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'~ Law Office of Michael N. Kelsey, Esq.
PO Box 108, Salt Point NY 12578, (914) 475-0060, KelseyESQ@yahoo.com, Fax: (845) 675-5404
May 3, 2013
Wappinger Planning Board
c/o Sue Rose
20 Middlebush Rd
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Re: Request for Proposal, Planning Board Attorney
Dear Wappinger Town Planning Board Members Valdati,
Visconti, Leed, Bettina, Dao, Fanuele, and Malafronte:
I want to thank you all for your consideration of my application for attorney to the
planning board. I was looking forward to meeting all of you at the interview initially scheduled
for April 215Y but became conflicted when it was rescheduled for Monday, May 6, 2013. I regret
that I will be unable to attend.
Unlike large firms I pride myself on personal attention. Sending a representative to
represent me at the interview does not seem to be a viable alternative to impress upon you my
ability, personality or willingness to serve. Consequently I see little choice but to withdraw my
name from consideration.
A mountaineer by passion I previously scheduled an expedition for this week in
Wyoming where I will be attempting to summit the Gannett Peak, Wyoming's tallest and widely
seen as the most difficult high point mountain climb in the continental U.S. The last four
months I have been in training for this unguided trek, which will involve a 40-mile backpacking
trek, glacier traverses and full winter conditions. I considered backing out of the trip to attend
the interview but think I would regret that decision.
I will send you copies of the article on my climb following the trip to make up for
wasting your time. Thank you again for the consideration.
Please keep me in mind if future vacancies arise.
Yours Truly,
(v
Michael N. Kelsey, Esq
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Law Office of Michael N. Kelsey, Esa.
PROPOSED FEE OF SERVICE
As a small law practice with minimal overhead, the Law Office of Michael N.
Kelsey can afford to keep client costs at a minimum thereby increasing the
affordability of planning legal services to town taxpayers, clients seeking to build
up the community and the general public.
As Planning Board Attorney for the Town of Wappinger the Law Office of
Michael N. Kelsey would charge an attorney hourly rate of $120/hr, a paralegal
hourly rate of $105/hr and a Legal Secretary hourly rate of $85/hr. An attorney
hourly rate of $150/hr will be charged for litigation purposes. These rates are
inclusive of secretarial, clerical and administrative staff time, telephone, postage
and mileage and other customary overhead expenses.
Further information will be needed from the Town Planning Board prior to
a specific schedule of rates being developed for costs, tasks and services.
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Michael N. Kelsey, Esq.
243 Hibernia Road, Salt Point NY 12578
KelseyESO@vahoo.com; (914) 475-0060
Town of Wappinger Planning Board
Attorney Request
for Proposal Submission
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Town of Waaginger Ptannin4 Board
Robert Valdati, Chairman
]une Visconti
Marsha Leed
Angela Bettina
Max Dao
Victor L. Fanuele
Francis A. Maiafronte
Interview Panel for Planning Board Attorney
Thursday, April 4, 2013
~-
" Law Office of Michael N. Kelsey, Esq.
PO Box 108, Salt Point NY 12578, (914) 475-0060, KelseyESq(alyahoo.com, Fax. (845) 675 5404
April 4, 2013
Mr. Robert Valdati Re: Request for Proposal, Planning Board Attorney
Wappinger Planning Board
20 Middlebush Rd
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Dear Mr. Valdati and Planning Board Members:
Please accept this letter and the accompanying materials in consideration for the
Planning Board Attorney announced in the recent Request for Proposal. On a personal level I
grew upon the East Fishkill border of the Town of Wappinger and attended Wappinger Central
schools. As such I have a familiarity and awareness into many of the Town's neighborhoods,
businesses, natural and historical treasures as well as with many of the people who make
Wappinger a great community. After reviewing my credentials and proposal I hope you will
conclude that I offer a talented and fresh approach to the Planning Board Attorney search.
I am a young attorney who lives an integrated life with a track record of achievement
and accomplishments in a variety of areas including the practice of law. While I operate my own
solo practitioner law firm, I also have relations with several area law firms including an Of
Counsel relationship with Quartaro & Lois, P.C. in Fishkill in the area of Estate Planning and
Wills and Trusts and with Lyons & Supple in Beacon in the area of Real Estate. I have won cases
in the Dutchess County Family and Supreme Courts, as well as in the Appellate Division,
confirmed by the New York Court of Appeals. I have represented clients of the Town of
Wappinger including removing six residential properties from a floodplain designation and in
helping to establish a local bakery including contract review/drafting.
