Affordable Housing Committee not a Committee

PINE PLAINS — At the regular board meeting of the town of Pine Plains on Thursday, July 15, the role of the recently appointed Affordable Housing Committee (Sandra David, George McGhee, Jennifer Pindt-Mosher, Jack McQuade, Elizabeth White and Ed Casazza) was explained after Jennifer Van Tuyl, attorney for the Durst Organization, presented a letter of complaint. Van Tuyl’s letter referred to The Millerton News’ reporting on the committee’s plans and requested clarification of the committee’s scope of duties, and private meetings. Town Board member Sandra David denied making the statements attributed to her concerning the committee’s focus on considering the Durst application for the Carvel Property Development  New Neighborhood Development (NND).

Attorney to the Town Warren Replansky stepped in to clarify the misunderstanding. Only the Town Board can make zoning law provisions and an Affordable Housing Committee appointed by the board will eventually administer the affordable housing provisions. The purpose of the current committee is to provide information to Anne Saylor of county planning. The current committee “Has no powers whatsoever,†according to Replansky.

“It will define the scope of the work of the county,†Replansky said. “Everything is public and there will be no discussion of the Durst development.â€

Town Supervisor Gregg Pulver agreed there was, “never a doubt that this was not a committee.† 

Replansky went further and said the small, initial meeting between the group appointed by the board and Saylor scheduled for Friday, July 16, will not be discussing the NND, and that “it is not subject to the open meetings law.â€

In response to Councilwoman Rosemary Lyons-Chase’s question that there is no affordable housing available in Pine Plains, Replansky responded that Pine Plains is in better shape than many towns in Dutchess County.

A new 11 page red-lined version of the subdivision regulations reflecting the comments from the last meeting was discussed briefly by the board and a public hearing was set for Thursday,  Aug. 19, at 8 p.m. In response to David’s suggestion that all applicants be required to know the habitat of their property, Replansky pointed out that it is only subdivision regulations under discussion and that habitat language is included in those rules.

A revised fee schedule will also be subject to a public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 8:30 p.m.

Leaf pickup

Dorothy Mayo, a town resident who was at the meeting accompanied by neighbors, requested the town pick up leaves in the center of Pine Plains, and dispose of them as well. She observed that fall will be here soon and consideration should be given to this problem. Mayo said that residents would be willing to pay a nominal fee if the town could negotiate the issue on their behalf.

Supervisor Pulver explained that if the town’s highway department picked up leaves it would have to offer the service to everyone. Municipalities that collect leaves like the village of Millerton have their own highway department and pay additional taxes. After a discussion of leaf disposal methods, possible outside contractors and sharing services with other towns like the neighboring North East, Lyons-Chase volunteered to be the town board member responsible for the issue. She promised to bring information regarding the matter to the next meeting. Chase is interested in recycling and distributed a chart with the details of all of Dutchess County’s transfer stations, fees, materials handled, etc. Pulver agreed that the town should be looking at this issue.

Triathlon

Director of Recreation Jennifer Chase, who is “on the way out but not really,†according to her, reported on the “huge success of the first Pine Plains triathlon.†A total of 153 athletes signed up and many had to be turned away; 147 athletes actually participated and were enthusiastically supported by the entire town. The event netted more than $5,000 and Chase requested that the town start its investment now for next year’s event. A video of the event made by town resident, Stan Hirson, is available on line at PinePlainsViews.com. Chase also presented a recommendation for the park master plan and promised to be “very supportive of the next person†to take the director’s position.  To date two individuals have expressed an interest in the director of recreation position.

Some of the other matters discussed at the meeting included the success of summer camp, with 53 campers in attendance; coyote decoys to rid the town beach of geese; the satisfactory inspection of the water tank; the correct spelling of Ressequie Road in the database; examination of flood plains; and the use of herbicides.

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