has done a tremendous lot of work. You have overlay districts, you have agriculture districts, PDR program you have bonded to take care of these issues.

One of things we have to be careful of how we develop our critical areas. We regard developers as being critical that they be involved where we want them to build.

When you talk about land use you talk about conservation and development not one or the other.

All over the County we see how development supports conservation. This happened in Virginia, they supported development and environmental was actively supportive and it all worked out with a positive approach.

Through the aid of computer technology he was able to show slide presentation on mixed use development, center core, waking in a neighborhood mixed uses for higher density.

Growth pressure is slowly moving North, we are losing open space, lose recreational areas, we have developments that takes up all of nature in the process. We have again air pollution and again we see the housing needs. That’s why we have the affordable house that we have.

When our grandchildren ask who planned our region to look like this, we are going to answer we did, because the state has given us that authority.

Answers are in the content of our Master Plan, Zoning and Planning. So the way to Zoning is to think more critically about where the appropriate development sites are and to think more critically of where the environment resources are and to build that all into the above. So you wind up getting conservation districts, river aquifer wet lands, streams, agricultural soils. Think about how the landscape work and than you begin to think of development.

What we are looking at now do you have the legal authority to do this, do we have the will to do this and how do we proceed, those are the questions for this community to take on.

Leader and trainers are working on trying to get that first vision of how we can respect one another, listen to one another to develop our communities but do it in a way it makes sense from historical understanding of the places we cherish and that we live in.

Question and Answer Period-

Phil Seymour- Higher density group as a small developer living in the area, proceed with that type of development.

Professor Nolan-proceed with joint venture, become part of this in phases.

Richard Franklin-Familiar with Virginia and the high density area of Restin-How we meet our housing needs.

Professor Nolan-We have been asked to train in Dutchess County local planning and zoning boards and they have asked us to train them on four issues – local processing, economic development, open space and affordable housing. We are training them to meet housing needs.

Phil Seymour-Training local leaders as well as builders and developers.

Professor Nolan-we would like to get the developer and the builders to come to our training programs.

Larry Thetford-Farmlands required landowner greater than 20 acres include soil, implement your farm conservation plans.

Professor Nolan-Limited knowledge Monroe County had a DPW 3600 acres preserve open space-met with farmers. Agreed to have development rights purchased bonding to preserve open space. Looking at all the Agriculture land that exists in Dutchess County.

Charles Simmons-what is your charge to the people to up grade their Master Plan.

Professor Nolan-some communities do an update every 10 years. You can encourage your community to take a look at your Master Plan.

Supervisor Blum Bump thanked Professor Nolan for his presentation as it was really wonderful.

Supervisor Blum Bump said that there were 8 people who had signed up to speak and she asked that they please limit it to 2 minutes.

Rosemarie Zengen representing Save Our Town Committee asked that her letter be read.

Councilwoman Crane volunteered to do so.

Since The Save Our Town Committee has been committed to the future of Red Hook.

They do not want a moratorium on building in the Town of Red Hook but do want a moratorium on large warehouse type businesses.

Albert Trezza position non-negotiable.

Supervisor Blum Bump to work as peace maker for healing Red Hook’s problems.

Richard Franklin questioned the value of a four day seminar. We do get a direction of how we can go. Only way any of this thing works is with the whole community on the same economic level. All are interested in the growth of the community. Everyone think of where you want to go and what you want to do.

Robert McKeon thanked Marirose for clarifying you never intended to have a building moratorium.

Time to make some decisions, as you know there is more residential very little business development in our town which is why we have high taxes where our neighbor Rhinebeck has more businesses than residential so they have a better ratio.

One of the concepts in your Master Plan and Zoning law doesn’t allow for business, just this small dot areas. You could get great density around the business district if you pulled density from other districts. Agricultural conservation areas and increase it in business districts. Also have 5 overlay districts in Red Hook that have not been mapped for 11 years now. Special precautions to protect our natural resources, wetlands.

We need to move forward as a municipality in a legal and ethical way, need to get this cleared up quickly.

Urge you to take a look at these maps they are from your Master Plan and Open Space Plan.

Doreen Ruff-Honorable Marirose on behalf of Red Hook Care’s would like to present to the Board over 1000 signatures collected in less than 3 days. Opposing the moratorium and informing the board that the Red Hook Care’s Committee, community based organized designed for communication with the local government, special emphasis on economic welfare, planning of our town and the families who sustain it. In the future I invite you to consider as a vital liaison between the government and the community.