My municipal experience largely stems from my involvement in government first as a
state and county legislative staffer and most recently as a County Legislator representing five
county municipalities. In this capacity I attend monthly town board meetings in Amenia,
Washington, Stanford, Pleasant Valley and Millbrook during a time whereby two of these towns
have undergone reviews of their master plans. As a legislator I routinely draft my own
legislation, research and offer opinions on matters of law during legislative meetings.
I hope that after reviewing my enclosed proposal that you will grant me an interview to
further discuss how my experiences and energy can be a good match for the planning needs of
the Town of Wappinger.
Yours Truly,
~_ ti C
Michael N. Kelsey, Esq.
.~ ~ Law Office of Michael N. Kelsey, Esq.
TOWN OF WAPPINGER PLANNING BOARD
ATTORNEY PROPOSAL
Firm Profile
The Law Office of Michael N. Kelsey is a general practice sole proprietorship
based out of Pleasant Valley with satellite offices in Lagrange, Fishkill and Beacon for the
convenience of client meetings.
The firm is administered by Michael N. Kelsey, a 2005 graduate of Quinnipiac
University School of Law, admitted to the practice of law in New York State and a
member of the Dutchess County and New York State Bar Associations. He is a trustee of
the Joseph H. Barnard Memorial Law Library of Dutchess County, a professor of
constitutional law, introduction of law and philosophy at Marist College and an
occasional estate planning lecturer for the Dutchess County Office of the Aging and on
behalf of Hudson River Healthcare. He is certified as a Guardian, Court Evaluator and
Attorney for Alleged Incapacitated Person in accord with NYS Mental Hygiene Law,
Article 81.
Municipal Experience
Attorney Michael Kelsey served as a legislative advisor to Assemblyman Joel
Miller in 2006 and to Chairman of the Dutchess Legislature Gary Cooper in 2007 before
being elected to represent Amenia, Washington, Stanford, Pleasant Valley and the
Village of Millbrook in 2009 and 2011. He is a regular attendee at the board meetings of
the towns he represents and active in his role as legislator in the operations of the
county. He serves as chairman of the Legislature's Government Services and
Administration Committee.
References
• Former Assemblyman Patrick Manning, 641 Hortontown Road, Hopewell
Junction, New York 12533, 914.474.8000, patmanning32415Cu~~mail.com
• Jason Tripaldi, Business Manager, Quartaro & Lois, P.C., 1399 Route 52, Suite 101
Fishkill, NY 12524, 845.471.4440, JTripaldi@gualaw.com
• Judge Peter Forman, Dutchess County Court, 10 Market Street Poughkeepsie, NY
12601, 431-1700, pforman(c~courts.state.ny.us
• Mayor Laura Hurley, Village of Millbrook, 35 Merritt Ave, Millbrook NY 12545,
677-3939, mayor@village.millbrook.ny.us
'~' ~ Law Office of Michael N. Kelsey, Esq.
PROPOSED FEE OF SERVICE
As a small law practice with minimal overhead, the Law Office of Michael N.
Kelsey can afford to keep client costs at a minimum thereby increasing the
affordability of planning legal services to town taxpayers, clients seeking to build
up the community and the general public.
As Planning Board Attorney for the Town of Wappinger the Law Office of
Michael N. Kelsey would charge an attorney hourly rate of $120/hr, a paralegal
hourly rate of $105/hr and a Legal Secretary hourly rate of $85/hr. An attorney
hourly rate of $150/hr will be charged for litigation purposes. These rates are
inclusive of secretarial, clerical and administrative staff time, telephone, postage
and mileage and other customary overhead expenses.
Further information will be needed from the Town Planning Board prior to
a specific schedule of rates being developed for costs, tasks and services.
MICHAEL N KELSEY, Esq.
243 Hibernia Road, Salt Point, NY 12578, (Cell) 914-475-0060, Fax (845) 675-5404, kelSCVEsalu yahoo.com
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
Attorney at Law October 2009-Present
O Counsel, uartaro & Lois, P. C.
