Town Board - Regular Meeting

2026. Um, please rise if you are able for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, we will begin. Um, I will make a motion to uh reopen the public hearing uh to consider an amendment to local law section 1171D10 regarding uh recreational vehicles parking on public streets and lots. Second.

Uh all in favor? I. Motion carries. Um, we had a couple of our board members work on this amendment after our last conversation about this and some feedback that we received at the last meeting and um I believe Tom and Stephanie worked on this. Yep. Um, do you want to Tom wants to talk about it? Board member Catalyt would like to tell us how the um, amendment has um,

it was great working with Councilwoman McCain. I want to say thank you. That was great. Um, just we were able to to to define a little bit more what a recreational vehicle was, certain classes and we felt the need to really identify again safety as being the biggest factor here in what we're doing and the different classes um came about just from some additional education that we had um and looking at cross field weight and dimensions and and how we can you know include what we need to include in this law um without making it too cumbersome. Um, I think again making safety the biggest priority was what I was adamant about and you know knowing and learning a little bit about the classes helped me to uh help define um and keep everybody included in this without you know having a law that was uh uninforcable or totally cumbersome where it would you know be hard to follow.

Yes. So I think we came to the conclusion basically that um class B uh vehicles would not be um affected by this legislation uh but rather class C and class A uh based primarily or only on size and weight. Um and then you know retaining the option for uh the supervisor to grant a permit if the exceeded the 3-day limit. Um, but really again the focus is on safety and not allowing these vehicles to park on our narrow streets, but also allow for residents to a retain them in their drive their driveways and or be able to accommodate them in local if they have a need and and and of course, you know, with the accommodation for loading and unloading.

Yeah. So, so one other thing to add and to Stephanie's point, the class A the class B, excuse me, class B RV, when we looked at the dimensions between a Suburban, which you know we all know and we can we can relate to um was similar in size to a class B vehicle. So, there was not much of a difference between saying, hey, listen, you know, we don't restrict a Suburban or a huge Tahoe. It's not a safety impediment um you know, to us or I felt on the board. Um, so in in including the class B vehicle uh or the class uh B RV, um, I felt very comfortable with with kind of parceling that out and saying, listen, this this is out of the particular uh ve um uh rules that the class A and class C vehicles have to follow.

So it specifically calls out A and B and exempts class B. B. Yep. Okay. Do we have any other um comments from the public on this amendment? Any other comments from the board? Just thank you to my colleagues, our colleagues. Um I think that it's great to make it simple and enforceable and agree with the safety focus and um I think you've addressed all of the conversation that we had. You're welcome.

Yeah, I I finally feel pretty comfortable with this after reading through it multiple times over multiple months and diving into all these details. Um, and it was very educational as well. Okay. So, I just want to Sorry, I'm having a hard time seeing the language that was changed. Um, do you have it? Uh, I'm on my iPad, so it's a little harder. Give me a

I think the one that was posted on the website was the most recent version. Um, I think it's in B. But now it probably expired or something because I'm not seeing it on there. All the 2526 or sorry, I'm trying to make sure that I have the right version that we are going to adopt. I'm just want to make sure the most recent one that had the language about um the 3 days. There it is 2855.

Class C and class A recreational vehicles. That's what I'm looking for. I think that was supposed to be in where RVs were already defined. Where they are defined to 1253 is that I just want to make sure we have the proper law that we're adopting. Um

that's sorry temporary uh technical difficulty. It was supposed to be in the section where the definitions were, but it wasn't. I thought he took it out of that. Yeah, I thought he Okay. So, um I will look for it and we will um I guess if there are no further comments from the board or the public, I will um Is there a motion to close the public hearing? So, moved.

Second. Um all in favor? I I Okay. Um before the end of the meeting, I hope to find what is supposed to be the final version of this law and vote on it. I'm sorry that that um I cannot find it. Um okay, we have invited DPW Commissioner Wyn to come um provide us an update on winter storm management. Uh as you all know, everyone's been hard at work and just would love to kind of provide a window into what that takes and um how we are budget-wise. Uh so thank you for joining us. You're welcome. Good evening everyone.

Good evening. As you mentioned, it's been snowy.

So, uh, yes, I want to talk about both the operational side and budget side of our snow operations. And to start, uh, our employees have really been working many long nights and long hours in this quite unusually snowy and cold winter. So, wanted to express appreciation to them for their hard work and dedication under these difficult conditions. that includes our highway, parks, water, and building employees as well as several outside contractors. Uh our the town maintains a total of 135 miles of roads in the winter. In addition to town roads, we are paid by the state and county to maintain some of their roads which include Route 172, Long Ridge, and Greenwich Roads. As far as snow removal, the phases are salting, which occurs in any storm. It basically melts small amounts of snow. Plowing, which typically occurs if there's more than an inch of snow and it requires a larger amount of staff and sometimes contractors depending on the amount of snow. And then after a storm, pulling away of snow from the hamlets. Uh you've probably noticed that a couple days after a storm, it generally looks like it didn't happen uh in the hamlets and you're not opening your door, bumping into mounds of snow, and it uh you know, it's much easier to maintain commerce and get around easily. that that takes a bit of work and it's done at night so that it doesn't impact commerce and it's much safer. So, for example, in the recent 18-in storm that took three nights of snow removal in the hamlets just because of the magnitude of snow. We bring in loaders and large dump trucks called triacles and basically haul that all away. It was it was mountains.

Yes. Whoops.

And uh as far as snow operational priorities, road safety is our first priority. The main roads, particularly route 172, which is a major route to the hospital, and the other main roads get the first attention. Uh we have all of our roads are salted and plowed by equipment operators in assigned routes. So they each have an assigned section that typically is one that they're used to and they know the roads, they know what to look out for, they know the width they should be flying back to. Uh that's in in a good storm. There is no perfect world. meaning in every storm there's a breakdown or someone they can't make it and things change. It's a it's a large amount of moving parts. Uh pedestrian safety is also a high priority. We clear 12 miles of sidewalks and have three pieces of equipment that are dedicated to this task. In a large storm, sidewalk clearing can take several days and priorities given to sidewalks by schools and commuter lots first. And then lastly, salt conservation. Uh road salt is a pollutant and its use needs to be minimized. It impacts drinking water supplies as well as freshwater ecosystems and it's also quite expensive. So it makes sense to public safety is first and have the roads clear but make sure that we're using it responsibly. Uh our trucks are equipped with called uh what's called ground speed salting control. It basically means that as the speed of the truck changes the amount of material changes so it's not just blowing out material at an intersection say when the truck slows down. And we vary the materials we use based on the temperature and forecast. So for example, uh we use straight salt or salt sand mix depending on the amount of ice or abrasive needed. And we use calcium chloride which is an additive. As the temperatures get colder, it makes the salt much more effective. So we need to use less straight road salt or sodium chloride during those conditions. Uh lastly, as far as the budget, so budgeting is typically based on an average year and our budget is about $900,000.

