Town Board Meeting — June 18, 2026

The Amenia Town Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2026. All four board members were present: Supervisor Rosanna Hamm, Deputy Supervisor Nicole Ahearn, Councilperson Vicki Doyle, and Councilperson Walter Dietrich. The meeting opened with an executive session beginning at 6:02 p.m. (covering hiring decisions, RFPs, and a Kent Hollow update) before the public session commenced at 7:00 p.m.

Summer Camp Returns to Amenia

After a multi-year hiatus, the Town of Amenia will operate a summer camp again this season. The program is being made possible through a donation from the Amenia Wassaic Community Organization and a license agreement with Maple Brook School. Supervisor Hamm introduced camp director Amy Wesley and assistant camp director Danielle Yino, thanking them and town staff — particularly Town Clerk Nancy — for pulling the program together on a compressed timeline. Approximately 40 campers have already enrolled. The board passed a consent package that included resolutions authorizing the donation, the license agreement, and the appointment of seasonal camp staff.

Supervisor's Report Highlights

Route 44 Sidewalk: Full Replacement Confirmed

After months of piecemeal negotiations, it has been determined that the entire Route 44 sidewalk must be removed and replaced. The aggregate originally used was sourced from Newburgh Highway Department surplus material and is not DOT-certified, making it unsuitable to leave in place even partially. A contractor (Pascal/KTE), the second-lowest bidder from the original process, is ready to begin within two weeks and expects the work to take no more than three weeks. The estimated cost is $315,000.

The bonding company (Held) requires a formal written quote from Pascal and a written justification from DOT confirming why full replacement is necessary before it will proceed. Supervisor Hamm noted that other contractors contacted during the process declined to participate. → Route 44 Sidewalk project page

Comprehensive Plan — Board Recommends Single Source

Ken Topolsky, a member of the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, addressed the board with an update on the grant-funded "Smart Growth Comp Plan" project. The town has been awarded a highly competitive grant (pending contract execution) for the effort, and the question before both the committee and the board is whether to procure the required consultants through a single-source arrangement or competitive RFP.

The committee had previously voted to require an RFP. However, after a meeting between Supervisor Hamm, grant writer Christina Gast, and committee leadership, the town board is recommending the committee reconsider. The argument for single source: PACE Land Use, the land use firm that previously produced the "Engaging Amenia" community plan, already has deep familiarity with the town's zoning code, demographics, and planning history. Competitive bidding risks delays and duplicated effort. The proposed team would be PACE Land Use ($126,000), attorneys Rodenhouse/Polydoro ($6,000), and grant writer Christina Gast ($6,000).

The committee will meet again to revisit the decision, with all relevant procurement documents redistributed for member review ahead of that meeting.

Wassaic Creek Recreational Access Study

Supervisor Hamm met with representatives from the Wassaic Project and the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation (HVA) to explore opening Wassaic Creek for fishing and other recreational uses. The creek runs along land partly owned by the Wassaic Project; ownership of the retaining walls along the creek is unclear and would require a survey to determine. A hydrological survey would also be needed. Estimated cost for both surveys: approximately $100,000. Grant funding is being explored — some grants can be written by nonprofits, others require a municipal applicant, suggesting a collaborative application between the Wassaic Project and the town. The town's grant writer, Christina Gast, is also the Wassaic Project's grant writer, which should simplify coordination.

HVA Trout Easement — Transition of Monitoring Duties

The town's memorandum of understanding with HVA for stewardship of its conservation easement on the Trout property expires in August. The new agreement HVA is proposing will transfer primary monitoring responsibilities to the town, with HVA available for support. Members of the town's Conservation Advisory Council have been accompanying HVA on monitoring visits and are expected to be capable of taking the lead. A formal proposal from HVA is expected by mid-July.

Amenia Union Speed Limit

A resident contacted the town asking that the speed limit on the Amenia Union road be reduced to 30 or 35 mph. The road is a county road, requiring the same DOT process the town recently used to change the Route 22 speed limit: a town resolution, followed by a county referral, followed by a DOT determination (DOT has final authority over all road speed limits regardless of jurisdiction). The board will discuss whether to pursue this.

Online Water Payment System

The town's existing online water payment portal does not work. Town Clerk Nancy has researched alternatives; the water committee is leaning toward Unilink, which they found most user-friendly both for staff interfacing with VRI billing and for residents in the water district.