Phil Seymour-Ask Robert Rockefeller leader of previous Master Plan to write a letter giving a background of the work that went into it. He said the whole community was represented on this committee which took approximately 4 years to complete. Needs to be looked at but it is not broken.

The group feels some replacements have been made without additional input from outside the Board. I am referring to Planning Board chairman and sit down planner. I also think the Board should have allowed Betty Mae the right to withdraw her resignation from the Planning Board and not under duress as she was going in for surgery.

Speaking of Planning we need that 4 day class here in Red Hook, otherwise we are going to have a lot of people going in different directions. We need these people together, everyone at the same time learning these rules.

Sam Lore-when is Planning & Zoning Board going back on schedule?

Zoning Board Chairman Timothy Ross said to the best of his knowledge they are on schedule, will be meeting tomorrow night as we have public hearings scheduled. We have not delayed or cancelled any meetings.

Supervisor Blum Bump said there are two appointments for the Planning Board tonight and they should be back on schedule.

Councilwoman Bordewich said to clarify that 2 meetings were canceled by the previous chair, holidays and Monday’s meeting and the chairman will be in New York Association of Towns. The previous chair had canceled Monday that was because he was forming the Planning Board. The Monday in March is their next scheduled meeting.

Tom LeGrand resident congratulated Marirose on her new position as Supervisor. He said, there were a few points he said. Al Trezza is good and decent man, you may want more legal representation but you won’t get more.

I strongly disagree that we need a moratorium. New Homes here in Red Hook is about 29 a year and that is not a crisis. We have to realize that in Dutchess County in particular, small business and small jobs are the life line to economic development. This is small community and these small jobs are extremely important to our community. The dollars you spend in your community stay in your community. This is a family community and we can’t zone the families out.

I want the community to grow in a plan to grow in a moderate fashion but don’t want to lose tract of who is the fabric of our community.

Scenic Hudson, Deborah DeVon- Appreciate being able to speak to you. Have been listening to a lot of heartfelt and wonderful expressions tonight. Worked in a lot of communities up and down the Hudson Valley, there is a lot of richness here, the richness is the people in the community. I would like to express the acknowledgement of the Town of Red Hook and all of you who have taken the steps you begun tonight to bring the community together, to clarify and shape the future and that vision together. You need to develop the tools to implement that vision together.

We are ready to assist the Town in help with Greenway Grant and Town Officials, challenges and opportunities are being felt through the Hudson Valley. For positive results look at what you need to do to bring the community together. Scenic Hudson is ready to assist and look forward to working with you.

Lisa Griffin- Would like an answer from Marirose and the Board. I am particularly concerned as a taxpayer how this conflict got off the ground and how much it has already cost the town. I do not recall a resolution being passed authorizing the Town to retain the services of special council with regard to the moratorium. If there is such a resolution that I asked it is made available for review, to get a look at the letter and correspondence between the Town and Special Council.

I am curious that our Town Attorney whom the taxpayers already pay was bi-passed in this entire matter. If there is anything that needs to be reviewed in this town it is the accountability of those in charge. I think the livelihood of Red Hook citizens need much more time and discussion than you Supervisor Blum Bump have decided to give to them, as you are only one vote on the Town Board, discussion that action is open government.

Marc Molinaro- Hope continue with Tom LeGrand suggestion and the Town of Red Hook whatever it chooses to be. Have completed the four day seminar with Professor Nolan, I learned a great deal. I hope we have learned from what we heard here tonight, as there are so many voices in this Community. County Planners issued his opposition of a proposal to consider a moratorium. He asked me to explain why he did this, to share the county’s position. Red Hook has done so much over the past decade to get where we are at today. We should be doing more to engage all of these people, so what you unveiled tonight, the steering group I am very happy to be a part of. Most importantly I really hope that we can spend the next three months or next three years really engaging one another- making decisions through consent. Look forward to community engaging the residents of Red Hook, as there are so many talented folks we should rely on.

Johanna Moore, President of the School Board. One of our goals to improve communication with the community in general. Long range planning not on for land use but facility use and for using our facility. Look forward to open meetings with town officials to see where we are going. Need your input as well as community group to see what we are facing in the next 5 years. Vital that the community, town and school work together.