and that includes winter materials, overtime, and contractor costs. We exceeded the snow budget in 2025 by about 25%. However, due to savings in other parts of the highway budget, I forecast that the total budget expenses will come in under the amount budgeted, which is certainly a good thing. Uh, so far in 2026, we used approximately 45% of our budget by midFebruary, which is a lot obviously, and it's been snowing every weekend, it seems. Uh so uh and and the forecast looking forward is uh somewhat similar, although the temperatures are at least getting warmer. It's nice to get away from the 5 and 10 degree weather. Uh so if above average storm frequency continues and we do exceed the 2026 budget, the highway fund balance can be used to offset this, we do have adequate fund balance and part of the reason that it grows is years when we are under snow budget when we don't get a lot of snow. So you don't budget for the maximum. Typically, you budget for something more average and fund balance is uh a little bit of a savings account that allows you to take care of when you get something a higher year. Of note, the uh it seems like these winters occur on the sixes. So, 2006, 2016, and now 2026 have all been very heavy years. So, maybe we get a break for a while. I'm not sure.

Okay. You're like the farmer's almanac now. Yeah. That's great. Um except when they ask me what's going to happen for the winter, I say I'll tell you in April. Right. Exactly. Because they're usually wrong one way or another.

Great. Um any questions from the board? Um thank you. Uh tremendous uh level of professionalism and dedication that all the crews um put forth to to do this work, you know, all night long for three nights in a row. That was incredible. And um to keep everyone safe. So we really appreciate all of that. And then thanks to you for tremendous management and budgeting over the years and, you know, making sure we have the right um equipment and personnel and contractors and salt and materials and just all the things that it takes to um manage something that big so well and to really be in a position where we know we can cover um the costs if if we do run over this year. So, thank you very much.

You're welcome. And as you said, a lot of credit goes to our employees. because they've really been working quite hard this year and very proud of them. So, thank you. Uh, any questions? Thank you very much. Yeah, thank you. Absolutely.

No, I wanted to say thank you, Kevin. I I tend to drive around in a snow storm, believe it or not, with my son or daughter when they take a nap. And not to compare to other towns, but I I frequent many of the towns during these operations. And they're just not as I don't want to say on the jump as as we are in the town of Eford. You you run, you know, a really tight ship over there. Um, you know, it's really, really something to see when you're actually out there and you come into Bedford and you see that your roads are plowed and the trucks are out and then you go into another town and it's just not as let's say active and and proactive was that to to getting ahead of the game. Um, so just from my experience through that storm, it was a storm. Um, I don't remember a storm being that big and that cold at the same time. Usually with a big storm you have energy and you know warmth, right? 10° 8° wild. So that was definitely a condition that I haven't seen and I love the weather. Hobby mine. Um but yeah, when when comparing and I've driven through many of town during and after the storm. Really really great job.

Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. And um yes, I see we have about three days of snow and in the forecast ahead. So um hope every everyone's resting up. Right. Exactly. Today was 40s and sunny though, right? We'll take it. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. All right. Thank you so much. Spring is coming. They say days are getting longer. You can tell. Thanks. All right. Thank you.

Okay. We'll move to the consent agenda. Uh we have a request by Comproller Connealy to approve abstract of claims and paid priors in the amount of $421,938.51. Uh number two, we have the acceptance of monthly reports. Number three, request uh by the zoning board of appeals for the town board to approve um a retainer agreement for outside council uh for an appeal proceeding uh where we need uh someone other than the town attorney. Do we have a motion to approve these three items on the consent agenda? So moved. Second. Any questions? All in favor?

I motion carries. Under old business, uh we have a request by um planning director Jessica Younglood for the town board to declare lead agency for seeker review related to the Route 117 um walk bike path. Uh and I think she's joining on on Okay. Hi Jessica, thank you for joining us. Um anything I guess?

Yeah, absolutely. Thank you. Uh good evening town board members. Um we are here again just to uh briefly go over um a little bit of the seeker review uh prepared for your packets uh is the short form to the environmental assessment form. Um this is part one which is to really just describe the project. Um and the whole reason why we're here too is to uh declare yourselves lead agency which we sort of started to do last meeting. Um and then from there to circulate the required 30-day notice. Um, so we're going to lump both of these projects into the same review as we do hope that they will both be granted um and funded by DOT through their TAP program and subsequently then we would do the construction work that follows um in a very logical um and simultaneous fashion. Um so that documentation has been put together in your packets as well as the plans that uh we've developed for both phase one and phase 2. Um at the last meeting the supervisor had asked for just a brief presentation. And so I'm going to share my screen and just walk you through a couple of highlights for each section that I think um merit a little bit more discussion um as we've been talking about them throughout improvements for the town as we've looked at our comprehensive plan um really looking at developing complete streets policies to improve our bike and pedestrian infrastructure um and generally at large to connect the hamlets of Bedford Hills and Katona. Um, so what I just wanted to point out quickly was some safety enhancements that we're looking at right outside here of the townhouse. Um, we're looking at some new curving geometry. We're looking at some pedestrian enhancements by um straightening the median. Uh, being able to really extend that that pathway that's right there. Um, some new ADA ramps and signage. And so in totality, what we're looking at are safety improvements. Um, this is really for motorists to have a little bit of traffic calming. Um, as well as for pedestrians to have a bit more of a safer kind of birth as they're walking across this this intersection. Um, so I

did want to just show you briefly what the plans have entailed, that we do have signage plans, um, and that we do have, um, actual construction drawings ready uh, to go. Um, as we go up the path a little bit closer to Katona, this is across from Nottingham. There's more activity here as well. Um you can see that we are adding some crosswalks um across from Nottingham to the pathway that we will then extend um and it'll be any kind as an asphalt pathway as it'll again be contiguous with what's there. Looking at doing some enhancements to both the on and off ramps here to uh the SL River Parkway. Looking at putting additional signage that gives drivers um a heads up that there would be pedestrians in the area. Um and then continuing that pathway in a safe fashion further uh northbound or eastbound um as as we're traveling up 117 um to bring that pathway fully off road until a point here just where this number one is um where the pathway is going to have to start to share the roadway a little bit. Um, and the reason we're looking to do that is, uh, we're going to do a little bit of a lane reconfiguration here, um, in order to better accommodate the pathway, um, which would look to eliminate a, um, straight through turn and lane combined to the right, um, and then have a dedicated left turn. um this specific uh improvement is something that we've already spoken with the DOT about um and we've received their comments and so we're just following um suit to what they are looking to to um hopefully approve with our permit. Um so again, we've got some more signage that is helpful to the cars turning right into Harris Road. Um and again providing a new crosswalk so that we're looking to complete that full phase one which takes us from Hannes Road to Harris Road. And then as we go to phase two, this is

