Town Board - Regular Meeting

All rise for the pledge of 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. Um, notations of the exits in the rear and the sides. Uh, please put all electronic devices on vibrate. Uh, Kathy, can you please call the vote? Yes. Councilman Cypress, here. Councilwoman Lewis, here. Councilman Mazada here. Acting supervisor Larka here. Um I'll make a motion to come out of executive session. No action was taken. Second. All in favor? I. Will. Do you want to?

Uh thank you. Uh supervisor. I've been asked to uh uh to memorialize uh one of our our dear residents who passed away this past week, Lewis Gasperini. um and asked that uh that we remember him in our in our proceedings today. Lou was uh one of the great generation. Uh and I've always been told that a man's legacy is uh is the the quality of his offspring and we're lucky to have one of his offspring as our town justice. Um, Lou was a a mainstay in this community for, you know, for most of his life and dear friend of my father, dear friend of mine. And, um, if we could all rise for a moment of silence in honor of Luke Aspirini.

Thank you. Thank you, Will. All right. Uh, the first item is a public hearing on the 2026 water district rates. I'll make a motion to open the public hearing. Second. All in favor? I. Wendy or Bruce, do you want us to read the rates or tell me what

I'm not sure Wendy what we do? I think Ron and Bruce, if you can come up and just um review any significant increases. Well, just to go down the list here in the water rates, um, uh, Blackberry sewer is increasing from 220 to 230. Primary, uh, cause of the increase is cost of electricity inflation for upkeep. Um, Blackberry, excuse me, Brewster Heights sewer is increasing $6. uh the same co causes um for the increase. Um let me just do these in percentage terms. It's easier. Skipping over to Peach Lake rates are going up uh 2.9%. Again, electricity is the primary cause cost of electricity. um Brewster Heights Homes. Uh that's going up 15%. Uh for here, we're dealing with um uh the issues with Drewville from the prior year. We're uh having to replace a filter that's at $40,000 and increase in water charges from uh New York City for the water drawn from their reservoir.

So is that uh let me interrupt you there. It's 15% you said for water correct? And is that the base rate or is that it does that affect the per gallon rate as well? No, that's just the base rate. No changes to the per gallon rates. And what's the base rate? It's going from 260 to 300. Okay. Star Ridge, it's increasing $5 or 3.4%. Again, electricity is is what's driving these rates. And all of these increases you're talking about, these are all base rate, right? Correct. Correct.

Right.

Yes. Okay. Fox Hill um is going up $13 or 3%. Mountain Brook is going up uh $52 or4%. It's a small district stuff. It affects it more. Um Peaceable Hill uh is going up $15 or 3%. Blackberry, it's going from 31 to 32 or $4 increase. The condos, that was for the houses that I just said. The condos are going up $16. Hillrest is going up $3 or 3%. Um, Springhouse is increasing 3%. Birch Hill is going up 6%, we're getting ready there to um deal with some filter issues and the POS

which we'll talk about later a little bit. Yes. Can you please tell um excuse this is a public hearing so when they're done uh you'll be able to come up to the mic and ask questions and they'll answer what they can. There's more information coming also. Okay. Do you want to do you want to hit the districts now piece by piece just update on the um what's going on there? Is that that's it for the rates? Right. That's it for the rates. The letters are going out as we speak. As we speak, right? So, um I close that

in terms of the developments in the district, you know, day-to-day operating. Really isn't a lot of change since our last meeting in November. Uh items of note in the districts with sewer, which would be Blackberry and Brewster Heights having uh a lot of problems with wipes, even quote unquote flushable wipes that don't work well in the mechanisms in the sewer. I leave it to VRI to explain that. Um, other than that, we had uh the town fire inspector come through and inspect all the plants. Uh, just some minor issues of note that we're dealing with. Uh, putting signage up for all the chemicals and whatnot to notify a fire department. uh emergency lighting and um there's an old building at Hillrest that's falling down that we're going to have torn down. It's not being used for doesn't serve any purpose. And then of course Springhouse now tested over the threshold for POS and we're addressing that. We have an engineer working on it. Unfortunately, it's becoming a common problem.

