1997-09-16
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(914 )-297-2.344
RECEIVED
SEP 1 ? 1997
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WILLIAM F. & SHARON A. MURPHY
26 EDGEHILL DRIVE
WAPPINGERS FALLS. NY 12590
September 16. 1997
Constance o. Smith. Supervisor
Town of Wappinger
P. O. Box 324
Wappingers Falls. NY 12590
Re; Property of William F. & Sharon A. Murphy
26 Edgehill Drive. Wappingers Falls. NY
-----------------------------------------
Escrow Account
Dear Mrs. Smith:
All matters concerning our appearances before the
Planning Board to obtain a Special Use Permit for the
modification of our single family dwelling to contain an
Accessory Apartment appears to have been completed. We
intend to continue this project by preparing the detailed
building plans and obtaining the necessary building permits.
We are in receipt of a letter from Zoning Administrator
Donald Close, COpy attached, dated August 22, 1997
concerning our Escrow Account ( No. 42).
When we first began this project we were informed that
an Escrow Account must be established to reimburse the Town
for professional review fees. It was suggested that $500.00
be the amount needed to establish the account_ This was
done and the money deposited by the Town on February 26,
1997.
Mr. Close's August 22, 1997 letter informed us that
there was a deficit in the account of $238_75 and immediate
payment was necessary as well as additional money to cover
any futLlre charges that may be billed to the account_
.-'
Mr. Close also ~orwarded a listing o~ billings to date
which we have examined and have the ~ollowing comments:
1 - Both o~ us and my representative. Patrick J.
Moloney. Jr.. PE. are not aware o~ many other
communities in our vicinity which charges ~or
review costs. Mr. Moloney was ~ormerly the
engineer ~or the Town o~ Poughkeepsie and con~irms
that the sta~~ o~ the Town o~ Poughkeepsie Lawyers.
Planners. Engineers. Zoning Administrator. Water
and Sewer Department Heads. Building Inspector.
Police and Fire Departments and Recreation
Department per~ormed the pro~essional reviews
without billing the project owner.
2 - A review o~ the billings. listing ~ollows. raises
Questions as ~ollows:
A - The bill o~ J. Paggi contains 0.25 hrs. o~
Clerical Work on 3/27/97. The escrow account
should be used ~or Pro~essiQnal services only.
B - The bill o~ Frederick P. Clark Associates.
Inc. contains duplicate charges. On 3/26/97.
3/31/97 and 3/31/97 preparation o~ a resolution
was billed~ a total time o~ 1.00 hrs. On
4/9/97. 4/21/97 and 4/22/97 preparation o~ a
resolution was billed. a total time o~
0.70 hrs.
We also ~eel the Frederick P. Clark Associates.
Inc. charges o~ $405.00 ~or a project o~ this
scope are very excessive.
"..~
Following is a summary of escrow fees charged to date:
PROFESSIONAL DATE OF
& RATE ACTIVITY
J. PAGGI. JR 3/3/97
$75.00/hr.
3/17/97
3/27/97
3/27/97
4/7/97
AL ROBERTS 3/17/97
$125.00/hr.
3/17/97
-3/19/97
4/7/97
ESCROW ACCOUNT NO.42
ACTIVITY
REVIEW/CORRESPONDENCE
PREPARE/ATTEND
P. B. MEETING
REVIEW/CORRESPONDENCE
CLERICAL($35.00/hr.)
LTR. P. B.-REV. SPEC
USE
PREPARE/ATTEND P. B.
MEETING
SUB TOTAL
REVIEW APPLICATION AND
OTHER PROF. REPORTS
P. B. MEETING
SEND APPROVING OPINION
REVIEW LETTER
P. B. 1"1EETING
REVIEW RESOLUTION
OF APPROVAL
SUB TOTAL
CLARK ASSOC.
$80/hr. 3/10/97 REVIEW APPLICATION
3/12/97 FIELD WORK. REVIEW
OF PLANS
3/13/97 REVIEW PLANS. PREPARE
MEMORANDUM
3/17/97 P. B. MEETING
HOURS BILL
O. -50 37. -50
0.2-5 18.7-5
O. 50 37. -50
0.25 8.75
0.25 18.7-5
121. 2-5
0.40 50.00
O. 30 -37_ 50
0.40 50.00
0.10 12. -50
O. 30 -37. 50
0.20 25.00
212.50
0.10
8.00
O. -50 40.00
0.80 64.00
0.30 24.00
$75/hr.
3/21/97 REVIEW PLANS. PREPARE
MEMORANDUM
L 20 90. 00
3/26/97 PREPARE RESOLUTION
0.10 7.50
3/31/97 PREPARE RESOLUTION &
COVER LETTER
0.30 22.50
$80/hr.
3/31/97 REVIEW APPLICATION &
PREPARE RESOLUTION
0.60 48.00
$7.5/hr.
4/4/97 MEETING PREPARATION
0.10 7.50
4/7/97
P. B. MEETING
0.30 22.50
4/9/97
PREPARE RESOLUTION
0.20 15.00
$80/hr.
4/14/97 REVIEW CORRESPONDENCE
0.10
8.00
4/15/97 PLAN & CORRESPONDENCE
REVIEW
0.10 8.00
4/21/97 PREPARE RESOLUTION &
MEMORANDUM
0.30 24.00
4/22/97 PREPARE RESOLUTION
0.20 16.00
SUB TOTAL
405.00
GRAND TOTAL
738.75
Although the Planning Board certainly has the right to
request outside professional services because of the lack of
adequate in-house staff we feel. and we have heard this from
other project developers, that the need for requesting the
use of outside professional services is being used in the
case of many small or simple straight forward projects where
it is not warranted.
Unless the Town's attitude in this matter changes we
feel development will be hindered and proposed projects may
never become initiated.
Your comments to this letter would be appreciated.
. "
Yours truly.
JA WlflYJ If
cc: Donald Close
Zoning Administrator
Patrick J. Moloney. Jr.. PE
Moloney Associates
mu-esc
", "