going to be a little bit more straightforward. There won't be as many um features that you have seen in the first one um because we're now on town property which makes it a bit easier from a planning, design, construction, and permitting standpoint. So, here we'll have a 10-ft wide multi-use path, which is great. Um, we'll have a new guide rail installed to provide that safety enhancement between the motorists and the path users. And then as we get further down here by bubble number three, there's an additional 4ft utility strip, which is really just think of it as another buffer um between the cars and the path users. And we'll continue that sort of design arrangement all the way until kind of the bottom figure here where you see bubble number two where just by the roadway width and design, we're going to lose that utility strip. Um but we're going to continue the 10 foot wide pathway. So this will take you up by the um the current Westchester piano um site um as you're nearing or as we're about to near towards um Sunrise Avenue. And then here the safety enhancements we're going to provide um would be to look at providing sherrows which are these shared arrows that indicate to motorists as well as um cyclists that there must be a share the road concept. So again, hearkening back to our complete streets um and our comprehensive plan uh and the bike users would essentially exit off of the pathway onto the roadway and for pedestrians and walkers um they would continue on a new 5 foot wide concrete wide sidewalk um which would be great. So we were again looking to have continuity and and um you know consistency in our in our sidewalks here. So, we would continue the sidewalk all the way. And if you follow me to the next page, we're going to continue all the way. So, go past the gas station that's there. Continue, continue, continue. And then that new sidewalk would end uh just about where the community center of Northern

Westchester's original uh smaller location um that building is. So, in again, that would be the full um full concept right now for phase two. Um, we are looking to submit both of the grant applications um, at the same time by the March 12th deadline. Um, we've been working with the supervisor's office to also get letters of support, which is great. Um, so we are on track to do that and I'm happy to jump back to anything if you have any questions, but I thought it might be helpful to just give a little bit more detail than some of the plans that were submitted in your packets. Um, and just call out some of those safety and enhanced features that we are looking to provide to the public at large. Fantastic. Thank you very much. That's um very helpful to get a sense of um exactly what $6.6 million could get us.

And it could be less if the sidewalk is not something we go forward with, but we felt at the time if we're going to go after a grant that may give us 80% of a discount um cheaper to do it that way uh and you know more cost benefit um you know for for the town. But absolutely that needs to come off. We can we can shave the budget that way.

Yeah. And I know that um DOT any projects with them is are extremely expensive, the permitting, all the compliance with all of their engineer requirements and um and and part of this is very close to the Smill River Parkway. So I think the construction is going to be very interesting. Getting um that shoulder built between where the path now ends to Harris Road is um not an easy thing. So no, I I was kidding. It's it's um it's going to be um a lot of work, but um worthwhile, very worthwhile, very long investment in our future. Um any questions from the board? Just what's the um it's probably in here the time frame if we get this money and to do phase one and phase two.

Sure. If we are awarded, we will find out later this year in 2026, which means we really couldn't start to do any contractual work um until the spring or Q1 of 2027. And then we estimate anywhere from about 12 to, you know, 18 plus months when you account for all of the permitting that goes forward, all the NEPA review that we would have to do too because these would be federal to state dollars. Um and then the construction itself. So really, you're looking at shovels on the ground later in 2027. Um, and then, you know, take that out into 2028. Um, but that would be the most aggressive we could do. So, we're trying to set ourselves up in the best um, position possible, which means to try to avoid getting easements from places like M&R. So, we're being very careful about our our lines here to hope to avoid any agreements with MTA so that we can um move that timeline up uh shorter than would be anticipated.

Yeah. Great. Thank you. Sure. Great. And so at this time we would um declare our intent to be lead agency and then would we need to do that before the grant is submitted or that's for later? It would be advantageous if we did it now. um receive a few more points in our application if you can demonstrate to DOT that you've started the process. Um it gives them a little bit more confidence that the um applicant is, you know, serious about the dollars they're requesting. So, we would come back and do that in 30 days. Correct. Yes. If you if you Yep.

Yep. Okay. Okay. Um anything else that we need to do this evening aside from vote on that? No. No. I can go ahead and get all the documentation circulated out tomorrow. Great. Thank you. So, um I'll make a motion to um uh declare declare the board's intent to be lead agency with respect to the secret review related to the Route 117 and um Bedford Road uh bikewalk project. Thank you. Second. Uh, any other discussion? All in favor? I. Motion carries. Great. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I'll see you after that 30-day clock. Great. If not, sooner. All right. Thank you. Have a nice night. Thanks. You, too. Bye. Bye.

Okay. Okay, we have a request uh by Blue Mountain Housing Corporation to approve a waiver of standard building permit um building planning and zoning permit application fees for uh the three projects that they have underway that are all affordable either renovation or construction um projects. And I believe um we put this on hold so that um town board member Bicker could do some research um just to find out what is done in other locations and find out if there's a precedent for this. So we held it over but um would love to hear your opinion on that. Thank you.

Okay. So last we left off is there seemed to be support for giving waiverss but it was a discussion of whether we should be doing full waiverss or a reduction in fees and then there was a discussion should we do a percentage reduction and annual limit and then there were numbers being thrown around and I was a little bit concerned that the numbers that we were talking about were arbitrary. So I thought maybe we should look into what is done elsewhere. It seems that this is not a widespread practice in the county that there are just waiver policies. where there are policies, for example, in New Relle, White Plains, which are notably cities, the waiver program is funded by an affordable housing fund, which is then um paid for by the in lie of fees where if developers do not want to add affordable housing in their projects, there's a certain amount that is designated by ordinance where goes into this housing fund account so that if there are waiverss in their policy, it's funded by this housing fund. So, I thought that was interesting because instead of just giving a waiver, which would be like the town providing free services, the services are not provided for free. It's paid for by another source. That said, the town of Bedford does have an inloo of provision and those funds are actually given to Blue Mountain and there is an account for that. Now, we have to remember that a small town does not have the kind of development that White Plains or Newer Shell or say Peak Skill or Yoners or

anywhere else has. So Julie might want to pipe in about this, but I think the last time we got an inlu of fee was definitely precoid and it might have been pre precoid. I think there was some arrangement that there was going to be an inlu of fee in 2019, but then there was another arrangement made in a subdivision and so that deal fell apart. So but this doesn't have to do with building and permit fees, does it? The reason it does is because that's how these funds are funded. So in the town of Bedford,

the inlu of fees are given directly to Blue Mountain. So in another city, the way they pay for these waiverss is by the inlu of fees being paid into these funds. But I believe that I mean that may be one way that money is getting in. Sure. because I um believe Blue Mountain found um evidence that the town board has waved permit fees before and the inlu of law was not passed until like 2018. So I don't think that's um please I would love to hear from

