Officials warn of claim to reduce property assessments, taxes

TOWN OF FISHKILL – A Long Island based company is misleading local residents on property assessments and charging a fee for securing what it says are reduced values, Fishkill Town Supervisor Robert LaColla warned Thursday. “This company is sending letters using residents’ 2010 assessments and purporting to fight for assessment that have already been reduced,” he said. A cut in assessment results in reduced property taxes. Several Fishkill town residents have received mailers from Assessment Correction Group of NY Inc., which state: “Our fees are simple – you pay us only when we succeed.” The letter says the fee is 60 percent of the first year savings plus appraiser’s fee of $100. Christian Harkins, the assessor for the towns of Fishkill and Wappinger said the letter is a “blatant attempt to mislead homeowners into contracting for the company’s services.” He said the letter also states a “possible new assessment,” but he said that claim is also “extremely misleading.” Harkins said the number is not produced from a “legitimate analysis” of a property’s value, but is just the 2010 assessed value reduced by 25 percent. “The letter makes it appear that the ‘possible new assessment’ is the actual market value of the property, which is not attainable.” www.midhudsonnews.com A good source for FREE local news, check them out.

Problems in Snow Valley

I received the following e-mail and would like to share it with the citizens of Fishkill. Dear Fishkill Ridge Caretakers & Friends, The letter below, received 5-7-12, comes from Cheryl Miller, an out-of-state resident, amateur herpetologist and frequent visitor to Fishkill Ridge. We met last fall just before the deadline of the Montfort eviction notice that was executed by the lessee. Some of the remaining residents are disabled and underage. They have lived through the mildest winter in years (or ever), remaining there months after the eviction notice. Some of the residents may have no where else to go; some may be ‘hiding out.’ But whatever the reason, this is a public health crisis and huge social tragedy. Not only that… Snow Valley is located downstream from SDS&G, that much closer to the Village of Fishkill Public Water Supply. Last fall some of us witnessed a hole in the ground (=sand and gravel) near Clove Creek which some residents use to dispose of their personal sewage. This pit is located at the north end of the property, near Clove Creek. I am writing you all first of all to inform you. Second, I’d like some suggestions on what to do next. Best, Peter Peter Rostenberg Fishkill Ridge Caretakers. Hi Peter, I have visited Snow Valley a few times over the past 2 months to check in on the remaining residents as well as the resident snakes. I am appalled at the conditions of Snow Valley. On my first visit in April of this year, there were still apx 6 - 7 remaining households on site, which included CloudWalker and his family. As you know most of the trailers were not able to be moved with their owners, so they were left behind at Snow Valley. It appeared that the trailers were in the process of being "disasembled" at that point in time. Trash and trailer parts were everywhere. I was informed that there was no running water in the public area and it was stated that Joe, the elderly veteran resident had not showered in some time. As of yesterdays visit, the premises appeared to have fewer residents hanging on, but the condition of Snow Valley had deteriorated significantly from my last visit. Frank and Donna Martino (they still have no where to go), Grover and a few straglers whom I had never seen before were still there. I am not sure what happened to Joe, but I believe that he is still there as well. CloudWalker and family were leaving yesterday. They decided to pack it up because they could not take it anymore. I am glad that there children are out of the hell hole. Nia Moni expressed concern about the methods being used to dispose of the "trash" and motor homes. Some of it may have been carried out by a hired company, probably the recyclable money making metals, but the remaining parts are now being thrown in a very large pit and burned. There are pieces of motor home parts, including insulation, scattered everywhere. According to CloudWalker, on the day in which the "hired company" appearently disposed of tires in this pit, a very large black plume of smoke was filling the sky. He was surprised that the fired department was not summoned to investigate this matter as it must have been visible for some distance. All of this activity is taking place within very close proximity to Clove Creek, as you well know. You must get down there ASAP and find out why the Town Officials and the property owners, as well as Ally (the lessee) are allowing this to happen. I am concerned as it is obvious that no one is overseeing this. The Town of Fishkill is once agian conveniently turning its back on Snow Valley, and in doing so the Clove Creek Aquifer. It is a disgrace to see what has happened to that place. If you thought it was bad last fall, just wait.......it makes you want to vomit. I wish I had taken pictures.....they speak a thousand words. Cheryl

