Town of Wawarsing

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of remembrance. Key discussions and approvals included paying town bills, approving various departmental reports (Building, Justice, Highway, Town Clerk, Dog Control, and Recreation), and approving the annual third-party witnessing proposal for the elevator in 2026. The Board approved the annual membership fee for American Waterworks Association. Approval was also granted for senior program scheduling and an agreement with the Ulster County SPCA regarding dog intake. A payment to J Square Construction Corp. for the sludge and clarifier unit of the redundancy project was approved. A public hearing was opened to receive input regarding the Khunen sidewalk project, with discussions on project progress and upcoming engineer meetings. The Board approved a flood renewal bill for the Napanok wastewater plant and authorized the hire of a new automotive mechanic for the highway department. Local Law 2026 regarding the Town of Wawarsing zoning was forwarded for review. The Board also authorized advertising for a public hearing on April 2, 2026, concerning 55-plus age-restricted housing. Approval was given for the Fourth of July Committee to use the airport grounds for a 250th-anniversary block party event. An agreement for annual bulk storage inspection updates for the Highway Department and the Joseph Y Resnick Airport was authorized. The Board approved advertising for a part-time seasonal payroll personnel position. Expenses for four Planning Board members to attend the New York Planning Federation Conference were approved, and quotes for a new trailer for the Napanox Sewer Department were accepted. Updates were provided regarding the pool grant, noting that completion is now scheduled for May 2027. The Board noted the cancellation of an airport update meeting due to weather, confirmed senior programs start date, and noted Camp Shangola registration is open. The transition to broadcasting meetings live on YouTube was announced. Updates were shared regarding town taxes payment options and town alert sign-ups. Various hiring needs were mentioned, including for an Assessor and positions within Recreation and Personnel. The supervisor announced a new informal monthly Saturday morning availability session for the public to chat with town leadership. Discussions also touched upon issues with Nap water well number four requiring rehab and filter work, and updates on short-term rental discussions.

The meeting addressed public concerns regarding a recently adopted local law (Local Law Number Two under section 112-B) concerning a townwide 55-plus age requirement, which residents argued was improperly referred to the County Planning Board and voted on prematurely, potentially exposing the town to litigation. The Board acknowledged procedural errors and announced plans for the next meeting (February 19th) to include a motion to repeal the law and reset the consideration process, scheduling a public hearing for the first meeting in April. Other key topics included a resident's concerns about a law rendering currently unused cabins worthless, the need to review and update the outdated Comprehensive Plan, requests for facility upgrades (wastewater treatment plant redundancy), and approvals for various payments related to infrastructure projects (FAA project, taxiway rehabilitation) and community events (Easter egg hunt, snow tubing). The resignation of the Payroll Personnel Assistant, effective April 8, 2026, was also accepted.

The meeting included tabling the minutes for July and October, pending review, and discussions regarding expiring town board terms, including one vacancy advertisement. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Burroen Park playground equipment upgrade, which is funded by $80,000 from an unspecified source, $40,000 from Mark Wuzzac, and $50,000 commitments each from the village and town, totaling $220,000. There was also a detailed discussion concerning safety improvements for the playground area adjacent to softball fields, specifically regarding netting to protect children from stray balls, noting that two children had been hit recently. Additionally, significant attention was given to the Rail Trail maintenance, noting damage to a new bridge near Port Ben where a tree fell, requiring new railings to be fabricated. Furthermore, members expressed concern over the poorly maintained section of the rail trail between the sewer plant and the village, noting it is overgrown and in worse condition than other recently resurfaced sections, contrasting it with the well-maintained Accord section and suggesting the need for a formal maintenance program.

The meeting included a period for public concerns and covered multiple agenda items. Key discussions involved approving bills, scheduling the 2026 organizational meeting, and approving payments for work related to the Water District extension and the new Highway Garage project, with the latter payment being tabled for further clarification. Amendments were approved for additional services related to the Khansson sewer district modifications. The board also authorized the Recreation Director to cover meal costs for My Sisters Keeper students attending a ceremony. Furthermore, Personnel Code 3.3.1 regarding town office closures during inclement weather was amended to clarify compensation for emergency operations employees. Road materials bidding was addressed; due to a vendor requesting to lower a sealed bid after opening, the board decided to reject the bids and readvertise, while also considering piggybacking on county bids. Updates were provided on the Kirhon wastewater redundancy grant project, community events, and open positions on the Parks Commission and Assessor's office.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and recognition of community members who passed away since the last meeting. Key agenda items included approving various departmental reports (Building, Justice Court, Highways, Town Clerk, Recreation, Dog Control, Supervisor). The Board authorized an agreement with the Humane Society of Middletown for dog intake and executed an agreement with CSG4 Payments for recreation department camp registration. Actions were taken regarding the reappointment of Dan McQuillin to the Board of Assessment Review and Patrick Gardinski as a full-time Code Enforcement Officer, beginning January 1st, 2026. Significant discussion and a public hearing centered on Local Law Number 2025, which concerns waiving a state 55-plus age restriction requirement for a 182-unit housing development at the corner of 4455 and 209, allowing marketing to the general public after 60 days, following developer investments made under prior understandings. The Board also discussed and approved an amendment to the zoning law, creating Chapter 112-80 to address this specific development. Payments were approved for Barbara River flag repair engineering services and emergency repairs at the wellhouse, alongside a large payment for taxiway rehabilitation construction.