Can I just finish the information I found because that's going to it kind of goes back and forth. So the the information is kind of interesting because it it supports what they want to do and yes we've paid for it before but that um supports approving it on a case-by case basis which has been done in the past. Um what I also found in the town code which was interesting which is that the planning board is able to say if there is a 20% or more um affordable housing they have the discretion to say yes we will give a fee reduction or waiver and you know what we have here is 100%. So that really leans toward what Blue Mountain is asking for. So if they're saying, you know, we could give a reduction or waiver in the code and we already have a policy saying that 20% is worth giving a reduction or waiver, you know, 100% surely should be worth doing that for. So we already have policy that supports this and we have done it on a case- by case basis. So

I think it's also in the zoning code. Um, but for some reason this and I'm not I'm no expert on the zoning code, but for some reason it only seems to mention mult uh single family subdivisions, not multif family. And I don't I think that was just an oversight,

right? It didn't come up in that way. So, I think what we're looking at is how do we want to weigh these things against each other? you know, we can do on a case-by case basis, but I don't think that really helps Blue Mountain at all because then they don't have what they need as far as projections and a budgeting process. And I think that's really detrimental to what they need. And and you know, it comes back to what uh Councilwoman McCain was saying. You know, how do we account for the cost of doing business? Because we collect the fees for a reason. So, do we want to do a substantial reduction? Do we want to account for, you know, we are in a good place financially as a town now, you know, 10, 15 years down the road, if we're not, do we want to just say we're willing to have waiverss that are not capped by anything? So, do we want to discuss a cap?

I think it probably does merit further study because I know that there's some thought about relooking at those zoning codes anyway, and it could be clarified in that. Honestly, a good point. the way it's going to be treated. But I do think that it's Blue Mountain probably does deserve the exception in the sense that we are kind of an entity independently formed as a corporation but really working for the town of Bedford's best interests.

Right? So, our three projects probably are a different kettle of fish, if you will. Whereas something like um I don't know, Fellowship Hall, should they ever want a building permit, they're 100% affordable. Or Antioch on Railroad, should they want a building permit, they're 100% affordable. I haven't found any evidence, but I think their their fees were probably waved. Uh, back in the day, I did find evidence that our fees for the Doyle House, which is really what sparked this whole memo because we just applied

for $800,000 worth of financing to do the renovation, was last renovated in 1994. It's in desperate need of a renovation, right? And the fees, frankly, are going to be, you know, kind of, you know, difficult for us to subsume into a budget that is unfortunately way overburdened already with the costs that have gone up. And frankly, the soft costs for a 4-unit building, they add up very quickly as a percentage of of development. Um, whereas somebody building a 20 unit building might not find it hard to spend $20,000 on a law firm. I kind of do. I kind of like choke on it for four units that are already there but need to be refinanced. So that is really the basis of this and um when I found it in the zoning code I was really perturbed that it only applied to single family because that didn't seem fair either. However, I'm not sure that you know how far you need to go with the 20% set aside already being a ma matter of record. I kind of intended this memo only to apply to those that are really affordable 100%. Which are few and far between. And that pilot um example that you brought up, Bobby, is very interesting because I don't recall that we ever got anything to Blue Mountain for that.

No, never. Not even from Antioch, which might have been willing to pay that at some point. I don't think they pay anything. I'm not sure about that. Um and Valley Road, we have reduced our tax bill by proving what our cash flow is, but we still pay taxes on that actually. So maybe we should pay ourselves a payment and

thank you and thank you for all that the work that you um I don't think people truly appreciate that it is an all volunteer board that is working on a major refinancing a huge grant. Um this giant project to renovate the Doyle House is um requires a lot of time and care and attention. the acquisition of 123 Valley Road and the improvements to that building and all of the um the assurance and making sure that um those affordable units are rented properly and going through the lottery and the process of qualifying and um you know working to help at MLAN Street to

um acquire that property and work with the developer and you know move that along. I mean, it is a tremendous amount of work. And so, I just wanted to say that Bedford South is another one where the unit size is so small that all those soft costs really do hurt us. And those the fees are are frankly part of that. Yes. Right now, it's the environmental that we're still in process doing, but we hope to move on that a lot faster and we're waiting to hear from a grant provider. Right. And there really are no fees coming into Blue Mountain. Um, there's no revenue coming in. No revenue, right? I wish there was. Yeah, put it in some kind of uh

and I do know I think in you had found I think you found this resolution um the formation of Blue Mountain um which really is a notfor-profit 501c3 yet is um appointed as the town housing agency and um mandated to carry out all the specific functions that are in our code that are supposed to be carried out with respect to um affordable housing. So, it's a volunteer board that's appointed to run a 501c3 and um you know do the work under our code that's required for affordable housing. So, right, which is um a lot, but it's a lot.

Right now, we're focused on these three projects that you mentioned and I would you know uh just really ask that those three projects be granted the waiverss. Right. So where you're not asking for like a policy forever waving if you know I would think that would be a good policy. Maybe it can be limited to just Blue Mountain. I mean you guys have the discretion to do whatever you feel is best. I don't know that a lot of 100% affordable notfor-profit sponsored developments are coming down the pike in Bedford, right?

It doesn't seem that way. I wish there were but there there really aren't. However, um you know, Ahome owns some buildings. Sipal, I mean, Antioch, there are definitely other parties that would be worthy of consideration. Okay. Anyway, thank you very much. Thank you. So, um I would like to make a motion to um wave the application fees for these three projects um that are 100% affordable and managed and um in collaboration with Blue Mountain Housing Agency. Um and I think I just like to make that motion. Do we have I would second that.

Um so it's open that that is up on the floor for discussion. the application fees or the application and permit fees. Sorry, the the way it's written here. Okay. Sorry.

