Town Board Meeting — December 18, 2025

Meeting Overview

The Amenia Town Board held its final meeting of 2025 on Thursday, December 18, with Supervisor Leo Blackman presiding. All board members were present: Council Members Brad Rebelard, Rosanna Ham, and Nicole Ahern. The meeting marked Supervisor Blackman's and Councilman Rebelard's last meeting, with Rosanna Ham set to take over as Supervisor on January 1, 2026. The evening included an award presentation, public hearings on two local laws, board appointments, capital project updates, and farewell remarks.

Wassaic Citizen of the Year — Sharon Kroger

Supervisor Blackman presented the Wassaic Citizen of the Year award to Sharon Kroger, recognizing decades of community service. Kroger has operated the Wassaic general store for over 20 years, commissioned a mural on the Main Street Bridge, was instrumental in saving the historic Maxon Mills grain elevator (now home to the Wassaic Project), purchased and renovated the old Green Dairy Pavilion (now home to Vitzky's Bakery), and successfully got the All Blanc Valley Agricultural District listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places. She is currently working to protect the view from Deliver Hill.

Supervisor's Farewell Report

Supervisor Blackman delivered his final report, highlighting accomplishments during his tenure including: settlement of long-standing lawsuits (Silo Ridge assessment challenge, Silo Ridge fee in lieu of taxes, and the Kent Hollow gravel mine); a highway garage site prepared for spring construction; shovel-ready water district improvements; a nearly complete sidewalk to Beekman Park; town hall improvements including a restored gym floor, new paint, and tree pruning along Route 22; installation of an AV system in the boardroom; hiring of key consultants including a water operator, engineers, and grant writer; a redesigned town website; an LED sign board at town hall; and progress on workforce housing. He praised Budget Director Charlie Miller for earning the town $200,000 in interest and securing bonding for capital projects.

Local Laws Adopted — Planning Board and ZBA Restructuring

The board held public hearings on and adopted two local laws:

• Local Law No. 3 of 2025 (Resolution 149): Repeals Chapter 24 (Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals) in its entirety and creates a new Chapter 24 governing the Planning Board. Adopted unanimously.
• Local Law No. 4 of 2025 (Resolution 150): Repeals Section 121-59 (Zoning Board of Appeals) in its entirety and creates a new Section 121-59 for the ZBA. Adopted unanimously with a minor amendment striking a reference to the ZBA from the referral clause, as the ZBA had not provided comments.

No public comments were received on either law. Both were classified as Type II actions under SEQRA requiring no environmental review.

Board and Committee Appointments

The board made numerous appointments effective January 1, 2026:

• Planning Board: James Walsh (term through 12/31/2032) and John Stefanopoulos (term through 12/31/2030)
• ZBA: Paula Pelosi (through 12/31/2031), Michael Lucas (through 12/31/2026), and George Fansen as alternate (through 12/31/2026)
• Recreation Commission: DJ Riley (through 12/31/2030)
• Ethics Board: Damian Gutierrez (through 12/31/2030)
• Comprehensive Plan Committee: Jeff Barnett Winsby and Juan Torres
• Water Board: John Mohler
• CAC: Elizabeth Cook (current vacancy) and Joshua Harkness (vacancy effective 12/31)
• Board of Assessment Review: Judy Moran (10/1/2025 through 9/30/2030)

Resignations

The board accepted with regret the resignations of: James Wright from the ZBA (creating an unexpired term through 12/31/2026) and from the Industrial Commercial Incentive Board; Nina Peek from the Industrial Commercial Incentive Board; Tony Milette from the Water District Committee; and Elizabeth "Betsy" Strauss from the position of Town Historian.

Capital Projects Update

• Sidewalk to Beekman Park: The project has been plagued by an inexperienced contractor who had never worked with NYS DOT. Issues included late material orders, incorrect installations requiring replacement, and delays. Curbs and most sidewalk topping are complete, but asphalt road repair must wait until spring. Crushed stone has been placed between the curb and road edge as a temporary measure. The street is plowable. The contractor must still remove broken concrete from the site.
• Highway Garage and Salt Shed: Site work is complete. Excavators performed the work quickly. The highway crew assisted with tree removal and grading. An access road from Route 22 to the building site has been created. Construction bidding and building construction are expected to begin in early spring 2026. Supervisor requested permission to install a temporary chain gate to prevent unauthorized access, which the board granted.
• Water District: Engineers are holding a construction kickoff Zoom meeting the next morning. Construction is expected to begin in spring with raising wellheads and installing a new pump house, followed by water tank repairs in subsequent phases.

Consent Agenda Resolutions (143-148)

The board approved the following on the consent agenda:

• Resolution 143: Contract with town grant writer for 2026
• Resolution 144: Electrical work at Fountain Square
• Resolution 145: Planning consultant for Recreation Commission comprehensive recreation master plan
• Resolution 146: Reappointment of Planning Board chairperson
• Resolution 147: Reappointment of ZBA chairperson
• Resolution 148: Transfer of funds in general accounts

Other Business

• Highway Department: Superintendent Megan reported the department started winter short a plow truck (since returned). Parking on Main Street near the post office continues to impede plowing; overnight parking on town roads is illegal during winter months.
• Recreation Commission: Ice skating at Silo Ridge is anticipated again this winter, with dates pending. A menorah was installed in front of town hall.
• Landscape Architect RFQs: Multiple submissions were received; Town Engineer John Andrews narrowed the field to five firms. The incoming board will conduct interviews in the new year.
• Building Inspector RFP: Left for the incoming board to handle.
• Grant Application Form: A new Amenia Grant Application Request Form, developed by Supervisor Blackman and incoming Supervisor Hamm with the grant writer, was approved for posting on the town website.
• Red Oaks Trail Project: Special permit comments received from Dutchess County Planning (no comments, local matter) and the ZBA (draft minutes submitted).
• Assembly Citations: State Assemblyman AJ Weim presented citations to outgoing Supervisor Blackman and Council Member Rebelard for their years of service.
• Walter Dietrich Farewell: Outgoing Planning Board and Wastewater Committee member Walter Dietrich read farewell letters praising his colleagues, particularly attorney Paul Vancott, engineer John Andrews, and wastewater committee chairman Charlie Miller.
• Claims Approved: Total claims of $283,335.12 across all funds.

This summary was generated from the YouTube recording. It is intended as a public service and may contain minor transcription inaccuracies.