The village recently passed a $1.7 million bond for water line improvement on the Route 9 corridor. This cost will be borne by all district users. This is subject to Permissive Referendum. What this means is that you can collect names on a petition and put it up for a public vote with the election machines.
Some have stated that this improvement is meant to benefit a specific landowner, who will now be able to propose High Density Housing on property that is in the town.
Note: The Village owns it's water wells inside the Town of Fishkill, and then sells the water to town residents at a nice profit. Don't ask me how, but that's how it is. If you live in a water district outside of the village. It's taxation without representation. You can do a Permissive Referendum but you cannot vote for or against those that control your water.
If you live in Glenham, Beacon Hills, Forge Brook or even as far as Wappinger Town. You are out of luck.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Village of Fishkill to raise water rates
After Town of Fishkill residents have seen a doubling of water taxes. The Village of Fishkill is about to make things worse. According to the January 30, 2013 issue of the Southern Dutchess News.
The village is raising water rates 10%.
That means if you live in the village, Glenham, Forgebrook, Beacon Hills and any other district that gets water from the village, you will be paying even more for water.
The Public Hearing for the increase is February 4 at 7 pm at either Village Hall or the DuBoise House at the Dutch Reformed Church on Rt. 52 and 9.
The village is raising water rates 10%.
That means if you live in the village, Glenham, Forgebrook, Beacon Hills and any other district that gets water from the village, you will be paying even more for water.
The Public Hearing for the increase is February 4 at 7 pm at either Village Hall or the DuBoise House at the Dutch Reformed Church on Rt. 52 and 9.
1/23/13 Fishkill Special Town Board Meeting
http://fishkilltownny.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1067
Please note that this meeting was not televised.
Of importance:
There is going to be Zoning change to allow for Accessory Cottages.
There was discussion about a Hotel Tax, in which a board member stated it was the Village of Fishkill that brought it to the town as a proposal.
The Senior Tax exemption failed as it was not submitted on time.
Wood Fire Boilers will be regulated.
On 5.A.3.a There is a possible proposal to place on the ballot, for Land Conservation. The town already has a Parklands Trust Fund that is meant for such purpose. After a 53% tax increase, 25% sewer and 78% water increase. The town is considering shackling the taxpayer with another tax. The town is looking at a way to preserve a Revolutionary War Burial Ground. Instead of working for the developer, I suggest the town rezone this plot into a cemetery.
There was also talk about a lawsuit against a law firm. This was discussed in Executive Session and I have no information on it as of now.
Please note that this meeting was not televised.
Of importance:
There is going to be Zoning change to allow for Accessory Cottages.
There was discussion about a Hotel Tax, in which a board member stated it was the Village of Fishkill that brought it to the town as a proposal.
The Senior Tax exemption failed as it was not submitted on time.
Wood Fire Boilers will be regulated.
On 5.A.3.a There is a possible proposal to place on the ballot, for Land Conservation. The town already has a Parklands Trust Fund that is meant for such purpose. After a 53% tax increase, 25% sewer and 78% water increase. The town is considering shackling the taxpayer with another tax. The town is looking at a way to preserve a Revolutionary War Burial Ground. Instead of working for the developer, I suggest the town rezone this plot into a cemetery.
There was also talk about a lawsuit against a law firm. This was discussed in Executive Session and I have no information on it as of now.
Fishkill Officials Should Lead by Example
Published in the January 23, 2013 issue of the Southern Dutchess News
In its January 16 issue, the Southern Dutchess News reported on Fishkill's reorganization meeting. In that article, it described Councilman's Buck's suggestion that the town board meetings occur once a month. What's ironic is that during the same meeting, which was televised, Buck appears to suggest that our town employees should be working more for less benefits The supervisor advised Buck that these were contractually agreed-to items and that they were subject to negotiations.
What I don't understand is how Republican members of the town board can advocate less work for themselves, while asking town employees to work more with less benefits.