Law Office of Michael N. Kelsey .f Q
Manage my own private practice serving clients in a variety of needs. Serve on the assigned counsel panel
for Dutchess County Family Court representing clients in family court matters including custody, visitation,
family offenses, neglect and support. Manage the Wills and Estate Planning department at Quartaro & Lois,
P.C. in Fishkill. Admitted to the New York State Bar and certified as Guardian, Court Evaluator and
Attorney for Alleged Incapacitated Person in accord with NYS Mental Hygiene Law, Article 81.
County Legislator January 2010-Present
Dutchess County Government www. VoteMikeKelsey.com
Elected to represent 1/5 of the County's municipalities in the County Legislature including the Towns of
Washington, Amenia, Pleasant Valley, Stanford and the Village of Millbrook. Responsible for setting
public policy adopting the County Budget, and representing the needs of rural Dutchess County. Serve as
Chairman of the Elections Oversight Committee, and Chairman of the Government Services and
Administration committees. Authored an Assessment of Children's Mental Health Services a Legislator's
Guide to Cost-Savings at the Board of Elections reports, and a weekly column in three news-media outlets.
Adjunct Philosophy /Law Professor Jan. 2008 -Present
Marist College, Poughkeepsie
Courses: Intro to Philosophy /Constitutional Law & the Bill of Rights /Christianity /Intro to Law.
Licensed Adventure Guide /Photographer /Outfitter Jan. 2008 -Present
AWAYEnterprises, Salt Point & Minerva, NY www MikeKe]scyAdvennires.wordtuess.com
www Ke15ey0utdoorPhoto.eom; www AwayAdventureGuide.com www Kelse~Kavaks.com
"AWAY Enterprises" includes AWAY Adventure Guide Service, which plans and leads outdoor trips in
hiking, backpacking, canoeing and snowshoeing; including teaching Introduction to Backpacking and
Historic Hudson Valley Hikes classes for Dutchess BOCES; New York State Guide License #5273:
Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, snowshoeing & Canoeing; AWAY Images includes outdoor photography
of the Adirondacks and the Hudson Valley on display and for sale in various gift shops and on the Web;
and AWAY Editorial Services that includes free-lance work for various outdoor magazines and guidebook
editing for the Adirondack Mountain Club's central region Forest Preserve guidebook series. AWAY
Outfitters rents out kayaks under the label, "Kelsey's Kayaks."
Director of Policy, Human Resources & Human Services Feb. 2009-Mar. 2012
PEOPLe Inc., Poughkeepsie NY
Managed 35 employees and three offices in basic managerial responsibilities including human resources,
staff benefits, personnel, inventory control and corporate compliance. Authored and updated company
internal controls including fiscal policy, employee handbook, board of director by-laws, code of conduct,
administrative policies and procedures. Provided oversight for employment, housing and advocacy
services. Served as compliance officer, and liaison to the Board of Directors. Represented the agency at
human services meeting countywide. PEOPLe Inc. is a nonprofit mental health agency involved with
education, advocacy and support services for seriously and persistently mentally ill persons.
Teacher May 2008
Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Poughkeepsie, NY
Taught five classes of high school freshmen in a survey course on the Old Testament (approximately 150
students). Position included classroom instruction, lesson preparation, testing and grading.
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MICHAEL N KELSEY, Esq.
243 Hibernia Road, Salt Point, NY 12578, (Cell) 914-475-0060, Fax (845) 675-5404,KelseyEsc~c+wahoo.com
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE (cont.)
Senior Elections Specialist Jan. 2008 -May 2008
Dutchess County Board of Elections
Helped coordinate all aspects of the `08 Presidential Primary including managing 24 election coordinators,
158 elections inspectors and 29 machine coordinators. Involved with elections and machine training,
processing of employee W4s, HAVA compliance (Help Americans to Vote Act), voter accessibility and
poll bag preparation and distribution, vote collection and processing, machine canvassing and analysis.
Assistant to the Chairman of the County Legislature Jan. 2007 -Jan. 2008
Dutchess County Legislature, Chairman Gary Cooper, Poughkeepsie NY
Served the Chairman in managing the day-to-day operations of the County Legislature including building
consensus with legislators, developing policy and strategy, and promoting the Chairman's agenda. Oversaw
the activities of 49 community committees/agencies including recruiting and vetting recommendations for
legislative appointments. Duties included authoring press releases, researching enabling statutes, drafting
correspondence, representing the Chairman at functions, monitoring media outlets, and interacting with the
Executive Branch, municipalities and the media.
