1966-11-10 PH4
A Public Hearing on the Preliminary Budget for the Town of Wappinger was held by
the Town Board, Town of Wappinger, on November 10, 1966, at the Town I{all, Mill.
:'street, Wappingers Falls, New York.
Present:
Joseph H. Fulton, Supervisor
William J. Bulger, Justice of the Peace
Vincent Francese, Justice of the Peace
Others Present:
Harold <<eilly, Attorney
Joseph Ludewig, Building Inspector
Knud Clausen, Highway Superintendent
Louis Diehl, Councilman
Louis Clausen, Councilman
Elaine H. Snowden, Town Clerk
Supervisor Fulton opened the Hearing. He advised the public that the purpose of
the Hearing was to review the Preliminary Budget for the Town of Wappinger.
The following notice of Public Hearing was read by the Clerk:
NOTICE OF HEARING UPON PRELIMINARY BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the preliminary budget of the Town of Wappinger,
Dutchess County, New York, for the fiscal year beginning January 1st, 1967 has
been completed and filed in the office of the Town Clerk, at Mill Street, Wapp-
ingers Falls, New York, in said Town, where it is available for inspection by any
interested person at all reasonable hours.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of said Town of Wappinger
will meet and review said preliminary budget and hold a public hearing thereon, at
the Town Hall, Mill Street, in said Town at 8 o'clock P.M. on the 10th day of Nov-
ember, 1966, and that at such hearing any person may be heard in favor of or again-
st the preliminary budget as compiled or for or against any item or items therein
contained.
AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, Pursuant to Section 113 of the Town Law, the proposed
salaries of the following town officers are hereby specified as follows:
Supervisor - - $4,500.00
$6,000.00
$1,5oo.00
$1,500.00
$6,200.00
$8,500.00
Justices of the Peace
Councilman
Councilman
Town Clerk
Superintendent of Highways
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD
Elaine H. Snowden
Town Clerk
Supervisor Fulton asked if there were
against this Budget.
Mr. Bisom brought up the point of having to pay for copies of the Preliminary
Budget, and requested that in the future copies be made availble to the public
free of charge so that they may go over them before the Public Hearing.
The Chairman of the Chelsea Board of Fire Commissioners asked if there was any-
thing allocated in the Highway Budget for the repairing of River Road into Chelsea.
As the Representative of the °Commissioners he requested that something be done
about deplorable condition of this road. Mr. Bill Bricknew and Mr. Eugene Sheppard
also cited the hazardous conditions due to lack of proper maintenance.
Mike Bolan, Chelsea, inquired when some of their tax money would come back into
Chelsea. He pointed out that there hadn't been anything done for this area in
many years, and requested the Board seriously reconsider re-evaluating the Budget
to permit some relief of the road conditions.
John Scully, Ketchamtown Road, told the Board of his problem with the road in
front of his house and said he felt more money should be given to the Highway to
straighten these things out.
Mr. Knud Clausen said he had been out to Mr. Scully's house today and commented
that the road in front of his house would be taken care of. He said as long as Mr.
Scully was willing to give the Town a piece of land, the Highway Dept. would see
that it got surveyed and taken care of.
Dated: October 11, 1966
any persons present who wished to speak
S33
Mr. Farrell asked if there was Any good reason why money couldn't be approp-
riated to improve the River Road.
Mr. Diehl said he would definitely take a stand and ask for money to be put back
in the Budget for this road.
Mr. Cortellino suggested that when the Town fixed up their roads, they do it
better than they have been - remarking that the Town require builders to put in
a better road that the Town maintains. He remarked it would be cheaper in the
long run that having to repair them again in a few years.
Harold MacAvery pointed out one of the things that had been overlooked. That
the River Road was not only dangerous but that it was a main thoroughfare; and
that 2 large property owners had passed away, creating the possibility of more
developments being located along this road. He reasoned that if the road was in
good condition there would be a good chance of selling these 2 tracts thereby
bringing in more tax money.
Mr. Farrell, Chelsea, asked if there had been any money allocated for recreat-
ion for the Chelsea area, and added that there would be a lot of property avail-
able soon in this vicinity.
