[0:15] I'll do it. All right. Um, I make a motion to call the meeting to order.

[0:21] » 7:02 p.m. >> Yeah, I will. Once we do the jump for a

[0:27] second. >> Thank you.

[0:28] » You're welcome. >> I don't think we have to vote on

[0:31] » I think you got to do someone has to do a second. Okay. Um,

[0:36] Renee, can you lead us in the salute to the flag? Are you okay to do that?

[0:42] » To lead it. >> Yeah, just just to you know start it.

[0:47] » You're a teacher. >> I was.

[0:49] » You were. >> Ready?

[0:52] » I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:58] republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:04] justice for all. All right, you can >> anyone who sits in that seat, I call on

[1:10] it. I'm like realizing it now because I did hot seat. I do like right over

[1:14] there. It is the hot seat. >> Okay. Um I make uh

[1:21] Oh, okay. I'm going to dedicate this meeting.

[1:24] This month's meeting is um dedicated to uh Nathan Levertu, former town

[1:30] supervisor Wendy Burton, Assemblywoman, Assembly Member Dee Barrett, state

[1:33] senator Michelle Hinchi, and county legislator

[1:36] Chris Drago, whose tireless advocacy with the New York State Department of

[1:40] Transportation and other state agencies helped make the current paving of Route

[1:44] 82 possible. Um yes, WOO. [applause]

[1:51] The paving extends um for those of you everyone should know the paving extends

[1:55] from Salt Point north through the town of Stanford and beyond Cold Spring Road.

[2:00] This project is a testament we think and why we wanted to dedicate this meeting.

[2:04] It's a testament to what effective government can accomplish when local,

[2:07] county, and state leaders work together in a coordinated way. We're very much

[2:11] looking forward to seeing the finished product. However, um one thing that has

[2:16] we are very very clear on is that with a smoother Route 82 also comes the need to

[2:20] continue our focus on traffic safety and traffic calming measures throughout the

[2:24] town. Um we're going to we're going to talk about that through different parts

[2:28] of our work tonight. Judith McDonald

[2:35] [laughter]

[2:37] as I as I turn my as I turn my ringer off. Um there was a meeting on Friday

[2:43] that I attended with Dee Barrett um where I told her that in addition to not

[2:48] only repaving Route 82 and I actually sat in on it with Michael um I always

[2:53] want to say Michael Chan um Whitten Michael Whitten um the supervisor from

[2:58] the town of Clinton. They have been trying for years to lower the speed

[3:02] limit on Salt Point Turnpike. It's something that we've also and to no

[3:05] avail. It's something we've also been talking about here in town. The DOT has

[3:10] asked us to wait for Route 82 to be paved so they can take measurements of

[3:13] the road and and give us some recommendations on traffic calming

[3:17] measures, but it's become apparent and Rene's is here ostensively to probably

[3:20] talk about this. It's become apparent that it's becoming an issue all over

[3:23] town. Um, we are having issues putting together a neighborhood safety

[3:28] committee. Not issues, but we have people that have different ideas for

[3:32] what can be done. Um but we don't have I think a group and we've talked about

[3:37] this this past meeting a group of people that are um representative of the needs

[3:42] of the community across the geographical areas. Um and so I keep putting it in my

[3:47] newsletter over and over and over again. Um, but I think the reality is is that

[3:52] in order to get some form of effectiveness rather than just the town

[3:56] board asking the DOT to do measurements is that we really get a coalition in

[4:00] town of community members together who can start tugging on the appropriate um

[4:07] departments in New York um in the state who can do it in the county um and who

[4:12] can start to survey the community so that we know where these hot spots are.

[4:16] We are aware of solutions that are out there, but we want it we don't want it

[4:20] to be we're going to put in place because frankly we don't know all the

[4:23] information and all of us cannot we've talked about this ad nauseium. We we

[4:27] cannot dedicate the time, energy, and effort necessary to work this through

[4:32] with the community in a way that it deserves to be worked through. It's a

[4:36] community engagement effort and everybody needs to be on board and right

[4:39] now we're not finding that. So, I know I'm sort of digressing from the um the

[4:44] meeting dedication, [cough] but we [clears throat] are very well aware of

[4:47] coming with the repaving of Route 82, which we've been yelling about for a

[4:50] long time, is going to be the increase of speed through the town. And so, we

[4:55] are making the plea again for people who are interested in becoming part of this

[5:00] effort to step up. and I'm going to continue to put it in my newsletter

[5:03] because I will tell you once September rolls around, people are going to be

[5:07] flying past on Route 82 and dogs are going to be hit and we've seen it. Um

[5:12] where dogs on on 82 have been hit and nothing happens. So, we need something

[5:18] substantial. Um there are some measures that are actually happening in

[5:22] coordination with the highway department in the town. We're going to add um speed

[5:25] limit signs to the flashers um going through town and we're also thinking

[5:29] about so what the speed limit is so that people know rather than flashing they

[5:33] know what the speed limit is. So that is in the works.

[5:36] » Um and um and some some other things that um are being discussed after Route

[5:42] 82 is paved because I think what we can say is that folks in town are

[5:46] collectively nervous about what is going to happen. We've been asking for but

[5:50] we're kind of nervous about how fast people are going to go through town.

[5:53] Okay. All right. Um, rant over. Um, >> roll call.

[6:01] » Julie Dakota >> here.

[6:02] » Charlie Cunningham >> here.

[6:04] » Eric Ames >> present.

[6:06] » Virtue absent. Teddy Seore >> here.

[6:10] » Okay. Um, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda.

[6:14] » Second. >> All right. Town board. Oh,

[6:18] » in favor? I >> I

[6:19] » I >> Okay.

[6:23] Um, town leazison board reports, town board leazison reports. Um, Eric, can

[6:28] you get us started because you're sitting to my left?

[6:30] » Yes, I can. Uh, the planning board met on July 29th. Uh, it was a very short

[6:37] meeting. There was, uh, one pre-application conference. Uh, it was

[6:41] for 88 Huns Lake Road, which is Bullis Hall. Uh the owner uh came to the

[6:47] planning board. Uh she's looking to convert the building into um two

[6:53] one-bedroom apartments on the ground level and make the upper floor uh second

[6:58] floor a personal residence and storage on the third floor. Uh the planning

[7:04] board told her that she could not do uh three dwellings because uh she has less

[7:10] than 5 acres. So, uh they talked about some possible solutions and uh the owner

[7:18] agreed that the best possible solution is to make the uh second floor her

[7:24] personal residence and on the ground floor make uh one uh probably

[7:30] two-bedroom apartment instead of two. Uh this would only this would limit the the

[7:35] the uh reuse of the building to two units. Uh the planning board is not

[7:40] meeting in August. They don't meet. So the next planning board meeting will be

[7:45] on September 22nd. It's uh it's a different night of the week because uh

[7:51] Wednesday wasn't possible uh for some of the members. So it's actually a Tuesday

[7:56] night >> which is unusual. Tuesday, September

[8:00] 22nd is the next planning board meeting. >> Okay,

[8:03] » that's it. >> Thank you.

[8:08] Uh Charlie, >> I'll take it.

[8:10] » Thank you. >> We got the water quality committee

[8:13] update. Uh they met on July 15th, 2026. The water quality committee is working

[8:20] on their 2027 town budget requests. Um they're looking at sustaining its

[8:25] Cornell Cooperative Extension Consultant and their uh secretary.

[8:31] The committee clarified their role as educational and advocacy based in their

[8:36] discussion and they h are really big on saying they have no direct regulatory

[8:42] authority over water contaminants that authority rests with the planning board

[8:47] through land use. So they're really focused on education right now is like

[8:51] let's get the word out about what we can do about water. And that is through the

[8:56] water quality committee is reorganizing into two project teams. A private sector

[9:00] team focused on safe drinking water since nearly all drinking water sources

[9:04] in Stanford are privately owned and a public sector team reviewing the

[9:09] municipal policy's impact on water resources.