Andy Yurista- Milan resident, attends school board meeting on a regular basis, glad all are here. Supervisor Blum Bump at the last Town Board meeting said people are complaining school taxes are too high and also the amount of people and the traffic in town. My biggest complaint is the school taxes. He helped a senior couple tonight that was moving to North Carolina. Seven families are leaving this area, 3 already left for out of state. Their concern with the school board is there is a lot of waste spending in this district and it is not going to the students. Two new people are being hired one for 80 thousand and the other 60 thousand. The school is destroying us here. The money spent here is being wasted it could be used for other things, keep seniors and young people here in this town.

Angela Lore asked that the letter from Roger Akeley be read.

At this time Supervisor Blum Bump said the next thing on our agenda is appointments, Planning Board.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich appointing Paul Telesca to the Planning Board for a 5 year appointment.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ramsey appointing Christine Kane for a 4 year term filling an unexpired term.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilman Ramsey said he wanted to clarify why we were appointing a new member is to replace the position held by the secretary as you can’t hold the two positions a member of the board and secretary.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ramsey appointing Betty Mae VanParys as clerk of the Planning Board.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilman Ross asked if he could make two additional appointments this evening, that fall under the part of the agenda.

Supervisor Blum Bump said after our other appointments are completed.

Next appointments are on the Agricultural Committee.

Councilwoman Crane said the three appointments were discussed at the last Agricultural Committee and they are Robert McKeon, Richard Biezynski and Thomas Cordier.

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilman Ramsey and carried appointing Robert McKeon as a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- No
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilman Ramsey appointing Richard Biezynski to serve as a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilman Ramsey appointing Tom Cordier to serve as a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich appointing Robert McKeon to serve as Chairman of the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- No
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilman Ross said my reasons for not voting for Robert is that he and I have talked over the last few months and also his feeling on a moratorium prevents me from voting for Robert McKeon.

Supervisor Blum Bump said she would like to reiterate that there was no moratorium, I like to say that the board proposed to discuss that those in favor or not in favor discussing it to be used as a tool so at the end of the discussion I thought about it again and was not in favor of a moratorium. The only conclusion was it was the beginning of a discussion.

Councilwoman Crane said the next is the Senior Committee called the Senior Services who are going to deal with affordable housing within two years at the PERX property.

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Councilwoman Ross appointing Carl Dowden, Jack Rush, Rose Rider, exofficio Marc Molinaro, and Mayor David Cohen.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Supervisor Blum Bump appointing Rose Rider as Chairman of the Senior Committee.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilman Ross said he feels that it is essential and prudent that we get on with town business in a couple of hold over positions.

Motion by Councilman Ross, seconded by Councilwoman Crane and carried appointing Albert Trezza to a two year appointment as the Town Attorney.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilwoman Bordewich said she supports Al’s appointment. She also had several comments. The people here tonight questioned Keane & Beane who have also been with the town a number of years.

Al Trezza comments of Keane & Beane was that Joel Sachs was a very reliable person, having represented the town in all the Hannaford lawsuits.

Councilwoman Bordewich second comment, I do support Al as he has been willing to work with us, we have been discussing but have not put him on the agenda. I think in the future, Jim and I did discuss this earlier and we will go ahead and vote, but I just do not think it is a good precedence to bring up something without the Supervisor being informed ahead of time for the agenda.

Supervisor Blum Bump-we have finished our discussion with Al would he like to continue as town attorney. We are continuing discussing with every candidate.

Councilwoman Crane met with Supervisor Blum Bump and said she felt the Planning Board and Zoning Board are essential that we move forward and indicated we should approve the Zoning Board as it stands and secretary and that we reappoint Al Trezza.

Motion by Councilman Ross, seconded by Councilman Ramsey reappointing Jeanne Douglas as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilman Ross explained that by law the secretary to the Zoning Board is appointed by the Zoning Board and they meet February 11, 2004 at which time the decision will be made.

Councilwoman Bordewich approve of Jeanne being reappointed, as she is an independent voice and we need that. As far as the secretary goes the ruling from Association of Towns is that the board chooses their own secretary.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross that we reestablish a nine (9) member Economic Development Committee with Councilman Ramsey as liaison.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilman Ramsey will make recommendations to the Town Board of those who apply to him. Councilwoman Bordewich will work closely with Councilman Ramsey.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich that we expand our Ethics Committee from 3 to 5 members.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Supervisor Blum Bump said the Hudson River Valley Greenway invites us to participate in the first annual Greenway Visions in Planning Award (V.I.P).

