January 27, 2004
9:00pm
Special Meeting — Red Hook Town Board
The Town Board of Red Hook held a
Special Meeting January 27, 2004 at 9:00 p.m. at the Town Hall 7340 So.
Broadway Red Hook, N.Y. with the following in attendance:
Supervisor – Marirose Blum Bump
Councilman – James Ross
Councilman – Harold Ramsey
Councilwoman – Sue Crane
Councilwoman – Jean Bordewich
Deputy Town Clerk – Susan McCann
Absent: Town Clerk Margaret Doty
Supervisor Blum Bump opened the meeting with the Pledge Allegiance to the
Flag.
Supervisor Blum Bump announced there will now be a public comment period,
please don’t speak longer than 3 minutes.
Jeff Ackerly…. I served on Agricultural Advisory Committee in the past and I’m
current Chamber of Commerce President and reside for about 7 years in Red
Hook. I saw on the agenda the discussion on the moratorium; as a realtor and
President of the Chamber I want you to consider that much of the livelihood of
this town is made up of service people, surveyors, engineers, architects,
builders, subcontractors and I understand reasons for looking at moratorium,
it has been my experience, they are very expensive and take a long time and I
don’t think in the case of Red Hook it’s at all necessary. I would take a
downward look at moratorium.
Robert McKeon…. I also am not in favor of a moratorium. I don’t think it’s
generally a good idea. I do however have quite a bit of experience with our
town Zoning code, Master Plan, there are discrepancies, they do need to be
cleared up. I think in this case it might be warranted. I think 6 months might
provide some hardship for some people so perhaps there is some compromise
there. I’m personally not in favor of them but from my experience this town
definitely needs to get some things cleared up, things don’t match. It’s
important for the applicant whether for building permit or subdivision at
least have a clear sense of what the laws are.
Ken Anderson….I agree, we should hold off on a moratorium. We should address
current business that is on the table and give some thought to anything new
coming in. I’d like you to give consideration to not going into a moratorium.
Tim Ross… Chairman of the Zoning Board and Engineer who represents clients in
front of the Planning Board. My experience with Red Hook zoning, it’s well
thought out as with any codes there are some discrepancies, not nearly what
there are in other towns and I think a moratorium would be detrimental to a
lot of people in the Town. Because of the Bond issue just passed certain open
lands will be preserved anyway.
Kathy Stewart… I’m involved with the Farm committee and Red Hook Concerns. I’d
like to hear a discussion about a moratorium. I’m very concerned about the
places where the zoning and planning do not line up. I’ve been in discussion
with the school and the money it costs us if large subdivision goes in and we
need to stop and look. Your school taxes go way up. I think this is important
in any discussion about a moratorium. I am sympathetic of service people
working in our community, no other moratorium in surrounding communities.
Maybe not 6 months but we need discussion.
With no further comments, the public comment period closed at 9:10 p.m.
Supervisor Blum Bump read letter to Joel Diemond, Chairman Dutchess County
Planning Board dated Jan. 27, 2004.
Re- Purchase of Development Rights-John Steiner Farm
Dear Mr. Diemond
Enclosed please find a copy of the Resolution which was unanimously adopted on
Jan. 23, 2004 at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Town Board approving the
purchase of the development rights of the John Steiner farm property. As you
can see, the Resolution is for a contribution by the Town of Red Hook of up to
fifty percent of the agreed upon price which at this time we understand is
$1,304,343.00.
The Resolution is also conditioned upon the fact that these monies are not to
be spent until the County of Dutchess and the Dutchess Land Conservancy are in
full agreement and are ready, willing and able to close on the purchase of
these development rights.
Please advise if anything further is necessary on the part of the Town to
ensure that the County is willing to go forward with this matter.
Very truly yours, Marirose Blum Bump Supervisor, Town of Red Hook.
Supervisor Blum Bump read copy of resolution.
Attorney has reviewed, minor type
o’s.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Crane to send the
letter to Joel Diamond.
