Red Hook WatchIndependent Community Resource

Monday, June 22, 2026

Meetings/2026-06-22
Board of Trustees · Workshop meeting

Enhanced minutes — transcript-derived discussion summaries per item. Not the official record.

workshopBoard of Trustees Workshop Meeting

17 agenda items · 15 motions · 8 substantive · 6 formal resolutions · 3 agenda items linked to adopted resolutions

Agenda (17 items)

Order reflects how the Board actually took items up at the meeting (which sometimes differs from the posted agenda — e.g. items brought forward when a guest is present).

#1Acceptance of Minutes – June 8, 2026 Board of Trustees Board MeetingNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

The Board accepted the minutes from the June 8, 2026 meeting. Allen moved and Rothstein seconded; the vote was unanimous.

Action
Expected: vote
Accept the minutes from the June 8, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting.
#2Acceptance of the AgendaNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

The Board accepted the agenda as revised. Mayor Smythe noted that a constituent present was interested in the speed humps and traffic count discussion, and proposed moving that item up in the agenda. Uku requested moving the sewer expansion financing item to before the funding advance resolution to provide context for the later discussion. Kjarval moved and Allen seconded the acceptance of the revised agenda; the vote was unanimous.

Action
Expected: vote
Accept the agenda for the June 22, 2026 workshop meeting.
#3Executive Session – matters pertaining to employmentNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

The Board entered executive session to discuss matters pertaining to employment. Rothstein moved and Kjarval seconded; the vote was unanimous.

Action
Expected: vote
Enter executive session to discuss matters pertaining to employment.
#4Public CommentNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

The Board opened the meeting to public comment. A constituent raised concerns about homelessness in the village, describing two individuals experiencing homelessness with serious health challenges. The constituent proposed finding vehicles for them to sleep in and requested the Board's help identifying a location where the vehicles could be parked without being towed, suggesting village land near the firehouse, the Masonic Lodge parking lot, or church properties as possibilities. The constituent emphasized that the primary need was securing a safe parking location and offered to handle cleanup and maintenance.

A second constituent, Jim Rogers, commented on speeding concerns in the neighborhood. Rogers noted that traffic has increased significantly over the past three years, with cut-through traffic now occurring on weekdays, not just weekends. He expressed support for the speed humps under consideration, particularly around blind curves and long straightaways where the narrow road and pedestrian activity create hazards.

Action
Expected: info_only
Accept public comment.
#9Speed Humps & Traffic CountReorderedInformationalNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe provided an update on speed humps and traffic data collection. Two speed humps are on order as part of the street maintenance budget, with installation expected by the end of July. The humps will be placed on a narrow road with blind curves and high pedestrian activity; one will be positioned toward Route 9 and the other closer to the community center, spanning both directions with signage.

Kjarval questioned the placement of the speed trailer, noting it was positioned only 125 feet from a stop sign where vehicles are either accelerating or decelerating, potentially skewing the data. Allen noted that Police Chief Hildebrand indicated the trailer would be moved to the other side of the street to capture data on vehicles entering the neighborhood. Rogers confirmed that speeding occurs both around the curve and coming off Route 9, with drivers accelerating out of the curve before hitting the brakes at the stop sign.

Mayor Smythe clarified that the speed trailer captures vehicles as they pass, regardless of proximity to the device. She noted that 30 miles per hour may not technically constitute speeding but feels dangerous given the narrow road and pedestrian activity. The speed trailer is now operational and will be moved to different locations including Elizabeth Street and Linden Avenue, where data shows regular speeding above 30 miles per hour.

Kjarval mentioned that traffic count data is available on websites including the Dutchess County Transportation Council site and the New York State Department of Transportation site. She also referenced a recent New York Times article about larger vehicles, noting that bigger personal trucks and commercial vehicles create visibility problems and increase crash severity. Rothstein raised concerns about state troopers escorting oversized loads that damage local infrastructure.