Um building planning and zoning permit application fees for any all affordable building owned by Blue Mountain Housing. Well, for these three projects, I think um we have been talking about clarifying our affordable housing laws and the processes uh around them and the things that the housing agency's required to do, the things that um developers are required to do if they only have 20% or 10% of their housing stock affordable like to who's supposed to set make sure they've set the right rates and gone through the right process and also just how um that breaks down. I think we've been looking at a lot of places where um our marketing the marketing plan and the things that are required of our code are um clumsy, not quite fit for a small town with small projects like Bedford. So um we can talk about that more, but I think we could put something like this in the law um should that be something that people feel like we should do. But for now, I think I'd like to just approve these three

um for a waiver. So, we have a second. Any discussion?

I mean, I think I was the one who objected to the 100% waiver in terms of thinking big picture. Not because I don't think that uh not because I don't value the work of the volunteers, not because I don't think these are important projects, but I also don't, you know, symbolically it feels great. On the other hand, you know, I don't want to suggest that the the work that goes beyond those permit those permits is not worth funding and, you know, isn't important. Um, but I'm fine with, you know, supporting this recommendation right now. But I also think it's a good idea for us to think about what would we want going forward, particularly in terms of, you know, do we want that kind of equity for the other 100% agencies, you know, in our community. Um, I think we should try to find something that's tenable for everyone. Um, and I don't think there's anything wrong with moving forward with this recommendation.

Okay. Anyone else? Yeah. And I just wanted to add that, you know, if we were instituting this as a policy, I think it's different than approving a recommendation right now. Although right now we're approving a recommendation for something that we don't actually have a dollar amount for. Um, so that's the only thing that's giving me a little bit of pause because we know the fees are not cheap. So we could be approving what's probably it could you know have 75 to well if we're talking we were talking about Doyle but now if we're talking about Doyle and Valley and which I'm not objecting to I'm just saying it's better to approve something when we have a dollar amount

which I feel is more fiscally responsible um and if we're implementing a policy you know I would want to know the reason are we doing it to alleviate the burden on existing ing uh 100% affordable developments that we already have. Are we doing it to incentivize more? Because I don't think that's enough to incentivize more. So So the overall policy is not on the table. Um,

there's a lot to discuss about that and I think it's it's too much and I think it's something worth discussing, but it's it's difficult to just kind of throw out there even if it was just limited to Blue Mountain, which I think is also worthwhile, but we may want to cap that at a certain amount um annually. But if we're going to approve this recommendation, I would like to approve it pending the dollar amount. Well, I don't think we're going to fully know the dollar amount. Um, I don't know the dollar amount.

What we know is that um costs have gone up dramatically since the MLAN project started that they we've g we've don we've given ARPA funding to those because they are extremely high priority for the town. We have two um existing housing that need that desperately need work. Um and those costs are running very high um to the point where you know I think waving the building fees may help pay for the grant writer um so that they can get $800,000 to do the project or whatever it is that um it's going to cost and um help with some of the you know other attorney costs or things. So these numbers are not um you know they're they're in the tens of thousands. They're not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Right? But I'm saying if we can if we can say you know knowing what our building planning and zoning permit application fees are for these three it could we say that's capped at 100,000 then we would approve that amount for the three alto together. We don't know what they are. We don't know what they We don't know what the building zoning would be for any of the three. We can't till we get the correct. Okay. I can probably tell you they're based on the the of the project, the budget. Right. Right. Um

I can tell you what they were street at at Joy project managers. Right. All right. Um, I would just Okay,

here's the only I'm only saying because if we know it's not hundreds, but we know it's tens but we can't know. I'm just a little bit I appreciate, you know, that perspective on fiscal responsibility. On the other hand, I don't know that knowing that's going to change what it is that we're trying to accomplish with this right now. And I do I do agree that if we want to implement a wider policy from these projects forward, we should certainly think about budget and maybe consider limits. But we also know that Blue Mountain doesn't have a ton of money and that we know the scale of the properties that they own. We know we don't know all of the upkeep that needs or work that needs to be done. But I think if they're $800,000 project is going to have fees of about $12,000, we can again estimate that it's going to be under $100,000. It's probably going to be under $50,000. So, you know,

and I think if you're looking at this from like, are we losing revenue? I mean, that's not what I'm talking about. I just want to No, no, I hear you. But I'm just trying to I'm trying to get to a place where we're all comfortable. So, are you suggesting that they would need to come? How about they would need to come back to us? No, I want them to be able to move forward. I just want to know if No, I said if it was over a certain amount. Okay. I'm just I just want to know if I'm approving 50,000 or 300,000. I believe it will be under 50,000 as uh town board member McCain explained. Um do you want to come up to the microphone Julie? Um

because it was just oil and then three projects and I'm okay with approving that. I just want to know the city plane has already spent some money on the building permits and we were thinking that we would lighten up our budget by not doing any more because we have to extend because the time has gone. has passed in these things that are expiring. So, it's I don't think they were in the double digits even because it's a small project. Yeah. But I'm not positive. And then with Doyle, I think Stephanie's estimate of like 12 or 15 is probably accurate. I am really guessing. I'm just remembering conversations we had when we were developing the soft budget

in the one 123 Valley. If this gives comfort, we probably won't get to that this year in terms of the calendar year that it's spacing out now already. We're waiting, we're going to have to be waiting for those two to get their financing together and then at least an 8 to 12 month pro um timeline for construction for those two. So, we're talking about 12 to 18 months before we hopefully have to do anything major with Valley. However, as MIJ knows, we are looking at energy improvements that are available and those would be primarily grant funds, right?

Uh because we don't have any other source of funding. But um if those come along, there would possibly be some building permits that would come along out of that. Yeah. No, but I don't think it's like a large scale project. I think the weatherization um isn't really part of it. It's really just trying to do the insulation and electrical work needed to put heat pumps in. Okay. For that for Valley. No, that ballpark. Yes, definitely. Thank you. Perfect. Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion?

Only other discussion. I Bobby, I'd like to offer assistance. I' I'd like to dive into this with you for the permanent, you know, looking for through this law. Um, and if you have time, I'd like to work with you on this to maybe propose to our fellow colleagues some improvements. You know, not right now. A policy. Yeah. Moving forward. Just going through this. I've read through it for later. Yeah. For later. For just for discussion for later. Nothing to do. We have a motion on the floor in a second. Any other discussion on this motion? No. Nope. Okay. Um, all in favor? I.

Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries. Um, we have the Habad of Bedford. um has requested a further extension of their temporary certificate of compliance for the property at 220 South Bedford Road. I don't think um anyone is here to speak to that, but um they were required to do some work um with wetlands and storm water and some I think traffic study um I think due to the weather, the holidays and weather um it didn't get done yet. Um, but this would extend their ability to occupy the building um for I think it's 3 months um six months.

