Meeting began with a moment of silence for retired Legislator Ballo who passed away last week.
Big news was the Consent Orders/Judgements that will result in lower taxes for the following properties.
RPA Associates
Stadium Plaza
Chelsea Waterfront
Wingate
Wachovia
We will not know the chargeback to Fishkill until November. These properties bring alot of tax dollars in.
The Town will be taking possesion on the Wal-Mart pumping station. What's unique about this. Is that the electric service is on the same panel as the traffic lights.
Also, it was mentioned that Villages are allowed to use the old level election machines.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
January 5th, 2011 Fishkill Re-Organization Meeting
http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/TownBoardAgendas/2011Agendas/01-05-11%20TB%20Agenda.pdf
The 5th was Fishkill's re-organization meeting. This is the yearly meeting where professional services are hired by the town for the year.
The town went to Spain Insurance for it's coverage after many years of service with Brinkerhoff Insurance. The savings is $60,000 yearly. Mr. Brinkerhoff passed away last year at a early age.
Councilman LaColla was involved in a spirited debate over the re-newal of the Wladis Law Firm. http://wladislawfirm.com/ The law firm stated that it saved the town $600,000, after the town spent $400,000 on it's services. LaColla mentioned that a application was pulled by the town, which was re-submitted by Wladis, for the Rombout Sewer District. LaColla indicated that the town was going to recieve the grant without Wladis assistance. LaColla and Councilman Callahan voted no on the re-hiring.
Councilman LaColla then requested that the town hold it's meeting in the evening so resident's could attend, as Fishkill is the only local in Dutchess that holds it's meetings in the morning. Supervisor Pagones shot that idea down.
The 5th was Fishkill's re-organization meeting. This is the yearly meeting where professional services are hired by the town for the year.
The town went to Spain Insurance for it's coverage after many years of service with Brinkerhoff Insurance. The savings is $60,000 yearly. Mr. Brinkerhoff passed away last year at a early age.
Councilman LaColla was involved in a spirited debate over the re-newal of the Wladis Law Firm. http://wladislawfirm.com/ The law firm stated that it saved the town $600,000, after the town spent $400,000 on it's services. LaColla mentioned that a application was pulled by the town, which was re-submitted by Wladis, for the Rombout Sewer District. LaColla indicated that the town was going to recieve the grant without Wladis assistance. LaColla and Councilman Callahan voted no on the re-hiring.
Councilman LaColla then requested that the town hold it's meeting in the evening so resident's could attend, as Fishkill is the only local in Dutchess that holds it's meetings in the morning. Supervisor Pagones shot that idea down.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Senior Center News
According to reliable inside sources. The Town of Fishkill Senior Center will be short around $30,000 this month. This will have significant impact as Fishkill is already broke and all revenue is needed to pay bills.
Also note that the Senior Center was bonded out for $3.6 million. So far it has been paid for using development fees, called the Parkland Trust Fund. According to the Fishkill Comptroller, there is about 2 years left of payments in that trust. As development dwindles in Fishkill, it appears that Fishkill Fishkill residents will be on the hook for those payments very soon.
Note: Fishkill's energy bills have went from $150,000 to $300,000. This is clearly in part of the new Senior Center. It was built to use electric for heating and cooling. There is also no back up generators, and cannot be used for a emergency shelter. This was built using bad planning.
Just think of all the money that could have been saved using Geo-Thermal energy.
Also note that the Senior Center was bonded out for $3.6 million. So far it has been paid for using development fees, called the Parkland Trust Fund. According to the Fishkill Comptroller, there is about 2 years left of payments in that trust. As development dwindles in Fishkill, it appears that Fishkill Fishkill residents will be on the hook for those payments very soon.
Note: Fishkill's energy bills have went from $150,000 to $300,000. This is clearly in part of the new Senior Center. It was built to use electric for heating and cooling. There is also no back up generators, and cannot be used for a emergency shelter. This was built using bad planning.
Just think of all the money that could have been saved using Geo-Thermal energy.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Fishkill 2011 Budget voted on 11/6/2010
On November 6th, 2011, I attended the Fishkill town board meeting regarding the 2011 budget. I believe the following should interest Fishkill taxpayers. The Tax Rate increased from 1.26 for 2010 to 1.44 for 2011. A overall Tax Rate increase of 14.87% and a overall 45% Tax Rate increase for 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Based on lower assessments, Fishkill claims it to be a Actual Value increase of 9.89%. Note that Fishkill used the Tax Rate, to claim tax decreases from 1997-2007.