Did you hit Star Ridge? Um well not yet. No I mean Star Ridge actually uh Star Ridge uh today plans were submitted to the state uh health department and the funding arm for um switching from the GECK system over to the ionic system which is significantly cheaper and an easier build. And that paves the way for the newer districts that are having P5. correct that we're using that it's the first one ready but uh Birch Hill will follow in that footstep and so will Springhouse

um and we felt the timeline for u breaking ground on Star Ridge well it's all we're it's in the hands we're hoping to hear back from the state by later in the spring and so at some point this summer hopefully yeah it's in the near future so that's Yeah, that's good news. And we felt like the process would be a little faster for the other two districts. We're definitely going to learn. And once you've had one approved, it's easier to get this base additional second and third plants off the the example. Okay. Perfect. with the um once we get the board of health approval,

do we need um the engineer to drop the bitsp specs and it's got to go at the bid and then hopefully yes award to a contractor and then construction. Correct. Right. Correct. So that time frame, but there's preliminary plans and all that kind of pre-engineering work done. So that shouldn't be a drawn out process, right? And it probably if it proves successful, it'll make it easier for the next one. Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. That's the good news in all of this is uh start ridge really paves the way to it'll be a faster process. So, we're kind of um aheaded game a little bit for the newer districts involved in this.

Bruce, question. Bruce, there was talk at one point that they would only approve it if we actually tested it in use, which obviously we couldn't do. Is that behind us now? And and we think we could get it approved. That was in the letter that was submitted today. We're basically piggybacking off what they've done um in uh North Salem. Okay. And hopefully cuz the water is substantially similar, they'll let us go with that. Could they ask for a pilot study? Yes. That should be pretty brief if they were to ask for it and probably not interfere with the schedule all that much.

Thank you. Any um any other updates?

Unfort Well, those are really the big ones um in terms of other projects to be done uh around the district. If I could find my paper here. Excuse me. Um, at Brewster Heights sewer, uh, we have the oxidation ditch. This has been discussed in the past. Uh, at Brewster Heights water, we have the sand filters.

Uh, that's something that's going to have to be addressed in the next three, four, five years. Um the other big one is uh um Hillrest where the uh water manes are going to have to be replaced at some point in the next four or five years. Okay. Thank you. That's it in a nutshell. Perfect. You guys have anything to add? Good. Nothing. All right. Thanks, Rose. I mean Oh, go ahead. No, you go. I was going to open it up to the public. Yeah, absolutely.

So, if you uh if anyone from the public would like to ask questions or anything, you just come up to the mic um and state your name and address for the record. Thank you. My name is Susan Burman. I live with 30 men away. Um first of all, could you give me your name? Are you in charge of the water now? Yes. My name is Bruce Bridges. I'm in charge of the special district. All right. And how do I get in touch with you? Uh my name and number is right there on the website.

Okay. Um can you please tell me why Peaceable Hill is going up uh 15% $15 would pay over $2,000 a year anyway. Um so another $15 is significant. Uh Bruce, if if you you want Ron to jump in on that? Oh well, whoever answers, he's going to say come to the mic. Yeah. If you whoever answers if you can come to the mic so it's on the recording. Okay. Yeah. Simply the cost to run uh the plants which primarily run sorry just for the tape.

Yeah. Uh primally increase in cost of electricity as everybody knows I'm sure you got your personal bills at home and uh they've they've gone up a lot last year and they're continuing this year. So we have to plan for that in those costs and that's the biggest cost for peaceable. There's no other like project.

Okay. So my and my next question is what are you doing about it about the electricity? Aren't we supposed to be doing something about that? The electricity bills are horrendous as you all know. Um so what are you doing about it? Are you are you in some kind of contact with NYG or something? So, well, the town really has nothing to do. It's Albany and the and the public service commission, but we are hopefully going to be passing a resolution tonight asking Albany to at least hear our voices and listen to us. So, we'll be doing that a little bit later. So, so you're not you're not you're passing a resolution. Who is the one that decides that the that NISA could go crazy? The public service commission in Albany. Okay.

So, I'm going to I mean I'm going to I'll give you the phone number now. I was going to do it later, but if anyone would like to call the Public Service Commission, okay, it's 1 8003352120. Um, and we're going to be passing a resolution in support of Assembly of Vislator's efforts to push the governor to do what he's calling a energy state of emergency. Um, but hopefully we'll be doing that a little bit later tonight. Okay. This has been going on for two years now. So, why haven't you done it before? Well, again, the town has no direct control. It It's But you said you have something you could do. Well, we're we're we're sending a letter to Albany saying, "Please listen to us." Humpty Dory. That's going to help. That's all you can do about it. That's it.