[9:13] And they're also reviewing its founding resolution to formally add education to

[9:17] its mandate. And we'll be meeting with other boards, planning, zoning, CSC,

[9:22] CAC, and the highway department on how water quality and wastewater factor into

[9:27] their decision-m. And um this is an exciting one. They actually, this is

[9:31] kind of like hot off the press is the water quality committee is going to be

[9:35] hosting a public workshop um in October and it's called Stanford's rural well

[9:41] workshop, drinking water quality 101, and it's funded by a green pastures

[9:46] grant from the Berkshire Tacconic Community Foundation and it's developed

[9:49] with Cornell Cooperative Extension. It's going to be on October 8th. Mark your

[9:53] calendars from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. here at town hall with experts from Duchess

[9:58] County Planning, Duchess County Health, the Kerry Institute, and Delaware

[10:02] Engineering. And the goal is just to have, you know, maybe 30 minutes of, you

[10:06] know, presentation, but really big Q&A conversation. So, um, talking about just

[10:12] what it is like to have a rural well and, um, things to think about. So, it's

[10:17] going to be an exciting event. I'm sure it'll be published around. And um next

[10:21] meeting is Wednesday, August 19th. So that's next week. Also here at town hall

[10:26] um if you so choose to come. >> You said October

[10:30] » uh 8 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. >> right before the town board meeting.

[10:34] » Yeah, that's perfect. [laughter] 5:30.

[10:37] » Sounds like a hot night. It's going to be a hot night.

[10:41] » Um so with that, um they also So that's it for the water quality committee. The

[10:47] zoning commission met on July 30th, 2026.

[10:51] And following June meetings with Nelson Pope Vorhees and Matthew D. Rudikov

[10:56] Associates, the commission interviewed Nina Peak with EDR and Victoria Victoria

[11:02] Polyoro, who's a land use attorney um for the work to rewrite the town zoning

[11:07] code. And um they also emphasize wanting strong public

[11:15] engagement and to build on the work already completed over the previous two

[11:18] years. And the commission voted to recommend Brooke Brown be appointed to

[11:22] fill an open seat, bringing membership to seven of nine authorized seats. So

[11:28] that means two seats remain open and the commission welcomes public interest in

[11:32] filling them as it takes on the zoning code update identified in the

[11:36] comprehensive plan. And so this is um work that they are currently looking to

[11:43] uh to work with a consultant on the next update to the zoning code.

[11:48] [clears throat] And the next zoning committee meeting is

[11:50] September 17th, 2026. So they're also not meeting in August.

[11:56] » Um they will be here in September. >> See you in September.

[12:02] » Right. [clears throat] >> Great.

[12:05] Yeah. So, first off, uh, Haunted Fortress, we are entering pretty much

[12:11] the home stretch for the upcoming season. So, we will not be meeting in

[12:16] September or October. We will resume our meetings in November. Um, after cleanup

[12:23] has been done. We are going to be dis we have been discussing our budget uh,

[12:28] which budget season for the rest of the town is upon us. Anyway, we are thinking

[12:32] about capital improvements and how our budget really can't sustain capital

[12:39] improvements. So, we will be pressing the the committee will be pressing the

[12:43] town about uh possible solutions to some, but we are gathering several

[12:49] quotes for some work uh and seeing what that would look like because there are

[12:55] things that need to be done that we can't reasonably handle with our budget.

[12:59] So, uh, capital improvements are just under discussion. Advertisements will be

[13:04] going out soon. Uh, we should be present at community day this year.

[13:09] » So, you'll see us there, but you should expect to see flyers, see us online and

[13:16] see uh listen out for a radio spot in the future.

[13:20] Uh, ZBA, so that's the haunted fortress. So, again, we will not be meeting in the

[13:24] next two months. ZBA met last night. There was a public hearing for 421

[13:33] Conklin Hill Road. Uh, no one attended that. That was over the setbacks

[13:38] variance was approved for a generator. Um, so if you were a neighbor within 500

[13:43] ft of that property, you would have been alerted and you would have been able to

[13:47] attend as a neighbor of that public hearing. Um, there was going to be one

[13:52] other item of business, but there was a discrepancy between the planning

[13:55] department's judgment, what the ZBA needed, what they felt was incorrect

[14:02] information, and the submission from the person in question

[14:09] » not having what is considered proper uh surveillance and measurements. So, there

[14:13] was a three-way sort of in uh discrepancy. Uh so there was there is so

[14:19] far no public hearing for next month and there was no setting of any public

[14:24] hearing for next month last night. Uh so that was that that's every second

[14:31] Wednesday of the month. So if you would like to attend that [laughter]

[14:35] um and finally the CSC which is going to be meeting up this Monday. We had our

[14:40] meeting last month and Brendan thank god you are here to refresh my memory. I

[14:45] believe we had six or seven or eight new people alto together including your

[14:52] partner who's right next to you. So I mean we had it was a room full of

[14:57] newbies. It was nice. So really we did informational session catching up and we

[15:03] did talk about focusing in on some items and at our next meeting I believe we're

[15:08] going to be discussing a little bit probably the near future community day

[15:13] if we're going to do anything for that which I think we are um and future

[15:18] education and again like talking about the near future what that's going to

[15:22] look like and how to get everybody on board because now that we have all these

[15:26] new people and we are going to be. >> Yeah. Yeah, we'll have new people. So,

[15:34] that's that's that those are my reports. >> Great. Thank you. All right. I have um

[15:40] Nathan's from Monday. Um summer camp finished another wonderful season. The

[15:46] program was full and we received very positive feedback from participating

[15:50] families. Um, the recck department also submitted its grant application for

[15:55] state EPF grant and we are eager to learn the outcome. So, thank you for

[15:59] everybody who submitted a letter of um support.

[16:04] I was like letter of engagement. No. All right. Um, Teddy mentioned the

[16:09] preparations for the haunted fortress. Um, community volunteers are always uh

[16:14] helpful. Is there still a volunteer event on the August 23rd?

[16:17] » Yes. And every every Sunday in September from 10 to 3.

[16:21] » Well, there you go. >> Um, so yeah, forgot to mention that. If

[16:24] you're free, please please, dear Lord, help us. I We always need help. We're in

[16:29] decorating mode at this time. >> Awesome. Okay, cool.

[16:35] Um, next was the fire commissioners meeting

[16:40] um on July 21st. I was there and I'll cover this in my supervisor update, but

[16:45] I was there and shared um a lot of EMS data with the fire commissioners um and

[16:50] the fire company as we discussed um EMS consolidation. Um we looked at um where

[16:56] all where all of the historic calls over the first half through yep through the

[17:02] end of June um were across Stanford and we talked about um just sort of

[17:07] frequency and expectations around response times and things like that as

[17:11] we discuss with Empress um for potential consolidation across the four towns. Um

[17:17] what the fire commiss the fire commissioners were um uh positive and

[17:23] optimistic about a consolidation um especially when we looked at the costs

[17:28] from one year to the next and we looked at the coverage uh that Empress is

[17:32] recommending in their proposal to us. What still has to be worked out is what

[17:36] our share of that um um that agreement would look like. There is a lump sum and

[17:42] each of the four towns need to agree on our share. We also need to agree on

[17:46] where those um uh units will be stationed across the four towns. We have

[17:53] not gotten that specific recommendation from Empress. And we also want to

[17:57] understand the county's level of participation as we um as we explore

[18:02] this. Um, we there was a meeting in Hide Park earlier in the month that was not

[18:07] particularly optimistic that involved Assembly member Dee Barrett and Michelle

[18:12] Hinchi and basically they said the state is not really going to be pursuing

[18:16] anything um as it pertains to making EMS an essential service even though the

[18:21] county has been talking about it for a very long time. So, what that did was

[18:25] effectively put the problem back in the um laps of the county to um put together

[18:31] some form of plan across all the towns. Now, I've talked about this a couple of

[18:35] times and I it's it's been really interesting for me because I've um

[18:40] learned how the refrigerator is built and it's not particularly pretty. Um,

[18:44] every town does it differently. Every town has a different level of agreement

[18:47] with Empress or um their other services that are maybe across the river. Pikipsy

[18:53] has um uh engagement and it's really because of the hospitals and where the

[18:57] locations are with the hospitals. We also have a new player in town called

[19:01] Northwell which is getting involved because they have now a network of

[19:04] hospitals in the area. So the good news is is that everyone is kind of aware of

[19:08] all of the options in the area. they're being discussed at length and what we're

[19:12] trying to figure out based on the information that we have in front of us

[19:15] that's presented from the county as well as um Empress is what is the best path

[19:19] forward in terms of efficiency um effectiveness in terms of service uh

[19:24] response times and cost effectiveness. The cost is not going down. The cost

[19:29] keeps going up year-over-year um as the cost of labor and insurance and

[19:33] equipment and all of those good things go up. So, um, we are, I think, at the

[19:39] forefront of exploring consolidation across the county as it pertains to

[19:42] towns banding together and really looking, um, Bob, uh, Buts has been

[19:46] helping us look through the legal agreements and some, um, uh, sample

[19:51] contracts, but we feel good about, um, pursuing this with the fire

[19:56] commissioners, understanding that we need to understand station locations and

[20:00] exactly what the share of the um, of the cost um, would look like.

