Deputy Mayor Melkorka Kjarval's Monthly Reports — May 2026

Deputy Mayor Melkorka Kjarval’s Monthly Reports

May, 11th, 2026

Red Hook Together meets every first Thursday of the month. The group met virtually on May 7th at noon. The Rotary’s Apple Blossom festival slated for May 9th has secured a RHCSD shuttle bus that will transport riders from an accessory parking lot to the festival as well as stopping north of the Village. Legislator Kris Munn shared that he is proposing a law to regulate use of A.I in County Government. Cicely Wilson from Bard CCE reminded the group about their summer intern program. Tivoli Library announced their REV 250 event in coordination with the Town on Flag Day. Panda shared they are looking for board members to fill their “Village of Red Hook” board seat. The next meeting of Red Hook Together will be at 4pm on June 4th to launch this year's slate of Art Box exhibits.

As reported in previous reports, the Transitional Housing discussion group, which met on January 21st with Christa Hines from HRH and met again virtually Tuesday, April 28th. In attendance were Town Supervisor Mckeon, Community Center Director Sara Ugolini, Nevill Smythe, and Erin Canan Vice President for Civic Engagement. Discussion covered what the goals of the group should be, if this group was the correct venue for the discussion, and possible next steps. The issue of lack of access to social service support and interventions for individuals with housing/ mental health or addiction crises in Red Hook was discussed in depth. Sara Ugolini proposed we invite DCFS Commissioner Sabrina Marzouka to speak to the group - coordination of that is ongoing. Town Supervisor Mckeon has proposed finding a location for a Hudson River Housing (Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI)) funded project - which would cover rental fees for 6 bedrooms in a property. Eligibility for this specific project (as defined by ESSHI criteria) would be 3 slots for un-housed persons with serious mental illness and 3 slots for unhoused individuals that are part of the Reentry Population. We have yet to hear if such a project were sited in RH; whether RH would be eligible for satellite access to County supportive social services (currently located in Poughkeepsie) and/or would priority be given to RH community members known to be in need of housing support services. A reminder that the emergency overnight warming shelter previously held in St.Christopher’s basement during the winter of ‘25/’26; has been unable to find a location although funding and staffing are available.

Town of Red Hook Comprehensive Plan:

The Town committee meets monthly from 7:30pm to 9pm on the fourth Tuesday at Town Hall. The April 28th. The 2nd Workshop is entitled “Vision to Action” will be held on Sunday, May 17 Noon - 4pm at Rose Hill Farm. This will be the first opportunity for the community to see what goals were gleaned from public engagement, the public is invited to give feedback on these ‘visions’ in an interactive expo style event.

Comp Plan Site: redhookny.gov/578/Town-of-Red-Hook-Comprehensive-Plan What is a Comp Plan? redhookny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4933/

Community Engagement https://www.redhookny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4931/

Town of Red Hook Community Preservation Fund:

There is another public hearing on May 12, 2026, for another amendment to the CPF plan.

“ The proposed amendment incorporates certain additional parcels currently owned on behalf of the Town Water District No. 1. The Town of Red Hook Community Preservation Plan, in accordance with Section 64-h of the Town Law and Chapter 57 of the Red Hook Town Code, establishes a plan for the preservation of community character; to acquire interests or rights in real property for the preservation of community character within the Town including Villages in accordance with such Plan and in cooperation with willing sellers; and to provide a management and stewardship program for such interests and rights. The Town Board will meet to consider such amendment and hear all persons interested in the subject thereof and concerning the same. ”

I have also been doing some preliminary work to understand better how the CPF Advisory Committee works. Currently the Advisory committee meets after they are sent projects to review. They have not met yet during the year 2026. They do not produce minutes, and instead use their advisory opinions as record. The current appointment list (as set at the Feb 10th, 2026 Town Council meeting is as follows: source:

https://www.redhookny.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02102026-2065

Chair- Mary Ann Johnson 2026

• Chris Klose 2026

• Emily Majer 2026

• R. Pete Hubbell 2024 (land appraiser)

• John Hardeman 2024 (farmer)

• Vacant 2028 (farmer)

• Mary Ann Johnson 2028 (planner)

• Charlie Laing 2025 (architect)

• Liaison: Ken Migliorelli

Also for the Village boards consideration,

The CPF plan contains the following recommendation:

Therefore, the CPF Advisory Board continues to recommend that the Town and the villages enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding to assure that highly ranked parcels in the Villages are eligible for a minimum ten percent (10%) of the CPF each for a total of twenty percent (20%) annually dedicated to use in the villages. Projects receiving funding under the initial 10% Village allocation are not limited to projects located within the Village boundaries but may include projects that benefit the Village, such as protection of water supply, enhancement of gateway areas, and other projects described under “Village of Red Hook Rankings” and “Village of Tivoli Rankings.” Strategies for when and how to allocate this portion of the Fund to the villages should include the power of each municipality to veto allocation of its funds to a project not directly benefitting the villages. It should also include a mechanism for the villages to relinquish the use of the 20 percent annual allocation, to be used elsewhere in the Town or for all of the 20 percent allocation to be used in one of the two villages, if suitable projects are not available for funding in any given year. Each party to the Agreement/Memorandum should be designated an active participant in the decisionmaking process. Source (Page 2.6)

No such Intermunicipal Agreement or MOU has ever existed during the 10 years that this fund has been in operation. The Town is approaching the State To extend the town of Red Hook's preservation funds and tax on real estate transfers in the town until 2051. I propose we as a board should request that the Town commit to undertaking an agreement with the Villages as was recommended by the CPF Advisory Board before they vote to amend their law. Our constituents deserve to have taxes collected from Village properties represented and Village interests part of the recommendation process, and if the Town is planning to amend the law to “ to acquire interests or rights in real property for the preservation of community character within the Town including Villages in accordance with such Plan and in cooperation with willing sellers; and to provide a management and stewardship program for such interests and rights” Village interests, Village Character and Village representation and participation in what ‘management and stewardship’ should constitute should be considered.

I hereby request that the Village board agree to send a letter to the Town Council requesting that before they amend the law, and/or renew the tax they enter into an agreement with the Villages.

Village of Red Hook Communications:

• The Survey redhookvillage.gov/survey will be shared with the public at Apple Blossom Day and then depending on responses closed so that we can analyze responses. Thank you to everyone who has taken time to give us feedback, 68 responses at the time of this finalizing this report.

Village and Zoning Review:

No other updates to date.

Planning/Zoning & Building Department: See attached Reports