Town of Hurley

The meeting addressed several key administrative and operational matters. Discussions included strategies to potentially lower the highway garage bond cost through value engineering and pursuit of a state grant. The Town Clerk presented her annual report, highlighting statistics for issued handicap tags, recorded marriages, and reported deaths, alongside net revenue figures, and detailed ongoing projects like implementing a new payment card system and restoring license issuance capabilities. The Recreation Committee reported on field measurements needed for topsoil estimates, the status of the field improvements budget, planned outings, and the progress of the Super Senior soups program and Hurley Day subcommittee. Building Department updates noted the impending retirement of the Building Inspector and a recent resignation, leading to plans to hire new part-time and full-time inspectors. The Highway Department addressed a payroll overpayment issue due to a computer error, which will be recovered over 20 pay weeks. The Town Assessor reported on arm's length sales and current tax roll processing activities. The Safety Committee prioritized road safety, working on speed limits, bike lanes, and the Woohoo Trail feasibility study, while also working on the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. The Housing Advisory Committee is focusing on short-term rentals, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and zoning changes. The Hurley Ambulance Service reported operational readiness and call volume. A resolution was adopted to formally accept the Natural Resources Inventory as a reference tool for future planning and policy development. Furthermore, resolutions were passed appointing a new part-time Supervisor's Clerk, another appointment for a Clerk (part-time), and appointing a temporary part-time Municipal Code Officer/Building Inspector I for MS4 Program compliance. A resolution authorized the Supervisor to execute agreements with RBT CPA, LLC for professional accounting services, detailing the scope for the 2025 fiscal year report, and another authorized the execution of a retainer agreement with the Town Attorney for 2026 legal services. Finally, the board approved the contract with the Ulster County SPCA for dog control and canine care services for 2026, authorized payment for the Senior Account Clerk to attend NYGFOA training, approved the 2026 membership of the Hurley Rail Trail Committee, discussed the need for a policy regarding employee certification training, and deferred voting on opposition to the Governor's Rapid Act initiative.

The meeting included a comprehensive update on the Hurley Ambulance Service's operations, noting 89 calls responded to since the beginning of the year, and discussed efforts to increase local staffing. Key personnel changes were addressed, including the resignation of Ken Fitzgerald and the appointment of Leanne Buckinger as acting chief. Administrative items covered staffing for the ambulance service, office equipment replacement via county surplus desks, updates on equalization rates for property assessments, and reviews of financial reports and highway vouchers. Other topics included receiving correspondence regarding clothing donations, discussing plans for field revitalization (grass seeding planned for mid-April for June utilization), and reviewing grant applications for senior bus trips, dugouts, and legal shredding days. The board also discussed future Memorial Day celebrations and ongoing planning for the Early Day festival, including setting locations and securing logistics like busing for the event.

The regular monthly meeting of the Planning Board was called to order. Key agenda items included administrative notes regarding the numbering of Planning Board resolutions and updates on the municipal website change. Discussions covered the approval of meeting minutes from January 28th, 2026, which passed unanimously. A ministerial amendment to a lot line adjustment application (2025-SPL55.8-438843) was approved, involving the transfer of acreage between lots. The board also addressed Application 2026-03, adopting a resolution for non-significance with a negative declaration. Further discussion focused on preliminary plat approval for application 2026-2525-03, including granting waivers for the public hearing requirement and supporting document requirements based on the final plan's substantial agreement with the code. The board then moved to agenda item two concerning application issues, specifically referencing the Department of Health septic approval.

The agenda for the Regular Town Board Meeting includes authorization for the Supervisor to execute contracts for Highway Garage Geotechnical Engineering services and services with UCRRA. Other resolutions involve adopting a Remote Work Policy for Town employees, awarding a contract for an Attic RFP to A.B. Airsealing, approving a temporary appointment for ZEO and authorizing a professional services agreement for advisory zoning services. Additionally, the Board plans to adopt an Inventory and Capital Asset Policy, approve Planning Board members for NY Planning Federation Training, hire a new Full-Time Highway Department HMEO, and appoint a Part-Time Deputy Town Clerk. Discussions cover re-establishing the Architectural Review Board, addressing Town Hall Ice Dam Issues, updating information on open positions for Planning and Zoning Boards, and discussing Zoning Changes and the Stretch Code.

The meeting addressed two public hearings regarding zoning variances. The first hearing concerned an application for a fence installation at 38 Maverick Road, requesting a variance to install a 7.5-foot fence with lattice in place of the standard 6-foot height, which was ultimately granted with conditions related to maintaining visual transparency. The second public hearing involved an application at 39 Wall Street, seeking two area variances for the placement of a 10 by 20 storage shed on an R2 district lot, as its size exceeded the 144 square foot limit. The board evaluated the application based on standard variance criteria, considering factors like neighborhood character, necessity, and self-created difficulty.