2010-1732010-173
Resolution in Support of Maintaining the Stony Kill Farm Environmental Educational
Center Open to the Public
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 April 26,
2010.
The meeting was called to order by Christopher Colsey, Supervisor, and upon roll being
called, the following were present:
PRESENT: Supervisor - Christopher J. Colsey
Councilmembers - William H. Beale (arrived at 6:05 PM)
Vincent F. Bettina (departed at 9:13 PM)
Ismay Czarniecki
ABSENT:
Joseph P. Paoloni
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Bettina and seconded by
Councilman Beale.
WHEREAS, the Stony Kill Farm features numerous historic buildings, offers
environmental education, provides community meeting rooms, and dedicates a location for local
residents to work in community garden plots, amongst many other offerings; and
WHEREAS, the Stony Kill Farm portion of the local holding in the custody of the New
York State Education Department is primarily in the Town of Fishkill, with a small portion in the
Town of Wappinger; and
WHEREAS, the Stony Kill Farm was generously dedicated to the State of New York for
the purpose of agricultural farming, and should such purpose discontinue for one year, the
property shall revert back to non-public land; and
WHEREAS, the Stony Kill Farm is proposed to be re -zoned from R-80 to R5A by the
Wappinger Town Board as part of the ongoing Comprehensive Plan revision process; and
WHEREAS, the portion of the Stony Kill Farm lying within the Town of Fishkill is
currently zoned R-40; and
WHEREAS, in the interest of maintaining a commitment to open space and
environmental educational opportunities, the Town of Wappinger Town Board has determined it
to be in the best interest of the Town to oppose any efforts by New York State to defund the
Stony Kill Farm, which would potentially revert to a non-public purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. The recitations above set forth are incorporated in this Resolution as if fully set
forth and adopted herein.
2. The Town Board of the Town of Wappinger hereby authorizes the Town
Supervisor to direct a letter to its local State representatives opposing the
defunding of the Stony Kill Farm Environmental Educational Center.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
CHRISTOPHER COLSEY, SUPERVISOR
Voting:
AYE
WILLIAM H. BEALE, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
ISMAY CZARNIECKI, COUNCILWOMAN
Voting:
AYE
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
ABSENT
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
4/26/2010
The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted.
(]L(vAf=�
J C. ASTERSON, TOWN CLERK
Chris Colsey, Supervisor
20 Middlebush Rd.
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Save Stony Kill
April 2010
Dear Chris Colsey, Supervisor:
Supervisor Office
APR 13 2010
Received
As you may be aware, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has made a
decision to close the Stony Kill Center May 31. After this date, the NYS DEC will close
and lock all the buildings and stop maintenance of the grounds.
The reality is that on August 4, 1942, a deed was issued by James De Lancey, Evelina
Verplanck, John Bayard Rodgers and Susan Van Wyck Verplanck to the NYS
Department of Education, stating that Stony Kill "shall be forever dedicated to and used
exclusively for agricultural purposes." The State of New York is legally bound by this
document and must uphold the restrictions placed on this deed.
Unfortunately, the NYS DEC has not agreed to maintain the farm, and we are in danger
of losing the deed. The NYS DEC feels that since the Stony Kill Foundation has been
given permission to continue with gardening and haying the fields, the NYS DEC has
upheld their portion of the deed restriction. Since agricultural is defined as "The science,
art, and business of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock; farming." this
has not been accomplished, and there is a very real danger of losing this land.
The NYS DEC offered to allow the Stony Kill Foundation to use the barn to house the
animals, but the Foundation can not pay the $6,200 per year it costs to provide heat,
electric, and water to the barn. There would no longer be a farmer, who has been a
DEC employee.
The Stony Kill Foundation requested that the NYS DEC provide a farmer to care for the
animals, and the $6,200 yearly to maintain the barn. The Foundation also requested that
the restrooms by the barn remain open and maintained. The response was "we cannot
make that guarantee". The Foundation has requested a meeting with the NYS DEC
Deputy Commissioner Office of Administration, but the meeting has not yet been
granted.
Stony Kill Center is the only environmental center in this area, and truly a Hudson Valley
jewel. It has provided resources and programming for many including: students,
educators, veterans, people with special needs, families, individuals, community
organizations, etc., for many decades.
We urge you to please Save Stony Kill. Any efforts toward this matter are much
appreciated.
Sincerely
�,h I e e/7 A.
