DC Conservative Coup' in Fishkill tossed by Supreme Court

http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2013/June/27/DC_Conservs-27Jun13.htm

For more free local news check out the papers website as I do.

Court tosses effort to take over Dutchess Conservative leadership

POUGHKEEPSIE – An effort to take over the leadership of the Dutchess County Conservative Committee by a renegade faction has been rejected by the State Supreme Court. The court ruled the effort by committee member Maureen Natrella and her supporters to place her in the chairman’s seat, was illegal because proper procedures were not followed. The Dutchess County Board of Elections had previously ruled the Natrella effort was illegal. Since the leadership terms had expired with no new vote taken, former Chairwoman Patricia Killian was named to fill that role temporarily. She said Thursday that she was pleased with the Supreme Court ruling and at such time as when new leadership is sought, she will step aside and allow new blood to take over the county committee.

Southern Dutchess News story on NYS Comptroller's audit in Fishkill

For more good weekly local news. Subscribe to the Southern Dutchess News as I do, or get it at news stands.

By Kristine Coulter

At the town board's recent meeting Fishkill Supervisor Bob Lacolla said the New York State Comptrollers Office would be working with town officials on town finances.

"In our exit interview, they recognized marked improvement in the financial condition of the town," said LaColla recently.

He said the state auditors also mentioned "they see a long way to go."

"While the auditors were here, the town administration uncovered some irregularities in one of the departments and we're working with the NYS Comptroller to address that," the supervisor stated.

When asked what department, LaColla responded that he was asked not to say at this time which department.

In regards to the Siscar sewer project, LaColla said, "They recognized, as we had, that money was to be held in reserve for the Siscar sewer project and they've asked us to book that on a reserve account. By doing so, that's going to increase the deficit of the Dutchess Park Sewer." (District)

The amount that is to be booked on the reserve account is $758,000.

"We are coming close to proposing a payment plan to the City of Beacon and when we come to terms we'll be able to chart a timetable of payment for Dutchess Park Sewer," said LaColla

LaColla added, "There are irregularities like that everywhere, we're just trying to address them. Unfortunately, it means a increase (in) water and sewer rates of Dutchess Park."

Brian Butry, Deputy Press Secretary from the NYS Comptrollers Office, said in an email, the office's audit of the town is still ongoing.

Discovery of an Underground Railroad station

By Ronald G. Greene

On May 19, 2013 I experienced the humbling honor of being recognized for having discovered the Zion Pilgrim Methodist Episcopal Church of Baxtertown in Fishkill, NY - a church that was a Station on the Underground Railroad. The foundation of the church is on my property, and during the recognition dinner I received the first annual Hudson River Valley Heritage Award.

After moving up from New York City in 1982 pursuing career advancement opportunities in NYS service, I purchased the property in 1998 from a local builder. For years we were afforded accounts that the property had formerly been owned by African Americans, that Baxtertown had been a relatively large, vibrant African American community in the 1800s - early 1900s, and that there had been an active church on the property. Following a Fishkill Planning Board meeting in October 2012, my interest peaked in the church and I embarked on a search for information which ultimately lead to the discovery of the church’s role is facilitating Freedom Seekers quest for independence from the horrors of slavery.

Since October 2012 we have amassed information about the church from several reliable sources including town records and maps, county records and maps, local and regional periodicals, through meetings with Fishkill town officials, through contact with the historian of Mother AME Zion church in NYC (Dabney Montgomery, who is a Tuskeegee Airman, by the way) and through documents on file at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Most notably, the Chapel Hill document by Bishop James Walker Hood entitled, "1831-1919: 100 Year’s of the African American Episcopal Church - or The Centennial of African Methodism" specifically cites the Zion Pilgrim ME Church of Baxtertown as a "Station". And, Bishop Hood’s citation of the church is the only suchreference in the 625 page document.

In his 1957 publication of "Blithe Dutchess" President Emeritus Henry Noble McCracken specifically wrote about the church and the Baxtertown area. He wrote that "a rigourous church life arose among them" speaking of Blacks and Wappinger Indians, and he wrote that "Baxtertown was a station on the underground railway – probably working with Quakers." So, the history of the church is clear.

