Town of Pawling

The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting addressed several applications for area variances, specifically for properties located at 7 Oak Drive, 21 Stebbins Farm Road, and 35 Lakeview Drive.

The meeting agenda included a presentation on Ambulance Service by Empress Representatives, a discussion regarding a Proposal for a Linda Grossman Grant Writer, and Town Board Items for Special Consideration & New Business. Key resolutions passed included the authorization for payment of bills totaling $2,133,830.86 (Vouchers #20260001 through #20260152). Further resolutions authorized a Shared Services Agreement with Dutchess County Sign Shop for sign manufacturing, authorized a refund of a pro-rated recreation fee to Justine Gray, directed Pawling Recreation to establish a Program Enrollment Policy, rejected a request to alienate a portion of Dutcher Golf Course for private parking, approved concept approval for an Intermunicipal Agreement relating to Highway Department Shared Services, and addressed Budget Amendments for Fiscal Year 2025.

Key discussions during the meeting involved a presentation from the Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds regarding Little League fields and storage needs, including plans for Opening Day and a potential movie night. Resolutions passed included the authorization for payment of town bills totaling $389,280.57, the establishment of the pay scale for the Recreation Department for calendar year 2026, and multiple appointments: Bridget Burns as Deputy Town Clerk with a salary of $50,000 commencing February 23, 2026; Connor Dickinson as full-time maintenance worker at $24.00 per hour effective February 23, 2026; and Jeremy Cozzocrea as part-time Recreation Club Assistant at $15.00 per hour beginning February 10, 2026. Discussion topics included updates on USPS postmark changes affecting timely tax payments, NYSEG tree trimming plans and informational meetings, the new assessor's office hours, labor counsel consultation, future department workshop meetings, impending contract extension discussions with Empress, and updates regarding ambulance service planning required by the Governor. A Public Hearing for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was announced for February 18, 2026, and the Public Hearing for Sewer Commission fees was set for March 4, 2026. The board also discussed re-evaluating the reduction in the July 1st discounted rate for transfer station permits and an update on the Sewer District information requested by the Comptroller.

The board conducted a public hearing regarding a Community Development Block Grant application for ADA compliant bathroom and sidewalk improvements at Murrow Park. Additionally, a resolution was passed to appoint a new full-time laborer to the Highway Department.

The meeting agenda included a public hearing concerning an increase for the Pawling joint sewer commission. An announcement was made regarding the sale of Transfer Station permits starting March 9, 2026. Key resolutions addressed the appointment of Mary Aldrich as Part Time Bookkeeper with a $50,000 annual salary commencing March 5, 2026, and the appointment of Michelle Fredericks as Deputy Assessor starting March 5, 2026, under a shared service agreement with the Town of LaGrange. The Board also authorized the submission of a CDBG Application for the Murrow Park ADA Bathroom and Sidewalk Project, appointed Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petrigrow & Mayle, LLP as Town Labor Counsel for 2026, and appointed SLR Engineering as a consultant for the Town Planning Board. Furthermore, the date for Grievance Day was set for May 27, 2026, and the dates for the 2026 Town Bulk Pick Up were set for April 22 and April 23, 2026. Finally, the Board ratified the pro-rata share of sewer costs and adopted a 21% increase for Operation & Maintenance (O&M) sewer rates, effective in the June billing quarter, following the public hearing.