[20:05] Um the fire commissioners uh will begin their budget process uh this month

[20:10] because I was there in July. Um they had a slight backlog involving a truck

[20:14] repair because of limited local servicing options, but otherwise there

[20:18] were no significant equipment communication or radio concerns

[20:21] reported. The CAC discussed several projects and

[20:25] initiatives during its most recent meeting, including historic Route 82 oak

[20:30] tree, which is almost, I think, like a 200-year-old tree, and it's not looking

[20:34] good. Um so they are assessing the health of that tree. It sits for anyone

[20:39] that's interested right um by the graange and they are looking to do some

[20:44] outreach with the Kerry Institute and the broader community to explore options

[20:47] but um it's not looking particularly good for that tree um in terms of the

[20:52] long-term health. There are some dead branches and they've already done some

[20:54] significant cutting. Um Love it Preserve had a um a nice

[21:00] macro invertebate invertebrate event um which they discussed. We talked about

[21:04] that at the last meeting. Um the CAC is also reviewing a comprehensive

[21:08] management plan for the preserve. If you looked at my newsletter last week, um

[21:12] you saw just some helpful sort of like tip just things to consider as we use

[21:16] the local preserves inclusive of Loveit Preserve. Um so I put that in the

[21:22] newsletter and they'll continue their outreach on education as it pertains to

[21:25] the local preserves. Um they discussed some riparian plantings um with some dis

[21:31] with discussion with the DLC and the Duchess County Soil and Water

[21:34] Conservation District. There are two events that are anticipated for next

[21:38] spring. Obviously, we'll let you know about those. Um there was some

[21:42] discussion about the Love It Preserve kiosk and utilizing some leftover

[21:45] treated lumber that's at the highway department um to repurpose and construct

[21:49] theformational kiosk at the preserve. So when we talk about haunted fortress,

[21:53] those are things that we can look at in terms of resources. Um there is also a

[21:59] trail camera that is pointed only towards um um

[22:05] it's not it's not pointed there's some trail cameras that if people are at Love

[22:09] Preserve, they might notice. It is um a participation with the CAC and a group

[22:15] called Snapshot New York, a statewide wildlife monitoring program. Um the

[22:21] trail cameras are not pointed for people. They're pointed for wildlife. So

[22:24] if people ask and if it comes up, they are not pointed at the trails to survey

[22:28] people. They are pointed in the other direction to survey the wildlife.

[22:32] » Um community day is uh coming up and the CAC is planning a bird focused

[22:37] educational presence and um continues to explore educational programs for the

[22:43] future including a program on native plants. Um the CAC also discussed

[22:48] participating in the water quality symposium on October 8th and the

[22:52] dedication for Barry's bench will um most likely be September 27th with an

[22:58] October 4th rain date and that would be at Love It Preserve for the dedication

[23:02] of Barry Haz um for his bench um that is going to be

[23:08] installed in his honor um a longtime CAC member. So, uh, September 27th, but once

[23:14] that's confirmed, we will put that in the newsletter. Okay.

[23:19] Um, supervisor's report. So, let me just transition seamlessly. Okay.

[23:28] More paper. Okay. Um, this path month, this past month, we

[23:33] also discussed um, dedicating the meeting to a longtime community member,

[23:37] Anna Denko, um, who was a deeply involved Stanford resident who passed

[23:41] away. Um recently um we did mention that we would uh talk about her during the

[23:46] supervisor's report. So I just wanted to take a moment of silence to recognize

[23:50] after I finish. Um Anna was the first female president of the Stanford Lions

[23:54] Club, a past officer and a member of the Forever Young Club. She was also a

[23:59] recipient of Stanford's Distinguished Citizen Award. Her many years of service

[24:03] and commitment to our community will greatly be missed. Um so I just want to

[24:07] um have a a brief moment of silence for Anna Denko.

[24:23] Thank you. Um, in my report, but we already discussed it was route 82 and

[24:28] neighborhood safety. Um, I'm not going to uh beat that horse um anymore. Um,

[24:34] but I did make a note in here for my supervisor's report just to talk about

[24:38] um the neighborhood safety committee and the importance of forming that with um

[24:42] with uh representative members of the community.

[24:46] Um September 11th memorial. I put this in my newsletter today, but um planning

[24:50] is underway for Stanford's commemoration of the 25th anniversary of September

[24:54] 11th. I can't believe it is 25 years. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7

[24:59] p.m. on Friday, September 11th. Um, so please join us then as we continue to

[25:04] honor and remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day. A special

[25:08] thank you as always to Ed Zik who is tireless in his preparation. He is going

[25:12] to put a ribbon at the bottom along the fence of town hall um which is why it's

[25:17] been reinforced for every member um on that tragic day who lost their lives. So

[25:23] over 2,000 ribbons are being put together by the Stanford Fire Company

[25:26] and they will be hung at the foot and I'm like getting emotional thinking

[25:29] about it. They will be hung at the foot of town hall in addition to all of the

[25:32] flags. So all of the names of everyone that was lost on that day will be down

[25:36] at the uh foot of town hall. >> Um

[25:42] okay, more information will be released as we have additional details and there

[25:46] will be something um there will definitely be in the newsletter for um

[25:50] opportunities to volunteer for that. Um community day is September 19th,

[25:55] Saturday. Um, we have a terrific day planned for Stanford. Activities will

[25:59] include a cherry pie making contest. How much more wholesome can we get? Um, a

[26:04] pickle ball tournament where I hope to be beaten by Charlotte and Eric Haynes

[26:07] again. Um, a talent show. [laughter] Maybe we'll see.

[26:13] » A talent show, the first inaugural Stanford talent show. Um, see Nicole

[26:17] Clanahan about that. A classic car show and much more. There will also be a free

[26:22] concert that evening with the Red Barn Band backed by um uh by popular demand

[26:28] from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. along with free ice cream courtesy of Stewart's.

[26:33] Um next month we are going to be issuing a

[26:38] Purple Heart proclamation, but I just wanted to thank everyone who was

[26:41] responsive for the Purple Heart outreach that we did in the newsletter. We have

[26:45] identified one additional Purple Heart recipient in the town of Stanford, which

[26:48] brings our total up to 10. Um and so um we're going to make a

[26:53] proclamation next month as we um honor um these veterans and their service and

[26:59] sacrifice. Tonight we have a wonderful um budget resolution and a um RFP plaque

[27:06] proposal acceptance because our very own Rita Mary Bell um applied for and

[27:13] received a dollar grant from the county so that we can make um this um very very

[27:20] special and more details will be shared next month. I don't want to take that

[27:22] thunder away. um one ambulance and EMS update with just numbers um in

[27:28] particular. Um during July we had 40 total EMS calls with 16 transfer

[27:34] transports. Of those calls, 25 were answered by our dedicated Stanford unit.

[27:39] What's interesting here is that um Empress does not get reimbursed. Um they

[27:43] only get reimbursed if they transport. They don't get reimbured if they they

[27:46] don't get reimbured for insurance if they treat in place. It is an ongoing

[27:49] discussion with um Medicare and that is a reason why our costs continue to go up

[27:54] is because there's no reimbursement from Medicare for those um for those uh

[27:57] calls. So when they transport they do get uh reimbursement when they don't

[28:01] they don't. Um our pri our priority call response data continues to be closely

[28:06] reviewed. They are advocating um I should say they're advocating for that.

