The Town of Poughkeepsie board is making its New Year’s resolutions and hopes to keep them for the coming year.
Joseph Conte (R-3rd Ward) was all smiles before the start of the Wednesday, Jan. 2 reorganization meeting, as the new councilman, having served on the town Planning Board for more than two years, is happy to continue his service to the town.
“I want to continue to work with the police and fire department, because public safety is a No. 1 priority for me,” said Conte, who said he supports the environment, and works as general manager for Adams Power Equipment at Adams Fairacre Farms.
“I’m hoping that we’ll all work together in a bipartisan way in the best interest of the town,” said Supervisor Patricia Myers, the sole Democrat on a 6-1 Republican majority board. “We still have a lot of work going forward.”
“I didn’t think that anybody was doing a bad job before me,” said Conte, referring to George Finn, a Democrat, who lost the election to Conte.
“I’m eager to serve the people and pay back the Town of Poughkeepsie for all they have done for me through the years,” said Conte, who resigned from his Planning Board position that night to prevent any possible conflicts of interest.
Myers is eager to address this year’s goals, such as the master plan, strengthening of aquatic resources, a tree ordinance and the completion and adoption of a sign ordinance
“Aquatic resources and the tree ordinance are going to take time to do,” she said. “The sign code has been presented to the Town Board, and hopefully we’ll be bringing it back next month.”
Councilman Stephan Krakower (R-5th Ward), one of the incumbents sworn in on Wednesday night, gave a list of goals he helped meet this past year, and a list of unfinished business he would like to see completed.
“We’ve spent about $16 million in road and drainage repairs,” he said. “One thing we want is to maintain the road and drainage in the town, implementing the zoning ordinance that we just passed, and making sure we follow through on that process.”
Krakower went on to say that residents’ concerns are a top priority.
“From the revaluations completed last year, there were a lot of problems with that,” said Krakower. “That’s something that has impacted a lot of families, because of the amount of taxes they’re paying in direct correlation with the value of their property.”
Krakower’s dissatisfaction refers to residents’ complaints surrounding revaluations done by MJW Consulting, Inc. last year.
“We are definitely looking to make a change. I think it’s long overdue,” Krakower said.
The entire Town Board was sworn in on Jan. 2, except for Jon Baisley (R-1st Ward), who was absent.
Conservation Advisory Committee concerns
At the meeting, town resident Virginia Buechele said she believes the Town Board incapacitated the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC), for at least its first meeting in January. Buechele believes the Conservation Advisory Commission should have 7 members to meet. She said one seat has been vacant for years. In addition, four people (Doreen Tignanelli, Kurt Hornick, Margaret Kelland, and Jean-Claude Fouere) were not reappointed by the Town Board on Jan. 2. Buechele said she believes the commission must have at least three members to meet.
Myers said she had received an e-mail from Jean Claude Fouere, saying he wanted his name taken off the list.
Buechele, a Democrat, ran for a board seat and lost this past year to 4th Ward Councilman Michael Cifone, who is heading into his third term on the board.
As to why the four members were not reappointed, Myers, who was the only Town Board member who opposed the 6-1 vote, said, “That’s a good question. I have no idea.” Myers went on to say that the decision by the board has been to “table it (vacant positions) until such time they are reappointed or new people are.”
Discussion will resume at the board’s Jan. 23 meeting.
“All these people that the Town Board did not reappoint have been serving on the CAC for some time. They care about their community and protecting their environment. They’ve been serving while you’ve been council people for the last two to four years,” Buechele said. “There’s no reason not to reappoint them.”
Myers added that according to town municipal law, the CAC can still meet until someone is appointed in their place, even though a term is expired. Myers asked the town attorney, Thomas Mahar Jr., for his opinion, and he said that unless an office is abolished, members can still sit in on their committee.