We don't we're not your state representative. So, Assemblyman Slater is your state representative and he is fighting for us and this is to support his efforts in Albany. Okay.

Anybody else from the public? How you guys doing? Uh Matt Rose, Star Ridge, uh Bruce or VR, do you guys have any um are you guys including in the costs um a lot of the work that needs needs to be done underground like the uh the distribution, the piping? We I know we have uh in the last 5 years that have been living there everywhere. I mean, and I'm sure this is in every district, but uh you know, a lot of the piping is old and we have a we have a a water mane break every every winter. Um so, you know, is that included in that cost or is that is that going to be an added project cost in the future?

Yeah. Tyler Post with uh VRI. the the the cost for the the PAS upgrade is going to be um specific to that project, but we are in talks with the town as far as um planning for, you know, budgeting for the future to to replace.

I know specifically we've talked about valves, either replacement of street valves or installation of new valves to make it um easier for water main brake repairs. And with that, yes, as far as infrastructure upgrades, but that's something that we talk with the town about and we'll try to plan that way. not one big project all at once and we can possibly plan to do x% each year in efforts to do a full replacement eventually. And wouldn't that we you the way I understood it that would also give you the opportunity to kind of section off if you had to fix one area, right? To keep to keep everybody from being cut off from water if there was a

as the system laid out right now. Let's say I don't know the exact areas off the top of my head, but I know like let's say you have a a water break on one corner of the district. The idea would be you can isolate, you know, close a couple valves to make that repair and only let's say three or five homes are out of service. Whereas right now, it maybe half the district needs to be out of water just with the way the valves are laid out. So, yeah, adding a valve on the end of a couple streets here and there will make it better for for repairs to be made easier. Thanks. Yep.

And just one more question. Um and and in terms of like the distribution valves and and and all the lines in the street that is that that's that's the town's portion, right? at from the from the the the well to to the to the to I guess each box and each uh shut off valve. That would be under like the town's jurisdiction to to maintain and and to repair. Correct. Correct. Well, not the valves themselves though, right? If you're talking financially, every expense of a district stays within the district. So, yes, it's our responsibility to fix it of that of that specific district, right? born by those residents. Okay. Yeah. Right.

So they, you know, this subject came up in a meeting that we had and we the idea was to kind of plan for it over a couple of years. Correct. Yeah. Just to to minimize the the impact. Thank you. You're welcome. Anybody else from the public? Anybody else from the town board? No. No. Um, I will make a motion to close the public hearing with a fiveday written comment period. Second. All in favor? I.

All right. Um, next is the work session. So, first we have um special districts quarterly update with Bruce and VRI. Did you guys already cover that? Yeah. Kind of done.

Okay. Uh, number two is updated MS4 binder and draft annual report. Just to show this is the MS4 binder uh as required by the EPA and the DEC. It's also available online. Uh it has been updated uh through the end of December. Uh way too much in here to bring up in conversation, but if you want to see it, it's online or give me a call. You can come down to my office and feel free to go through every page of it. Uh at the same time, the draft annual report for 2025 uh is online uh ready for review that gets submitted uh April 1st. Uh it's just an annual update of all the additional layers that have been accomplished since the prior year. It's a five-year phase in. were in year two of the five years. That's essentially it. Review it. Anybody has questions, give me a call, email me.

Thank you. Thank you. Um, next item is HSRD Holdings LLC, tax map number 55.1-1-37, amending zoning map referral to the planning board. Hi. Go ahead. Good evening. State your name and

Good evening, Mr. Acting Supervisor and members of the board. My name is Frank J. Smith III, attorney from the law office of Schillingan Smith in Carmel on behalf of the applicant HSRD Holdings LLC. I'm joined tonight this evening by Mr. Byron Vinis, managing member of the LLC, and Miss Jamie Lojudis of Insight Engineering, project engineer. We're here this evening regarding an application for zone change under section 138-93 of the town code. The property in question is located at 2100, Route 6, Brewster, New York. It is known as tax map number 55-1-37. It consists of approximately 8.17 acres. It is located in the town's R60 zoning district. The relief requested is a change of zoning district from R60 to Gateway Commercial. In support, the board received a completed zone change application, short form EAF, attorney letter in support, various maps and drawings, as well as an applicant affidavit in support. A brief history, the applicant purchased the property in August of 2024. At the time of purchase, he had reason to believe that the property was zoned commercial. There was an MLS listing that year that listed it as commercial. As well, the county's former tax page listed it as commercial, and the new Putham County Beacons page also has it listed as assessed as commercial. The property is essentially surrounded by other commercial properties. The adjacent property in Carmel is zoned town commercial. The adjacent property in southeast is utilized by the Centennial Golf Course. It's also in the immediate proximity of the veterinary office on the corner of Simpson Road as well as the former Native American Apparel Retail Store on the other side. This board is empowered by the town code to hear petitions for a zone change. This is not an instance of