Publications Editor Apri12000 -March 2007
Legion of Christ, Inc., Orange, CT
Established publications office as an auxiliary to the company communications office to review and
approve all external corporation publications (mostly of translated origin) including capital campaigns,
fundraising appeals, marketing materials and Web sites. Established publication review protocol, forms and
personally implemented the English and marketing review for each publication and arranged additional
reviews including legal and technical evaluations. Drafted and edited correspondence for the CEO.
Professional achievements include: serving as editor of a daily online newsletter with 20,000+ subscribers;
articulating the pedagogy for 30+ elementary and secondary private schools under the umbrellas of the
National Consultants for Education and Oak International labels; and completing catechetical corrections to
a 12-volume religious education text book series on behalf of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
(corrections included drafting entire chapters). A nonprofit corporation closely associated with a Catholic
religious community, the Legion of Christ is present in 20 countries worldwide providing educational,
missionary and family-oriented services.
Legislative Aide March 2006 -Jan. 2007
NYS Assemblyman Joel Miller, Poughkeepsie, NY
Served as a community advocate and steered constituents through government red tape in areas including
Social Security, pensions, wetlands identification, health care insurance pre-authorization, child custody,
visitation rights, Lyme disease treatment, storm runoff complications, nonprofit property needs, SPAM
mailings, teacher certification, establishment of group homes for the disabled, and workman's
compensation matters. Assumed a leadership role on the subject of educational funding via community
forums and editorials on eliminating the school property tax. Researched and drafted position papers.
Served as co-host to a weekly Vassar College public service radio program for atwo-month duration.
General Practice Law Clerk Dec. 2005 -March 2006
Law Off ce of Dan McCabe, Poughkeepsie, NY
Participated in law office management including file preparation, diary, research and client counseling.
Experiences include will drafting, real estate closings, title inspections, collaborative divorce sessions, town
court hearings, estate plan reviews, eviction proceedings, foreclosure auctions, contract reviews, and
franchising/business consultation.
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MICHAEL N KELSEY, Esq.
243 Hibernia Road, Salt Point, NY 12578, (Cell) 914-475-0060, Fax (845) 675-5404, kclseyLsg~: yahoo.com
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE (cont.)
Corporate Counsel Law Clerk Externship May 2004- July 2004
CB Richard Ellis, New York, NY
Conducted legal fact-finding and research and drafted memorandums on issues affecting commercial real
estate. Considered issues of conflict of interest, secured transactions, procuring causes, misrepresentation
and broker relations. Met with clients and helped produce risk management training materials.
Proof Reader Jan. 2002 -May 2004
Circle Media Inc., North Haven, CT
Identified typos, errors and formatting inconsistencies as well as fact checking for the weekly National
Catholic Register newspaper (45,000+ subscribers) and bi-monthly Faith & Family magazine. Applied
Associated Press and Catholic News Service writer guidelines.
Marketing Consultant Feb. 2000 -June 2001
Inside the Vatican magazine
Developed and executed marketing strategies to promote the magazine's wider circulation. Marketing
ventures included writing press releases; cultivating relations with distributors; and direct mailers.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
• Dutchess County Legislator, January 2010 -present.
• Liaison, Dutchess County 4-H; January 2010 -present.
• Trustee, Joseph F. Barnard Memorial Law Library, Poughkeepsie NY; 2011 -Present
• Chairman, Eastern Dutchess Coalition on Youth Empowerment; 2011-Present.
• Mental Hygiene Sub-Committee of the D.C. Mental Hygiene Board, member -- 2006-Present;
• Assistant Organizer, Hudson Valley Hikers Club.
• Chairman, Dutchess County Young Republican Club; 2008-2009;
• Historical Preservation Commissioner, Town of Poughkeepsie - 2006-2007;
• Lector, Holy Trinity Church, Poughkeepsie, 2005-present; previously St. Columba, Hopewell Jct.
• PR & Community Outreach Chair, Hudson Valley Council Boy Scout Council, 2006-2007
• Countywide Food Drive Coordinator; BSA Scouting for Food, 2006-2007
• Properties Chairman, Boy Scout Camp Nooteeming Properties Committee - 2004-2005.
