Town Board Meeting — July 23, 2026
Present: Supervisor Rosanna Hamm, Councilperson Nicole Ahearn, Councilperson Walter Dietrich. Councilperson Vicki Doyle was absent. Six items appeared on the agenda, including a proposed conservation land donation, four consent resolutions, and an executive session on a longstanding conservation easement.
108 Westerly Ridge — Proposed Conservation Donation
In Progress
Carol Fleetton, who purchased the 27-acre ridge-top parcel at 108 Westerly Ridge (through an LLC) 29 days before the meeting, presented the board with a proposal to donate the land to the town. The property sits at the top of the Westerly Ridge community and is subject to the town's ridgeline and scenic overlay restrictions dating to the 1990 master plan and 2007 comprehensive plan.
Under Fleetton's proposal, the parcel would first be removed from the Westerly Ridge homeowners association, then placed under a conservation easement held by the Dutchess Land Conservancy before being donated to the town. The existing driveway, well, and utilities on the property would be decommissioned. Fleetton said she hopes to complete the transaction by the end of the year and has retained an appraiser and an attorney, Emily Vale, to handle the process.
Board members were supportive of the concept but stressed that a decision could not be made that evening. The board asked Fleetton to provide a copy of the draft conservation easement and other documentation so the board's attorney can review it. Residents George Bansson and Sharon Kroger both spoke in favor during public comment, citing the parcel's visibility from Deep Hollow Road and its significance in the town's 1990 master plan and 2007 comprehensive plan as "the view from Delevan Hill." The board expects to follow up with Fleetton within about a month.
Consent Agenda — All Four Resolutions Approved
The board approved, by a vote of 3–0 (Doyle absent):
Resolution 61 — Accepting the Arbor Day proclamation and supporting the Tree City USA program.
Resolution 62 — Authorizing settlement of the tax certiorari proceeding commenced by SL Keenest LLC.
Resolution 63 — Authorizing a contract for theater lighting (in support of the Amenia Spy Catcher production).
Resolution 64 — Transfer of funds.
During public comment, resident George Bansson questioned the SL Keenest LLC assessment reduction underlying Resolution 62, noting the property's per-acre value seemed low relative to other Smithfield Road parcels. Supervisor Hamm noted the reduction resulted from a court judgment and was outside the board's control.
Other Business
The board voted to move forward with videotaping additional public board and committee meetings, following up on discussion from prior meetings. The Conservation Advisory Council has expressed reluctance to be recorded; the town clerk will coordinate scheduling with the town's videographer.
The board accepted, with regret, the resignations of Bill Flood and Tony Robustelli from the Comprehensive Plan review committee, and authorized advertising for their replacements as well as other open committee and alternate positions, including a long-vacant Planning Board alternate seat.
The board paused to remember former town board member Michelle Simoji, who passed away the week prior. A statement prepared by town staff recalled her as "a champion for all seniors in our town" and a longtime advocate for town residents.
Supervisor Hamm's report also covered: the July 18 senior picnic; qualifying interviews for the highway garage bid, with a construction recommendation expected by the August 6 meeting; a proposal from a resident to purchase a memorial bench along the rail trail in his late father's honor; ongoing shared-service EMS discussions with neighboring towns; and Dutchess County's new bipartisan Animal Welfare and Community Stewardship Committee, formed after the county SPCA withdrew from humane law enforcement services two years ago.
The board reminded residents that political campaign signs should not be placed on town property until 30 days before an election, to avoid conflicts with DOT mowing schedules.
The meeting closed with a motion to enter executive session for legal advice regarding renewal of the Housatonic Valley Association conservation easement stewardship agreement (the "trout" easement conveyed to the town two years ago).
Watch the full meeting recording on AmeniaTV →
This summary was generated from the YouTube recording of the meeting. It is intended as a public service and may contain minor transcription inaccuracies.