[28:10] They're making progress but it hasn't happened yet. Um our priority call

[28:14] response data continues to be closely reviewed. I get detailed reports every

[28:17] month which I love um because I love data. Um there were 10 priority one

[28:22] calls um including four with response times exceeding 10 minutes. Um like I

[28:27] mentioned, Empress provides detail regarding those calls and the response

[28:31] times were appropriate given their locations. P2 through P4 calls were also

[28:36] reviewed with response times remaining within the benchmarks. I feel personally

[28:39] good about the relationship that we have with Empress right now. It is a new

[28:43] partner of ours. Um but we have been able to develop a strong feedback loop

[28:47] between our fire company, ourselves at the town and Empress and they are making

[28:51] service improvements as a result of our feedback. So I think them as a partner

[28:56] um we feel good about them and like I mentioned we have also engaged in some

[29:01] substantive conversations with Empress regarding consolidation and they have

[29:05] been quite responsive about that. I remain hopeful that we can accomplish um

[29:10] both improving response times and quality of care while also reducing

[29:13] costs to taxpayers. Last one I promise is our financial update. As mentioned in

[29:19] the supervisor's newsletter uh two weeks ago and today we will be introducing a

[29:24] resolution related to local law law number three I believe it will be for

[29:28] this year which would allow the town to override the property tax cap if

[29:32] necessary as part of the 2027 budget process. It's important to emphasize

[29:37] that taking this procedural step does not mean that the town intends to exceed

[29:41] the tax cap. We're doing this out of an abundance of caution because of the

[29:44] timing of our budget process and the November 3rd election. We already know

[29:48] that several significant expenses are projected to increase next year.

[29:52] Healthc care premiums, while not set, are uh expected to go up 11.6%.

[29:58] For those that are insured, transfer station costs are estimated to go up

[30:02] approximately 30%. We are exploring um the costs associated with um

[30:08] facilitating our own service of solid waste transport. Those are not

[30:11] insignificant costs, but we are exploring them. In the meantime, those

[30:15] costs at the transfer stated transfer station are estimated to go up about 30%

[30:19] next year. The ambulance costs without consolidation are also slated to go up

[30:24] approximately 13% and fuel costs which are already increasing. Our goal remains

[30:29] to control costs wherever possible while maintaining the essential services our

[30:32] residents expect and we will continue looking carefully at every opportunity

[30:36] to reduce expenses and maximize revenues before the preliminary budget is

[30:40] presented. But for 2026, the town finances remain on track within budget

[30:45] estimates. The recck department, building department, and the town court

[30:48] are exceeding re revenue expectations, which should provide us with additional

[30:52] flexibility as we prepare next year's budget. I greatly appreciate the

[30:56] partnership of our town employees, deployment head, department heads, and

[30:59] community members as we navigate the uncertainty surrounding the 2027 budget.

[31:03] Everyone is holding hands, and I feel grateful for that. Um, I'm now deeply

[31:08] engaged in preparing the 2027 budget and budget request materials were

[31:12] distributed to our department heads this past week. Our planned budget workshop

[31:16] schedule, which has been shared with the town board, are September 24th,

[31:20] September 29th, and October 5th. We're currently planning to hold the public

[31:25] hearing on the budget after the water symposium on October 8th if everything

[31:30] remains on track. Um in the event that it doesn't, we will be setting another

[31:35] um public hearing most likely at the end of October um to pass that budget. Okay,

[31:41] I make a motion to approve the agenda. >> Second.

[31:46] » Oh, it's already done. Sorry. Sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

[31:50] » Privilege of the floor. >> Cut that out of the film.

[31:53] Edit >> privilege of the floor. Steve,

[31:59] » do I sit or do I stand? >> You stand, please. So Pete can.

[32:02] » So I am here to name name and address first.

[32:06] » So Steve Broomman, 3 Milis Lane and 97 Huns Lake Road. So I'm here to make you

[32:13] aware and ask for assistance with the county DPW about the Milis Lane Bridge.

[32:19] It's happening. I don't know when it's going to happen. Um but maybe in 2027, I

[32:25] don't know. So that bridge is 100 years old and it needs to be changed. So my

[32:32] reason for coming here is because we would like you on board about the

[32:38] historic nature of the rebuild of that bridge and of course what we've been

[32:42] talking about adnauseium and the traffic situation. There's a two-prong approach

[32:47] of why I'm here. So also we've had the privilege and the sympathy of the DPW

[32:53] because when those bridges at Huns Lake Road and Salt Point turnpike they rented

[32:58] space in Bangalore. So we know them. The guy grew up here. The head the the head

[33:02] engineer so he knows it. He knows exactly how we feel. But it needs to be

[33:07] more than a few neighborhood people in Bangville. The town needs to know about

[33:11] it and the town needs to help. I hope. Mhm.

[33:15] » So >> it's a count it's a county

[33:17] » it's a county project. It's a county road.

[33:20] » It's a county DPW >> project.

[33:23] » Okay. >> Whereas 82 is a state

[33:28] » repaving. Um so again I just want to repeat the

[33:34] the mission. Our goal is to preserve the Bengal hamlet you know uh look

[33:44] Adding a super modern bridge with 35 ft guard rails almost enhances and entices

[33:54] traffic speed. It will look slick.

[33:58] » We cannot have that. >> Yeah, there's already issues with people

[34:01] crashing into >> build. On top of that,

[34:04] » many of the properties in Bengal are pre-turn of the century historic. So,

[34:10] there's a lot of scoop there that gives us power. Uh this week uh this week we

[34:18] wrote to Chris Drago >> with the correspondence that we've had

[34:23] with uh DPW and also Kathy Spears who's completely

[34:29] on board and understands this thing completely has also reached out in

[34:34] detail with various law ideas and things we could finagle to Chris Drago as well.

[34:40] We have not heard back. Mhm. >> So Kathy has a plan, an idea about some

[34:46] of the laws that she has learned about about how far

[34:50] uh any new construction of a bridge can be close to a designated his historic

[34:58] place. And the Bangal post office is a designated by the New York State and

[35:03] federal >> designated historical places. Nothing's

[35:07] landmark in Stanfordville. Nothing's landmarkked in Bango.

[35:11] » We're not there. >> So, that's a an angle that we're going

[35:14] to go after, but we haven't heard back. >> She's also talking to the Duchess County

[35:20] historical people, etc., etc. So, um,

[35:26] I just want you to want you to be aware of it. It's going to take more work than

[35:30] Tom and I and Charlie, Shawn, and the people there. Um,

[35:36] there are four properties involved. My house, Bangle Works, Charlie Shaw, and

[35:42] the Yellow House. These 35 ft guard rails supposedly have to go

[35:48] before the bridge. >> That will mean almost to the end of our

[35:52] driveway in our front yard, Charlie Shaw, and Robert, the guy in the yellow

[35:57] house, those guardrails will go into their yard. There's nowhere for them to

[36:01] go. So it's not just our personal property. I'm re we are really, you

[36:08] know, concerned that we need to do something to keep the Bangalore hamlet.

[36:13] » Mhm. >> You know, historical, not like the

[36:16] bridge on Huns Lake Road, not like the bridge on Salt Point Turnpike,

[36:21] » in addition to enticing speed when they see those 35 ft

[36:27] guardrails that look like, oh, that's a safety net. Last thing. So, uh, there

[36:32] were two accidents this past year. One was a semitr climbing that hill, turning

[36:38] left from Mills Lane, turning left onto Huns Lake Road, not knowing where he's

[36:44] going, trying to take a left. A Welsh truck,

[36:49] garbage truck comes speeding down, you know, towards our building, hit the

[36:53] truck and, you know, demolish the front plastic cab. Everybody was all right.

[36:59] That's number one. Number two, a few weeks ago, there was an accident from a

[37:04] speeder going down Huns Lake Road in light rain, speeding, turned around and

[37:10] flew into Bulis Hall. >> Yeah.

[37:12] » Um I also heard today from Sam Holden that there was an accident on 82 that a

[37:18] car ran into the Stanford Plaza sign. Did anybody hear about that?

[37:23] » That was that was last week. >> Last week at 3:30 in the morning.

[37:26] » On No, on Sunday at 7:30 in the morning. Yeah. So, I I hadn't heard about that.

[37:31] I'm just bringing it up. So, twofold, historic, character,

[37:35] » speed. >> Yeah. No. Yeah. Can you um can you just

[37:39] copy I guess copy me on whatever followup you have just so I have

[37:42] visibility into it and I can help. >> Yeah.

[37:46] » Thank you. >> Yeah.

[37:47] » That's it. >> All right.

[37:48] » Thank you.

[37:53] » And yes, please. Yes.