Auditorium Lighting — I-Beam Inspection

The town needs to inspect the auditorium's I-beam before the theatrical lighting grid can be reinstalled (work tied to a summer theater production). An engineer named Mark Day will visit on July 7 to assess the beam, which is not fully exposed (a ceiling section may need to be opened). The quote for the inspection and restoration is $1,850. Two other engineers were contacted — one couldn't meet the timeline, the other didn't respond.

Resolutions Passed

The board approved a consent package of resolutions, including:

• Resolution 52: Appointment of secretary to the Town Supervisor
• Resolution 53: Acknowledging appointment of deputy town clerk
• Resolution 54: Authorizing acceptance of a donation from the Amenia Wassaic Community Organization (to fund the summer camp)
• Resolution 55: License agreement with Maple Brook School to operate summer camp
• Resolution 56: Appointment of seasonal employees for the summer camp program
• Resolution 56: Contract award for heating system circulation valve replacement
• Resolution 57: Transfer of funds for June 2026

The board also approved payment of the monthly abstract totaling $184,281.96 across all funds.

Town Clerk Report

Town Clerk Nancy reported that she presented at the New York State Association of Local Government Record Retention Officers Conference on June 8–9 — invited after her prior experience with AOT and town court records — and has already been asked to return as a presenter next year.

Upcoming community events:

• Blood Drive: July 1, 3–7:30 p.m. at the Amenia Firehouse
• July 4th Parade: Lineup on Railroad Avenue; route down Old Route 22 to the light, then Route 343 back to the firehouse. Food at the firehouse after (hamburgers, hot dogs, fried dough, sausage and peppers, live music).
• Senior Picnic: July 18, Wassaic Firehouse — RSVP at recreation@amenia.gov
• Amenia Garden Club Garden Tour: July 11, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., $20 (includes club membership)
• Harvest Festival Meeting: June 27, 10 a.m. at Town Hall

Other Discussions

Tobacco-Free Policy Update

The board discussed expanding existing park signage to include vaping and cannabis alongside the existing no-smoking prohibition. Supervisor Hamm also raised the question of prohibiting smoking on town hall property — particularly near the entrance. The board was generally favorable; Supervisor Hamm will send relevant materials and a sample resolution for board review.

Fencing at Wassaic Park

The board is obtaining quotes for deteriorating fencing at the Wassaic park along the rail trail. A key question arose: Metro North may own the land (within 66 feet of the center of the railroad tracks), which would mean they installed the fence and remain responsible for it. The board will attempt to reach the Metro North government liaison to clarify ownership before committing to replacement costs. Councilperson Doyle will reach out for a third quote from a local fencing contractor.

Tree Removal — Cemetery and Town Hall

The board received a proposal from Lee's Trees for tree work at the Amenia cemetery and behind Town Hall. The cemetery work (overhanging branches from neighboring property, and trees threatening the wall and headstones on the south side) would take approximately a day and a half. The Town Hall tree removal (a large tree behind the building) would be a half-day job. Total estimated cost: approximately $4,500–$4,700. The board was favorable; Supervisor Hamm noted that the neighbor must be contacted about branch removal from trees on their property before work begins.

July Meeting Dates Changed

The regularly scheduled July 2nd meeting was moved because Town Hall will be closed for the Fourth of July holiday. New July meeting dates: July 9 and July 23.

Public Comment

Kimberly Travis, a Cascade Mountain Road resident, addressed the board during public comment to request permission for weekly protesters at Fountain Square to continue tying a banner to lamp posts during their Saturday gatherings (typically one hour per week). She argued the banner qualifies as an exempt temporary sign under the town's sign code (signs under 16 sq. ft., temporary, not illuminated). Town attorney Ian noted the sign code prohibits affixing anything to town property including lamp posts, regardless of duration, and that the banner may exceed 16 square feet. Several board members expressed sympathy with the request but differing views on whether an exception is appropriate. No formal action was taken; the issue was left for further legal review.

EV Charging Station Update

Councilperson Ahearn reported that the EV charging station at the Amenia rail trail head (at Mechanic and Depot/Railroad Avenue) is operational and free for two years under a New York State DEC grant. Users are notified and charged a nominal fee if they leave their vehicle after charging is complete. Two remaining grant documentation items (a disability exemption certificate and an SDV/OB utilization plan) are being finalized before reimbursement can be processed.

📹 Watch the full meeting on YouTube

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