Several residents requested information on where to see, and get copies of the
Budget - suggested mimeographed copies be made available next year.
Louis Eck questiojned the total of about $20,000 under Town Hall and Offices for
compensation of employees, repairs, light and heat. It was explained that some of
this was for the rectal of the Justices Chambers, and election places, etc. Some
of the totals had previously been under other headings but by recommendation of the
N.Y. State Dept. of Audit and Control had been place under this heading. -
Mr. Eck queried the Board on such items as compensation of Election Inspectors,
Supervisor's budget, Town Clerks Budget and Town Attorney.
Mr. Bisom asked if there was an appropriation for a loud speaker system, as he
felt this would be beneficial to the Board meetings.
Mr. Tullo asked if in the items for Repairs an allowance had been made to make
the Town Hall safe for meetings.
Mr. Francese commented the Board contemplated putting in vestibules.
Mrs. Schmalz questioned the Board on how much had been spent on Attorneys and
litigation and what he based his contract on.
The Recreation Budget was questioned - an increase from $16,854 to $41,300.
Mrs. Carney asked for a reading of the estimated projects and a breakdown. Mr.
Maurer answered that salaries included maintenance and labor, operation and care
of ballfields, advertising skating, and anticipation of erecting toilet facilities.
Under purchase of equipment came additional fencing, picnic tables, swings and snow
fence. Improvements of parks and playgrounds were listed. Tall Trees and quiet Acres.
Discussion of ballfields came about between Mrs. Schmalz and Mr. Maurer. Mr. Maurer
stated the Recreation Commission hoped to have 2 or 3 more ballfields this year.
Mr. Farrell asked if the Recreation money was earmarked for special projects, and
was assured that when opportunities arose the Commission was at liberty to expend
for purposes other than initially anticipated.
Mr. Bisom brought up the $10,000 appropriation for Clerks in the Village for
police calls. ;..suggested that stickers could be sent out, with emergency numbers
printed on them, to all taxpayers.
Mr. Mills commented that Wappingers Republican Committee intends doing this.
Mr. Diehl noted that he had requested the $10,000 be put in the Preliminary
Budget for Public Safety, or something that might be -worked out with the Village.
He now requests that this item be withdrawn from the Budget.
3 ti
Mrs. Hanna asked what facilities were in the Budget for teenagers.
Mr. Knud Clausen advocated the Town and Village joining forces and providing a
building for the young people.
Mr..Maurer commented on the Belly of the Whale, indicating that all the Rec-
reation Commissions were going in on it.
Mr. Lafko asked if the Town was receiving their portion of State Aid for
recreation and if the interim census figures were being used.
Mr. Francese answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Ifill asked the Board to give the audience an idea of how much they would
be able to cut and where the tax rate will wind up. He questioned each Board
member as to what they felt would be cut and what the rate would end up at.
Mrs. Oberle asked if there was an appropriation to provide for additional
voting machines.
Mrs. Mills wanted to know if there were going to be any cuts in the increased
salaries.
Mrs. Schmalz asked about the New Hackensack Fire District Budget.
Mr. Bulger informed her that the Town has no authority over the Fire Districts
submitted Budgets - they were simply included in the Town Budget for tax collect-
ion purposes.
Mr. Ifill addressed the Board stating that it had been brought to his attent-
ion that someone in the audience was making a recording of the meeting and req-
uested his voice be removed from the tape.
Mrs. Hancock asked why there were only 3 lighting districts in the Town.
Mr. Fulton explained that the Town puts in lights only at what are considered
dangerous intersections where Town Roads meet either County or State Roads and
the Districts are responsible for paying for their lighting. He noted the same
will hold true in the newly established Sewage Districts, only those residents
benefiting from these services are subject to payment for them.
Mr. Tullo inquired about the street light on New Hackensack Road where there
is no intersecting road - where Scenic Apts. are going in -
The Clerk was instructed to check into this matter.
Motion was made by Mr. Clausen, seconded by Mr. Bulger and carried to close
the Hearing.
Hearing closed at 10:32 P.M..
Elaine H. Snowden
Town Clerk