Fishkill continues to transfer funds from water, sewer and lighting districts to the General Funds, to balance the budget. The Comptroller stated that the money owed to those districts is $3.3 million. The NYS Comptroller, in it's audit. Recomends against such practice. As Fishkill is unable to repay such funds, within the fiscal year as required.
Most important, is that Fishkill will continue to use Bond Anticipation Notes to balance the budget. For next year Fishkill will bond out $1.8 million, which is about 20% of Fishkill's 2011 budget. The interest on this, will add to the deficit, the amount of $66,000 a year. This also does not include the percent that is loaned from the above special districts. Thus, the percent loaned and or borrowed to balance the 2011 budget is greater that 20%. Councilman LaColla, indicated that the BAN may have to go up another million to $2.8 million.
I asked the Comptroller what the Tax Rate increase would be without the $1.8 million bond and he stated 45%.
Vote: Supervisor Pagones, Councilman Ferguson and Councilwoman Malvorosa YES. Councilman LaColla NO, Councilman Callahan excused for funeral.
As a side note, Judge Pagones, led a large clapping cheer in support of his wife, Supervisor Pagones. This is contrary to the law created by Supervisor Pagones, that makes clapping illegal at town board meetings.
Fishkill continues to transfer funds from water, sewer and lighting districts to the General Funds, to balance the budget. The Comptroller stated that the money owed to those districts is $3.3 million. The NYS Comptroller, in it's audit. Recomends against such practice. As Fishkill is unable to repay such funds, within the fiscal year as required.
Most important, is that Fishkill will continue to use Bond Anticipation Notes to balance the budget. For next year Fishkill will bond out $1.8 million, which is about 20% of Fishkill's 2011 budget. The interest on this, will add to the deficit, the amount of $66,000 a year. This also does not include the percent that is loaned from the above special districts. Thus, the percent loaned and or borrowed to balance the 2011 budget is greater that 20%. Councilman LaColla, indicated that the BAN may have to go up another million to $2.8 million.
I asked the Comptroller what the Tax Rate increase would be without the $1.8 million bond and he stated 45%.
Vote: Supervisor Pagones, Councilman Ferguson and Councilwoman Malvorosa YES. Councilman LaColla NO, Councilman Callahan excused for funeral.
As a side note, Judge Pagones, led a large clapping cheer in support of his wife, Supervisor Pagones. This is contrary to the law created by Supervisor Pagones, that makes clapping illegal at town board meetings.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Recent decisions in Fishkill "chilling" November 3, 2010
Letter published in todays Southern Dutchess News
Last week the paper covered two very important stories in Fishkill. The first was the front page story about how Supervisor Pagones passed a resolution thjat makes it harder for a councilperson to place a item on the agenda. At the meeting, which I attended, Pagones clearly showed her displeasure when a councilman dared to question how $320,000 of taxpayer money was spent, in regard to payments made to a Syracuse law firm. For those that don't know, that firm was hired to apply for grants to cover the massive debt in Fishkill. As of now, not one grant has been recieved due to his work, during a nine month period. As we all know, Fishkill is at least $4.9 million in debt. Highway equipment has broken down. Police cars are running well over 100,000 miles and basic needs such as road flares and paper products are lacking. But Pagones found $320,000 to pay lawyers up front, while town employees and residents are left with scraps. Pagones also indicated that the rule was put in place to prevent a filibuster. Well, why would you need that rule when the board is 5-0 Republican? We all know the reason and it's truly "chilling."
The next story, on page two, was about the budget. In that story, Pagones created a "finance committee," consiting of herself and councilpersons Malvarosa and Ferguson, the same exact people that that put us $4.9 million in debt. This is contrary to law, which requires a public meeting if a "quorum" is met. In this case three out of the five board members present. But as Fishkill residents know, rules never stopped Pagones from doing what she wants.