All in favor -
Supervisor Blum Bump - Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - None
Reorganization and Appointment Recommendation
Water District Board
Gregory Fildes- reappoint
Mark Graminski- reappoint
Chair- Henry Van Parys- reappoint
Secretary- Carol Little- reappoint
Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Councilwoman Crane to appoint
members to the Water District Board.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - None
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Ken Migliorelli- reappoint
Larry Thetford- reappoint
Kathy Stewart- reappoint
Craig Vogel-reappoint
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich to appoint
members to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - None
Conservation Advisory Council
Rich Schiavo- appoint
Jim Rapoli-reappoint
Secretary- Susan Ellis –reappoint
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich to appoint
members of the Conservation Advisory Committee.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - None
Design Review/Hamlet Committee
Henry Fournier – reappoint
Chair- Chris Gilbert – reappoint
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Crane to appoint
members of the Design Review/Hamlet Committee.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - None
Recreation Commission
Robert Bowman- reappoint
Tom Budd- reappoint
Chair- Doug Strawinski, replacing Robert Bowman who resigned
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ramsey to appoint
members to the Recreation Commission.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - None
Senior Housing Committee
Evelyn Anderson
Judy Walsh
Kelly Mosher
Phil Seymour
Karen Campbell
Secretary- Barbara Jeck
Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Supervisor Blum Bump to appoint
members to the Senior Housing Committee.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - None
Motion by Councilman Ross, seconded by Supervisor Blum Bump to rename Senior
Housing Committee to Senior Services Committee.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - None
Councilwoman Crane said this committee will expand. The chair to be
determined, Karen Campbell has declined.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilwoman Bordewich to disband
the Zoning Review Committee.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed - Councilman Ross
Councilman Ross said we have had no discussion on this subject matter. We
discussed possibly rearranging or changing its name but we never discussed
disbanding it.
Supervisor Blum Bump said the next item on agenda is the committee that is
renamed. By our vote we disband the Zoning Review Committee.
Naming of the new committee which is the Land Use Task Force. No appointments
will be made tonight just renaming the committee.
Councilwoman Bordewich asks are you forming the Task Force for a one year
period or is it an on going task force. Is this a one year assignment to look
at the zoning & master plan and make necessary changes?
Supervisor Blum Bump said yes its one year, they have the charge of looking at
our master plan, zoning code and land use overlays and matching them up to
give a good base for making our land use decision.
Councilwoman Crane asks if we disband that committee there are members whose
names are not here whose terms do not expire but are willing to serve and have
served well and I believe should be under consideration for the new committee.
Supervisor Blum Bump… I believe the Zoning Review Committee hasn’t met in
quite a long time.
Councilwoman Bordewich…they do meet periodically and last year came to the
board with recommendations. There are people whose names are not on the list
because their terms hadn’t expired and we should add them to the list of
candidates for the new Task Force
Councilman Ross… what do you propose the makeup of the new committee will be.
The old Zoning Review Committee was made up of our zoning enforcement officer,
chairman of planning board, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals were
automatically on that committee, a member from each of those committees not
necessarily the chairman who is busy chairing over their committees.
Supervisor Blum Bump….we’ll discuss it, tonight the motion was made to form
that committee as the Land Use Task Force.
Councilwoman Bordewich… we need to review and discuss our lists and I agree
the chair would not be the right person to be part of an intensive task force.
Councilman Ramsey… I thought our plan was to rename the Zoning Review
Committee, expand our charter and leave layout basically the way we had it
except changing the chair to a member.
Supervisor Blum Bump…we may do that under the Land Use Task Force.
Councilwoman Bordewich… Task force is a 1 year effort than we can take a look.
Councilman Ramsey… I thought it was just renaming, keeping the committee and
expand their charter. I would like those members from the Zoning Review to be
asked if they want to be on the new committee.
Councilwoman Crane… I agree to expand the committee, calling it a Task Force
has a time limit and zoning is so important to have a review committee whether
its called Zoning Review or Land Use to be seen as a on going effort to stay
current. I prefer to omit the Task Force of it.
Councilwoman Ross… so you are proposing to call it the Land Use Committee or
Zoning Review Land Use Committee.
Councilwoman Crane… Either name would be fine. Don’t limit for one year it’s
not adequate.
Councilwoman Bordewich….I think the kind of person who might want to serve on
a one year Task Force might not be the same who wants to be on an ongoing
committee. Maybe we should discuss, committees usually have a 2 year
appointment, task force a one year. I’d like to think about it.
Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Supervisor Blum Bump to table
the discussion on the Land Use Committee.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed- None
Councilman Ross….do we have a schedule when we will discuss this because there
is a lot of limbo here.
Supervisor Blum Bump…we are making progress on the reorganization and we can
discuss it at the next workshop meeting which is Tuesday.
Councilwoman Bordewich….If we have that workshop discussion than we might be
able to make more appointments at our second Tuesday of the month Business
meeting. I’d like to finish reorg. by then if possible.
