John Bart Gordon

The Town Board meeting included the approval of minutes from prior meetings in December 2025 and January 2026, and the authorization for payment of audited bills. Key agenda items involved accepting the Police Department Activity Report for December 2025. A public hearing was held to discuss the Town's application for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grant concerning the Letchworth Property. The Board appointed Gregory J. Grange as a full-time Groundsworker for the Parks Department, effective January 12, 2026, and subsequently created one such full-time position for the department, effective January 13, 2026. The Board adopted the 2026 golf rates for the Philip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course and authorized agreements for maintenance services (Landtek Group for synthetic turf), music licensing (ASCAP), and nuisance wildlife control (Thomas J. Maglaras and Carl Lindesley for woodchucks and Canadian goose eggs). Further actions included authorizing agreements related to employee resignation and termination, acquiring equipment for the golf course, approving a change order for bridge decking replacement at the golf course, and authorizing an amendment to extend an intermunicipal agreement with the Rockland County Intelligence Center. Finally, the Supervisor was authorized to enter an agreement with Landtek Group to repair damaged pickleball court fencing and gates, with costs covered by insurance.

The Town Board meeting agenda included the approval of the previous Town Board meeting minutes from October 14, 2025, and the approval of bills audited at the current meeting. A public hearing scheduled to consider adopting Local Law No. 6-2025, amending Town Code Chapter 167 regarding single-family home construction, was cancelled. The Board rescheduled its first November meeting due to Veteran's Day and set a date for a public hearing on the Preliminary Town Budget for the 2026 fiscal year, specifying proposed annual salaries for various positions. Furthermore, the Board declared itself Lead Agency and issued a Negative Declaration under SEQRA for the rehabilitation project at Bowline Point Park, involving riprap installation. Actions included awarding RFP No. 12-2025 for newsletter printing and mailing to Star Press of Valley Cottage, authorizing the refund of a building permit fee to Mr. Kalmen Yabra, authorizing an agreement with Blue Dragon Connections, LLC for a camera system upgrade at Town Hall, and authorizing the purchase of a 2025 Ford F-550 flatbed truck. The Board also authorized an agreement with Sprague Operating Resources LLC for natural gas supply, accepted the resignation of Jake Kryger, awarded RFP No. 13-2025 for highway department magnet printing and mailing to Shell Ann Printing, and retained the services of J&G Law, LLP for tax certiorari proceedings.

The meeting included public hearings for two site plan approval applications. The first was for converting vacant space in the former bank building at 81 West Ramapo Road into a 1,000 square foot yoga/fitness studio, which was ultimately continued to the January 2026 meeting pending receipt of further documentation, including a parking study. The second public hearing concerned an application for a 12,000 square foot two-story professional office building at 130 West Ramapo Road. Discussions focused on building elevation changes to improve accessibility, landscaping plans, occupancy limits, provisions for EV charging conduit, and concerns raised by an adjacent resident regarding parking variance, property offsets, and existing property maintenance, particularly a fence. The public hearing for this item was also continued to January 14, 2026.

The Town Board conducted a Special Meeting where the primary actions involved the adoption of the 2026 Tax Rates for the Town of Haverstraw, based on the Director of Finance's recommendation. Specific tax rates were established for various categories including County Tax, R.C.S.W.A. charges, Town Tax Rates (Homestead and Non-Homestead), Highway Part Town rates, and specific rates for Lighting, Water, Fire, Ambulance, and Sewer Districts. Additionally, the Board authorized the Supervisor to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Town of Haverstraw Highway Department for the period starting January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Finally, the date for the 2026 Reorganization Meeting was set for January 8, 2026.

The Re-Organization Meeting addressed numerous administrative and appointment matters for the upcoming year. Key actions included the appointment of the Deputy Supervisor, Director of Finance, Town Attorney, and various other officials and representatives. The Board designated official depositories for town monies, established Town Board meeting dates and procedures for holidays, and authorized the settlement of small claim assessment review cases for residences not exceeding three families. Furthermore, the Board adopted the Investment Policy, Fund Balance Policy, and Online/Electronic Banking Policy for the fiscal year 2026, accepted the 2026 Salary Schedule, and authorized facsimile stamping for voucher approval. Appointments were made to multiple boards and commissions, including the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Youth Board. The Board also authorized agreements for consulting services, IT services, and representation in police and labor matters.