• Assistant Scoutmaster & Alumni Association President, Troop 95, Fishkill, NY, 1996-present
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
• Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts ofAmerica
• Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, tallest mountain in Africa, 2010.
• 40 Under 40 Mover and Shaker Award, Dutchess Cnty Regional Chamber of Commerce, 2012.
• Three time End-to-Ender, 132-mile Northville-Placid Trail; End-to-Ender, Cranberry Lake 50.
Northeast 115er (climbed all 115 of the northeast's highest mountains). Includes ADK 46er
(New York's 46 highest mountains) and New Hampshire 48er (New Hampshire's 48 highest).
• Catskill 35er (in progress 18/35).
• 2011 Van Bramer Award, Mental Health America of Dutchess County
Keynote Speaker, Hudson Valley Chapter, National Association for the Mentally Ill, 2010
• Keynote Speaker, All-County High School S.A.D.D. Chapter Conference, 2011
• Bronze Pelican Award; Archdiocese of New York, recognizing 13 years of Religious Education
• Francis E. McFarlin Leadership Award, Boy Scout Troop 95 Fishkill, 2006
• Daniel Nimham Spirit of Scouting Award, Nimham District, Hudson Valley Council, 2006
• Second Place Scholarship: Sons of the American Revolution Essay Writing Contest, 1995
• First Place Scholarship: H. Lyman Stebbins Memorial Essay Contest, 1998
• Quinnipiac University Merit Scholarship, 2002-2004
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MICHAEL N. KELSEY, Esq.
243 Hibernia Road, Salt Point, NY 12578, (Cell) 914-475-0060, Fax (845) 675-5404, KelseyEsp(d,yahoo.com
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, May 2005 Quinnipiac Univ. School of Law, Hamden, CT
Bachelor of Arts, Dec. 1999 Christendom College, Front Royal, VA
PUBLISHED WORKS
"Transcending the Range of Light: A Reflection on wilderness and natural philosophy while backpacking
California's John Muir Trail," The Millbrook Independent. 10/25/12.
"Green in the Whites: A Feat of Defeat in New Hampshire's White Mountains," Peaked Experiences of
New England Peaked Experiences, University Press of New England (publication pending).
"Volcanic Conquest: Ascents of Rainier, Hood and Mt. St. Helen's," Millbrook Independent, 6/24/2011.
"Climbing Kilimanjaro" & "The Final Push," The Millbrooklndependent, 1/20 & 1/27/2011.
Author "The County Account," a weekly column reporting on issues and business of the Dutchess County
government and carried by Millerton News, Millbrook Independent, and Millbrook Matters. 2009-Present
"Charming Rock Lake, Big Pay-Off for Little Effort," Adirondac magazine, July 2009, p.13.
"Snowy Mountain: The High Peak to the South," Adirondack Life, 2007 Annual Guide to the Great
Outdoors, p. 43-44.
"Ordaining Use and Outlawing Abuse: The Function of Unit Management Plans in the Adirondack Forest
Preserve," Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies, Fa112006.
Encyclopedia Entry for Warren H. Carroll, PhD, "Catholic Social Thought, Social Science, and Social
Policy: An Encyclopedia," The Scarecrow Press, Inc. 2006.
"Tally Time: A Canoe Trip on the St. Croix River Includes Both Thrills and Spills, But Who's Keeping
Score," Canoe & Kayak, May 2006, p.88.
"Central Region Guidebook Updates," Adirondac, January/February 2006, p.13-15
"Siamese Ponds: Hike to Secluded Lakeside Camping in the Central Adirondacks," Backpacker, Aug.
2005, p.124.
"Guidebook Update: Central Region," Adirondac, November/December 2004, p. l l .
"The Hidden Tax on Large Families," National Catholic Register, April 11-17, 2004, p.9.
"An End to an Era: Christendom's Carroll Retires," National Catholic Register, June 16-22, 2002, p. 14.
"We Found God's Will: The Franciscan Friars of Renewal," Inside the Vatican, June-July 2000, p.52-55.
"The Raising of a Son," Lay Witness, April 1999, p.36-37.
INTERESTS:
hiking/backpacking, canoeing/kayaking, photography, swimming, skiing/snowshoeing, writing, NY history