[37:58] and Leeling Quarter Horseway Veterans Liaon. [laughter]

[38:02] I just wanted to remind everybody about the um mobile outreach event a week from

[38:08] today 1 to 4 at the library. Even if you're not a veteran, you can come and

[38:13] have cookies. Um but the first one was really successful. It um it was in the

[38:17] spring and um Beth Anne Cano, who's from the VA, was busy from 1 to 4 the whole

[38:24] time. And what's really I learned so much because I get a survivor's benefit

[38:29] and um I learned to get property tax, you know, you know, uh benefits and

[38:36] other things like if you if if I need help in the future, um you know, home

[38:41] care or whatever, they increase the benefit. So these are things that people

[38:45] probably don't know about and it's really I learned so much and I just

[38:49] wanted to spread it to everybody. So, let your let your friends know, anybody

[38:53] who's a veteran, who's a veteran's family.

[38:55] » What time is it, Ann? >> 1 to 4.

[38:57] » 1:00 p.m. >> And yeah, I mean, just if you know

[38:59] anybody who's a veteran, um there's benefits that they may not be aware of.

[39:04] » Thank you. You've been amazing at ensuring that the community knows that

[39:08] these are happening and setting them up. Thank you.

[39:12] » Anyone else?

[39:15] Sorry, I didn't mean to say. Um All right. Um, I will make a motion to pro

[39:21] uh close the privilege of the floor. >> Second.

[39:24] » Thank you. >> All in favor?

[39:28] » I >> I

[39:31] » Can I make a motion to accept the supervisor's report? I don't think so.

[39:34] » No. Okay. >> I make a motion to accept the

[39:36] supervisor's report. >> Second.

[39:39] » All in favor? >> I

[39:40] » I >> I also make a me motion to accept the

[39:44] town clerk's report. >> I'll second.

[39:48] I. All in favor? >> I

[39:50] » We're gonna do this. We're gonna do it. >> Yeah.

[39:52] » Um I make a motion to accept the building inspector's report.

[39:55] » Second. >> All in favor?

[39:58] » I. >> Terrific. [clears throat]

[40:00] Um I make a motion. We had a highway boiler um issue. Um and we put out an

[40:06] RFP for replacement of the boiler. We received uh two responses back. One from

[40:10] Fox Air for $34,000 and then two from Boutini. one for one

[40:17] singular um uh boiler and then um the second proposal for a backup um more

[40:27] efficient boiler system. Oh, sorry, Jane.

[40:30] » A pair. Exactly. Two of them. Two of them. Um so sort of a a two-prong

[40:35] approach. It basically results in um better fuel efficiency

[40:39] » and better efficiency over the long term of the units. the one um the one unit is

[40:47] $12,000. The two unit with uh better fuel efficiency was $19,000. We

[40:52] discussed it as a town board. Um we discussed that fuel prices continue to

[40:57] go up. We discussed that we are not in a position as a town yet to explore

[41:01] alternative energy options that would help us reduce our costs of fuel long

[41:04] term. and we discussed the fact that we do have um um adequate funds in the um

[41:10] in the capital reserve fund for the building to undertake the um the

[41:16] two-prong more efficient approach for the highway department. Um this would

[41:21] also help them um in the event of um redundancy um and having sort of an

[41:26] extra unit should one fail. We were lucky that our boiler failed in May

[41:31] um and not in December. Um so um we're going to make I make a motion to accept

[41:36] Bini Fuels um estimate for boiler replacement for the

[41:42] uh 2 unit system that would result in greater fuel efficiency for a price of

[41:47] Do you have the exact reading? 19,000

[41:52] » uh 19,400 >> $19,400.

[41:57] » Second. >> Who is that? I'm sorry.

[41:59] » Me, Eric. All in favor?

[42:02] » I I

[42:06] Okay, bronze. Um, the next is for uh some purple heart bronze plaques um that

[42:14] I mentioned earlier in the supervisor's report. Rita put a RFP out for uh bronze

[42:20] plaque uh development or production. We received

[42:26] » Can I have that? Yes. Take it. >> Thank you. I think there's four. Sorry,

[42:30] I didn't print this. Um, we received four responses back um from ABC

[42:37] Corporate Awards in Hopewell Junction, Timely Signs in Kingston, Franklin

[42:41] Bronze Plaqua in um Franklin, PA, and Superior Signs in Hopewell Junction. Um

[42:51] we um make a motion. We're going to we would like to uh choose Superior Signs

[42:56] in Hopewell Junction um at a cost of $3,866.

[43:01] Keep in mind that we have a $6,000 grant from the county. So, this is fully

[43:04] reimburseable. Uh $3,866 for um Purple Heart bronze plaques with

[43:12] an installation of $350. So, a total of $4,000. You're going to

[43:17] have to make me do math. $4,216.

[43:21] I make a motion to improve approve that estimate from Superior Signs.

[43:26] » Second. >> All in favor?

[43:29] » I. >> Did you want to show those pictures?

[43:32] » Oh, yeah. >> They're happy.

[43:33] » Yeah. Okay. >> I'm going to put those in the newsletter

[43:35] and read them. Be front and center. So, these will be unveiled um November 11th.

[43:41] November 11th. >> Veterans Day.

[43:42] » Veterans Day. And these are going to be plaques. We found a big old rock.

[43:47] I'll put this in the newsletter. We found a big rock and we're going to put

[43:51] it um at the Bengal um Veterans Memorial and there will be an official unveiling

[43:57] of the bronze plaque. Thank you, Rita Mary, for your beautiful tribute to this

[44:02] community on November 11th. And then there's a small one that will go on the

[44:07] side of the town hall here somewhere. Here we go. Here we go.

[44:13] Okay. >> We're trying to save on ink here. Yes.

[44:16] So, this one will go. So, please join us on November 11th. And

[44:22] thank you, Rita Mary, for all of your hard work.

[44:24] » You're welcome. And thank you, Ann. She was a big help, too.

[44:29] » Thank you, Ann Lethal. >> Did we all accept that?

[44:33] » You did. Great. >> We did.

[44:35] » All right. Um, next on the agenda is a um I'm going to make a motion to approve

[44:40] the um the vacancy seat for the board of assessment review and um make a motion

[44:48] to uh put Jennifer Kip on the board of assessment review.

[44:53] » Second. All

[44:56] » in favor? >> I

[44:58] » I will make a motion to accept the zoning commission recommendation to

[45:02] appoint Brooke Brown. decided to bring her on board.

[45:07] Seconds. >> All in favor?

[45:10] » I >> I

[45:13] » um budget modification for the general fund for the um Purple Heart Grant. You

[45:19] want to read it? You got it. >> Thank you.

[45:23] » Resolution 8A, budget modification of the general fund. So, this like Julia

[45:28] said is the budget modification for the Plex that we just talked about.

[45:34] Whereas the town board of the town of Stanford adopted the 2026 annual budget

[45:38] on October 22nd, 2025. And whereas the town clerk of the town of Stanford

[45:42] applied for a purple heart grant for $6,000 for signage/decorations in early

[45:47] 2026, but was not certain they would receive the grant award. And whereas the

[45:51] town clerk was awarded the grant for six grant in 2026. And whereas pursuant to

[45:57] New York State town law subsection 106 and applicable provisions of the New

[46:02] York State comprollers regulations, the town board is authorized to amend the

[46:06] adopted budget by resolution. And whereas such budget amendments do not

[46:10] increase the total appropriations of the adopted budget beyond available revenues

[46:14] and fund balances. Now therefore, be it resolved that the town board of the town

[46:18] of Stanford hereby authorizes the following budget amendments to the 2026

[46:22] budget, which adds grant money, takes grant money in and adds it to

[46:28] celebrations contractual. >> Thank you, Teddy.

[46:33] I have a second, please. >> Second.

[46:37] » Julia Dotto, >> yes.

[46:38] » Charlie Cunningham, >> yes.

[46:40] » Eric Hayes, >> yes.

[46:42] » Nathan absent. And Teddy Seor, >> yes.

[46:47] Uh this one because it says Julia down here. Do I read it the same way?

[46:52] » No. Uh no, you would read it. Uh council member Charlie Cunningham.

