Town Board Meeting — July 9, 2026
Present: Supervisor Rosanna Hamm, Councilperson Nicole Ahearn, Councilperson Vicki Doyle, and Councilperson Walter Dietrich. The board opened and closed the meeting in executive session on personnel matters, and took up a water district billing upgrade, a proposed local law on public smoking, and a tied vote that sank two consent resolutions.
Water District Billing System — Approved to Move Forward
In Progress
Water Committee chairman Bill Flood presented a proposal to switch the roughly 300-household water district to a new billing and metering platform, MuniLink, after the current system repeatedly failed to upload meter readings — a problem that left staff spending hours on the phone with technical support and, on at least one occasion, delayed bills by a full quarter. The new system costs $12,000 up front plus $7,800 annually for support, and includes a full backup, online bill payment, and cross-training for staff. The board voiced support for moving forward with the switch.
Consent Agenda — Tie Vote Fails Both Resolutions
A motion to pull the tax certiorari settlement item from the consent agenda for further discussion failed on a 2–2 tie. The consent agenda was then brought to a vote as a whole — covering Resolution 59 (Arbor Day proclamation / Tree City USA) and Resolution 60 (settlement of the SL Keenest LLC tax certiorari proceeding for tax years 2024 and 2025) — and also failed, 2–2. Supervisor Hamm noted the settlement's three-year term structure, similar to a past Silo Ridge settlement, likely protects the town from repeat annual litigation, but the board could not reach a majority. Both items will return on the non-consent agenda at a future meeting.
Proposed Local Law: No Smoking or Vaping on Municipal Property
The board worked through the specifics of a draft local law prohibiting smoking and vaping (tobacco and cannabis products) on municipal property, including Town Hall, the tennis courts, Beekman Park, town-maintained cemeteries, and the highway garage (pending confirmation with the highway department). Borden Park was excluded because it is owned by Pawling Corp, not the town. The board settled on a $50 fine with an escalating penalty for repeat violations within an 18-month period, and asked the town attorney to draft a resolution.
Energy Storage / Data Center Moratorium — Town Takes No Position
The Town of Dover asked neighboring municipalities, including Amenia, to consent to Dover serving as lead agency on a proposed local law establishing a townwide moratorium on energy storage and data center facilities, as part of Dover's SEQR review. After discussion, the board voted unanimously to take no position on Dover's lead agency request, while indicating interest in eventually drafting Amenia's own local law addressing data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and similar large energy- and water-intensive facilities.
Other Business
ADU tax exemptions: The town attorney is finalizing two draft local laws creating tax exemptions for accessory dwelling units, modeled on state real property tax law. The assessor is preparing sample calculations; the housing board is expected to review a consolidated set of comments around its August 10 meeting, with formal introduction targeted for late August or early September.
Split rail fencing: The town received quotes for replacing deteriorating split rail fencing along the rail trail near Borden Park and Furnace Bank Road, and along a sidewalk section near the ball field. Staff will contact the MTA, which may hold the right-of-way along part of the rail trail route, to determine responsibility before proceeding.
Videotaping additional meetings: The board continued discussing whether to extend video recording to the Housing Board and Comprehensive Plan Committee, as is already done for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. The Conservation Advisory Council has asked not to be included, citing a preference for informal, off-the-record discussion; board liaisons will report back committee feedback before a final vote.
Supervisor Hamm's report also covered: a Town Hall roof leak, with Precision Roofing performing a $1,950 spring inspection and cleanup; the resignation, with regret, of Town Constable Frank Langing; ongoing multi-town EMS cost-sharing discussions; and county-level updates including Millerton's 175th anniversary celebration and a new county animal welfare committee.
Other matters raised included: invasive phragmites overtaking the rain garden behind Town Hall near the playground, which the board will look into removing (glyphosate treatment was previously opposed by the Conservation Advisory Council); DOT trimming vegetation that had obscured road signage on Route 343; a $5,000–$6,000 quote to redesign the two "Welcome to Wassaic" signs to match the town's newer signage; repair of a broken picnic table at Borden Park (completed); and retaining wall repairs on Mechanic Street, which the board will price out but is treating as a lower priority than the Route 44 sidewalk project.
The meeting closed with an executive session for advice of counsel on the Route 44 sidewalk project and discussion of a possible hiring.
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.