May 3, 2012 Fishkill Town Board meeting

At the May 3, 2012 Fishkill Town Board meeting. The Beacon City School District made a budget presentation. The school board stated. That it has stayed within the new tax cap limit, while maintaining it’s Fund Balance. Under the tough economic environment, the board should be commended for staying within the cap and preserving the Fund Balance. I will be voting yes for the budget and urge my fellow school district voters to do the same. Later in the meeting. Fishkill’s county legislator gave a update on the county finances. I wish I could say the news was good. Dutchess County is facing a $40 million deficit, with a Fund Balance of 1.5. In comparison, this years budget was balanced with a 6% tax rate increase, nearly 50 job losses and $24 million used from the Fund Balance. If 2012 resulted in a 6% tax increase, one can only imagine what 2013 will look like, as there is nearly no Fund Balance left and a $40 million deficit. It’s going to be brutal. In the past, tax increases were softened. As President Obama passed the Stimulus. Those funds are now gone and there is no desire from the public for another one. Now the burden of higher taxes have trickled down to the local level. Other news made that day. Was a decrease of property values for Wal-Mart by over $2 million. Which will be offset by more tax increases at the local level. There is also a on going issue regarding the police department and supervisory ranks. To date there has been no resignation resolution regarding the comptroller.

Historic Fishkill Building

Written by Anthony P. Musso For the Poughkeepsie Journal. For more check out the papers website at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com or subscribe to it as I do. The large two-story red-brick building at the corner of Main (Route 52) and Bedford streets in the Village of Fishkill has had an interesting history since its construction in 1853. Through the years the building has served as a private residence, a dry-goods store, a bank, headquarters for the Veterans of Foreign War, a courthouse and, for 44 years, Fishkill’s Town Hall. Four years after it was built, its first floor became the base of operation for the National Bank of Fishkill. A second smaller bank, the Fishkill Saving Institute, also rented a portion of the building during that time. The building features 18-inch thick walls and has a mansard roof that was added during the 1870s. While the National Bank of Fishkill would suffer the effects of the post-Civil War depression and go out of business in 1870, the Fishkill Saving Institute prospered, eventually moving a few doors east of its original location and changing its name to Fishkill Savings Bank. Through the years its name would change again to Mid-Hudson Savings and it is now a branch of Wells Fargo. Following the failure of the National Bank the ownership of the building passed to the Dean family in whose possession it remained for many years. Herman Dean, the editor of the Fishkill Weekly Times also operated a dry goods store on the building’s first floor. Dean, whose father was Fishkill’s first postmaster, rented out an apartment on the second floor. “Herman Dean was a familiar sight in the village often navigating its streets peddling a high-wheel bicycle,” said village historian Willa Skinner. “On Sunday afternoons he could be observed riding the bicycle along Albany Post Road (Route 9) with a box of candy under his arm on his way to court a local lady who lived on a farm where the Holiday Inn is located today.” The second-floor apartment was eventually remodeled and used as headquarters for the Veterans of Foreign War . In 1945, the Town of Fishkill purchased the building and it became Town Hall through 1989 when the municipality moved to a new location farther west on Route 52. When the village moved its operation out, Kenneth Davies bought the property and remodeled the interior of the building for his real estate business . The building, now owned by Jordan Leigh, is occupied by Piano Piano, a wine bar and new business opened by Rich and Anne Corbo. “This building just has so much character,” Anne Corbo said. “We built our bar on the spot that the original bank vault once stood.” On April 27, the Fishkill Historical Society will kick off its 50th anniversary with a celebration in the building. On May 19, it will be one of several historic buildings in Fishkill to participate in an open house event. The original iron shutters that date to the building’s use as National Bank of Fishkill still adorn the historic structure, which is located at 1064 Main Street. “Dateline” appears Wednesdays. To suggest a topic, call 845-437-4834. Anthony Musso: railcommute @aol.com. http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20120425/NEWS01/304250017/Dateline-Fishkill-building-home-businesses