Six months. Sorry. So, um yes, and I believe the rabbi was here promising that it would be done in time. So, I will um request that we I will make a motion that we approve this extension and uh we'll follow up with the rabbi to get another assurance maybe that this time it'll get done. And I second. Okay. Uh any comment? Just know that the town building inspector and town engineer looked at this and we're okay with it. What's go the operation? So, I'm okay with it. Yes. Yeah. No, it's um fairly straightforward. Yeah. what has to be done. Um, okay. All in favor? I

I motion carries. Uh, we have request from controller Connealy to accept the revised capital plan for 2026 through 2035. We looked at the projects uh at the last meeting and we're waiting for fiscal advisers to give us their projections um as to the impact of borrowing on future years. um just to see that we can carry um the debt that will be outstanding um without break having to you know dramatically raise taxes or break the tax cap. So that um is in the packet um with a sort of using a level debt rule. You can see that in um years ahead uh it remains within the 5 and a half to 6 point almost 6 and a half range um in terms of debt service. So we looked at that and um felt that that was you know what we're covering now is reasonable to continue to expect that we will be able to keep covering that. So, um, with that said, uh, I would like to ask for a motion to approve those projects that are listed on the 2026 plan. We don't plan on doing the resolutions and borrowing the money until um next year but um we want to just you know give our sort of confirmation that the various departments can go forward with these projects and we intend to borrow um or go for the grants or use reserves if they're on this list. So um

motion to approve. Do a second. Second. Okay. Um, it includes I'll just say Kona playground replacement. Um, the 1787 courthouse and Sutton clock tower improvements, train station improvements, Hamlet Center improvements, uh, sidewalk planning for Bedford Village between Guard Hill and um, the Hamlet. Great.

Uh, vehicles, a road graater and equipment, road rehabilitation, that's paving, guide rail replacement, traffic safety, parking enforcement, and patrol vehicle replacement. patrol equipment, vehicle replacement um in the building department and historical document preservation. And then I'll also mention that um for 2027 we have a line for that TAP grant 1.1 32 million that should we get those grants um we would you know basically be be saying we would be willing to do the 25% match. So, um, the approval here, I guess, would app include approving that for 2027. Um, any comment? Do we have a second?

Second. We had a second. We had a second. Okay. Uh, any comments, questions? All in favor?

I. Okay. Motion carries. Let's get building. Um, okay. We have and thank you again controller Connealy for all your work on that. Uh we have a request from Superintendent of Recreation and Parks Christopher Soy to approve the purchase of a 2027 HLE Coach 14 +1 WC shuttle bus uh at the cost of $124,139 to replace the 2014 Ford F50 shuttle bus. And Chris is here. I believe uh we have been granted $100,000 um thanks to Senator Pete Harkham um towards this purchase. Hi Chris, thanks for joining us.

Sure thing. Thanks for having me. Um I want to tell us about the bus just because you're here. Sure. So So yeah, so um due to the Can I turn him up? Can you press Grant? Can you hear me? Uh no. Yeah, that's better. Okay. Um, so yeah. So, uh, we start to, um, request approval from Chris, will you turn turn towards the microphone? Sorry, it's hard to hear you. The sound is bad. The sound is I'm just Okay, that's better. All right. Thank you.

Um, the uh So, yes, so we're excited to be uh requesting this uh approval for the purchase of a new uh shuttle bus for our department. uh primary duties in past years has been uh serving as transportation for our senior programs. Um so currently yeah we have a 2014 14 passenger uh bus uh that we utilize and obviously um uh the 12 year span we we are facing issues uh with uh we've done uh replacement and repair work on the air conditioning units the the brakes suspension um but it it has it has served served us well. Um but again, we're looking forward to purchasing a new bus um that uh 14 passenger one wheelchair. So our current bus is a 14 passenger but does not have wheelchair accessibility or wheelchair lift. This bus will be a 14 passenger with an additional wheel ability to uh transport a wheelchair um with a lift uh and if necessary one of the port one of the uh seats two of the seats fold away and we can uh transport uh 12 passengers with two wheelchairs. So uh more flexibility um providing us that utility is is is great. Um we are also uh making attempts to or or working to expand some of our programming where we want to use this bus for just general transportation for whether it's small trips or uh what whatever whatever our department needs may be um to uh not only serve our our our senior program needs but also our additional recreational program needs whatever they may be. So, um, due the efforts from the supervisor's office and and Lisa Burke secured that $100,000 grant and then we, uh, approved 20 additional $25,000 in 2025 capital. So, um, I think we came in just under the 125. So, um, we, uh, if if approved, we'd be, uh, confirming this purchase and hopefully uh, the expected timeline would be 3 to four months in terms of

receiving. Fantastic. Thank you very much. And um do you know anticipate what the delivery time is uh once we order it? Three three to four months. Three to four months. Right. You might just Yeah. Delete time which is has shortened up quite a bit and hopefully that that holds but three to four months. Great. Um do we have a motion to approve? So move. So move. Second. So second. Sorry. Second. And then uh any questions? I just am curious and if you said this I apologize. Do we trade in the current bus or sell it or what what do we do with that?

Yes, we'd be look we'd look to auction it off. Okay. So, we have a process with the town to to put it out for auction and um it's what we do with when we kind of retire other vehicles. So, that's what we'd be looking. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions? Okay. All in favor? Motion carries. Thank you very much, Chris. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Okay. Um number six, we have a quest to extend the battery energy storage systems moratorum for an additional six months. Uh the stakeholder group has been working on uh whether um we can adopt a town ordinance that could properly uh restrict and site um battery energy storage systems uh to a degree that you know we're comfortable with. um the distance from residences or other structures. And we were waiting also to hear the state has just amended the fire code to um require a lot more safety precautions for battery energy storage systems, but we are still not there with a proposed law and I'm not sure when that's going to get done. But in the meantime, we don't want any applications to come in. So um I will make a motion that we extend the moratorum for another 6 months. second. Any questions, comments? Um, all in favor?

I I

um and I will just say that uh there's a bill out the state has um someone has proposed that the state could require um override town zoning to install very large battery energy storage systems. Um I don't think that is going anywhere and you know it's my understanding that's not really going to get approved by um the legislature but um you know we definitely do not we have been trying to pass our own ordinance so that we maintain our right to control these things and um you know I would you know wonder if we would want to pass a resolution just saying we don't want the state to override anything with respect to um the sighting of these um systems. Um you know but understanding that then we have responsibility to say you know what the town um you know could or would allow. Um so I don't know what the board's feeling is on passing a resolution but I could prepare one the next meeting. I mean, I I just would add as a member of that committee that it's been a very, you know, a steep learning curve, a very long and thoughtful process, and that really is very specific to what would make sense in this community. So, um, I do think that that our law should be the law and and that should make the decisions um, you know, once we get to the point where, you know, we've got the law and we've shared it with the community.