[46:57] » Correct. Uh all right. So we've got resolution 8B of 2026

[47:02] um is fire prevention week. So

[47:08] whereas Stanford Fire Company number one in is committed to ensuring the safety

[47:12] and security of all those living in and visiting the town of Stanford. Whereas

[47:17] fire remains a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally. And

[47:22] the presence of lithium ion batteries in many household devices, I see many of

[47:26] them here, um introduces fire risks. And whereas most of the rechargeable

[47:30] electronics used in homes daily, including smartphones, tablets, laptops,

[47:35] power tools, ebikes, e- scooters, and toys are powered by lithium ion

[47:39] batteries, which if misused, damaged, or improperly charged, can overheat, start

[47:44] a fire, or explode. And whereas the National Fire Protection Association,

[47:48] NFPA, registered trademark, reports an increase in battery related fires,

[47:54] underscoring [snorts] the need for public education on the safe use of

[47:57] lithium-ion batteries and devices. [laughter] And whereas the way lithium

[48:01] ion battery devices are charged can make a difference in helping prevent home

[48:05] fires. And whereas safe charging includes using the cord and charger that

[48:10] came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer, charging on a hard

[48:14] flat surface, watching for warning signs like devices that are very hot or start

[48:19] to swell, unplugging them when fully charged, and charging larger devices

[48:24] like ebikes outside and away from exits. And whereas residents are encouraged to

[48:29] understand that safe charging means making smart choices every time they

[48:32] plug in. And whereas the Stanford Fire Company first responders remain

[48:36] dedicated to reducing the occurrence of fires through prevention, safety

[48:40] education, and community outreach. And whereas the 2026 Fire Prevention Week

[48:44] theme, charge into fire safety, safe charging is a superpower, serves to

[48:49] remind all residents that safe charging can help reduce the risk of fires in

[48:53] homes and communities. Now therefore, I, Town Councilman

[48:57] Charlie Cunningham and the Stanford Town Board do hereby proclaim October 4th

[49:02] through 10th, 2026 as fire prevention week throughout the town of Stanford and

[49:07] urge all residents to learn about and practice safe charging habits. That is

[49:11] also the week of that meeting actually. >> Oh my gosh,

[49:14] » it's a big week in town. But no jokes aside, it literally right

[49:19] now charging things, especially if you're charging outdoors during the heat

[49:23] or you have something in a garage where you mentioned power tools, things like

[49:26] that. Definitely something to think about [clears throat] and keep an eye

[49:29] on. Um, making sure you're using the actual charger that came with the item

[49:33] that you purchased. Um, so I make a motion to

[49:40] » Oh, I'll second. Yeah. >> Second resolution.

[49:43] » Dakota. >> Yes. Charlie Kahan,

[49:47] » yes. >> Eric HS,

[49:48] » yes. >> Nathan is absent. Teddy Seabour,

[49:50] » yes. >> Okay. Uh, resolution number 8C of 2026.

[49:56] Um, it's the, uh, resolution to introduce the provo

[50:01] proposed local law number three for the year 2026, overriding the tax levy limit

[50:05] established in general municipal law 3C. Um, Bob, do you want to explain this one

[50:10] briefly? >> Uh, sure. the um uh the um uh state law

[50:16] imposes a uh tax cap on budget increases. I believe it's 2%. And uh the

[50:24] but it can be overridden by 60% of the board which should be a vote of three

[50:32] people on the board. And um so this is uh intended just to enable the the town

[50:40] uh to be able to do this if it proves if it turns out to be necessary although

[50:46] you you don't intend to utilize it. This is a u this is not subject to seeker

[50:54] review and um we've done this

[51:00] uh on at least one occasion in the past. >> Thank you.

[51:05] Okay. Um, I'm going to read the whole thing.

[51:10] Uh, I'm going to keep out the I'm I'm gonna read the whole thing. Um, at the

[51:15] meeting of the town board of the town of Stanford held at the town of Stanford

[51:18] town hall on the 13th of August, 2026, town supervisor Julia Dakota called the

[51:23] meeting to order, seconded by council person Eric Ames. Move the following

[51:27] resolutions. Whereas general municipal law 3C establishes a limit upon the

[51:31] amount of real property taxes that may be limited by levied by local

[51:34] governments in New York State. And whereas general general municipal law 3C

[51:39] authorizes a town board to override the tax levy limit by adopting a local law

[51:43] approved by at least 60% of the voting power of the town board. And whereas the

[51:47] town board recognizes that adoption of such a local law does not require the

[51:50] town to exceed the tax levy limit, but preserves the board's authority to do so

[51:54] should it become necessary during the preparation and adoption of the 2027

[51:58] town budget. And whereas the town board finds it to be in the best interests of

[52:02] the residents of the town of Stanford to preserve this budgeting flexibility

[52:05] while continuing to strive for fiscal responsibility. And whereas town

[52:09] supervisor Julia Dakota advised the town board that pursuant to the municipal

[52:13] home rule law of the state of New York, it was necessary to hold a public

[52:16] hearing upon this proposed local law. And whereas overriding the tax levy

[52:20] limit established in general municipal law 3C constitute routine or continuing

[52:24] agency administration and management under section 67.5

[52:28] of the seeker regulations of 6NYCRR part 67. There. Now, therefore, be it

[52:33] resolved that the following proposed local law is hereby introduced to be

[52:37] known as proposed local law number three of 2026 entitled the local law

[52:40] overriding the tax levy limit established in general municipal law 3C

[52:45] to read as follows. I'm not going to read all of the um legislative intent

[52:50] authority tax levy limit override severability precedence effective date.

[52:53] This will be on the town website. Um but um I will let everybody know that um the

[52:59] public hearing will be held in relation to the proposed local law as set forth

[53:04] in the form of notice herein after provided at which hearing parties in

[53:07] interest of citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard to be held at

[53:11] town hall on September 10th, 2026 at 7:00. And that meeting of

[53:15] [clears throat] said and that notice of said meeting shall be published in the

[53:18] official newspaper of general circulation in the town of Stanford by

[53:22] the town clerk at least 5 days before such hearing. And that notice shall be

[53:26] in the following form. I will um avoid reading that because it's redundant. Um

[53:31] the town the public hearing will be on September 10th, 2026.

[53:35] Um, take further notice that all persons interested and citizens shall have an

[53:40] opportunity to be heard on set proposal at the time and place a foret and that

[53:44] copies of the aforet proposed local law will be available for examination at the

[53:48] town of Stanford town hall um during normal business hours on all business

[53:52] days between the date of this notice and the date of the public hearing as well

[53:56] as on the website. >> Julie Dakota,

[53:59] » yes. >> Shirley Cunningham,

[54:01] » yes. >> Eric,

[54:02] » yes. Nathan absent court. >> Yes.

[54:07] » Can I do this budget modification 8D?

[54:12] » Resolution 8D budget modification. Whereas the town of Stamford has

[54:16] expenditures for the adopted 2026 general fund budget lines. They will

[54:21] exceed the amount of funds available in these certain budget lines. And whereas

[54:26] the general fund has funds available in other lines and needs to transfer such

[54:30] funds to provide for expenditures. Now therefore, it be resolved that the Town

[54:34] of Stanford Town Board hereby amends and transfers from and to budget lines

[54:39] listed below for fiscal year 2026. Account number ending in 40,

[54:46] description, rec supplies and services, an increase of $150.

[54:51] Uh ending in account 40, public safety contractual expense increase of $175.38.

[55:01] Uh, account ending in 40, traffic control contractual expense, a decrease

[55:07] of $175.38.

[55:11] Account ending in 40, playground contractual expense, a de uh an increase

[55:19] » should be yeah, a decrease. >> Yes, sorry.

[55:21] » In the amount of 150. Uh therefore the total increases of $325.38

[55:29] equals the total decrease of $325.38. Thank you.

[55:36] » All right. I will do >> second please.

[55:38] » Oh, second. >> I'll second with the correction.

[55:41] » Yes. Thank you. Thanks. >> With the minus.

[55:44] » Thank you guys. >> Julia,

[55:45] » yes. >> Charlie Cunningham.

[55:47] » Yes. >> Eric Ames.

[55:48] » Yes. >> This one's correct.

[55:51] » Charlie or Teddy can read that or you can read it. Sure.

[55:56] » All right. Resolution 8E, budget modification. Whereas the town of

[56:00] Stanford has expenditures for the adopted 2026 highway fund budget lines

[56:05] that will exceed the amount of funds available in these certain budget lines.

[56:09] And whereas the highway fund has funds available in other lines and needs to

[56:13] transfer such funds to provide for expenditures. Now therefore, be it

[56:17] resolved, the Town of Stanford Town Board hereby amends and transfers from

[56:22] and two budget lines listed below for fiscal year 2026.

[56:27] Count number 41, general description, general repairs, gas, hot, and cold and

[56:33] increase of $43.14.

[56:37] Account number 10, salaries bridges um increase $10,419.56.

[56:47] And account number 43, Calcium, it's a decrease $43.14.

[56:55] Um account number 10, general repairs salaries,

[56:59] it's a decrease of $10,41,956.