For those that are new, during the beginning of the Great Recession, non-union Town of Fishkill employees were subjected to lag pay and less hours of work. This resulted in employees losing their homes, among many other hardships. (Unlike the police, which are unionized and held their own). The end result is that these employees just joined a union to avoid those hardships from happening again. Yes, unfair Republican policies have forced Fishkill to become a unionized municipality.
I suggest that if members of the Fishkill Town Board wish to take salary and benefits away from our town employees, I ask that they reduce their own salaries and lead by example. Otherwise, they are acting like hypocrites.
In its January 16 issue, the Southern Dutchess News reported on Fishkill's reorganization meeting. In that article, it described Councilman's Buck's suggestion that the town board meetings occur once a month. What's ironic is that during the same meeting, which was televised, Buck appears to suggest that our town employees should be working more for less benefits The supervisor advised Buck that these were contractually agreed-to items and that they were subject to negotiations.
What I don't understand is how Republican members of the town board can advocate less work for themselves, while asking town employees to work more with less benefits.
For those that are new, during the beginning of the Great Recession, non-union Town of Fishkill employees were subjected to lag pay and less hours of work. This resulted in employees losing their homes, among many other hardships. (Unlike the police, which are unionized and held their own). The end result is that these employees just joined a union to avoid those hardships from happening again. Yes, unfair Republican policies have forced Fishkill to become a unionized municipality.
I suggest that if members of the Fishkill Town Board wish to take salary and benefits away from our town employees, I ask that they reduce their own salaries and lead by example. Otherwise, they are acting like hypocrites.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Personal Views on Fishkill Budget
GOP board showed lack of leadership
The Town of Fishkill raised taxes by 53 percent, after failing to agree on any other path. On Nov. 19, the 5-0 Republican town board failed the citizens of Fishkill and disrespected the Fishkill Republican Party that runs the town and nominated them based on character.
First a little background. In late 2009, the state comptroller issued a stinging audit report on the finances of Fishkill. This was followed up by Moody’s downgrading us to just above “junk bond” status. This made Fishkill one of the worst-run towns in New York state. In 2011, the Fishkill GOP decided to primary out the incumbent Republican supervisor, Joan Pagones.
Supervisor Robert LaColla, Councilman Kurt Buck and Councilman Tony Curry were successful running on a campaign on a platform of fiscal responsibility, accountability and a willingness to make the tough decisions.
The citizens of Fishkill in the general election, by a small margin, also decided to make Fishkill a 5-0 GOP board.
As a citizen who has attended every board meeting this year, I can tell you exactly how the budget process went.
Supervisor LaColla first proposed a 38 percent tax increase, and then it jumped to 63 percent. Councilman Curry asked if the board could spread out the increases over the course of the year. Later, Fishkill Comptroller Dawn H. Kertesz-Lee presented a 4-year plan with the 63 percent increase, a 5-year plan with a 53-percent increase and a 7-year plan with an even less percentage increase. The board asked the comptroller for her advice. She responded that a 63 percent was a hardship and recommended the 53 percent increase. No board member at the time offered any other alternative, and the 53 percent tax increase became the preliminary and ultimately the final budget. None of them made a suggestion for an alternative, even though two of them actually voted “no” when the final vote took place at a later date and another was absent.
The public hearing for the budget was canceled due to a minor snow event. It was then moved to Nov. 14 and the debate was spirited. Councilman Brian Callahan stopped the vote as he wanted Councilman Buck, who was absent, to attend. Callahan also stated that Buck should be present, as, “He worked on it all year.” The board was unable to make contact with Buck and the vote was set for Nov. 19, the day before the state deadline.
On Nov. 19, in a full house and a non-televised meeting, with the biggest vote in modern Fishkill history, Buck was once again absent. Discussion with the public was allowed and the vote was then up for remarks.
Councilman Curry indicated that he would be voting “no,” because he was denied access to the budget. Curry then read a letter from absent Councilman Buck. The letter stated that Buck would vote “no” if present — his reason? Supervisor LaColla “ordered” his comptroller not to give board members the proposed budget. Now, I am not here to defend Supervisor LaColla, but I cannot remember once when this issue came up at a board meeting. For argument’s sake, let’s say Buck is correct. Did Buck speak out at a board meeting? Did he go to the press? Or the citizens of Fishkill? Nope, he waited till the day before a mandatory vote to speak up through his letter. He sure showed a lot of courage while absent.