Kjarval noted that Route 9 has significant pothole damage and is scheduled for repaving in the fall. Allen asked whether the village could advocate for accelerating repairs. Mayor Smythe indicated that Police Chief Hildebrand will be invited to the July meeting to present traffic data and explain how the speed trailer works, which will provide additional context for the 25 mile-per-hour speed limit request.

Uku requested that she be copied on email threads about the speed trailer to comply with open meetings law. Mayor Smythe agreed to invite Chief Hildebrand to the July meeting and noted that the speed trailer data will support discussions about the 25 mile-per-hour speed limit project.

Action
Expected: discussion
Discuss speed humps and traffic count data.
#5Appoint Registrar and Deputy Registrar of Vital StatisticsReorderedDraft resolutionAdopted
Enhanced minutes

The Board appointed Jennifer Cavanaugh as Registrar and Diana Devens as Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics. Mayor Smythe explained that this is a required appointment that must be made within 30 days and formalized on New York State paperwork. The Registrar and Deputy Registrar handle vital records including births and deaths. Kjarval moved and Allen seconded the resolution; the vote was unanimous.

Action
Appoint Jennifer Cavanaugh as Registrar and Diana Devens as Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Moved by Kjarval, seconded by Allen
unanimouspassed
attached: Resolution
#6Funding Advance from General Fund to Sewer FundReorderedDraft resolutionStill pending
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe presented a resolution to advance funds from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund to pay Delaware Engineering invoices related to the Red Hook Sewer Phase 2 project. The sewer fund has 119,455 dollars in bills from Delaware Engineering that need to be paid so the county can reimburse the village quarterly. The village has two options: borrow from itself or obtain a cash flow loan from a bank. Mayor Smythe proposed using an interfund advance, similar to a prior advance resolution.

Uku raised a concern about the interest requirement under General Municipal Law section 9-a. She noted that the law states that repayment shall include interest when funds are advanced from one fund to another fund that is raised by different tax bases. Mayor Smythe acknowledged the concern and proposed amending the resolution to state that interest will be paid if required by law, allowing the Board to consult with the village attorney to determine whether interest is actually required in this case.

Uku argued that the law clearly requires interest and that the village should pay it rather than seeking a legal interpretation. Mayor Smythe countered that the law contains language about different tax bases and that the General Fund receives revenue from multiple sources beyond property taxes, including cannabis revenue, sales tax, and franchise fees, which may create an exception to the interest requirement. She proposed adding language to the resolution to allow for legal review while proceeding with the advance.

Kjarval asked what interest rate would apply if required. Mayor Smythe indicated that the interest would likely come from the money market account currently earning 3.55 percent. She noted that the county typically processes reimbursement requests quickly, so the advance would likely be repaid within three to four months, resulting in a relatively small interest amount.

Mayor Smythe moved to amend the resolution to add the language unless required by law after together with no interest. Allen seconded the amendment. The Board voted unanimously to approve the amendment. Mayor Smythe then moved to approve the amended resolution. Kjarval moved and Rothstein seconded. The Board voted 4-1, with Uku voting no, to approve the resolution.

  • Uku voted no on the interfund advance resolution, but the official minutes record the vote as unanimous.
    Transcript: “Fran, aye. Craig, aye. Corker, and I'm an eye. Okay, great.
Action
Expected: vote
Adopt a resolution to advance funds from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund.
attached: Resolution, Grant Contract, Invoices
#14Sewer Expansion FinancingReorderedContract reviewNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Uku provided extensive background on the sewer expansion financing situation. She explained that she first learned about the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) at a municipal infrastructure conference in Albany, where she asked about the village's situation: the town had received a Rural Economic Area (REA) grant for sewer expansion but the village had not, creating a situation where the town was ready to send wastewater to the village with no way to receive it. An EFC representative suggested exploring an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) grant, which is a separate funding lane from REA grants.

Uku described how she followed up with EFC and discovered that the town had applied for an Intermunicipal Municipal Grant (IMG) without coordinating with the village, even though an IMA existed between the two municipalities. EFC subsequently discovered this misalignment and requested that the town rescind the grant award. Uku emphasized that this was not the town's fault but rather a situation where EFC had not been aware that only one municipality was in the picture when the grant should have been jointly held.