Right. Okay. Right. Oh, I'm sorry. I was just going to ask um pertinent to that, has there been any joint effort by municipalities in the county to get together and contact the state through, you know, assembly people, senators, have some kind of joint letter.

Um so throughout the county, everyone's kind of trying to work on this problem, right? um because it is a technology that's coming and that um you know we're hearing is going to be required to reduce energy costs and um balance the grid and and do a lot of things that are positive for the future. So a lot of people in the county have been to many um meetings with the county, meetings with NAERTA, meetings with the state, meeting with legislators. Um there's been a lot of information out there about it. Um, I don't think, as I said, I don't really think that the bill that says that the state can just, you know, come in and install these things is really going anywhere. Um, I think there's a lot of movement to try to get a model ordinance out there that allows municipalities to have local control. Um, there there's also, you know, we'll have the stakeholder group come and probably do a presentation at some point. Um there aren't a lot of uh what is what are they called? Substations um in Medford like really where they would install these things. So um that's also a factor is you know uh I think even if the state law passed I think that's really related to more larger systems which are we would not allow under our law that size and probably aren't even appropriate here um because we don't have that much load in terms of electricity. That is all still being um discussed with the stakeholder group and um working with the fire departments on trying to understand um you know the risks if there is an emergency. Um so we have a long way to go but um we could consider the resolution if it's something you know people feel strongly about.

I think I would support that. Okay. Agreed. Okay. Yeah, I don't see a reason not to support it. I just didn't know if it was more like constructive effort with other municipalities doing the same or if it's more symbolic just to get us on record. Yeah, I don't see a negative, right? Yeah, I think it's um Yeah, I think we would just be making our own statement. Okay. Under new business, uh we request that the board reappoint uh chair persons for one-year term. uh reappoint Peter Mccalis as chair of the zoning board and uh dear Courtney Batson, chair of the planning board. Motion to approve. So move. Second. All in favor? I. Motion carries.

Um we also have a request to appoint a new alternate member to the planning board. Um Michael Melon. Uh let me just make sure I have his name name right. Um sorry. So we um we have tried Melon Michael Melon um

effective immediately for a three-year term as per the law. um he is an attorney and uh has met with um Deardra Courtney Batson who's the chair to um you know we haven't really had uh an alternate we had an alternate but then he moved and it didn't quite turn into a robust position. So we've been talking about how um Mr. Melon can learn how to participate on the planning board, learn how to do um the work of the planning board and start to sit in on applications after a period of time or fill in when there's a conflict of interest um and hopefully, you know, eventually join the planning board. So, great. Um do we have a motion to approve?

So, move. Second. Any questions? All in favor? Motion carries. Uh and we have a request to approve a contract for economic development consulting. Um there's a memo. Uh we're working on the scope of work, but it's the standard um contract uh I think at $75 per hour um to um work with Christina Warner on uh economic development commercial sort of projects. Um do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All in favor?

I motion carries. Um, do we have any public comments? No. Okay. Um, board member announcements. I believe there was a um, press conference here yesterday. I was at the Association of Towns conference, but Deputy Supervisor McCain was here. I was. Would you like to tell us about it?

Sure. So yesterday uh we hosted a press conference organized by state senator Pete Harkham and it was also attended by assembly member Chris Berdict and c county legislator Erica Pierce to address the growing concerns about the proposed rate increases for NYG um and the impact uh on the residents in in our area. Um, as you know, there's a proposal or as you may know, there's a proposal to increase the rates um for electricity by like 35% and for natural gas delivery uh by 39%. Um, Nice Egg is justifying these uh increases to, you know, support and fund infrastructure upgrades and meet clean energy mandates and recover operating costs as well as to guarantee investors a 10% return. um which is, you know, kind of unprecedented, you know, cuz we're not usually guaranteed those kinds of rates of return um particularly at the expense of customers. Um and it was a really great opportunity to make sure that um the PSC who will be uh looking at this rate increase and would have to approve it, ideally not approve it to hear from not only our legislators but also residents. So, there were a number of residents um a number of whom were in uh Heritage Hills who who came in and like showed their bills jumping from a few hundred to well over $1,000, $1,500 for like twobedroom apartments, maybe a one-bedroom, uh where the resident works all day and keeps the temperature low. Um so, the delivery rates are outrageous. Um and um we want to make sure that people hear about that. Um there's an opportunity to write to the PSC to let them the public service commission to let them know that you object to these horrific rates. Um and

you know part of the purpose of the presser was to also encourage people to do that. So was was nice there um in in the press conference? No. Okay. Outside the building? Yes. Oh, were they picketing or something? Oh, well, they were expressing themselves. Um, and they feel like this funding is necessary not only for their jobs, but it's necessary for the work that they do. I think that they were trying very hard to make compelling arguments about that. Um, but I also don't think that they were local residents experiencing these ridiculous rates. So, there's that. And that was just my personal.

So there is Nice is coming here next week, right? Yes. So nice egg is coming. U so that you know the supply rates right now are 44% higher than they were last year. Um the energy markets very volatile and the demand with all of the cold has driven the natural gas prices up which also drives electricity rates. So everyone is opening their bill right now over the last you know month or two and are shocked with the supply rate that is not something nice controls right they get the distribution rate which maintains the grid the delivery rate

um that is that went up you know last year and hit the bills this year and now they're proposing to raise it again so um that is where you know they I think this happens where the utility ities throw out some very big number and then everyone opposes it and then the PSC ends up meeting them in the middle but that is still way too high. um that cannot be um I'm also interested in actually was talking I went to the Association of Towns conference last two days and was talking to someone from the um Department of Public Service about the rate hikes and um asking about how the AI data centers are using a lot of electricity and um

you know I think there's a concern about whether they're paying their fair share and so that's another question to ask and I say to make sure that you know that's not falling on the repairs. Agreed. Um so and you know what's the upgrades that need to happen to bring that level of electricity to those areas? Um is that you know falling on all of us to pay for the distribution or are they you know footing the bill for that? So um and just to that point there were definitely questions around um like deferred maintenance for the infrastructure right so like suddenly we're doing all this work that should have been done previously and so now

you know where's the burden falling for work that should have been done before. So I guess again do we you know as a board do we want to write a resolution is you know we've already been quoted in the press release is there you know something else that goes to the PSC directly um I mean I think anything that we can do a to you know express our concerns and also to let our residents know that we are you know working and advocating on their behalf is always a good thing. be be happy to work on a resolution if anybody wants to. Great. Thank you.