Councilman Callahan also decided to vote against the budget. His reason?
He was concerned for those living on fixed incomes would not be able to afford food or medicine. Well, his concerns are valid — and moot as the 53 percent tax increase became law. Also, don’t forget the 2 percent property tax cap override, which was passed in a 5-0 vote earlier in the year that allowed all of this to happen.
In closing, three members — Buck, Callahan and Curry — doomed this process: They failed to propose any alternative, they failed to call for an investigation on how the town’s fiscal vitality was ruined, they failed to call for a forensic audit as many have called for. They failed to keep their campaign oaths of fiscal responsibility, accountability and a willingness to make the tough decisions.Ozzy Albra lives in Fishkill and has a blog, http://ozzyalbra.blogspot.com.
OZZY ALBRA
COMMENTARY
The Town of Fishkill raised taxes by 53 percent, after failing to agree on any other path. On Nov. 19, the 5-0 Republican town board failed the citizens of Fishkill and disrespected the Fishkill Republican Party that runs the town and nominated them based on character.
First a little background. In late 2009, the state comptroller issued a stinging audit report on the finances of Fishkill. This was followed up by Moody’s downgrading us to just above “junk bond” status. This made Fishkill one of the worst-run towns in New York state. In 2011, the Fishkill GOP decided to primary out the incumbent Republican supervisor, Joan Pagones.
Supervisor Robert LaColla, Councilman Kurt Buck and Councilman Tony Curry were successful running on a campaign on a platform of fiscal responsibility, accountability and a willingness to make the tough decisions.
The citizens of Fishkill in the general election, by a small margin, also decided to make Fishkill a 5-0 GOP board.
As a citizen who has attended every board meeting this year, I can tell you exactly how the budget process went.
Supervisor LaColla first proposed a 38 percent tax increase, and then it jumped to 63 percent. Councilman Curry asked if the board could spread out the increases over the course of the year. Later, Fishkill Comptroller Dawn H. Kertesz-Lee presented a 4-year plan with the 63 percent increase, a 5-year plan with a 53-percent increase and a 7-year plan with an even less percentage increase. The board asked the comptroller for her advice. She responded that a 63 percent was a hardship and recommended the 53 percent increase. No board member at the time offered any other alternative, and the 53 percent tax increase became the preliminary and ultimately the final budget. None of them made a suggestion for an alternative, even though two of them actually voted “no” when the final vote took place at a later date and another was absent.
The public hearing for the budget was canceled due to a minor snow event. It was then moved to Nov. 14 and the debate was spirited. Councilman Brian Callahan stopped the vote as he wanted Councilman Buck, who was absent, to attend. Callahan also stated that Buck should be present, as, “He worked on it all year.” The board was unable to make contact with Buck and the vote was set for Nov. 19, the day before the state deadline.
On Nov. 19, in a full house and a non-televised meeting, with the biggest vote in modern Fishkill history, Buck was once again absent. Discussion with the public was allowed and the vote was then up for remarks.
Councilman Curry indicated that he would be voting “no,” because he was denied access to the budget. Curry then read a letter from absent Councilman Buck. The letter stated that Buck would vote “no” if present — his reason? Supervisor LaColla “ordered” his comptroller not to give board members the proposed budget. Now, I am not here to defend Supervisor LaColla, but I cannot remember once when this issue came up at a board meeting. For argument’s sake, let’s say Buck is correct. Did Buck speak out at a board meeting? Did he go to the press? Or the citizens of Fishkill? Nope, he waited till the day before a mandatory vote to speak up through his letter. He sure showed a lot of courage while absent.
Councilman Callahan also decided to vote against the budget. His reason?
He was concerned for those living on fixed incomes would not be able to afford food or medicine. Well, his concerns are valid — and moot as the 53 percent tax increase became law. Also, don’t forget the 2 percent property tax cap override, which was passed in a 5-0 vote earlier in the year that allowed all of this to happen.
