2010-1322010-132
Resolution Authorizing Drafting of Attendance Standards for Town of Wappinger Appointed
Board and Committee Members
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 March 22, 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 6:05pm)
Ismay Czarniecki
Joseph P. Paoloni
ABSENT:
Vincent F. Bettina
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Beale and seconded by Councilwoman
Czarniecki.
WHEREAS, the Town Board appoints members to the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of
Appeals, the Conservation Advisory Council and the Recreation Committee; and
WHEREAS, the attendance of such duly -appointed Board and Committee members is vital to the
efficiency, functionality and orderly processing of applications and duties of each body; and
WHEREAS, member absenteeism from such Boards or Committees may result in unnecessary
expense and hardship to applicants, residents or interested parties who appear before such Boards or
Committees, and may expose the Town to potential legal liability and expense, especially for those
applications which have state -mandated time requirements; and
WHEREAS, New York State Town Law and New York State General Municipal Law authorizes
the removal for cause of Planning Board Members, Zoning Board of Appeals Members and Conservation
Advisory Council Members, following a public hearing pursuant to a local law or ordinance adopted by
the Town; and
WHEREAS, persistent, unexcused absenteeism of members of the named Boards and
Committees from regular meetings might constitute neglect of duty or cause for removal, depending on
all relevant circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has deliberated upon the necessity of requiring attendance at said
Board and Committees by such members, and of the necessity of adopting a policy for removal for cause
of members of such Boards and Committees including, but not limited to, unexcused excessive
absenteeism; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that any appointed member of such Board or
Committee is expected to attend all duly -called regular and special meetings of such Board or Committee,
unless such Board or Committee member has been granted an excused absence by the Town Board for
cause demonstrated; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that attendance at less than eighty percent (80%) of
all duly -called regular or special meetings within any consecutive twelve (12) month period, without an
excused absence granted by the Town Board, or absence from five (5) consecutive Board or Committee
meetings without an excused absence granted by the Town Board, shall be cause for the removal from
such Board or Committee member; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that an "excused absence" may include, but is not
limited to, absence for illness, medical reason, hospitalization, or death of the Board or Committee
member, or any of the Board or Committee member's immediate family, or domestic partner, or such
other circumstances as may be deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Town Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
1. The recitations above set forth are incorporated in this Resolution as if fully set forth and
adopted herein.
2. The Town Board determines that it is in the best interest of the Town to adopt a policy
requiring attendance at duly -called regular and special meetings of the Planning Board,
Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Advisory Council and Recreation Committee,
and that failing to attend such Board or Committee meetings may result in the removal of
such Board or Committee member for cause.
3. The Town Board further determines that members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board
of Appeals, Conservation Advisory Council and Recreation Committee shall be subject to
removal by a majority vote of the Town Board for cause as determined by the Town
Board.
4. The Town Board determines that cause shall be deemed to include, but not be limited to,
inefficiency, neglect of duty, excessive absenteeism or malfeasance in office. For the
purposes of this Resolution, excessive absenteeism shall mean a failure to attend at least
eighty percent (80%) of any duly -called regular or special meetings within any
consecutive twelve (12) month period, or five (5) consecutive regular or special meetings.
Any Board or Committee member subject to removal shall receive written notice of the
grounds for his or her removal and shall be entitled to a public hearing thereon.
5. The Town Board is hereby authorized to grant approved leaves of absence for any cause
deemed acceptable by the Town Board. Any approved leave of absence shall not be
deemed an absence for calculating mandatory minimum attendance requirements.
6. The Town Board hereby authorizes the Attorney to the Town to prepare a local law
implementing the provisions of this Resolution.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
CHRISTOPHER COLSEY, SUPERVISOR
WILLIAM H. BEALE, COUNCILMAN
VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN
ISMAY CZARNIECKI, COUNCILWOMAN
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, COUNCILMAN
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
3/22/2010
Voting:
AYE
Voting:
AYE
Voting:
ABSENT
Voting:
AYE
Voting:
NAY
The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted.
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J HN C. ASTERSON, TOWN CLERK