Last week the paper covered two very important stories in Fishkill. The first was the front page story about how Supervisor Pagones passed a resolution thjat makes it harder for a councilperson to place a item on the agenda. At the meeting, which I attended, Pagones clearly showed her displeasure when a councilman dared to question how $320,000 of taxpayer money was spent, in regard to payments made to a Syracuse law firm. For those that don't know, that firm was hired to apply for grants to cover the massive debt in Fishkill. As of now, not one grant has been recieved due to his work, during a nine month period. As we all know, Fishkill is at least $4.9 million in debt. Highway equipment has broken down. Police cars are running well over 100,000 miles and basic needs such as road flares and paper products are lacking. But Pagones found $320,000 to pay lawyers up front, while town employees and residents are left with scraps. Pagones also indicated that the rule was put in place to prevent a filibuster. Well, why would you need that rule when the board is 5-0 Republican? We all know the reason and it's truly "chilling."
The next story, on page two, was about the budget. In that story, Pagones created a "finance committee," consiting of herself and councilpersons Malvarosa and Ferguson, the same exact people that that put us $4.9 million in debt. This is contrary to law, which requires a public meeting if a "quorum" is met. In this case three out of the five board members present. But as Fishkill residents know, rules never stopped Pagones from doing what she wants.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Black Church-Underground Railroad on Baxtertown Planning Board meeting
At tonight's Planning Board meeting. Town Historian, Willa Skinner read a letter to the board in regards to the Black Church, Cemetery and Underground Railroad on Baxtertown Road.
She stated that all existed in the area, but was unable to confirm the exact locations.
In regard to the Cemetery, she mentioned that the Negro cemetery on Osbourne Hill Road. Was incorporated in 1850, and that headstones from a earlier period were found on that site. She suggested that those markers and graves "may" have been re-located from Baxtertown.
However, slaves during that period rarely had any headstones.
The Planning Board suggested further investigation of the site.
I can only hope that underground sonar, similiar to the one that saved the Fishkill Supply Depot Burial Ground, can be used. This can be a special addition to the great history of the Town of Fishkill. It is worth saving.
http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/PlanningBoardAgendas/2010Agendas/10-14-10%20PB%20Agenda.pdf
She stated that all existed in the area, but was unable to confirm the exact locations.
In regard to the Cemetery, she mentioned that the Negro cemetery on Osbourne Hill Road. Was incorporated in 1850, and that headstones from a earlier period were found on that site. She suggested that those markers and graves "may" have been re-located from Baxtertown.
However, slaves during that period rarely had any headstones.
The Planning Board suggested further investigation of the site.
I can only hope that underground sonar, similiar to the one that saved the Fishkill Supply Depot Burial Ground, can be used. This can be a special addition to the great history of the Town of Fishkill. It is worth saving.
http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/PlanningBoardAgendas/2010Agendas/10-14-10%20PB%20Agenda.pdf
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Fishkill Underground Railroad Update
Fishkill Town Historian Willa Skinner, will give a presentation at the October 14th Planning Board Meeting. Regarding the Baxtertown property and it's historical impact.
http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/PlanningBoardAgendas/2010Agendas/10-14-10%20Final%20PB%20Agenda.pdf
Today's Southern Dutchess News, October 6, 2010 has a front page article in regard to the site with comments from. Mara Farrell, Fishkill Supply Depot. Kurt Buck, Fishkill Planning Board member. Gwen Davis, Southern Dutchess NAACP. Thomas Knips, Fishkill Planning Board Chairman. Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagones is also quoted saying, "she was surprised and baffled of the possibility of the Underground Railroad by Baxtertown Rd."
The article was written by Kristine Coulter, Staff Writer.
For more info, buy this weeks Southern Dutchess News, this article is very interesting.
http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/PlanningBoardAgendas/2010Agendas/10-14-10%20Final%20PB%20Agenda.pdf
Today's Southern Dutchess News, October 6, 2010 has a front page article in regard to the site with comments from. Mara Farrell, Fishkill Supply Depot. Kurt Buck, Fishkill Planning Board member. Gwen Davis, Southern Dutchess NAACP. Thomas Knips, Fishkill Planning Board Chairman. Fishkill Supervisor Joan Pagones is also quoted saying, "she was surprised and baffled of the possibility of the Underground Railroad by Baxtertown Rd."
The article was written by Kristine Coulter, Staff Writer.
For more info, buy this weeks Southern Dutchess News, this article is very interesting.
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