In closing, three members — Buck, Callahan and Curry — doomed this process: They failed to propose any alternative, they failed to call for an investigation on how the town’s fiscal vitality was ruined, they failed to call for a forensic audit as many have called for. They failed to keep their campaign oaths of fiscal responsibility, accountability and a willingness to make the tough decisions.Ozzy Albra lives in Fishkill and has a blog, http://ozzyalbra.blogspot.com.
OZZY ALBRA
COMMENTARY
Current board has acted in the public interest
As the Town of Fishkill supervisor, I believe that our government works best when it is focused on delivering essential services effectively and at a reasonable cost. The services of maintaining roads and public spaces, providing safe drinking water, conveying and treating sewage, and ensuring public safety are the primary functions of our town government. In order for our town board to do our work effectively, I believe it is essential that we work in good faith and collaboration to reach our decisions. Providing any of these basic services is independent of one’s political party. And doing so in a fiscally responsible way is also independent of political affiliation. An argument that party affiliation is more important than the diligence and competence of elected officials is unfounded.
In November 2011, the residents in the Town of Fishkill voted overwhelmingly for a new government leadership. Our town had a new supervisor for the first time in two decades. The fivemember town board had three new board members — only one council member remained from the previous year. When our board first took office just 12 months ago, the town’s finances were in shambles, reporting requirements had been routinely missed, communication with the public had been limited and often misleading, and many resident requests had been ignored for months and sometimes years. There was much work to do, but we knew that going in. So we set out to do our work in full view of the public. As those who watched our deliberations can confirm, the process to come to agreement was not always neat and tidy. As with anything new, our new board members had much to learn. We often disagreed about the best way to address an issue. Yet we always remained civil and worked through our differences. Despite any disagreements, when we looked back on the year, we realized that we accomplished a tremendous amount of good solid work.
One of the principal reasons our new administration has been able to address so many issues quickly was due to our focus on the work at hand and, just as importantly, working to eliminate political posturing from our decision-making process. For the first time in years, town board meetings were moved from their daytime schedule to the evening so residents who wanted to attend could do so. We established the practice of televising most meetings on the local cable channel and streaming them on the Internet for those who cannot attend the meetings. We managed the town’s finances to conform to the adopted budget, thereby halting the growth of the massive deficit that had been mounting since 2005. The town board produced a five-year plan to eliminate the staggering $4.8 million deficit. Even with the 53 percent tax increase needed to fund the deficit reduction, our budget for 2013 keeps the Town of Fishkill with one of the lowest tax rates in Dutchess County. We made town hall more accessible to our residents by changing hours of operation, consolidating functions, crosstraining staff, placing more information online and placing a greater focus on producing results. We also returned to a five-day work week to better accommodate our residents.
Moving forward, I will do my best to ensure continued openness and to work collaboratively with the board to make decisions in the greatest interest of our residents. I will continue to present our debates in full view of the public. I will continue to make all available information accessible to the public. I will continue to make my office accessible to the public. And I will continue to ask for partisan politics, rancor and unfounded allegations to be checked at the door in order for us to do what is best for all of our residents in the Town of Fishkill.Bob LaColla is Fishkill supervisor.
BOB LACOLLA
As the Town of Fishkill supervisor, I believe that our government works best when it is focused on delivering essential services effectively and at a reasonable cost. The services of maintaining roads and public spaces, providing safe drinking water, conveying and treating sewage, and ensuring public safety are the primary functions of our town government. In order for our town board to do our work effectively, I believe it is essential that we work in good faith and collaboration to reach our decisions. Providing any of these basic services is independent of one’s political party. And doing so in a fiscally responsible way is also independent of political affiliation. An argument that party affiliation is more important than the diligence and competence of elected officials is unfounded.
