Jennifer Chapman

The Town Board agenda for the meeting included discussions on new business such as advice from the Town Attorney regarding volunteers, establishing Town email accounts for all Town Boards, and discussion about a year-round, part-time position for the New Town Hall. Old business items covered scheduling a special meeting regarding the paving of Ward Road, an update on the New Town Hall, updates from the Beautification Committee Chair, and a comprehensive update from the Personnel Committee concerning an interview policy, interview record, status of various positions (Recreation, Zoning, Grounds), and document sharing. The resolutions section addressed the waiver of a 30-day notice period for a liquor license application, approving multiple change orders related to the electrical contractor for the New Town Hall project, authorizing payments for several abstracts (Abstract NO. 2, 12C, and 2P of 2026), and multiple appointments or designations, including the Beautification Committee Chair (tabled from a previous meeting), two alternates to the Zoning Board of Appeals, an Account Clerk (PT), a Part-Time Legislative Aide, and two alternates to the Planning Board.

The Town Board agenda included several discussions and resolutions. New business items covered advice from the Town Attorney on volunteers, Town email accounts for all Town Boards, and discussion regarding a year-round, part-time position for the New Town Hall. Old business included scheduling a Special Town Board Meeting concerning paving of Ward Road, updates on the New Town Hall, a discussion regarding the Beautification Committee Chair, and a Personnel Committee update covering proposed interview policy, record keeping, and status on various positions. Resolutions addressed waiving the 30-day notice for a liquor license, approving change orders for the electrical contractor on the New Town Hall project (Resolutions 208/2026 and 208A/2026), authorizing payments for various Abstracts (Abstracts No. 2, 12C, and 2P of 2026), and appointments for the Beautification Committee Chair, and two alternates to the Zoning Board of Appeals (Melissa Arpino and Evan Wilson), as well as the appointment of Janet Almasi as Account Clerk (PT) and the appointment of a Part-Time Legislative Aide.

The meeting commenced with the announcement that Mr. Ron Perry joined as a regular board member and that the board is interviewing for alternates. The primary focus was an appeal by Pekkham Industries regarding a citation issued for noise violations stemming from their asphalt plant operations on North Avenue. The board heard extensive arguments from Pekkham's representatives detailing the history of their operations, which have been a lawfully permitted use since the 1930s/1940s, and the significant, continuous upgrades made to equipment and site layout to mitigate noise and visual impacts, including lowering stock piles and installing acoustic fencing. A proposed resolution was discussed wherein Pekkham would drop the appeal, the town would drop the notice of violation, contingent upon limiting night work to governmental projects (with advanced notice) or emergency washouts, and establishing quarterly meetings to discuss ongoing operations. Questions were raised by board members regarding the definition of 'emergency work' and whether the proposed night work limitations constitute an exemption from noise regulations.

The committee addressed several operational and initiative-based topics across multiple meetings. Key discussions included improving the webpage's public visibility, managing committee membership growth, and exploring beautification opportunities such as placing planters near the fire department. A major focus was the Arnoff signage planting project, for which a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) template will be drafted to outline responsibilities like watering and maintenance. The committee also reviewed the Adopt-a-Spot program, modeled after Hastings on Hudson, detailing its framework for public-private maintenance partnerships and site adoption. Furthermore, efforts regarding the ProHousing Community Certification were discussed, noting difficulties in accessing historical building permit data necessary for the application. Other topics included pursuing the Hudson River Greenway Grant for park signage with solar lighting, addressing coordination challenges for cleanups (e.g., Scout projects), and making progress on downtown revitalization goals consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

The special meeting addressed one primary agenda item: Appeal #1087 concerning the property at 181 Tinkertown Road. The applicant sought approval for a revised inground pool size (20'x32') which required a new variance of 13 feet from the left property line, as the initial variance for a pool in the front yard was granted for a different dimension (16'x36'). Following a review of the legal notifications and a balancing test evaluation, the Board voted to close the public hearing and subsequently granted the requested 13-foot variance.