Amenia accepts landfill bid

AMENIA — The Amenia Town Board met on Thursday, March 8, to discuss several ongoing projects within the town.The board accepted bids for the old Amenia landfill project, a new IT system provider and insulation for the Town Hall building.Old Amenia landfillThe old Amenia landfill, located on Route 22, has been an ongoing situation in the town for many years. The remedial construction project will eventually turn the property into a park for the community.“We’re ready tonight to award this bid so we can get started on this project,” town Supervisor Bill Flood said.The bid for the project was awarded to Sevenson Environmental Group from Pennsylvania with a bid of $4,000,633.Elizabeth Rovers, managing engineer for C.T. Male Associates, was on hand to walk the board through the next few steps of the process.“We’re looking at about a year overall, most likely in the fall,” she said.The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) will give a presentation on Tuesday, March 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Town Hall to further explain the upcoming process.Representatives from Sevenson Environmental Group and C.T. Male, as well as members of the board, will be in attendance.“It’s a great way for the community to come in, ask questions, and get familiar with what’s going to be happening,” she said.Flood was optimistic about the project.“It’s a very big project, but it will be a nice park when it’s finished,” he said.Town Hall techThe Town Board also accepted a bid for a new IT system provider.The bid was awarded to EAS for $7,754.09 as a one-time fee to update the system, including the purchase of two new computers and $7,200 monthly for technical services.“They came in, looked at our whole system and are going to really bring it up to speed,” said Flood.The Town Hall will also be able to use three printer/scanner/fax machines that are incredibly high tech, but not usable by everyone.“It will allow us to really make the most of these machines that can do a lot,” he said.All Town Hall employees will also be getting new email addresses.“This will be much more secure. People shouldn’t be using personal email for town-related business. Those can get hacked into. This will really keep the information where it belongs,” he said.The board will not be renewing its current contract with PCA once it expires in April.InsulationThe third bid that was accepted was part of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grant the town has been working on to upgrade the Town Hall building.Recently the town purchased new light bulbs under this grant to make the building more energy efficient.The bid for insulation was next on the agenda and was awarded to Advantage Insulation for $22,249.36. The grant will cover $16,000 of that cost.The Town Board went with the cheaper option of closed cell foam insulation.“Based on recommendations I have received, I believe the closed cell is the right choice for us,” said board member Darlene Riemer.A representative from Advantage Insulation was on hand to assure the board materials would be ordered so the work could begin as soon as possible.Other businessThe Town Hall will host many upcoming events for the community, which were discussed at the meeting.The Easter Bunny will be stopping by on Saturday, March 31, at 11:50 a.m. for the annual Easter Egg Hunt.Flood also mentioned a meeting he recently had with representatives from The Wassaic Project.“They are interested in doing a community garden here at Town Hall,” he said.The board discussed the sogginess of the property and agreed to discuss the idea further at a later date.Special appearancesDutchess County Legislator Michael Kelsey stopped in at the meeting to touch base with the board regarding several ongoing issues in the area, including redistricting.“There are really three options that are being looked at right now. One of those options would split Amenia into thirds, and the other two would put Amenia in with Dover. I haven’t seen the maps yet, so I don’t know the specifics, but it could be a big change,” he said.Flood expressed that the town would obviously want to avoid being split up.“I can absolutely express that and I do get a vote, so that’s what I’m able to do,” said Kelsey.The board also welcomed Democrat Didi Barrett, who challenged Richard Wager for the 103rd District seat in the State Assembly in a special election on Tuesday, March 20.Barrett took the opportunity to briefly introduce herself to the board and listen to concerns specific to the town of Amenia. She said she would take those concerns to Albany if elected. Results from that race will be printed in the March 29 issue of The Millerton News. Or go online to www.tricornernews.com.The next Amenia Town Board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.