creating a new zone, but merely applying an already existing zone to the parcel. In this instance, the applicant seeks to have the parcel zoned as gateway commercial, which already exists in the town. The GC zone covers properties across the street as well as in the immediate area of the Route Six corridor. In addition, the town's 2014 comprehensive plan also also envisions this area as a quote gateway area, specifically referencing route 6 from Carmel. Given the location of the town's border, proximity to other commercial establishments, and a clear articulation of the gateway commercial concept in the town's adopted comprehensive plan, I argue that reclassifying the property to gateway commercial would be wellreasoned and in accordance with the findings of the comprehensive plan and squarely within this board's powers to enact. As you're aware, section 138-92 of the town code states that this board shall refer the application to the planning board for their report. We're here this evening to seek that referral and also learn what questions this board may have while reviewing the application. I thank you for the chance to present and we're available with any questions. Thank you.

I have a few questions. You guys have any questions? Um, a resident did reach out to us that had some concerns about the property. Um, can you just tell me a little bit about uh when this was purchased and there there was some concerns about who listed the market or who listed the property and who sold it. So, can you tell us when you sold it and what brokerage was involved if that's possible? you want. So, this was a county foreclosure property and it was handled and listed through the service that the county contracted. Uh, it's an auction site. I don't remember the name off the top of my head. Okay. So, it wasn't it didn't come from a commercial real estate agent or anything. Correct.

Okay. Um, and this is not a text change. This is a zoning change. Jamie, is that right? Okay. And I believe we received the EAF which we were waiting for and um the fee has been paid for the for the zoning. Correct. Okay. Okay. I don't have any other questions. Oh, so procedurally we will refer you to the planning board. You will go through the full planning board process like any other project would. Then you'll come back here and uh request us to review the zoning change. Is that correct? Correct. Okay. All right. That answers all my questions. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you for coming.

Have a nice night. Thank you for having us. You too. Um number four, amend the lease agreement for the cultural arts coalition. Um, after our last meeting, uh, Will, town attorney, um, and I think Alex were able to sit with Culture Arts Coalition and, um, come up with an agreement to change our lease with them so that they could, uh, finalize a submission for grant uh, that they were submitting for, which we did. Uh, so later we will approve that lease after the fact. Lease amend lease amendment. Lease amendment after the fact. Nunk pro tonk. Nunk pro tunk.

Okay. Uh any questions on that? No. No. Um next is a contract with Aspect 120 Landscape Architecture. Uh the planning board refers any large projects I think any projects that's a major project to a outside firm to review the landscaping if it's deemed necessary. Um we didn't have a contract with them. This is kind of clean up. Uh we went through the process to make sure that um we were doing it correctly and tonight we'll just memorialize it. Okay. Any questions? No. No. No.

Um next mortorium on data centers. Uh a resident a long time ago uh brought this to our attention that we may want to um address this. It is not part of our code today. There's been a few things that have come up in recent times that are haven't been part of our code like battery storage mhm

uh facilities which we've addressed. This is another one that we would like to address. I believe New York State maybe there's a bill to do a threeyear moratorum on these at state level. Um what we're what I'd like to do is pass six-month mortorium um so that we can review our code and add it to the code somehow with some parameters if that's what we decide to do. So, as long as you guys are okay with that, there's no to do tonight. But to proceed with this, what happens? We do a um public hearing.

We have to uh if you're going to propose a moratorum, we'd have to set a public hearing date. Um I draft a proposed local law. Uh it would be um that public hearing would be on the proposed local law. We have to follow some procedural u requirements. Okay. Okay. In order for it to be valid, hold the public hearing, um take comment and and then ultimately adopt the local law which then has to be filed with the secretary of state.