We are in the process of working with NYS Parks & Recreation to gain historic recognition of the property in New York State. Inclusion of the property of the US national register will then be pursued. We seek recognition of the Zion Pilgrim ME Church of Baxtertown because its history is everyone’s history and the story should be brought forth for all to know. The process has been slow but our attention to the goals has been steady and, ultimately, we are confident that the community will witness the erection of a historical maker to connote the church, its role as a Station of the Underground Railroad and its former vital role in the life of Baxtertown in Fishkill, NY.

The May 19th event was well attended by family, friends, Democrats, Republicans, young and old alike. We were drawn together in the spirit of community - and of that I am particularly proud. Pray for us as we continue this important work.

Letter to Poughkeepsie Journal on 6/16/2013 regarding robo call

Lalor says Tax-Free NY plan is ‘corporate welfare’

For more free local news, check out the papers website.

http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2013/June/07/TaxFreeNY_Lalor-07Jun13.html

WAPPINGERS FALLS – State Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor (R-Fishkill) Thursday charged that Democrat Governor Cuomo’s Tax-Free NY proposal a “corporate welfare scheme.”

The plan would create essentially new business incubators at SUNY colleges that would include a no-tax provision for those businesses.

Lalor stood at the Market Street Industrial Park in Wappingers Falls, saying existing business would be subsidizing the tax-free status of those new businesses.

“These businesses are carrying the big, heavy New York State tax burdens 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, and they get nothing out of this, they continue to pay the freight, and in fact they are going to be subsidizing their competitors,” Lalor said. “I wouldn’t want to be the owner of a commercial rental property if potential tenants could go 20 miles up the road to a SUNY campus and be free of all the taxes I am paying.”

Market Street Industrial Park owner Jack Fedigan said New York’s taxes “are out of control.” He said all business needs a tax cut.

Properties owned by the Town of Fishkill & Village of Fishkill

At the 6/5/2013 Fishkill Town Board Meeting. There was a item on the agenda, that was in regard to selling off surplus property. I asked a question to the board if there was any Real Estate property that could be sold. So we could pay off our debt. The board responded with a "no, not aware of."

I asked this question at the 5 minute mark.

http://fishkilltownny.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1076

Today, I went to the Dutchess County Parcel Access website to look at those properties. Click Parcel Access, then the county map in the middle and then drag down to Fishkill. You can also check your property by putting your name in the upper right box. To find Fishkill properties, put "Town" or "Village" in the last name box and scroll down for the Town/Village of Fishkill.

http://geoaccess.co.dutchess.ny.us/parcelaccess/parcelaccess_map.htm

Dutchess County Parcel Access identifies 51 properties owned by the Town of Fishkill and 23 by the Village of Fishkill. The following is my OPINION of what lands could be sold to the public. If I have stated anything wrong, please contact me and I will make a correction. Most of these properties are parks, government facilities and  lands on slopes and wetlands.

In the village one house at 10 Academy could be sold, but it is currently condemned and is adjacent to the village parking lot(s) on Academy.

The Town "may" have up to 12 properties that are worth a look at.

1. Old Town Rd 5.7 acres, by the creek. There is a entrance near Belvedere that you might be able to squeeze one home on. This is in the Beacon Hills area.

2. 1 Van Stueben, in the development across the 84 diner called Forged Brook. 1.9 acres that is zoned residential and is used as a makeshift park. This land is in a wetlands zone.

3. There are 3 connected small parcels on Old Town Rd that could be combined for one lot for a small home. Could also be wetlands.

4. Snook Rd, 14 acres on steep slopes. This land should be preserved for the Fishkill Supply Depot.

5. There is one acre zoned residential that is within the boundaries of Shepheard Park. It would be a bad idea to sell this 1 acre parcel.

6. On Lockey Woods there is 7 acres near 9D that is designated water supply. At past meetings there was talk of selling this land to the adjacent apartment complex. I don't recall if the town still uses this site.