Yeah. It's something that I everybody's feeling and and I'm getting even, you know, text messages and calls from local towns people that can't believe they they just think there's a mistake, right? They think that there's something wrong with their new smart meters. And I'm not speculating. I'm not. But just people I people are getting they're getting very nervous. They're they're they're not understanding to see bills jump. And you know for nice I'm an aside customer they give you a graph of the last 12 months. So it's pretty cut and dry. You can see the spike on the bar graph. It's it's it's an abomination. Well and it's been so cold that you know and yeah that helps exacerbate it. Yeah. Especially if you have electric heat or Yeah. Okay. So we will Yes.

look at that resolution going forward. Thank you. Um okay. Do we have other um board announcements? I actually sorry.

So I just wanted to share that um last week um Kevin Wyn led with Mark Teal King and the architect the walkthrough of actually this building for the energy efficiency upgrade project. Um we had um um some contractors were doing a walk through and you know we hope that they'll do a bid on this job. Um it's it's a really it's an exciting project. I don't know how long it's been since this building was upgraded but a long time. um and it it is inefficient and so we actually have a grant from NAERTA that will fund this project and um the work that's going to be done will make it energy efficient um and it's traditional energy efficiency work like insulation and weatherization but also there are lots of areas of this building um I was up under the rotunda last week where you can literally see like leaks that need to be repaired um there's some up above the ceiling where there's a bit you know the the envelope is broken. Um so you know once this project is done which I think will happen in the the first half of this year um the building will be um more comfortable. It'll be more costefficient and it will not be wasting energy. So um super exciting project. Um I I think we were hoping this week to hear back from some of the contractors and um have a path forward for that.

Great. Thank you. Excellent. And yes, back to your question. Nice eggg is coming to do a bill like sit down with residents and explain their bills and help them understand the programs that are available. Um which they have um the the department of public service has um lowered the threshold to make it or yeah lower the threshold so that um it's not just low income. There's moderate, medium income, moderate income residents can also apply for some of the programs that they have to help pay for heating um I mean uh electricity. So that's um

February 24th between 4 and 7 they'll be here and they're sending a lot of customer service people to meet with residents who want to drop in and and um get some help with that. So um anything else? Um, one last thing just I urge anybody who's out there um to send myself and supervisor Calves letters regarding the stretch of one Route 172 from Fox Lane to let's say Sunnyfield Farms. Uh we know it's in really tough shape, we'll call it right now. Um, I'll be working on drafting a resolution, working with uh Department of Public Works Commissioner Kevin Wyn on getting something out to um, you know, propose aid that we need from the state to help get that stretch um, you know, paved similarly to how councilwoman um, Bitco had had suggested and and put out for Route 117. So, we're working diligently on trying to get that communication out. The more letters we have, the more emails we have, the bigger and thicker the package can be to send to the state. So, we had a meeting number of months ago. We're working on it. I just want to say that we're going to be continuing to work on it. Me personally, um, and the more letters and the more emails we get in support of getting attention and repairing and not even repairing, paving that stretch, uh, would be helpful.

Okay. Yes. And we did send that for 117 and we're told it's not on this year's list, right? So, 172, we're going to be hopefully right behind it. is also not on the list, but um I guess that's how we get on the list, right? And I just want everybody to know it's a state road, so unfortunately we just can't go and pave it. Yeah. Yeah. Um okay. Any other comments? Okay. There being no other business, this meeting is yesterday. Oh, we have to Oh, yeah. Uh we are sorry. We are going to wait. I don't see the reference to class C and class uh A vehicles in that law.

If I could um maybe shed some light. Sure. Um as I understand it, again, I missed a meeting. So I was here right when we opened and I missed a meeting in between. Um as I understand it, um there was some discussion at the last meeting about including definitions of the different classes. Well, there was discussion of including the description of the larger vehicles and then I believe council members McCain and Calato researched it and decided that A and C should be prohibited but there should be an exemption for class B.

And that was in the what would be allowed and not allowed section. And then I think Eric had drafted a whole bunch of just definitions and I think ultimately

where where recreational vehicle was defined was like in the flooding part of the code and he was like it's a lot to put these in. And I said, you know, I don't think we need these definitions because these are standard classes that if you go to any RV dealer or you look them up the way that they're um licensed or insurance or those things, you can kind of look up and see which vehicles are class A, which are class B, which are class C. Um and so I don't think we need the definitions in the law, which is why there can mic on. So, while there are no definitions in the law, I understand. But when the definitions got removed with that last edit,

I think it also got removed from what's allowed and what's not allowed cuz what we have on the agenda still says 20 ft and 10,000, which is what it said last time. So, it needs to say what um was I thought amended and sent to be put on the agenda, but I should have looked closer. Okay. Right. So, um, I don't have that version in front of me. So, that's what we're saying, right? So, it's also hard for me to say whether or not you need to reopen

the public hearing and discuss it again without seeing side by side the version that's currently before the board versus the version the board's expecting. Okay,

does that make sense? So, I think in the interest of full transparency, etc., my recommendation would be, and everyone's going to hate me, is to reopen the I'm sorry, Councilwoman McCain. I It would be to reopen uh the public hearing because at this point, you've closed the public hearing on something that wasn't You've closed the public hearing on something you did not expect to close the public hearing on. Is that correct?

Well, we all saw it in email and had read it and, you know, Eric was concerned that we needed to, you know, confirm what it was going to look like in time to post it on the website. And I think it did go on the website, but now I think that post must have been archived because I can't see it. So, um, that's fine. I I apologize, but that would be that's that'd be great. Thank you. I'll I'll never get I'll never be asked to come back here again. Um after that recommendation that that would be I just think the cleanest way to do it.

Yeah. No. And it wasn't you. Our town attorney is on vacation, I think. And I was out on Friday. So um I thought that what he was sending was um the one last email that we saw the last email that we all saw. Um, but when the definitions got removed, I guess that language got removed and um, not updated on the website. So, I think we all know what we're trying to achieve here and we have since the last meeting. Um, and unfortunately, it's going to take one more meeting to get it done. I apologize. It's it's it's karma. Okay.

So, I recommend you're going to actually go back and reopen. Keep I keep the public hearing open. Keep it open. Okay. So, so we will, I guess, make a motion to have another public hearing at our next meeting on the correct version of the RV parking lot. Uh, second, you want to second that. I totally second it. All in favor? I I motion carries. There being no further business, this meeting is journ. Thank you.