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Putnam Valley Town Board Meeting a Pendulum of Scenarios That Reveal the Town’s Character
by Edward Paul Greiff
The agenda for the December 13, 2006 Putnam Valley Town Board meeting provided a pendulum of scenarios that swung from revealing the love of the PV community as well as its feisty combative nature. In his opening comments Supervisor Davis put back some of the agenda items the Board cut at their November meeting, such as approving the repairs to the dog shelter and trying to move forward on the photovoltaic solar cell project planned to supply solar energy to Town Hall. Supervisor Davis wanted to move quickly on the photovoltaic project to take advantage of an approved $45,000 grant the Town would receive and thereby reduce the cost of the project to approximately $32,800.
Councilwoman Wendy Whetsel presented an argument opposing the immediate go ahead with this project calling for an “Energy Audit” before taking any action.
Supervisor Davis read a resolution that the Board passed to proceed with litigation against Alex Kaspar and the Cabot family for illegal dumping on their property and running an illegal commercial business. In the meantime Mr. Kaspar displayed a flyer he is distributing around town and said that offers, as a “community gesture,” free firewood for personal use.
Lake Peekskill Youth Committee Chairwoman Jean Gallagher read a Christmas card she received at Town Hall that brought a lump to her throat and tears in her eyes. When she finished she said it was unsigned but enclosed in it were five $100 bills for the Youth Committee. This unexpected, but greatly appreciated, donation plus a previous donation of $500 from the Putnam Valley Businessmen’s Association, $150 from the Republican Party, and a matching $150 from the Randy Chiera family was all too overwhelming for Gallagher. She said, “We may have our differences and fight at times, but when you need them, the people of Putnam Valley are always there for you. God bless this community. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause.”
The feisty side of Putnam Valley was also revealed during the evening’s meeting when the Town Board passed a Resolution to hire attorney Steve Leventhal as Special Counsel to the Board of Ethics and to defend the Town Board in a law suit brought against them by the Town Supervisor in an Article 78 proceeding.
Councilman Bob Tendy argued that Leventhal’s special knowledge of Ethics Law would enable this case to be resolved more quickly than an attorney with a lesser degree of expertise and therefore justified retaining Leventhal at a premium rate of $175 per hour instead of the usual $125 to $150 per hour.
Councilman Dan Ricci recommended a cap be put on this action and the Board agreed to an initial $7,500. All of the Board members voted in favor of the Resolution. Supervisor Sam Davis recused himself.
In an unrelated action, Supervisor Davis has sent a letter to the Ethics Board asking for approximately twenty-two individuals to be interviewed to be sure there were no conflict of interests before the Board’s January 3, 2007 Reorganization meeting. That report should be out shortly.
Eagle Scout candidate Tony Rush displayed pictures of a new Putnam Valley sign and landscape he created at Oregon Corners. He then presented the keys to the sign to Supervisor Davis who immediately signed the proclamation. Parks and recreation Director Frank Demarco agreed to maintain the sign.
Tony Rush’ project is one of many Scout projects going on around town during this holiday season. The Scouts of Troop 353 are selling Christmas trees at Adams Corners and can use your support. The money, says Bob Tendy, is used to defray the cost of the scouts’ activities.
Highway Superintendent Earl Smith said they are prepared, ready and waiting for the first snowfall to occur. If you see potholes give him a call at 526-3333 and they will get it repaired.
Parks and Recreation Director Frank Demarco clarified some misinformation about where the money was coming from to do the work they have to do in the park. He said it comes from their Bond and from their annual recreation real estate tax apportionment. In fact they were able to trim $35,000 of the 2007 Budget to help the Town meet its budget projections for next year. He announced they are awarding the Playground bid to Universal Play Systems for $35,000 and are awarding the Town Park Kitchen Pavilion bid to CMT Restaurant Equipment for $18,450.
Library Director Kathleen McLaughlin announced that with budget cuts and short staff, and based on their analysis of library usage they have decided to continue to be open seven days a week but change the library hours.
The library will close at 3pm on Sunday December 31, 2006. It will also be closed on Monday, January 1, 2007 for the New Year’s Day holiday. The new hours will begin on January 2. They will be: Monday, 10am-6pm; Tuesday & Wednesday, 10am-8pm; Thursday & Friday, 11am-5pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm; and Sunday, 1pm-5pm.
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