Hazards Mitigation Plan will aid town in FEMA funding

AMENIA — After several years of work, the Amenia Town Board finally adopted the Northern and Eastern Dutchess County Communities Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan at its Dec. 16 meeting.

The planning process, which was spearheaded by town of Dover Councilwoman Katie Palmer-House, is a joint plan shared by the towns of Amenia, Beekman, Dover, Milan, North East, Pawling and Pine Plains as well as the villages of Millerton and Pawling.

The plan outlines natural disaster procedures for the town and confirms the town’s “good standing� with Federal Emergency Management Agency, which town Supervisor Wayne Euvrard said would come in handy when applying for grant funding.

It might even come in handy retroactively, as Euvrard and Highway Superintendent Stan Whitehead pointed out that the town is still trying to get more funding for the Cascade Mountain Road Bridge work that has already been completed.

New projector for town use

Thanks to a $560 grant from the local group, Friends for a Better Amenia, Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) Chair Dave Reagon was able to purchase a digital projector. The projector, which can be utilized for any town meetings, will especially come in handy when the CAC is looking over maps.

“Before this everyone has been crowding around this little computer screen,� Councilwoman Vicki Doyle explained.

The board has previously discussed using a projector during budget workshops and hearings so that the audience can follow along with the board’s discussions.

Constable positions filled

With Town Constable George Wesley leaving his position, the board voted to hire a replacement. It hired Wassaic resident, Jason Dean, as well as a fill-in, Brett Johnson. Chris Klingner is the other existing constable.

The next Town Board meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m.