Steve Gold, Mayor
City of Beacon
One Municipal Plaza
Beacon, New York 12508
845-838-5010 - office
845 -838 -5096 -Fax
cF 86
G
ItWe*V
www.cityofbeacon.org
Supervisor Christopher Colsey
20 Middlebush Road
Town of Wappingers Falls, New York, 12590
Dear Supervisor Colsey,
City Council
George Mansfield — Council At Large
Marlene Fredericks --Council At Large
Jerry Landisi — Ward One
Charles Kelly —Ward Two
Randy Casale- Ward Three
Sara Pasti — Ward Four
Meredith S. Robson, City Administrator
Nick Willis -Ward — City Attorney
Supervisor Office
APR 0 8 2010
Received
The City of Beacon passed a Resolution at the Council Meeting of April 5, 2010
regarding the closing of Stony Kill Environmental Center.
If you have not as of yet taken a similar action, I am attaching the resolution as
a template for your Municipality to consider using to save this valuable
resource.
Sincerely,
Steve K. Gold
Mayor
Cc: Governor David A. Paterson
I
CITY OF BEACON
CITY COUNCIL
RES. NO. 47 OF 2010
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING THE STONY KILL FARM
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL CENTER OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
WHEREAS, Stony Kill Farm Environmental Educational Center ("Stony Kill") is
dedicated to enhancing environmental awareness and appreciation of the natural world in a
facility that includes over 1,000 acres of rolling country side, farmland, ponds, woodlands,
meadows, cultivated fields, and fallow fields; and
WHEREAS, facilities at Stony Kill include
1. The (Verplanck) Manor House finished in 1842. The Manor House functions as a visitor
center with offices for staff, reference library, exhibit room and restrooms. The area
around the Manor House includes a perennial garden, herb garden, picnic tables, a large
corn field, a large grazing field for farmyard animals, trail head, and parking. The gardens
are maintained by the Verplanck Garden Club, Inc;
2. A newly constructed green designed Visitor Center which features enhances
programming in a dividable 80 person multipurpose room and supporting accessible
restrooms, kitchenette, lobby and wrap-around porch;
3. A 19th Century barn, which houses beef cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens. Also inside the
barn is a classroom used for education programs, events and as meeting space for other
organizations. The barn and animals are an important teaching tool for the education
programs offered to thousands of people who visit Stony Kill Farm throughout the year;
4. The Tenant Farm House, which is on the National Register for Historical Buildings. The
south-east portion dates back to the late 1600s -1700s;
5. An 18th Century Dutch stone house; and
6. Other features and building include a greenhouse, workshop, comfort station, pond,
picnic area, and community and raised bed garden plots. The community garden plots are
leased seasonally through the Stony Kill Foundation, Inc., and the raised bed gardens are
for people with disabilities and obtained through the Verplanck Garden Club, Inc; and
WHEREAS, Stony Kill programs provide a unique educational experience that includes a
year-round program for children, adults, educators, scouts, groups and the general public. Topics
include natural history, plants, animals, and natural resources. Instructors guide groups in grades
1-6 groups through ecology lessons in forest and wildlife, insect and pond life and agriculture.
Pre -K and kindergarten school programs conducted throughout the year. In order to meet the
needs of local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Stony Kill Farm educators have designed hands-on
activities and programs focusing on ecology, wildlife, forestry and the world of the outdoors to
enable scouts to earn specific badges during our programs; and
WHEREAS, the Stony Kill provides a maintained trail system with trails of a variety of
lengths through a number of habitats: woodland, thickets, fields, pond and marsh. Forested by
hardwoods, it has become home to an abundance of wildlife that include the barred owl, red-
tailed hawk, garter snake, the eastern gray squirrel, songbirds and other wildlife like the bob -cat.
The trail system includes: The Woodland Trail, a 1 mile ADA Accessible Trail, The Verplanck
Trail, 1.5 miles, The Sierra Trail, 2 miles, The Freedom Trial 2.5 miles and The Muller Pond
Trail .5 miles; and
WHEREAS, the agreement between the generous Verplanck family and the State of New
York requires that Stony Kill be operated as an agricultural farm and if it is not used for that
purpose for one year, it will revert to the Verplanck family and no longer be open to the public
for farming, planting, hiking, recreation education or any public use.
NOW, THEREFOR, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Beacon does
herby declare its strong and unwavering demand that the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, the Legislature of the State of New York, The Senate of the State
of New York and the Honorable Governor of the State of New York fully fund the Stony Kill
Environmental Center and all of its programs and facility maintenance and use every effort to
continue funding agriculture to the degree necessary to keep the center in the control of the DEC
and not revert to the Verplanck family.
Resolution No. 47 of 2010
❑ Amendments
❑ Not on roll call.
Date: April 5. 2010
❑ 2/3 Required.
❑ On roll call. ❑ 3/4 Required
Motion Second Council Member
Yes No Abstain Reason Absent
X Landisi, Jer
X
Kell , Charles P.