In November 2011, the residents in the Town of Fishkill voted overwhelmingly for a new government leadership. Our town had a new supervisor for the first time in two decades. The fivemember town board had three new board members — only one council member remained from the previous year. When our board first took office just 12 months ago, the town’s finances were in shambles, reporting requirements had been routinely missed, communication with the public had been limited and often misleading, and many resident requests had been ignored for months and sometimes years. There was much work to do, but we knew that going in. So we set out to do our work in full view of the public. As those who watched our deliberations can confirm, the process to come to agreement was not always neat and tidy. As with anything new, our new board members had much to learn. We often disagreed about the best way to address an issue. Yet we always remained civil and worked through our differences. Despite any disagreements, when we looked back on the year, we realized that we accomplished a tremendous amount of good solid work.
One of the principal reasons our new administration has been able to address so many issues quickly was due to our focus on the work at hand and, just as importantly, working to eliminate political posturing from our decision-making process. For the first time in years, town board meetings were moved from their daytime schedule to the evening so residents who wanted to attend could do so. We established the practice of televising most meetings on the local cable channel and streaming them on the Internet for those who cannot attend the meetings. We managed the town’s finances to conform to the adopted budget, thereby halting the growth of the massive deficit that had been mounting since 2005. The town board produced a five-year plan to eliminate the staggering $4.8 million deficit. Even with the 53 percent tax increase needed to fund the deficit reduction, our budget for 2013 keeps the Town of Fishkill with one of the lowest tax rates in Dutchess County. We made town hall more accessible to our residents by changing hours of operation, consolidating functions, crosstraining staff, placing more information online and placing a greater focus on producing results. We also returned to a five-day work week to better accommodate our residents.
Moving forward, I will do my best to ensure continued openness and to work collaboratively with the board to make decisions in the greatest interest of our residents. I will continue to present our debates in full view of the public. I will continue to make all available information accessible to the public. I will continue to make my office accessible to the public. And I will continue to ask for partisan politics, rancor and unfounded allegations to be checked at the door in order for us to do what is best for all of our residents in the Town of Fishkill.Bob LaColla is Fishkill supervisor.
BOB LACOLLA
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Letter to the SDN about the Police Commissioners
Last week the paper reported on a contentious Police
Commission vote that occurred in Fishkill on December 5th. This vote
occurred in a Special Meeting and was brought up without public notice and was
in violation of the towns own rules. Let’s see how this played out.
At the 1/4/2012 re-organization meeting, the board voted
unanimously to pass a resolution regarding Special Meetings. Which emphasized
that these meetings. Were to be
considered “Workshop Meetings” as they were not televised and that all votes
would be at regular meetings that were televised and open to the public. Also at
that meeting, they voted unanimously to accept a resolution in regard to Rules
of the Town Board. This established a time period in which a resolution could be
offered at a board meeting.
Both of those resolutions were violated by Councilman’s
Buck, Curry and Callahan regarding their vote to approve themselves Fishkill’s
Police Commissioners. At the Special
Meeting, those three took an item designated for discussion and turned it into a
resolution and then voted on it.
Supervisor LaColla later stated that. “This type of
planning outside the public view is what I campaigned to change and it’s
disturbing that it’s coming back.” Both Buck and Curry ran with LaColla last
year, together on that same platform.
It should worry the public greatly as this is currently
a 5-0 GOP board. As LaColla further stated, “Obviously the three of them have
plans.” Well their plan is simple. They want to prevent Councilman elect Tim
Tuttle, a Democrat (1st Democrat in nearly 50 years) from sitting on
the Police Commission. For those that don’t know. Fishkill has been hit with 4
lawsuits from police officers suing the town board. One of the cases settled in
favor of the officers was covered by this paper.
All of the problems with the police, began when
Councilman Buck was designated Police Liaison. Buck recommended all the actions
that have resulted in multiple lawsuits, costs and embarrassment to Fishkill.
Now instead of tackling those issues in public, himself Callahan and Curry.
Decided it was better to protect themselves and not the citizens as Fishkill.
Individuals that violate their own rules, lack integrity and honor and don’t
deserve to be our councilman. Don’t take this Democrats word for it. Take the
Republican Supervisor’s word, when describing his fellow Republicans in the
following manner. “Politics are alive and well in Fishkill.” Fishkill deserves
better than these small time political hacks.
Ozzy Albra
Fishkill
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