Thursday, January 21, 2010

1/21/2010 Fishkill Town Board Meeting

http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/TownBoardAgendas/2010Agendas/01-21-10%20TB%20AGENDA.pdf

Amnesty for tickets law was passed. This will allow the Justice Court to
accept the original fine without penalty. It goes into effect on February 1st for a 90 day period.

A bid for trash collections was rejected and another bid went out. What the town does, is pass laws to deny others to make money, while those that contribute to their political campaign get the contracts.

For Example: Wetlands Laws are a sham as they are disregarded to benifit political operatives. For the normal citizen, it's just another tax on your land for the application.

They also require a Apprentance Program, but without union backing. If it does not have union backing, it means nothing to a Journyman. This way "preffered" contractors get the bid. Fishkill, under a FOIL request, was unable to tell me how many union workers, built the new rec center.

Project Labor Aggreements are a waste, as Fishkill passed the law, "after" it built the new PD and Recreation Center.

A new Senior Housing Development an the lands owned by Elant on 9D was discussed. Around 100 units for those over 62. This is a not-for profit, and will be given a tax abatement for 50 years.

A Budget Transfer of 18k was sent to the Parks Department.

The Salt Committe presented their findings. Doctor Eberle and Housing Director Gromkowsi informed the board of the problems associated with salt. Board appears pleased, and indicated that they wanted to take this to the county level. Report is available at the Clerks office.

Board then went into Executive Discussion to talk about unions. Based on inside sources, it appears that the Highway and Police Dispatchers joined the Teamsters out of Newburgh. http://teamsterslocal445.unionactive.com/This was done after the board stripped the non-union employees of pay and benifits. This will cost town residents much more in the future.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Merrit-Toll Brothers Water Problems

Last year at this time, the Merritt Park-Toll Brothers well on Snook Rd. Was found to be contaminated with high levels of Sodium and Chloride. Fishkill reserved it's right to sue the state over the contamination, even though they built a well at the intersection of Route 9 and I84. The NYS Health Department ordered the town to come up with a re-medial plan to address the problem. The town has 3 choices:

1. Continue to blend the Snook water with Village water.
2. Build a filtration plant. (about 15 million)
3. Hook into the Brickerhoff Water District.

The outcome was supposed to be out around July of 2009. The town was granted a extension until December of 2010. This is important as Toll Brothers will most likely, be sold out and leave. This means that the residents will not have any leverage over Toll.

According to my inside sources. Fishkill will take the Snook-Merritt-Toll well, offline. (3 Million Dollars of taxpayer money wasted, including a pipeline paid for by taxpayers) Until the building of a filtration plant becomes cost effective. Since Fishkill's elected officials tout a town wide water district, the cost associated with it will be bourne by all Fishkill residents.

The blending of water with the village, even though another well was drilled. May not happen as water capacity is limited. Recently, Fishkill recieved over 650K from a developer to secure Sewer Capacity at a mine that will be turned into a housing development. It appears that this village water is being reserved for future development along Route 9.

That leaves Brinckerhoff as the only logical alternative. Residents in this district, (Dutchess Park) who have paid of their infrastructure, will now be resposible for the water problems caused by Fishkill Officials and developers. That means higher costs and bonds.

Fishkill officials claim there is nothing wrong with the water. If so, why will it cost Fishkill residents more money?

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

1/5/2010 Fishkill Town Board Meeting

Short meeting today that lasted about 20 minutes. Main topic was re-organization, which included making lawyers alot of cash. Also 3 new police officers were hired.

Town Justices also requested a new law that will allow them to adjust fines owed to the town. A type of local limited amnesty.

If interested, this will be discussed at a Special Board Meeting later this month.