Mayor Smythe clarified the timeline and context. The village had been working on grants for two years when the town decided to pursue their own project. The town applied for an IMG while the village was pursuing a different REA grant, and the two processes were not coordinated. Mayor Smythe noted that the village knew the town was applying for a grant but did not know they were applying for an IMG specifically.

Uku explained that EFC came as close as legally possible to guaranteeing that a joint IMG application would be successful, given that the IMG program increased funding this year and now offers 40 percent of project costs versus 25 percent for other grants. The deadline for the joint application is July 27. Uku noted that EFC also changed the IMG structure so that other grants the village has received do not count against the IMG award.

Mayor Smythe discussed the proposal that the town serve as the lead municipality for the IMG application, even though logically the village should be lead since it is the larger project and the town's project cannot proceed without the village's wastewater treatment plant. She explained that allowing the town to be lead is a gesture of courtesy given their disappointment at having to rescind their grant. The village will still control its own project and engineering; the lead municipality designation is primarily for grant administration purposes.

Kjarval raised concerns about the town's willingness to rescind the grant and asked whether the village had recourse if the town refused. Mayor Smythe responded that the village could choose not to serve the town, but that would not be in the village's interest since the town's contribution to the capital cost of the wastewater treatment plant is beneficial. Kjarval emphasized the importance of ensuring that EFC has leverage to encourage the town to rescind the award.

Mayor Smythe explained the project structure. The town will have a separate pipe force that connects directly to the treatment plant, allowing the village to measure and test the influent separately. This separation allows the village to determine whether any treatment issues originate from the town's system or elsewhere. Mayor Smythe noted that specifics of operation and maintenance will need to be worked out, including whether the town will pay the village to maintain their collection system.

Allen raised the possibility of village annexation of town land in the area, noting that the village already has the infrastructure and could expand its tax base. Mayor Smythe indicated she had raised this idea with Town Supervisor McKeon two or three years ago and he did not dismiss it. She noted that annexation would require a referendum among affected residents and would involve changes to their tax and water rates. Allen suggested continuing to explore this conversation.

Mayor Smythe discussed additional project enhancements. The original cost estimate of 19.5 to 20 million dollars is at least two to three years old, and costs have risen. The village is adding solar panels to mitigate electricity costs and a receiving station where the village could accept pumped sludge from its own collection system, reducing costs currently paid to outside companies. This receiving station could also generate revenue by accepting vetted sludge from other municipalities.

Uku noted that EFC emphasized the importance of disclosure of all obligations and debts as part of the IMG packaging. Mayor Smythe explained that the village has already done this analysis and can update it. She noted that water and sewer grants from prior administrations are exempt from debt calculations, and the village has received an exemption for sewer debt up to a certain percentage of the budget.

Mayor Smythe mentioned that the governor established a pro-housing community program and the village applied for it two years ago. The renewal was recently submitted and the village remains in good standing. She explained that being a pro-housing certified community provides access to grants not available to other communities.

Mayor Smythe summarized the next steps. The Board will need to approve allowing the town to be lead municipality, authorize the grant application, and begin the process of increasing the bond resolution from 20 million dollars. The engineering report needs to be updated but most of the work is already complete. She noted that while there is work to do, the vast majority of the engineering work has already been done.

Action
Expected: discussion
Review sewer expansion financing and the Town-Village Intermunicipal Agreement and Amendment 1.
attached: Town-Village Intermunicipal Agreement, Amendment 1 to Town-Village IMA, EFC narrative Feb 2026, Trustee Uku
#7Public Spaces Summer InternshipReorderedContract reviewNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe presented an internship agreement with Ursula Wolfe for a public spaces summer internship. The village received a 4,000 dollar grant from the Anonymous Fund of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley to support the internship. The agreement specifies that Wolfe is not an employee, and any work product belongs to the village. Mayor Smythe requested authorization to sign the agreement.

