Town Board discusses solar prices, reviews Green Briar meeting

WASHINGTON — The Town Board met on Thursday, Sept. 13, at Town Hall. 

Town Supervisor Gary Ciferri stated that donations had been made to the town from Millbrook Tribute Gardens in the amount of $5,000 each to the town’s senior citizens’ program, a camp scholarship and a camp trip. Also, $15,000 was donated for reservoir filtration.

Ciferri also updated the public on a meeting that he had with Councilman Mike Murphy, Town Clerk Mary Alex and Millbrook Mayor Rodney Brown, speaking with Eileen Berenyi, owner of Green Briar Adult Home. The meeting concerned the behavior of  Green Briar residents, including a former resident who allegedly committed a burglary at a nearby home and a former employee who was charged of sexual assault. For more on the issue, read the Sept. 20 issue of The Millerton News.

Former Mayor Skip Ciferri will be honored as Citizen of the Year in recognition of the number of volunteer projects he has worked on. It will take place on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club. For more information, call 845-677-3419 or email malex@washingtonny.org.

Highway Department Supervisor Joe Spagnola asked for permission to seek bids for highway materials for Nov. 1 through Oct. 31, 2019. He also gave his monthly report.

Lois Petrone, bookkeeper to the supervisor, asked for a budget adjustment to record the Vincent Turletes donation to cover a portion of the new turning dock built this past spring at the recreation park. She provided a revenue and expense report, and reported that the 2019 tax cap is set at 2 percent.

A special meeting was set for Thursday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. to receive the 2019 Proposed Budget. A resolution was passed to schedule a public hearing for a resolution to override the 2019 tax cap, which doesn’t mean it will be surpassed but allows the Town Board to do so if necessary.

On Oct. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Town Hall, a meeting will be held with Dutchess County Planning and Dutchess County Tourism, to discuss local partners who want to promote the area.

Councilman Al DeBonis discussed the solar installation at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. The Cary is leasing solar equipment from YSG Solar, a private company that stands to make a lot of money from the deal, according to the councilman. Cary pays no taxes, although it does collect rent on its dorms. The question of whether the town can ask for a voluntary donation was raised.

This brought about a discussion of charges for solar installation permits. Every municipality has its own rates. A public hearing on Thursday, Oct. 4, will discuss possible charges, based on what nearby Rhinebeck charges: residential, under 200 kilowatts, $150; residential over 200 kilowatts, $250; non-residential, over 200 kilowatts, $7,500; non-residential, under 200 kilowatts, $2,500, with escrow being asked in like amounts, and a building permit at $150.

Councilman Steve Turletes spoke of the Recreation Department’s success with summer programs, and announced that the Recreation Department recently welcomed Deb Mansion to its board and said it would also like to appoint Brian Kelly. This was voted on and passed.

The next regular Town Board meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

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