Fishkill Historical Society Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Written by Susan Campriello Poughkeepsie Journal For more check out the papers website www.poughkeepsiejournal.com or subscribe to it as I do. FISHKILL — In 1960, Shirley “Trotsie” Mathews began working to lay the groundwork to form the Fishkill Historical Society and to save the Van Wyck Homestead, which was slated for demolition to make way for a cloverleaf ramp off Interstate 84. The homestead had been requisitioned as a Continental Army “officers headquarters” during the Revolutionary War and was assigned to the Fishkill Supply Depot, and was visited by George Washington, according to the now 50-year-old society. Mathews said the interest she found showed “that the people of Fishkill felt it was worth saving.” The society, which gathers and preserves resources related to Fishkill’s history and the homestead, incorporated in 1962. It begins celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. Joey Cavaccini, a 12-year-old member from Wappinger, will help kick off the celebration by presenting a history of the organization, complete with photographs and interviews with some of the group’s founding members. His presentation will be at 3 p.m. April 29 in Fishkill’s Van Wyck Hall. Cavaccini said he learned through the project the challenges the group faced as it worked to persuade the state Department of Transportation to spare the building. “It was really hard to save the house,” he said. Other planned anniversary events include a kickoff reception Friday at Fishkill’s Piano Piano Wine Bar, a tour of three historic churches and about a dozen historic homes in Fishkill and Beacon in May, a children’s quilting workshop in June and a portrayal of the life of Revolutionary War spy Enoch Crosby in September. Society President Steven Lynch said he set a fundraising goal this year of $50,000. The society spends on average about $21,000 in restoration expenses, insurance, supplies and printing, among other needs, he said, adding that major, and costly, repairs are needed every few years. Mathews wants to see youth involvement in the society increase. “If they don’t get interested (...) there won’t be a future,” she said. More information about the Fishkill Historical Society, along with a list of society events, can be found at www.fishkillhistoricalsociety.org. Susan Campriello: scampriell@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-451-4518, Twitter: @SusanCPJ.

4/18/2012 Fishkill Town Workshop Meeting

http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/TownBoardAgendas/2012%20Agendas/04-18-2012%20%20TB%20Agenda.pdf

The Brinkerhoff Water District, Rombout Sewer and Dutchess Park Sewer Districts. Will see increases in billing to make up for previous borrowed monies to such districts.

There is a update on the Brinkerhoff connection to Merritt (Toll) water districts. It appears that a 3rd well that was going to be used, which needed a filtration system. Is not going to be needed. This may reduce the cost of the connection.

Monies gained from the dog park, may be dedicated solely to the park. Currently the money is going to the General Fund and being spent.

4/4/2012 Fishkill Town Board Meeting

http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/TownBoardAgendas/2012%20Agendas/04-04-2012%20TB%20Agenda.pdf

There were 2 Public Hearings

1. The board by a 5-0 margin. Passed Local Law #4 of 2012 to override tax levy cap established in the General Municipal Law 3-c.

2. The board by a 5-0 margin to repeal the "Apprenticeship Law."

A court action was taken, involving the PBA and the town over demotions and promotions. It appears that a stay was granted.

Fireworks at Dutchess Stadium are to end at 10 pm on weekdays and 10:30 on weekends.

K-fest is to end at 8 pm.

The towns Comptroller was replaced without resolution or reason.

The board also affirmed it's desire to obtain waterfront land from a developer. For the purpose of the town applying for a grant to build a bridge to access such property. This will be taxpayer dollars being used to make the developers money.