Uku asked whether the village had the grant letter and contract terms. Mayor Smythe provided the grant letter, which states the award is for a summer internship related to the park with no specific terms and conditions beyond standard nonprofit requirements. Uku requested that the scope of work be included with the agreement package.

Allen and Perry described Wolfe's background and qualifications. Wolfe was recommended by a Bard College professor and was originally intended to do her senior project on Abraham's Park but graduated before that could happen. She expressed interest in doing a summer internship, and the village found grant funding for her. Allen noted that Wolfe has already produced impressive preliminary work including schematic drawings.

Perry explained the scope of work and timeline. Wolfe will produce three distinct schematic proposals for the park, research on memorial precedents, written summaries of committee intentions and design advocacy, and a physical model of the park. She will present her work at the August 10 public meeting. The work is based on community survey data previously collected by the Public Spaces Committee, and Wolfe has been given both programming guidance and creative license.

Mayor Smythe noted that managing interns requires significant preparation and oversight. She expressed enthusiasm for the project but cautioned that someone must organize the work, oversee the intern, and review deliverables. She suggested that the scope could be narrowed to focus on one priority and recommended exploring whether Bard has funding programs for interns or whether the village could partner with a media organization for video content.

Kjarval raised concerns about the ambition of the project for an unpaid or minimally paid intern. She noted that content creation is skilled work that people are paid for, and suggested that the village should clarify whether the intern is receiving class credit, being paid, or being funded by Bard. Mayor Smythe agreed that the scope should be more focused and suggested that the idea could be refined over time.

Uku moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the internship agreement, with the request that the scope of work be included in the package. Rothstein seconded. The Board voted unanimously to approve.

Action
Expected: vote
Review and authorize a contract for a public spaces summer internship.
attached: Contract
#8Non-Union Employee CompensationReorderedDraft resolutionAdopted
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe presented a resolution to raise non-union village employee wages effective June 1, 2026. The proposal includes a 3 percent increase for all non-union employees with two exceptions. Madison Hart, who works approximately 10 hours per week, will receive an increase from 15.50 dollars to 17 dollars per hour to bring her above the state minimum wage and acknowledge her work. Robert Benz, who reads water meters quarterly, will receive an increase after not receiving one the prior year; Clerk Cavanaugh noted that Benz performs this specialized work independently without requiring oversight.

Allen moved and Kjarval seconded the resolution. The Board voted unanimously to approve.

Action
Raise non-union Village employee wages effective June 1, 2026.
Moved by Allen, seconded by Kjarval
unanimouspassed
attached: Resolution
#10Establishing a Pedestrian Safety CommitteeReorderedDraft resolutionAdopted
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe presented a resolution to establish a Pedestrian Advocacy Committee. She explained that the committee will advise the Board on pedestrian and bicycle safety, education, and infrastructure improvements. The committee will help prioritize projects, create public awareness campaigns, recommend criteria for speed hump placement, and assist with the school speed zone and 25 mile-per-hour speed limit projects. Mayor Smythe noted that she initially called it the Traffic Committee but Kjarval suggested a more positive name.

Mayor Smythe explained the background for creating the committee. The village has been working on multiple pedestrian safety initiatives including the 25 mile-per-hour speed zone project, school speed zone project, and speed humps. The village did not receive a Greenway grant, which would have provided professional support for identifying and prioritizing projects. The committee will allow interested community members to engage in this work and provide education about what is and is not possible.

Mayor Smythe noted that she met with Bob Dennison, a former regional director of the Department of Transportation who is now a city council member in Kingston. Dennison suggested that painting center lines and side lines encourages drivers to slow down. The village has its own paint lining machine and can experiment with these approaches.

Uku proposed changing the language from pedestrians and bicyclists to pedestrians, rolling, and bicycling to be more inclusive of wheelchairs, strollers, scooters, and other non-motorized modes of transportation. Mayor Smythe agreed to add rolling to the resolution language. Rothstein noted that he uses inline skates and expressed interest in serving on the committee, noting that improvements would benefit people like him.