The Village of Red Hook has applied for their free planting and has requested that the Town Board of Red Hook lend their support.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bmp, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich that we offer the Village of Red Hook our support, writing a letter to that fact.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross is that we apply for the VIP Program for the Town.

Robert McKeon said as our recent completed farmland protection project that personifies excellence in innovative planning, we should be eligible. The application has to be in their office by February 13, 2004.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Jeff Ackerly asked that Woody Klose’s name be included as a member of the Agricultural Committee as he was the life force when the committee started.

Ruth Oja CAC Chairperson explained that the Town of Red Hook is seeking a grant of $20,000 from the Five Star Restoration Matching Program to restore a small wetland between the Town Recreation Park and Apple Ring and construct a boardwalk across it.

This is a matching grant that must involve a partnership of five community-based group Partners contribute funding, land technical assistance, or work or other in-kind services.

RESOLUTION 2004 #5
RE- Grant to Restore Wetlands between Recreation Park and Apple Ring.


Resolution offered by Supervisor Marirose Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Sue Crane.

Copy Attached

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilman Ross, is it 5 communities that will donate their services up to $20,000?

Ruth Oja replied yes.

Supervisor Blum Bump read a letter from Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency announcing that on June 5, 2004 there will be a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event in Red Hook Recycling Center from 8:00a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich and carried that June 5, 2004 be known as Hazardous Waste Day.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Supervisor Blum Bump, a letter has been submitted to the DEC on the Red Wing Mine no later than February 11, 2004.

Town Attorney will review the letter.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich that upon approval of Town Attorney Trezza the letter will be sent to the DEC concerning the Red Wing Mining.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilwoman Bordewich said because Red Hook will be affected by traffic this will give us the opportunity to express our concern.

Brad Mitchell who lives on the border of both towns, the DEC should be notified whether zoning is allowed, so this should be stated in the letter.

Councilwoman Bordewich said the town’s original investment policy was adopted on October 27, 1988 and is reviewed annually.

Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Councilman Ramsey approving the Town of Red Hook’s investment policy.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Councilwoman Bordewich said we have two requests from Building Department feels it would benefit the town if we were to implement a fee for blasting.

Councilwoman Bordewich suggested we table this for our March meeting.

The second recommendation is that we increase our property searches fee.

Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Supervisor Blum Bump that we increase our property search fee from $35.00 to $50.00.

Vote- Supervisor Blum Bump- Yes
Councilman Ross- Yes
Councilwoman Crane- Yes
Councilwoman Bordewich- Yes
Councilman Ramsey- Yes

Committee Reports:

Zoning Board of Appeals

Councilman Ross said the ZBA was meeting tomorrow night with a couple of items on the Agenda.

Recreation Dept.

John Kuhn reported the Capital Improvement Projects is up and running so we will be coming before the Town Board to make a presentation to explain the needs and improvements.

Zoning

Councilwoman Bordewich reported for Zoning that Building Permits were issued and 42 Inspections done.

Correspondence:

Letter from Dutchess County Mayor and Supervisor’s Association asking to contribute to the Hospitality Room at the Association of Towns.

Marc Molinaro County Legislature said, I think that means sponsor you know to contribute not the Town itself.

Supervisor Blum Bump said that appointed Faith Ruggerio as part time secretary at $12.75 per hour for 19 hours. The first review in 30 days and the 2nd in 90 days.

Supervisor Blum Bump read the letter from Commissioner of County Planning Roger Akley expressing his opinion on a moratorium.

Public Comment:

Kenneth Anderson asked when the next planning board meeting will be held?

Councilwoman Bordewich said the next meeting would be the first Monday in March. The clerk has been ill, but hopefully this will be worked out, as we are trying to find someone to fill in.

Jeff Ackerly thanked the board for reinstating the Economic Development Committee in the town.

Resident said he would like to respond to the explosive blasting license. NYS has a whole division set up and already providing the services for Explosive Licenses.

Peter Girardi resident glad of what went on here tonight as this is open government, democracy in action.

Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross and carried meeting adjourned 10:48 p.m.

Town Clerk
Margaret E. Doty

Return to Index