2019-216 2019-216
Resolution Of Opposition To MTA Parking Fare Increases At The Beacon And New
Hamburg Train Stations
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on
November 13, 2019.
The meeting was called to order by Richard Thurston, Town Supervisor, and upon roll
being called, the following was recorded:
✓Vote Record-Resolution RES-2019-216
Q Adopted Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent
❑ Adopted as Amended Richard Thurston Voter Q ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ Defeated William H.Beale Voter Q ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ Tabled Angela Bettina Voter Q ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ Withdrawn Christopher Phillips Seconder Q ❑ ❑ ❑
Michael Kuzmicz Mover Q ❑ ❑ ❑
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Kuzmicz and seconded by
Councilman Phillips.
WHEREAS, the Metro-North Transit Authority (MTA) has announced that it is considering
increasing parking fares at 25 station parking facilities and lots that are owned/controlled by the
MTA; and
WHEREAS, many residents and businesses of the Town of Wappinger, including those of the
Village of Wappingers Falls, depend on train services from/to the MTA stations located at the
Beacon and New Hamburg train stations for their work, education, business, medical services,
etc.; and
WHEREAS, the MTA is proposing parking fare increases at both the Beacon and New Hamburg
stations, according to the following rate scale:
METER PARKING: Station Current Rate Proposed Rate
• Beacon. $3.50 $4.25
• New Hamburg $3.50 $4.25
12 MONTH PARKING:
• Beacon $2.98 $3.28
• New Hamburg $3.58 $3.94
WHEREAS, the MTA also proposes to charge parking fees for Saturday parking, which parking
is currently free of charge; and
WHEREAS, if approved, the proposed MTA increases would take effect on January 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the MTA's area of service includes the Town of Wappinger and the Village of
Wappinger Falls, and the proposed MTA parking fare increase will cause unnecessary financial
hardship for numerous residents of the Town, particularly those with fixed or limited incomes,
and the proposed parking fare increase will place an additional financial burden on the taxpayers
of the Town and Village; and
WHEREAS, if approved, the proposed MTA parking fare increase will increase significantly the
daily two-way traffic moving through the Town to those stations because fewer people would be
able to afford to pay the increased fares, thereby requiring them to be dropped off and picked up
at the stations; and
WHEREAS, the proposed fare increases will impact significantly our environment by increasing
the level of traffic and traffic congestion and thereby increasing the level of fossil fuel omissions;
and
WHEREAS, the Town of Wappinger respectfully requests that the MTA conduct an appropriate
environment impact study before any such fare increase would be implemented; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Wappinger respectfully requests that the MTA hold a public meeting
in the Town of Wappinger with respect to said proposed parking fare increases; and
WHEREAS, the MTA has failed to demonstrate a need for the proposed fare increases; and
WHEREAS, upon consideration, the Town Board finds that such rate increases will place an
undue financial and environmental burden on residents, businesses, and local government.
NOW, THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, in its
capacity as governing body of the Town, does hereby oppose the fare increase for parking fees
now being proposed by the MTA; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be delivered by the Town
Clerk to the MTA Board, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Hon. Sue Serino, Senator
representing the 41st District, and the Hon. Kieran Lalor, Assemblyman representing the 105th
District, as well as the chief executives of our surrounding municipalities served by the MTA;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforesaid resolution shall take effect immediately.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kuzmicz, Councilman
SECONDER: Christopher Phillips, Councilman
AYES: Thurston, Beale, Bettina, Phillips, Kuzmicz
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
11/13/2019
The Resolution is hereby duly declared Adopted.
JOSS P P. PAOLONI, TOWN CLERK