Mayor Smythe explained that bicycling is referenced in the resolution but not in the committee name because bicycling is difficult in the village due to narrow roads. The committee will focus primarily on pedestrian experience while incorporating bicycle activity where possible. She noted that the committee will also address e-bikes and e-scooters, which have become an issue in the village.

Mayor Smythe described her conversation with Police Chief Hildebrand about e-bikes. State law prohibits dirt e-bikes on roads and requires registration for e-bikes. The Police Department has been issuing warnings but will begin issuing tickets and impounding bikes. Mayor Smythe proposed having Chief Hildebrand hold a public meeting to explain the laws to residents, parents, and young people so everyone understands the rules.

Rothstein moved and Allen seconded the resolution. The Board voted unanimously to approve. Mayor Smythe appointed Kjarval as the liaison to the committee.

Action
Create the Pedestrian Advocacy Committee.
Moved by Rothstein, seconded by Allen
unanimouspassed
attached: Resolution
#11Agenda Setting/ProceduresReorderedInformationalNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe raised the topic of agenda setting and procedures, noting that the Board had previously discussed establishing a Friday morning deadline for agenda items. The current practice allows for flexibility, with items added or moved at the beginning of the meeting through the agenda acceptance process. Mayor Smythe indicated that this approach seems to be working well.

Kjarval noted that sometimes agenda items appear as links and sometimes they do not, creating confusion about whether items are new or previously planned. She explained that she had worked on presentations over the weekend and they appeared on the agenda without clear titles, making them look like new items when they were actually supporting materials for existing agenda items.

Uku raised concerns about the presentation of the agenda. She noted that she prefers to have resolutions, particularly fiscal resolutions, available prior to the meeting so she can review them. She also suggested that the agenda should not include the names of trustees who proposed items, arguing that this makes the agenda look less unified. She noted that names appear in the actual documents and can be found by clicking through, but the agenda itself should be cleaner.

Kjarval expressed that she finds it helpful to know who proposed items, as it gives her context for understanding the proposal. She noted that when she received a printed document without a name, she had to ask who had requested it.

Perry Allen noted that he has not been on the Board long enough to have a preference on this issue but indicated that the current system with names on the agenda has worked for him.

Clerk Cavanaugh asked for clarification on whether the Board wants names on the agenda, on the documents, or both. Kjarval indicated she prefers names on the agenda for items that are added and might not be widely known. Uku indicated she does not need names on the agenda itself but agrees that names should appear on the documents.

Mayor Smythe suggested that the Board could revisit this in a few months as the system evolves. She indicated that she personally finds it helpful to know where items come from.

Action
Expected: discussion
Discuss agenda setting and meeting procedures.
#12Communications InternReorderedContract reviewNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Allen presented a proposal for a communications intern position. The proposal is not associated with a resolution but is an idea for the Board to consider. Allen suggested bringing on a high school or college-aged intern for one semester, ending around the winter holidays. The primary expectation would be producing video campaigns for public works or public service announcements. Secondary expectations include providing tech support during public meetings, exploring social media, and expanding the newsletter.

Allen explained his vision for engaging the intern. He suggested starting with conversations with civic engagement groups, IB programs, or Model UN programs at local schools, or seeking teacher recommendations. He noted his interest in working with youth and engaging them in civic activity.

Rothstein expressed enthusiasm for the idea. He noted that his stepdaughter is now at NYU in a journalism program and that social media is central to that generation's communication style. He suggested that a village social media channel, even if narrowly focused on approved content, would be valuable for young people's resumes and would appeal to the journalism and communications community. He noted that this generation communicates through 45-second videos and hashtags.

Kjarval raised practical concerns about managing an intern. She noted that she has managed interns and that sometimes they are highly engaged and sometimes they are not. She expressed concern that the scope of work described is ambitious for an unpaid or minimally paid position, noting that content creation is skilled work that people are paid for.

Mayor Smythe noted that she has had experience with Bard interns and that managing interns requires significant preparation. She explained that she typically creates the content and the interns place it in various locations, and she often has to reorganize it afterward. She cautioned that for substantive work, someone must organize the work, oversee the intern, and review deliverables, which requires capacity the village may not have.