Councilwoman Crane…..Feb. 3rd. workshop is it 7:00 or 7:30 p.m.
Supervisor Blum Bump…it’s at 7:30 p.m.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross that we appoint
Charlie Callejo as PANDA board member and liaison to the Town Board.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed- None
Frank Bauer resigned, Charlie replaces him.
Supervisor Blum Bump… Proposing a discussion of a moratorium, what has to be
discussed is the justification for a moratorium and the scope of a moratorium.
We are not going to discuss them tonight but I’m proposing we set up a
discussion.
At this time Supervisor Blum Bump read a fact sheet on what is a moratorium.
Copy Attached
Hope the fact sheet has been helpful. The fact sheet will be available at the
Town Clerk’s office.
Correspondence:
- Resignation letter from Marcy Appell resigning from the Greenway Committee
and the Zoning Review Committee.
- Letter from Keane & Beane, P.C. thanking for reappointing them as Special
Counsel to the Town of Red Hook.
- Letter sent to Hannaford from Supervisor Blum Bump about St. Margaret’s Home
being transferred from Hannaford for the community. St. Margaret’s is on the
State & National Historic Registers.
Recreation Park Commission proposed to approve the vehicle. The playground
equipment has already been approved. Two other time sensitive items are the
vehicle and picnic tables. State price is 50% lower. They requested 12 tables
instead of 6 which because of the lower price would be the same amount of
money.
Tables are $272.00 each on state bid for a better quality table.
Councilwoman Crane….are we required to buy a dozen under state bid?
Supervisor Blum Bump…no it’s not required.
Motion by Councilwoman Crane, seconded by Supervisor Blum Bump to buy the 6
picnic tables at the lower price of $272.00 each for the rec. park.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed- None
Next item is the vehicle.
Councilman Ross… this is time sensitive because the state contract price is
going up.
Supervisor Blum Bump responds yes for this one particular model. This is a
lawn mower tractor for the ball fields and the price goes up with new state
contract prices.
Councilman Ross…the field finisher is $9,198.00. The other item is the Gator
for $6523.00.
The only thing they did not bring up is how much of this is coming out of
their current budget. A certain amount of their budget is capital equipment,
so if we approve purchasing we need to sit down with them and figure what
would come out of their already approved budget.
Councilwoman Bordewich….They were proposing taking this out of the Recreation
Park fund.
Councilman Ross… They don’t make that decision, we do. They do need the
equipment.
Councilwoman Bordewich…exactly, we should clarify with them before we go and
buy it. Some high school students came in and talked specifically about the
ball fields poor condition. The rec. park said it’s hard with existing
equipment. I would be inclined to support it also. I’d like to take a look at
their budget and not just take it out of their capital fund.
Supervisor Blum Bump… so we’ll authorize the purchase but we’ll discuss what
fund it comes out of.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross to allow for the
purchase of the equipment by the Rec Park because of it’s time sensitive
nature.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed- None
Supervisor Blum Bump announces at this time we’ll allow for a short comment
period.
John Douglas, former member of the Zoning Review Committee which was disbanded
this evening. I’d like to be on the new committee the Land Use Committee.
Second, the Elmendorph is a very under utilized building according to the
President of the Elmendorph. It’s meant for the community but is not used.
He’d love to see the building utilized to a greater extent. He also stated he
would not like the Town to take over St. Margaret’s because then they’ll be in
competition and it will be used even less. Then we’ll have 2 buildings under
utilized.
Councilwoman Bordewich…. Who are you talking about?
John Douglas….President Nick Annas
Supervisor Blum Bump…are you speaking on his behalf.
John Douglas…. No I’m not. I’m talking about a group discussion I was part of.
The third thing is the moratorium. I’m still at a loss why you Marirose feel
we need a moratorium. I’m not saying it right or wrong.
Supervisor Blum Bump…were you here last meeting? I made a statement regarding
why I thought we needed a moratorium and I’d be happy to give you a copy of my
statement after the meeting.
Motion by Supervisor Blum Bump, seconded by Councilman Ross the meeting
adjourned at 10:09 p.m.
All in favor-
Supervisor Blum Bump- Aye
Councilman Ross- Aye
Councilman Ramsey- Aye
Councilwoman Crane- Aye
Councilwoman Bordewich- Aye
Opposed- None
Deputy Town Clerk
Susan McCann