[57:04] So that is um a increase of $10,822.70

[57:10] and a decrease of $10,822.70 therefore equaling each other.

[57:17] » Thank you, Charlie. >> Second,

[57:22] Teddy. We're >> almost tied there.

[57:24] » I know, right? >> Julia Dotto,

[57:26] » yes. >> Charlie Cunningham,

[57:28] » yes. >> Eric James,

[57:29] » yes. >> Andor,

[57:31] » yes. >> All right. Last is the resolution 8G, a

[57:37] budget modification for the celebrations line.

[57:39] » What about the camp? >> What about the rec camp?

[57:41] » Oh, sorry. Where's that one? >> 8F.

[57:43] » 8F. That's I printed that. >> I think the numbers on our lines are on

[57:48] our um titles. >> Changes. I'm sorry. I don't have 8F

[57:52] printed, but I Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you. I just

[57:54] need it back when you're done. I'll dip. Um 8F is to authorize the recreation

[57:58] campaign to pay for the EPF grant application. Whereas the town of

[58:02] Stanford created capital project H40 rec campaign committee for future capital

[58:07] improvements. And whereas the town of Stanford pays invoices utilizing funds

[58:10] raised by the Stanford rec campaign on the expenses they occur. And whereas the

[58:14] town of Stanford has arranged for a grant application to be submitted at the

[58:17] end of July 2026 for the New York State EPF grant which was already done. And

[58:22] whereas the town wishes to pay the invoice from Saratoga Associates for

[58:25] their services from capital project H40 rec campaign committee. Now there

[58:29] therefore be it resolved supervisors authorized to pay all invoices for

[58:33] capital project H40 rec campaign committee and be it further resolved the

[58:36] supervisors authorized to use funds from H40 rec campaign committee capital

[58:41] project to pay $5,835.75 to Saratoga Associates for the grant

[58:46] application writing services. This is to modify the CAP project 40 budget as

[58:51] follows. Uh budget line 40-599 appropriate fund

[58:56] balance of $5,835.75

[59:00] and appropriations 40-960 for the same amount $5,835.75

[59:08] which will be credited to playground equipment um account ending in 067020

[59:14] sorry 40-06-720-40

[59:19] for $5,835.75. 5 cents

[59:23] » second. >> Thank you.

[59:26] » Julia Dakota, >> yes.

[59:27] » Charlie Cunningham, >> yes.

[59:29] » Eric Ames, >> yes.

[59:30] » Nathan absent court. [snorts] >> Yes.

[59:33] » Okay. And now H budget modifications for the se celebrations line. Um I think

[59:39] we've talked about this quite a bit. Um we have a wonderful um Rev 250 that is

[59:45] going to extend into um community day. I believe we have fireworks planned. Um

[59:51] again um and if anyone was at the July 4th fireworks, they were spectacular. I

[59:55] had to miss it. I was super bummed, but I got photos and videos.

[59:57] » They were >> um so this is a uh budget modification

[1:00:01] for the celebrations line. Whereas the town board of the town of Stanford

[1:00:05] adopted the 2026 annual budget on October 22nd, 2025. And whereas the town

[1:00:10] board has determined that certain budgetary adjustments are necessary to

[1:00:13] properly reflect unanticipated expenditures and or revenues and to

[1:00:16] ensure the continued efficient operation of town services. And whereas the rev

[1:00:19] 250 committee has requested an increase for expenses related to America's 250th

[1:00:23] anniversary. And whereas pursuant to New York State Town Law 106 and applicable

[1:00:28] provisions of the New York State comprollers regulations, the town board

[1:00:31] is authorized to amend the adopted budget by resolution. And whereas such

[1:00:34] budget amendments do not increase the total appropriations of the adopted

[1:00:37] budget beyond available revenues and fund balances. Now therefore, be it

[1:00:41] reserved that the town board of the town of Stanford hereby authorizes the

[1:00:45] expense of Sorry, I have to change this. I didn't change it in that that line

[1:00:49] there, so I'll change it. $2,532 for celebrations with the voucher to

[1:00:54] appear on the August abstract and the following budget amendments to the 2026

[1:00:59] budget appropriate fund balance ending in 5992532

[1:01:04] to the celebrations line ending in um account 00-06-7550-40

[1:01:11] for $2,532.

[1:01:16] Second as corrected and the resolved. >> Julie,

[1:01:21] » yes. >> Charlie Cunningham,

[1:01:22] » yes. >> James,

[1:01:23] » yes. >> Nathan absent.

[1:01:26] » Yes. >> Okay. Wendy, been so patiently waiting.

[1:01:33] » Almost got a pretty >> Yeah. [laughter]

[1:01:37] Uh, first Rita, I would like to present this to you. It's a book that New York

[1:01:41] Association of Towns just published called The Foundations of Freedom. And

[1:01:46] this is an anthology celebrating New York's roles in shaping America. Well,

[1:01:50] thank you. But now it's the second one I have.

[1:01:52] » Oh, [laughter] you could have just said that.

[1:01:56] » I'll bring one to the library. >> There you go.

[1:02:00] » Great. Thank you. But thank you anyway. Well, it made me think that maybe we

[1:02:04] should talk with Kathy Spears who has a the Stanford Historical Society has a

[1:02:09] huge library that we have bought historical books, you know, we've spent

[1:02:14] our funds, >> but it seems like we're the only ones

[1:02:18] who have access to those books really. Um, so I thought if we could get a lock

[1:02:23] cabinet in in your for your office and it

[1:02:26] » or the hallway, >> right? And and so people could sign them

[1:02:29] out. it. That's why I think >> I'm going to become a lending library,

[1:02:33] too. >> Yes. Well, [laughter]

[1:02:34] the the um society would approve it, but I can't imagine why we wouldn't

[1:02:40] » and then I think there'd just be more access for

[1:02:43] » That'd be fun. >> Yeah.

[1:02:45] » Okay. So, um I'm here just to give a little context to the the next motion um

[1:02:52] from local high school students to have a non- voting advisory position on the

[1:02:57] town board. Most of you, well, some of you know, you all know that I've been a

[1:03:01] member uh of the executive committee of the New York Association of Towns for

[1:03:06] about five years. I'm very honored to have been asked to join that. It's

[1:03:10] basically the board of directors for NIAT. And that organization, New York

[1:03:16] Association of Towns, is a fantastic trade organization that advocates for

[1:03:22] over 900 towns in New York State. microphone.

[1:03:28] » Oh, sorry. I' I've never done this before.

[1:03:32] » So, so we advocate for the the towns in New York State and our primary focus is

[1:03:39] on home rule. So, within the

[1:03:44] um executive committee board, we have different committees and I'm the chair

[1:03:49] of the workforce development committee. And if you look at our board ex uh it's

[1:03:55] a very young board. >> Uh especially Teddy

[1:04:00] » and but [laughter] >> I mean that in the best possible ways.

[1:04:04] » Oh yeah. >> Just say thank you. [laughter]

[1:04:06] » You won't say thank you later. >> Um but if you go around and look at the

[1:04:12] other um offices in in our town hall and all over New York State, we're an aging

[1:04:20] population. Rita, no offense.

[1:04:25] » So, I mean, we are >> That hurt,

[1:04:29] » honey. We're aging out. Um, you know, look at Never I don't have to name

[1:04:33] people. We [laughter] never did.

[1:04:39] » Anyway, so one thing we're trying to do is engage younger people in town

[1:04:46] government. uh it's a diff a bit of a difficult task because we can't compete

[1:04:50] salary www w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w wise with the private sector and

[1:04:54] we really can't compete uh in retire a really meaningful retirement package

[1:04:59] especially with tier six being what it is. Um so

[1:05:04] we have done we've taken some measures that are mostly educational

[1:05:09] measures. Um, we've worked with several of the Sunni colleges to set up

[1:05:15] microcredential programs um that people either already in government or just

[1:05:21] anybody can participate in and get courses in accounting. My favorite one

[1:05:27] is there's a grant writing uh credential program. Um

[1:05:32] » that one is through Sunni Oniian. Um and we we've also established a uh

[1:05:39] scholarship fund so uh we can help with the costs of some of those micro

[1:05:45] credential programs are a little bit expensive but we can defay those costs.

[1:05:51] So after we we started working with the colleges, I thought we really need to go

[1:05:57] to a lower uh level of education, which would clearly be the high schools. And

[1:06:05] uh what's his name? John Jun Skoonmaker. >> John Schoomaker.