Mayor Smythe suggested that the idea could be refined by focusing on one priority and exploring partnerships with Bard or local media organizations. She noted that the library may have video equipment and podcast space. She expressed enthusiasm for the concept but recommended narrowing the scope and clarifying the intern's compensation structure.

Kjarval suggested that the Board could explore whether other municipalities have similar programs. Allen indicated that the proposal is just an idea to consider and that he is open to further development.

Action
Expected: discussion
Review a proposal for a communications intern position.
attached: Proposal, Trustee Allen
#16Budget AdjustmentsReorderedInformationalNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe presented budget adjustments for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2026. She explained that all shaded items on the revised budget represent changes. The village received a 25,025 dollar cannabis sales tax check, bringing total cannabis revenue to just under 62,000 dollars. The village did not budget for April and May receipts, but based on approximately 11,000 dollars per month, the village may receive additional revenue. The village budgeted 60,000 dollars for the year, while the town budgeted 80,000 dollars.

Mayor Smythe noted that most changes reflect actual information such as final bills or final checks received. Under the water fund, insurance recoveries reflect the estimated cost of a new fire hydrant with all components, which was paid by insurance following a hydrant that was run over.

Allen asked about the removal of 1,000 dollars each from adult recreation and public art space. Mayor Smythe explained that these funds were not used during the fiscal year. The village had previously given 1,000 dollars annually to Red Hook Seniors, a membership club that organizes trips. The Board had discussed whether this was an appropriate use of public dollars and the contribution was not renewed. The village continues to support Community Action Partnership, which has an office in the village and provides services to residents.

Uku raised a concern about the legality of making budget adjustments for a fiscal year that has already closed. She noted that she had taken a course on governmental accounting and understood that once a fiscal year closes, the Board cannot retroactively make adjustments. She requested confirmation from the village attorney that this practice is legally valid.

Mayor Smythe expressed disappointment that this concern was raised at the meeting rather than earlier. She noted that budget adjustments have been standard practice in the village for at least 10 to 15 years and are not unique to Red Hook. She indicated that this is the Board's responsibility as part of fiscal oversight.

Uku clarified that she had only discovered this concern that day while reviewing her notes and was not trying to hide anything or dismiss prior work. She offered to email the village attorney to confirm the legality of the practice.

Mayor Smythe moved to approve the budget adjustment resolution. Kjarval moved and Rothstein seconded. The Board voted 4-1, with Uku voting no, to approve the resolution.

  • Uku voted no on the budget adjustment resolution, but the official minutes record the vote as 4-1 passed without specifying who dissented.
    Transcript: “Fran no, Perry. Perry. Aye. Okay. Thank you.
Action
Expected: discussion
Discuss budget adjustments.
#13Workshops & Web AccessReorderedInformationalNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Allen raised the topic of workshops and web access, noting that the Board had been having ongoing conversations about this issue. He suggested that if workshops function the same as public sessions in terms of what can happen, then the public should have the same access. He proposed either having web access to workshop meetings or having a single camera capture the room.

Allen noted that he does not enjoy having a computer in front of him and does not want to create excessive work, but he felt that if workshops are substantive, the public should have access. He indicated that he would be comfortable with PANDA recording the workshops if that would meet the goal of providing public access.

Kjarval noted that workshops have historically been productive because they function differently from public meetings. She explained that when you are aware you are being recorded, it changes how you interact. She referenced a library board meeting where snacks were served and noted that workshops should not become too informal or clubby. She acknowledged that transparency is important but noted that there is a balance between transparency and productivity.

Rothstein expressed that he prefers the workshop format for productivity. He noted that the Open Meetings Law can be constraining and that workshops allow for more generative discussion. He expressed support for transparency but noted that there is a balance between transparency and allowing government to function effectively. He indicated that he is happy with the current workshop format and does not want to change it.