Okay. Um the reason for this, which I should have stated, is that the extreme energy use that they have and uh I wish that uh lady had stayed, but um something like that could impact the rates that we pay and whatever else. So, we will not set the public hearing tonight. I guess we could just do that at the next meeting. We'll set the public hearing and we'll do some work. Whatever whatever whatever you pleases you. I if you want to do it the next meeting, we can do it at the next meeting. Probably safer to do it the next meeting to give them time to get the notice that. So, all right. So, is everyone good if we move forward with that? I'm fine with this. Yeah. Okay.

Um, next is highway vehicle purchase for a 2027 Western Star plow truck. Mike's not here, but he sent a note that um they had a truck that blew up and it's going to cost 50,000 to fix it. Uh it's not worth fixing and soon we won't be able to purchase some of these diesel trucks. So, he's requesting funds for that. Um so, we'll vote on that later. Any questions? No. Yep. Um supportive energy state emergency. Again, I wish that lady was still here, but I'll let I'll hand that to you, Eric.

Yeah. So, as you heard a bunch tonight about water rates, and I'm sure we all feel it in our bills, and we've gotten some emails and seen a bunch of chatter on social media. So, um there's not much at the town level we could do, but our assemblyman Matt Slater um and some other representatives in Albany are pushing the governor to um pass what they're calling an energy state of emergency and they're asking her to cut some of the taxes on electricity costs and um hold the rate increases that the PSC is approving and and some other measures. So, um I helped draft a resolution that hopefully will pass tonight just urging the governor to support uh support those efforts. So, and just one more time, so the public service commission um if you'd like to reach out and ask them not to allow any more rate increases, uh 1 800 3352120.

All right. Thank you for working on that. Um last is the 67 Main Street um subdivision uh professional valuation services agreement. So trying to make this quick um subdividing 67 Main Street so that we can hopefully sell that piece of property but keep the land that was going to be used as a parking garage and also uses some of our parking. Um, as part of that, we need to get a appraisal on the building so that we know the value if at if we put it for sale. Uh, we got a little bit of a hiccup. We were there was a planning board meeting scheduled yesterday or two days ago in the village which we were hoping to move along the subdivision. Um, apparently our application wasn't complete and it was uh delayed. So, that has nothing to do with the appraisal, but just wanted to let you guys know we're about a month behind on that. Um, this will allow me to sign a contract that uh we received from someone I don't know his name s at McGrath

um for $4,000 to to do the appraisal and that won't happen until the subdivision is complete and we've already moved the funds for that. Any questions? Nope. Nope. No. All right. I'll make a motion to go in the regular part of the meeting. Second. All in favor? I um wave the reading of the correspondence. Make a motion to wave the reading of the courts. All in favor? I I I'll make a motion of the approval of the voucher list. Second in the in the amount of 4,676,3762.

Second. Thank you. All in favor? Hi. Um, supervisor's report. Technically not the supervisor, so I'm going to punt on that one. Um, setting meeting dates and public hearings. All meetings will be held at 1360 Route 22 in Brewster, New York at 7 p.m. Unless otherwise noted. Thursday, March 5th, 2026. Thursday, March 19th, 2026. Um, do I do I need a motion for that? I'm sorry. Do I have to move that or is that It's a motion and a second. Yeah. Okay. So moved. Second. All in favor? I I.

Number five, resolution to appoint interim town supervisor. Now therefore, be it resolved that the town board of the town of Southeast finds and determines that is necessary and appropriate to fill the office of the supervisor with a qualified individual willing to devote full-time attention to the position. and be it further resolved, it is further found and determined that Joseph Castellano, a resident of the town of Southeast, meets the qualifications necessary to serve as interim supervisor of the town of Southeast until until a special election for for such position can be held on November 3rd, 2026 to fill the balance of the current supervisor's term. And be it further resolved that Joseph Castellano, residing at 22 High View Terrace, Brewster, New York, 10509, be and hereby is appointed to serve as interim acting supervisor of the town at Southeast to serve in such capacity commencing on March 1st, 2026, and upon filing of the oath of office with the town clerk within the time required by law. And be it further resolved that town clerk be and hereby is authorized and directed to notify the Putham County Board of Elections of the vacancy in the office of supervisor of the town of Southeast for purposes of scheduling a special election to fill the vacancy to be held November 3rd, 2026. So moved.

Second. Um I will have a roll call vote for this one. Kathy, sure. Councilman Cypress. Yes. Councilwoman Lewis, yes. Councilman Mazada, yes. Acting Supervisor Lura.