[1:06:09] » Skoon maker. >> Um he teaches is it an involvement

[1:06:13] » economics and history and >> it's an involvement in local government,

[1:06:17] politics. Anyway, and two of his students already, Teddy and Trevor from

[1:06:23] Pine Plains have gone on from that class um and actually been elected to public

[1:06:28] office. So, what I have suggested that we do and that Stanford in uh

[1:06:36] partnership with the Pine Plains uh Central School District is start a

[1:06:42] program where we get a high school student to be a non- voting member of of

[1:06:47] a town board, bring student issues, you know, the concerns of their peers to the

[1:06:53] board and just actually participate and hopefully get engaged. in the whole

[1:06:59] process of town government. And um I also think there could be a mentor uh

[1:07:08] component where somebody on the board or I would be happy to do it just

[1:07:12] introduces that personally to all the different jobs within the town. They can

[1:07:18] sit with Steve Godavich and get fascinated about what an assessor does,

[1:07:22] you know, and and so that's my hope. And I was thrilled because Julia was just so

[1:07:29] gung-ho excited when I talked to her about it. Hence the the motion. And I'm

[1:07:34] meeting I I think I'm on the agenda of the school board on Tuesday. So I'd like

[1:07:40] to bring the motion with me. And I'm pretty positive they're on board, too.

[1:07:46] Um, and then I just, which is why the language in the I I asked Julia to tweak

[1:07:52] the language in the motion because although it would be lovely if the

[1:07:56] student happened to be from Stanfordville, they may not be from the

[1:08:01] most promising student might be from Pine Plains and it's a pilot that

[1:08:06] encompasses the school district. So, uh, I you'll hear the the latest if you

[1:08:12] already have it language. But anyway, so that's the story of why this is being

[1:08:16] put forward. And that's I think all I have to say.

[1:08:20] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:08:23] » All right. So, I make a motion to I got some language in here.

[1:08:29] » Foul language. >> No,

[1:08:31] never. >> I don't think I don't think I

[1:08:34] » around children. >> All right. Here we go.

[1:08:37] A motion to establish a student advisory position to the town board. I make a

[1:08:41] motion that the town board of the town of Stanford establish a non- voting

[1:08:44] student advisory member position to provide a local youth perspective on

[1:08:48] matters before the town board and encourage civic engagement among young

[1:08:52] residents. Thank you, Wendy. Um, the student advisory member shall be a

[1:08:56] current high school student and resident of the Pine Plains Central School

[1:09:00] District, serve in a non- voting advisory capacity, and shall not be

[1:09:04] considered a member of the town board for purposes of establishing a quorum or

[1:09:07] exercising any statutory authority of the board. They will be invited to

[1:09:11] attend town board meetings and participate in discussions at the

[1:09:14] discretion of the town supervisor and the town board. They will serve for a

[1:09:18] one-year term with an opportunity for reappointment while the student remains

[1:09:21] eligible. And they will be appointed by a majority vote of the town board. The

[1:09:25] student advisory member will provide input on issues affecting Stanford's

[1:09:28] youth or yeah, Stanford's youth and community and gain firsthand experience

[1:09:33] with municipal government and public service. Priority will be given to

[1:09:36] residents of Stanford, but will ultimately be up to the discretion of

[1:09:39] the Pine Plain Central School District's selection process.

[1:09:43] Um, we mentioned that because we're re um redesigning and relaunching our

[1:09:47] website that this person could also have a hand because they're young ostensibly

[1:09:52] um in keeping the website updated >> hopefully if they're a high school

[1:09:55] student. >> Yeah, right. We would hope that they're

[1:09:57] adept at technology um and um and yeah, we're excited and and potentially grant

[1:10:02] writing opportunities, things like that. So, um I make a motion to establish a

[1:10:06] student advisory position to the town board.

[1:10:09] » Second. >> Same.

[1:10:14] No, the young one. [laughter] No offense, read [snorts]

[1:10:21] young ladies. All >> in favor?

[1:10:23] » I I make a motion to approve the minutes

[1:10:28] from July 9th. >> Second.

[1:10:32] » All in favor? >> I.

[1:10:34] » Thank you. I make a motion to um approve the abstract number eight for August.

[1:10:41] General fund $87,855.82

[1:10:45] highway fund $171,000 983171983.85

[1:10:52] Bangal light $1,4355 escrow planning board escrow $42875 and

[1:10:58] ambulance $64,62.50 50 cents.

[1:11:04] » Second. >> All in favor?

[1:11:06] » I >> I

[1:11:10] » um no other business. So I will make a motion to open the privilege of the

[1:11:14] floor.

[1:11:18] » Wendy Lake Road. I forgot to tell you guys something. Um what's your number on

[1:11:24] this? >> 648.

[1:11:29] » 628. >> Thank you. O

[1:11:31] » close to Charlie. Oh. Um, we have the NIAT has lobbyists who work

[1:11:41] for us in Albany and they came to the um retreat we were on last weekend and

[1:11:50] we were they were talking about how both the House and the Senate passed um

[1:11:57] a law uh that would have removed EMS costs from the cap. from the and the

[1:12:04] governor mentioned she um vetoed it. >> Yeah.

[1:12:09] » So I asked not that they could you know had a crystal ball but what was it what

[1:12:14] would move the governor to reconsider like will it be brought up again in both

[1:12:19] houses and will it be presented to the governor again and they said it it won't

[1:12:24] be an election year. >> So that's where it all came down. So

[1:12:29] hopefully it won't solve the EMS cost, but at least get it out of the budget.

[1:12:35] » Yeah, that's >> Thank you, former supervisor Burton.

[1:12:38] » You're welcome. Current supervisor. [laughter]

[1:12:42] » Yes, Sandra. >> Um,

[1:12:47] privilege of course. >> Yeah. Yeah, please.

[1:12:58] I'm Stanford Bilski Fort Conlin no for Aberdine Lane in town of Stanford and

[1:13:05] I'm just going to follow up on the safety of the fire that you were

[1:13:09] speaking to and I just wanted to relay a piece of information that we got at the

[1:13:16] Forever Young Club that you all may know about. Just say if I'm repeating

[1:13:20] something. >> No, I don't know this.

[1:13:21] » A representative came from, I believe it was from the American Red Cross to our

[1:13:25] meeting last month and they said that in fact the Red Cross was giving out free

[1:13:31] new fire alarms where that they were suggesting that they be in every bedroom

[1:13:37] of your home and over the doorway if there's room for it above the doorway.

[1:13:43] » They would pre put them in your house. They were not going to give them to you

[1:13:47] to put them, but they would come to your home and they would install them and

[1:13:51] they were to last for a a period of time of I believe it was 10 years.

[1:13:56] » So, um I don't know if you were aware of it, so I just thought I would

[1:14:00] » No, thank you. >> That Okay. Wait, what? Um what was it

[1:14:02] that they're going to put for you? >> Smoke fire alarm.

[1:14:04] » Smoke detectors. Fire alarms. >> Smoke detector.

[1:14:07] » That's the American Red Cross, right? >> Pardon me.

[1:14:09] » The American Red Cross. >> That's what they had said. Are they only

[1:14:13] specific to seniors? I didn't get that feeling. No, no, I

[1:14:17] don't believe they said that. I think >> I really don't know why it was at our

[1:14:22] meeting, but maybe maybe perhaps the person was a member of our club and

[1:14:27] hadn't been to meetings before and was sharing it with us.

[1:14:30] » Thank you. >> But I I I got the feeling it was for

[1:14:33] anybody that felt they had the need and wanted somebody to come in their home

[1:14:37] and put it because they were going to hand them to you.

[1:14:40] » Smart. Okay. All right. >> Yeah. It's better to have them installed

[1:14:44] than sit in a pile in your basement. >> Agreed,

[1:14:47] » that's for sure. >> Yeah,

[1:14:50] » especially in a lot of these older homes in these communities.

[1:14:53] » Yeah, I see it here. Okay, I'm going to put that in my next newsletter.

[1:14:56] » I think you should. Yeah, >> I should. All right. Um, and with that,

[1:15:00] I make a motion to uh adjourn the meeting.

[1:15:04] » Second. >> Second.

[1:15:05] » Second. >> All in favor? Hi,

[1:15:09] » thank you. >> Good meeting.

[1:15:12] » Thank you.

Stanford Town Board 8 13 26

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