Mayor Smythe noted that workshops are an opportunity to do business and that sometimes things come up at the last minute that are not on the agenda. She suggested that for items of significant weight, the Board should consider ensuring they are recorded on PANDA at a public meeting. She indicated that the Board could explore what PANDA would charge to record workshops.

Allen noted that he had emailed PANDA on Friday asking what it would take to have them record workshops. Mayor Smythe explained that PANDA operates on an annual budget split among five municipalities by population. She noted that PANDA records both town meetings and extra meetings and is often looking for more content, so they may be willing to record workshops without additional cost or may charge for the extra hours.

Mayor Smythe suggested that the Board could ask PANDA what their position is on recording workshops. She noted that there is something nice about sitting at the workshop table and that the Board should consider whether recording would change the dynamic.

Action
Expected: discussion
Discuss workshops and web access.
attached: Trustee Allen
#15Other items for discussionReorderedOtherNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe raised the topic of the events committee and its function. She explained that the events committee was originally created to support events in the village, but the Board realized that doing events is a lot of work. In her first year, the Board members themselves organized Hardscrabble Day, bringing it back from remote status with a parade and activities throughout the day. The Board decided to shift to a model where nonprofits and other organizations do the work and the village supports and funds them.

Mayor Smythe noted that the events committee has evolved into a review and facilitation body rather than an event-planning body. When someone proposes an event, the committee meets with them, reviews the application, and coordinates with different departments to ensure all pieces have been thought through. The committee currently consists of Mayor Smythe and Trustee Amy Smith.

Kjarval noted that the events committee functions more like a commission than a committee, as it is not generating ideas or bringing proposals to the Board but rather responding to and facilitating third-party proposals. Mayor Smythe agreed that the structure might be better described as a commission and suggested that the Board could look at restructuring the events committee and possibly renaming it when the Board brings forward an events law.

Allen asked about the difference between the events committee and other committees, noting that he was curious about how it functioned. Mayor Smythe explained that the events committee is different because it is not generating ideas but rather facilitating third-party events.

Mayor Smythe announced that the Board passed the land use study in March and the planning consultant has reviewed the proposed zoning amendment based on the adjustments made to the land use study. The planning consultant has prepared a series of questions about items that have come up and made adjustments to the zoning amendment. Mayor Smythe indicated that this is the next step in the process.

Mayor Smythe explained the opportunity presented by the land use study and zoning amendment. The village has an opportunity to expand housing without changing the character of the village. There are surprising numbers of places where housing could be added while maintaining or enhancing the village feel. The northeast quadrant is the focus, partly because of the affordable housing project that is zoned for residential but does not account for future municipal sewer.

Mayor Smythe noted that there is significant space behind Route 9 that could accommodate denser housing with proper encouragements. She explained that the land use study provides the background and the zoning amendment flows from it. The Board will need to make decisions about the ideas and proposals in the zoning amendment.

Mayor Smythe proposed a process for moving forward. She will organize and share documents with the Board and would like to hold public meetings focused on the zoning amendment. She indicated that both the planning consultant and the land use attorney should attend these meetings to answer questions and discuss the reasoning behind specific provisions.

Mayor Smythe proposed scheduling public meetings on Monday afternoons from 1 to 3 PM, with the first meeting on July 13. She noted that both the planning consultant and attorney indicated that Monday afternoons work for them. She encouraged the Board to read the land use study and zoning amendment in advance.

Uku expressed concern about the July 13 date, noting that July is a difficult month for her personally and that she may not be available. She asked whether she could attend remotely. Mayor Smythe apologized for not considering this and asked whether Uku would be away for the entire latter half of July or whether August would work better.

Uku indicated that her situation is complicated and in flux, and she is not sure of her availability. Mayor Smythe suggested that the Board could focus on the 13th or 27th as options. Perry Allen indicated that he could zoom in on the 20th if needed, as he would be on a road trip.

Mayor Smythe noted that it is important for Rothstein and Allen to be present in person for the first meeting to orient themselves with the material. She suggested that the Board could fix the 13th as the date for the first meeting. Rothstein indicated that the 13th might be better for him, though he was not certain. Kjarval indicated that the 13th is not good for her but she will figure it out.