7. 78 Brockway .74 acre lot. Don't know the zoning down there.

8. 148 Red School House Rd, Across from Downstate prison, 11 acres on wetlands, that could be sold to adjacent property owners.

9. 160 Merritt, 128 acres of mountain land that could be sold to Scenic Hudson.

10. There is the Recreation House on Shepards Park on 2 acres that should not be sold.

11. Meadow a .15 parcel that could be sold to the adjoining property owner.

12. Merritt Rd, a 2 acre parcel right on the roadway.

The following is a list of other properties owned by the town:

-Slocum Rd a 1.17 lot on the Fishkill Creek by the Hudson between the tracks and high ground.

-Kassim Way 1.1 acres for water.

-Old Castle Point Rd, 2.48 acres between the RR tracks and house on slopes.

-Old Castle Point Rd, 2.78 acres designated Water Supply.

-Brockway a .509 acre lot across Dutchess Stadium.

-Joy Place .11 Beacon Hils lot, could be sold to neighboring property owner.

-Park Lane, 2.4 acres on Fishkill Creek wetlands.

-Van Stueben 3 acres on wetlands.

-I84 47.12 acres in wetlands in back of Maple off exit 12.

-Recreation Center.

-Doug Phillips drive, Brinkerhoff Water.

-Rt 52 north of Merritt, 35.56 acres on the mountain. This land was donated by Toll for a school.

-Sarah Lane 23.30 acres on Fishkill Creek/wetlands.

-Brockway a sewage plant.

-1 acre triangle lot as you pull into Castle Point Rd.

-Washington Ave, picnic site 1.8 acres.

-Old Town Rd 2.5 acres on wetlands.

-Town Hall-Police Department 5.2 acres.

-Snook Rd well field 5.4 acres.

-Highland Ct sewage.

-Shepheard Park 15.3 acres.

-Slocum 23 acres of steep slopes and wetlands.

-Industrial Way 2.63 acres Public Utilities.

-Park on Castle Point Rd 16 acres.

-Sunflower Circle easement to Cherry .17 acres.

-Washington Ave, vacant industrial .30 acres.

-I84 10.61 on the Fishkill Creek wetlands.

-Greenwood Dr 8 acres on wetlands.

-Merritt 4 acres a pathway.

-160 Merritt 128.62 acres Mountain Land.

-Geering Way 25 acres park.

-Greenwood Dr .10 acres, could be sold to adjoining property owner for land only.

-GHG&E vacant commercial .92 acres, don't know what this is.

-Snook Rd .23 acres.

-Doug Phillips Park 9.5 acres.

-Dutchess Park Lake/Blodgett Dam 11 acres.

-Elmcrest Sewage.

-Old Grange Rd, Fishkill Creek wetlands.

***********************************Village Owned Properties:

-Clove Water Supply.

-7.8 acres adjacent to the Clove water supply. Traded for water capacity for a future development.

-Wood, the Village PD.

-Jackson Sewer Plant.

-Academy Street Parking Lot.

-1-3 Jackson Water Sewer department.

-Academy Street Parking Lot.

-Academy Street Parking Lot.

-PECO

-Givens Lane .18 acres.

-Village Common .44 acre strip along Shop Rite driveway to the south.

-5.2 acres in back of Shop Rite on steep slopes.

-3-5 Merritt 1.11 on the Fishkill Creek.

-Old Main 19 acre park.

-27 acres in back of the above park, wetlands.

-Rt 9 2.7 acres near the above park.

-Wood Highway garage.

-Ridge Water Supply.

-Baxtertown sewage.

-Osbourne Hill water supply.

-Jackson water supply.

-Chestnut sewage.

**** Van Wyck Hall is designated as Prop Hall/Government Building. The building was donated to the village many years ago.

6/5/2013 Fishkill Town Board meeting

http://fishkilltownny.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1076

Meeting was televised and is online.

Officer Miller retired and was honored by the town.

The town is looking to sell off, surplus tangible property. I asked if they were looking to sell real property and they said no.

Otherwise a quiet meeting.