Uh, I'm going to explain my vote real quick. Um, we have a strong board. I think we have a strong board made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds um who are not driven by politics or but but what's best for the town of Southeast. Despite what some may assume, managing operations of the town requires experience, sound judgment, and a steady hand, especially during a transition period like this. Tonight, it's my opinion that Joseph Castellano is the most qualified person to lean the lead the town through this interim period. He brings decades of public service and institutional knowledge to the role, including approximately 30 years with Westchester County and service in a legislative capacity in Putnham County. And for those reasons, I'll be supporting Joe and voting yes.

Thank you. Thanks. All right. Next one. Number seven. Authorization for the town supervisor. Thank you, Joe. Good luck. Thank you, Joe.

No backaxis. Um number seven, authorization for the town supervisor to sign contract for aspect 120 landscape architecture PC. Now therefore, be it resolved that supervisor is hereby authorized to execute an amendment of the lease agreement between the town of Southeast and the Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition dated as of February 5th, 2026 amending the existing lease currently set to expire on December 31st, 2026 to Interalla extend such lease under certain conditions to allow for four additional options to renew said lease for 10 years for 10-year periods for space allocated at or located at 67 Main Street. And be it further resolved that all actions taken by the deputy supervisor to advance the purpose of this resolution in a timely manner are hereby ratified and approved. Nunk pro tunk. So moved.

Second. All in favor? I. Eric, number eight is all you. I think you you skipped one. We need Did I You said 120, but we did culture. So, you got one minute. Number seven. The landscape. I was all nervous about Oh, here we go. Sorry about that. So, do I need to go back or is that okay? I mean, you read the right resolution and we voted. So, all right. I think you're good.

All right. Uh, now that So, this is the authorization for the town supervisor to sign the contract for aspect 120 landscape architecture PC. Now therefore, be it resolved that the town board of the town of southeast hereby authorizes the deputy supervisor to execute an agreement between the town and aspect 120 landscape architecture PC for the provision of landscape design consulting services for the planning board for a period of two years commencing January 1st, 2026 and expiring December 31st, 2027. And be it further resolved that this resolution t shall take effect immediately. So move. Second. All in favor? I I apologies for that. Okay, now

let me do this one. So, next one is the support of the energy state of emergency. Um, now therefore, be it resolved that the town of S southeast formally calls upon the governor of the state of New York to declare an energy state of emergency. And be it further resolved that such declaration should include actions to implement safeguards to protect rateayers from extreme utility price spikes, temporarily suspend state taxes, fees, and search charges imposed on utility bills to provide immediate financial relief, and expedite the permitting, citing, and approval of reliable dispatchable base load generation necessary to ensure grid stability and long-term affordability. And be it further resolved that the town clerk is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the honorable Kathy Hokll, Governor of the State of New York, Executive Chamber, New York State Capital, Albany, New York, forthw. So moves

second. All in favor? I.

All right. Thank you for that one. Next is a resolution for highway vehicle purchase 2027 Western Star Plow Truck. Now therefore, be it resolved, the Town Highway Superintendent is authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $225,000 for the purchase of a 2027 Western Star truck. And be it further resolved that it further resolved that if the Southeast Superintendent Highway requires additional funds above that amount allocated, he will need to seek further authorization by the town board to make such expenditure. And be it further resolved that this resolution shall take effect immediately. So moved. Second. All in favor? I.

I. Um. All right. Next is resolution for 67 Main Street subdivision professional valuation services agreement. Now therefore, be it resolved that the town board hereby authorizes the deputy town supervisor to execute an agreement acceptance of proposal with McGrath and company real estate appraisers to provide market value appraisals for the two parcels which will result in a subdivision of premises currently known as 67 Main Street for an amount not to exceed $4,000. So moved. Second. All in favor? I. All right. Next is new business. Um, I have a few. I don't I'll let you guys go first if you have any.

Yep. Um, got some uh good news. What some of you may think is good news. Uh, I think it was yesterday went to uh traffic safety meeting and we've been um battling with them to try and get a traffic light installed at uh 121 in Route 6. Um, I went to that meeting. I was ready to battle some more and uh was surprised that they said they approved it. So, um, kind of shocked, but that's going in and, uh, we're excited about it. It's been a long journey and it's on the record.

I asked that it be included in the minutes and we shall see other things were included in the minutes that weren't committed to, but that's another story. Um, also, um, just an FYI for overtime because of the snow. Highway is over 2,000 already for their annual budget for overtime.