Mayor Smythe moved to set a public meeting on July 13 from 1 to 3 PM to discuss the proposed zoning amendment law. Rothstein moved and Perry Allen seconded. The Board voted unanimously to approve.

Mayor Smythe encouraged the Board to read the land use study and zoning amendment and noted that she will send out documents and a list of discussion items. She noted that the zoning amendment includes definitions at the end and encouraged the Board to refer to these definitions when reading the document. She gave an example of the definition of fast food, which includes takeout food served at a counter, not just chain restaurants.

Kjarval mentioned that Mayor Smythe is holding a coffee hour on Wednesday from 11 AM to noon and encouraged other Board members to attend if they are interested. She noted that she had attended a previous coffee hour and found it useful for meeting constituents. Perry Allen indicated that he is planning to hold coffee hours monthly and that the time is 11 AM to noon on Wednesday.

Action
Expected: unknown
Discuss other items as may be raised.
#17Voucher ApprovalNo vote recorded
Enhanced minutes

Mayor Smythe requested a motion to approve vouchers as per the June 22 treasurer's report. The General Fund amount is 60,317 dollars and 4 cents, the Water Fund is 7,519 dollars and 89 cents, and the Sewer Fund is 5,948 dollars and 99 cents. Uku moved and Kjarval seconded. The Board voted unanimously to approve.

Action
Expected: vote
Approve vouchers for payment.

Documents prepared for this meeting (2)

What happened (15 motions)

passedvote: unanimous
Accept the minutes from the June 8, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting.
moved by Allen · seconded by Rothstein
passedvote: unanimous
Accept the agenda as revised.
moved by Kjarval · seconded by Allen
passedvote: unanimous
Go into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to employment.
moved by Rothstein · seconded by Kjarval
passedvote: unanimous
Return to public session.
moved by Allen · seconded by Rothstein
passedformal_resolution27-2026vote: unanimous
Appoint Jennifer Cavanaugh as Registrar and Diana Devens as Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics.
moved by Kjarval · seconded by Allen
amendedoperationalvote: unanimous
Amend the Resolution Authorizing a Temporary Interfund Advance to state that interest will be paid if required by law.
moved by Smythe · seconded by Allen
passedformal_resolution28-2026vote: unanimous
Authorize a temporary interfund advance from the General Fund to the Sewer Fund for payment of Delaware Engineering invoices related to the Red Hook Sewer Phase 2 project.
moved by Kjarval · seconded by Rothstein
passedoperationalvote: unanimous
Authorize the Mayor to sign the Internship Agreement with Ursula Wolfe.
moved by Uku · seconded by Rothstein
passedformal_resolution29-2026vote: unanimous
Raise non-union Village employee wages effective June 1, 2026.
moved by Allen · seconded by Kjarval
passedformal_resolution30-2026vote: unanimous
Create the Pedestrian Advocacy Committee.
moved by Rothstein · seconded by Allen
passedformal_resolution31-2026vote: 4-1
Amend the General, Water, and Sewer Fund budgets for fiscal year ending May 31, 2026.
moved by Kjarval · seconded by Rothstein
passedvote: unanimous
Set a Special Workshop on July 13 from 1-3 PM to discuss Local Law 'A' of 2026 regarding Gateway North zoning district and workforce housing provisions.
moved by Rothstein · seconded by Allen
passedvote: unanimous
Approve the Audited Vouchers for payment: General Fund $60,317.04, Water Fund $7,519.89, and Sewer Fund $5,948.99.
moved by Uku · seconded by Kjarval
passedformal_resolution32-2026vote: unanimous
Confirm members appointed by the Mayor to the Wetland Rehabilitation and Vitalization Committee for two-year terms ending April 3, 2028.
moved by Uku · seconded by Rothstein
passedvote: unanimous
Adjourn the June 22, 2026 Village Board Workshop Meeting.
moved by Kjarval · seconded by Allen