X
Mansfield, George
X
Fredericks, Marlene
X
Casale, Randy J.
X
X Pasti, Sara
X
Ma or Steve K. Gold
X
irwuvn %larneu I A
W2
Dutchess County, NY Property Record
-'moo , i. rye Ws F
Final Roll -- July 1, 2009
Parcel Grid Identification #:
133089-0056-04668256-0000
Parcel Location
22-85 Farmstead Ln
Town of Fishkill
Owner Information
NYS Stony Kill Farm Practice, (P)
Primary (P) Owner Mail Address
22 Market St
Poughkeepsie NY 12601 0
Parcel Details
Size (acres): 466.77 Ac (C) Land Use Class: (681) Community Services:
Cultural and Recreational: Cultural Facilities (museums, art gallery, etc.)
File Map:
Agri. Dist.:
(0)
File Lot #:
School District:
(130200) Beacon City
School District
Split Town
Assessment Information
Land:
Total:
County Taxable:
Town Taxable:
School Taxable: Village Taxable:
$10000000
$12000000
$0
$0
$12000000 $0
Tax Code:
Roll Section:
Uniform %:
Full Market Value:
N: Non -Homestead
3
100
$ 12000000
Tent. Roll:
Final. Roll:
Valuation:
5/1/2009
7/1/2009
7/1/2008
Last Sale/Transfer
Sales Price:
Sale Date:
Dead Book:
Deed Page:
Sale Condition: No. Parcels:
$0
0
0602
0292
() 0
Site Information:
Site Number: 1
Water Supply:
Sewer Type:
Desirability:
Zoning Code:
Used As:
(2) Private
(2) Private
()
R40
(Z41) Cultural fac
Soecial District Information:
Special District: CF009
Primary Units:
Value:
Second Units
Spec. Dist, Name:
0
0
0
Chelsea Fire
Exemotion Information:
Exemption: 32301
Name:
Amount:
Percent
Taxable State Land
$12000000
0
Page I of 1
ABSOLUTELY NO ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS GUARANTEE IS IMPLIED OR INTENDED. ALL INFORMATION ON THIS MAP IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON A
COMPLETE TITLE SEARCH OR FIELD SURVEY.
This report was produced with ParcelAccess Intranet on 4/19/2010. Developed and maintained by OCIS - Dutchess County, NY.
http://geoaccess.co.dutchess.ny.us/parcelaccess/propertyCard.asp?swiss133089&parcelgrid=13308900605600046682560000... 4/19/2010
Dutchess County, NY Property Record
+ e+
Final Roll -- July 1, 2009
Parcel Grid Identification #:
135689-8056-02-980550-0000
Parcel Location
1874 Route 9D
Town of Wappinger
Owner Information
N Y S Education Dept, (P)
Phmary (P) Owner Mail Address
000000000
Parcel Details
Size (acres): 284.57 Ac (C)
Land Use Class:
(600) Community Services
File Map:
Agri. Dist.:
(0)
File Lot #:
School District
(130200) Beacon City School District
Split Town
Assessment Information
Land:
Total:
County Taxable:
Town Taxable: School Taxable:
Village Taxable:
$1050000
$1050000
$0
$0 $0
$0
Tax Code:
Roll Section:
Uniform %:
Full Market Value:
N: Non -Homestead
8
100
$ 1050000
Tent. Roll:
Final. Roll:
Valuation:
5/1/2009
7/1/2009
7/1/2008
Last Sale/Transfer
Sales Price:
Sale Date:
Deed Book:
Deed Page: Sale Condition:
No. Parcels:
$0
0
0000
0000 ()
0
Site Information:
Site Number: 1
Water Supply:
Sewer Type:
Desirability: Zoning Code:
Used As:
(1)None
(1)None
(2)Typical R80
()
Special District Information:
Special District 999AM
Primary Units:
Value:
Second Units
Spec. Dist. Name:
0
0
0
Ambulance Town Wide
Special District. CF034
Primary Units:
Value:
Second Units
Spec. Dist. Name:
0
0
0
Chelsea Fire
Exemption Information:
Exemption: 12100
Name:
Amount:
Percent
N Y STATE
$1050000
0
Page 1 of 1
ABSOLUTELY NO ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS GUARANTEE IS IMPLIED OR INTENDED. ALL INFORMATION ON THIS MAP IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON A COMPLETE TITLE
SEARCH OR FIELD SURVEY.
This report was produced with ParcelAccess Intranet on 4/19/2010. Developed and maintained by OCIS - Dutchess County, NY.
http://geoaccess. co. dutchcss.ny. uslparcelacecsslpropertyCard. asp?swis= l 3 5689&parcelgrid=13568900605600029805500000... 4/19/2010