Um, and facilities is over $9,000. Um, we didn't budget much for facilities overtime. And the facilities overtime is related to the snowstorms. And the snowstorms have been on the weekends and bled into Sundays and holidays. Um, so there was a a ton of overtime there. So we will uh have a budget transfer coming soon. Um, and I talked about 67 Main Street, right? Okay, that was all I had. Anybody else? No, sir.

All right, recognition of the public. If anyone has a comment. Good evening. Good evening everybody. I'm Captain Karen Pit of the Putnham County Sheriff's Office. On behalf of Sheriff uh Brian Hess and under Sheriff Mittton, I've been assigned um as your liaison uh from the Sheriff's Office um for the town of Southeast. Um, so I did circulate my contact information uh via email a few weeks back. I provided you my business cards. You have my cell phone number. I'll recirculate my contact information again tomorrow via the town clerk. And um feel free to reach out to me at any point in time uh 247 um with any cares, concerns or needs that you have um as as a town board or any cares or concerns uh that you feel uh from your constituents. Um

you'll regret that the wheels are turning. Um we're used to that and and that's why I'm here. I'm happy to be here. Um I'm excited to hear about the traffic light at 121. Awesome. I am a big fan of our traffic safety board and I have witnessed um you know positive change uh that that board has affected uh throughout throughout my years of service here for Putnham County. Um so what's the what's the um expected timeline on that? Did they give you one or no? Well, by the way, you were you were spoken of very highly at the meeting. I don't you weren't there, were you?

I was not there. There was a lot of traffic uh uh uh discussions and I believe you were spoken very highly but um they they wouldn't give a timeline. I did get the project numbers because I will foil them. Um and uh walking out somebody made a joke that they'll probably run out of telephone poles or traffic lights. And so I I don't know how long it's going to take. I I they have a big project coming up with the ramp change. Are you aware of that? No. They're um they're replacing the ramp from 80 uh 84 to 684 south. Um I think it's going to be a year or two project. I think it starts in 2027.

Um some people have said that they'll have to put a temporary traffic light there. So we're hoping they'll put a permanent one there u for that project. So hopefully it'll be quick. Okay. But um it's New York State, so who knows? Well, listen, you got it done. So that's what's most important. Yeah. You couldn't even get them to agree to a traffic study, right? Yeah. I walked in, they're like, "Yeah, we did a traffic study and you get the light." It was crazy that they approved it. I was like, "Thank you." Um I since you're here and there's some people here that uh probably affected by this, if I could just bring up like two topics for you to look into. Um one is uh tractor trailers. Uh I believe it's 53 foot trucks aren't allowed on any

of our town roads. There's only four roads. I think 312, Route 6, 22. Um, and then the highways, uh, 48 foot trucks I or 46T trucks are, but anything over that aren't. Um, and that it's becoming a big problem with GPS and the 84684 interchange where people are using um car GPS to navigate through, right? Um, so if you could anything you could do about that? If you see a big truck, give it a ticket. And then um, we we could send you a list of the roads. There's just because of the 84684 interchange, this has become such a cutthrough area and there's like five roads.

Um probably more, but Miltown Road, um Star Ridge Road, Cobb Road, All View Avenue, and there's probably one or two more that people just zoom through to to skip that interchange. So, if you could set up some patrols there um like during rush hour, that'd be awesome. Sure. Okay. We'll communicate all that uh tomorrow via email and we'll get it narrowed down with the roadways and then move forward from there. Awesome. Okay. Thank you so much for coming. We're happy to have you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Anybody else from the public? You don't have to raise your hand. Just come on up. He raised his hand first.

Scott likes to go last. Since we're talking about traffic, Since we're talking about traffic, um is there is there plans about a a different traffic pattern at the intersection um where that eyesore the the cross the old crossroads I guess building is where you know what when you're coming Argon I think it's yes Argon Road

when you're and I'm sure everybody deals with the same situation when you're coming uh from I guess I'll probably say this is wrong, but coming off the highway and wanting to make a left turn on Route Six, people flying down Oregon, making their quick right, you know, they have the right away, assuming right there that the light is green. Yeah. Making the left, you know, people think that you're you're waiting for that person. So, so you get like a you get like a sta like a stalemate there a lot of times and I'm sure everyone's dealt with this

and the people that are going from Argon straight and they don't signal and I could see I mean traffic and and and accidents. I'm a fireman so like I see driving gets like it accidents get are getting worse and worse as we go along like year after year. Um, I could see that intersection especially with probably some of the other projects coming up in the near 5 10 years or whatever that that'll be. But is there any is there any traffic studies done on there or um that you know of?

