AMS rezoning (800 East Main Street). (See Town Board February 25, 2025.) The Board acknowledged receipt of the draft SEQRA Findings Statement for the requested rezoning. Before the Board can vote on the rezoning application, the Board will have to vote to formally accept the Findings Statement. The Statement will be available online.
Note: Although not discussed, the rezoning application also includes an amendment to the Zoning Code that would increase the allowed height of the proposed buildings on sites greater than 25 acres to 55 feet from 45 feet and to 45 feet from15 feet for accessory buildings.
Snow removal on sidewalks. The Board opened and closed two public hearings regulating snow and ice removal on sidewalks. Because one law needed a slight revision, the Board delayed voting on both laws until its May 6 meeting.
One law would repeal the existing law that required clearing the sidewalks in snow districts. The second law will require the owner of property that abuts a sidewalk to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk within 12 hours after the end of the snow event. (The law initially had a 24 hour requirement.) Highway Superintendent Paganelli explained that snow removal on sidewalks along state roads, e.g., East Main Street in Mohegan Lake, are the responsibility of the town’s Highway Department.
During the hearing a resident suggested that the town license commercial plowers. Mr.Paganelli expressed support for such a law, noting the problems his staff has when private plowers push the snow from private driveways onto town roads, often after town staff had just plowed the road. When that happens, he said, the property owner, not the plower, is liable for a fine.
Quinlan Street stop sign. After opening and closing a public hearing, the Board adopted a law to install four way stop signs at the Quinlan St/London Road intersection. The intersection currently only has stop signs on London Road.
Solar energy. The Board voted to advertise a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the installation of solar panels on the roofs of Town Hall, the Community Center, Highway Garage, Police/Court complex and sewage treatment plan.
Route 118/Underhill Avenue improvements. (See Town Board, March 11, 2025.) The Board voted to sign an agreement with Colliers Engineering & Design for assistance with the bid specs and vetting of the bids for the improvements in an amount not to exceed $72,191. Most of the money will go to pay for services already provided. Unicorn Contracting, the developer of Underhill Farms, will reimburse the town for the expense.
Supervisor Lachterman said that the Board has not yet reviewed which options included in the second bid it wants to incorporate into an eventual bid award.
Required approvals and permits. During the Public Comment portion of the agenda, Jay Kopstein asked for clarification on two projects:
Triangle Shopping Center. Citing ongoing construction work and the fact that the owner had not been before the Planning Board, he wanted to know what approvals and/or permits the owner had received. In response, Supervisor Lachterman explained that the owner did not need to go before the Planning Board if there were no changes to the site plan but that ABACA had reviewed changes to the facade.
385 Kear Street. Noting that two restaurants will be opening in the building, he wanted to know the status of the Board’s resolution stating that no permits were to be issued until the outstanding HVAC issue was resolved or the property owner posted a bond. Supervisor Lachterman said he would look into the matter.
Sewer charges. (See Town Board April 1 and 8, 2025.) In an item not on the agenda, the Board voted to refer out a proposed local law that would amend provisions in Chapter 240 relating to how revenue is collected to cover operation and maintenance costs for the Hallocks Mill and Peekskill sewer districts. A public hearing on the law as set for May 13.
Hallocks Mill Sewer Extension. (See Town Board, April 1, 2025.) Supervisor Lachterman explained that based on information from Congressman Lawler’s office, the legislation from the prior Congress awarding the town $1.25 million for the project was never signed into law and that the Congressman’s office is still trying to track down whether the $1.25 million secured by former Congressman Jones was still available. While the supervisor said the town was still trying to get funds federal funds for the project, Councilwoman Siegel urged the Board to proceed with planning a scaled down district using the $10 million East of Hudson money that is available.
Open Meetings Law. In her comments at the beginning of the meeting, Councilwoman Siegel explained that during the Board’s closed executive session earlier in the evening, the Board discussed how to proceed with changes to the Sewer Law and how to finance the proposed Hallocks Mill sewer extension district. Both discussions were primarily procedural in nature, she said, adding that she believed they should have been discussed in open session. She apologized for letting the discussions continue.
Noting that it is often difficult to know where to draw the line between what can legally be discussed in executive sessions, especially when the Open Meetings Law permits executive session discussions when the Board is getting legal advice from the town attorney, she suggested that going forward the Board might let it be known that its 6:30-7:30 sessions are open to the public except when discussing topics that are clearly permitted in executive sessions such as personnel matters and litigation strategy.