I don't know. I agree with you completely. It's kind of a disaster there. There's um a I understand that there's somebody maybe purchasing the OTB building which is back. um what we can do and what they may have to do as part of their approvals is a traffic study or ask for a um analysis for it to be see if we could ret the light or stripe the road different stripe the road. I think the angle is going to make it different difficult when the light's green regardless. But one thing that I was thinking is is if there was any way we could make it no right on red, at least it would probably keep people from cutting using argon as a cutth through and then it would keep people from

not really stopping on that ride on red. So it would help a little bit, not totally. It's just future thought for all the projects that are happening. But every time I'm there, you know, like you said, coming on that ramp, it's it's dangerous making a left and coming down the opposite direction. That quick merge to the left where you have to go around the sharp curve where the gas station is, you know, there's that you can go right to go towards Brewster Hill. It's a quick merge with not a lot of space. It's going to be like the hub eventually. It is now, right? Yeah. So, what what I'll do is I'll send a note to Ashley, the town planner, because they have some traffic stats on file. I think they do from that other project where there's that light.

Ask her to look into it and help us draft a request to the CC. We'll go back and fight. We got something new to fight with the traffic safety board. I would since we're talking about traffic. Yeah. Thank you.

That is You have notes today, Scott. Yeah, school's off this week. Uh Scott Seaman, Town of Southeast also here from the Brewster Board of Education. Uh with the schools being closed, uh enjoy the roads while the buses aren't on them. But I believe going on right now while this closure is SRO appreciation week and we just want to make sure we we mention that. We appreciate SRO's. We have them in all of our schools and we um want to make sure that we get that message out. Um, I know we're late to the game, but last week we passed a resolution supporting the traffic study, which then happened and then they did it and then they said yes to the camera. It was it was a blur that day, but we heard you were doing it. That's why we we did it. They got afraid of us.

It was much kinder than ours.

Yes, it was much nicer. And I will bring a copy and I'll through Kathy just so it's of record. And I mentioned to the DOT person at the traffic meeting that we would forward uh copies as well just to show our support. And I can't stress how strongly enough um with the work the board has done specifically um acting supervisor Larka uh this would not have happened without him. This is a multi-year project and I I to say we were all amazed when they said yes. Um I don't think there was a dry eye in in the room but we we thank you for all your work on that. Um, and I know related to the traffic at the meeting, the um, sheriff did mention that they've added a traffic unit now that they use strictly for traffic enforcement. That's a new thing that they're bringing to the unit. So hopefully that's something that can help uh, with what you're looking for. We want to welcome Supervisor uh, Castellano. No good deed goes unpunished. um uh through the school. We did work with him and his uh county offices a number of times and he's been very helpful and we appreciate and we wish you the best of luck. And just one, we do have a high point here um from the skiing that just went on. Our high school Derek Scraveli won the boys giant slalom slalom and ski master titles at the section one skiing championships. He's currently ninth grade and then out of field of 70 he came in number one seed in everything.

That was awesome. And then he's going up states to the um the 5% has more messages and I'll mention this in in memory for Nick. I know he loves these items with the with the children and we'll be sure to point it out and as always you know we thank you for what you do for the kids and if there's anything we do please let us know. Thank you. Thanks Scott. Anybody else from the public? Joe, would you like to make a speech? Pay attention. Would you like to make a speech? The correct answer was no, John. Yeah, I was I quit. Yeah, you can't resign until you sign.

Yeah. Uh first and foremost, my name is Joseph Castellano and uh those of you who don't know me, um I moved to the town of Southeast in the 1900s and uh I raised two kids in the Brewster School District and absolutely love it up here. Um, so I'm very thankful for your support. I've been in government a long time. I was a county legislator for 12 years. I was a chairman for two years on the legislature. So, I'm looking forward to working with this great group of people up here in the town. Um, really looking forward to the challenges and I'm ready to hit uh start running hit the bricks right away and start running and hope for good stuff and try to protect taxpayers best I can. And um just very excited about the opportunity. And I want to thank you guys again. Thank you.

Thanks. Thanks, JOE.

Anybody else from the public? Anybody from the town board? No. I'll make a motion to close tonight's meeting. Second. All in favor? Hi. Hi.