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Supervisor’s Desk

May 18, 2020 in Supervisor's DeskTown News

Latest Update from the County on Reopening Dutchess / Stanford

We had hoped to announce a full entry into the Phase I Reopening today, but Dutchess County is being grouped within the Mid-Hudson Region, and although Dutchess meets 6 out of 7 metrics to move into Phase I, we are being held back by other counties within our region.  That being said, both Dutchess & Ulster Counties have been given the green light for these activities:

  1. Drive-in Movie Theaters are open for movies as well as for church services and graduation services
  2. Houses of Worship may conduct services outside as long as the congregation stays in their vehicles
  3. Our library in Stanford is not yet open, but there are many opportunities they are offering.  Check out their FB page.
  4. Retail can deliver to curbside no matter the size of the store.  They can deliver items to a customer’s home or have the customer pick-up at curbside. The owner and one employee can be on site.
  5. Single student horseback riding with a single instructor
  6. Hunt clubs and gun clubs can operate.  However, there can be no food service indoors.  Food can be sold for “curbside” pick-up
  7. All elective medical procedures are now allowed as well as acupuncture
  8. Auto Maintenance
  9. Pet grooming [if it involves the animal’s health]
  10. Landscaping.  Please continue to social distance and wear mask protection if you are landscaping as a crew.
  11. Non-motorized boating
  12. Golf – one person to a cart

The County is also postponing its Foreclosure Auction so owners still have time to pay back taxes.

We will make every effort to restrict only certain areas of Sparc Park so the picnic tables and open air spaces are available to enjoy.  We ask that people outside of direct family clusters still maintain social distancing.  I hope to make this announcement within a few days.

April 19, 2020 in Supervisor's Desk

Our Fire Company Delivers Birthday Cheer

As the weeks have morphed into a second month, I know that many of us are experiencing Cabin Fever. It’s particularly hard on our children.  Teachers are performing gymnastic feats of creative teaching and learning while social distancing continues with their students, but still it is a lonely time.  A brilliant act of caregiving was created by the Stanford Fire Company in partnership with the Pine Plains Fire Company for cheering up both children and adults who are having birthdays during this time of physical isolation.  For the past two Saturdays,  a parade of  Engines and pick up trucks along with one of Duffy Layton’s Dump Trucks, visited  twenty-five homes. They blew the sirens and  flashed their lights with a call out for every birthday girl and boy. Even during this time of quarantine, this would be a birthday to remember.

We have the best Fire Company anywhere!  They have been making some very tough trips since the outbreak of COVID-19 and yet they have found the time to make our children happy.  Thank you, firemen and EMTS for taking such great care of our Community.  

April 4, 2020 in Supervisor's Desk

State of the Town Address

Dear Neighbors,

We are 28 days into our new Administration and I feel it is necessary to give you a STATE OF THE TOWN update. Some very wonderful new projects have been initiated, but there is also a matter of grave concern that the current Town Board has inherited that I need to address with you. It  impacts everyone’s taxes and the financial future of our town.

Many of you may have noticed that you received a 59.8% decrease in your Town Real Property tax as opposed to the 10.8% that was reflected in the proposed budget. You can imagine the devastating impact this decrease has on our finances and taxes moving forward.

We are actively investigating, with the help of several governmental agencies and the State and County Comptroller’s Offices, the submission in November 2019 of an inappropriate representation of the 2020 Budget approved by the Town Board. It resulted in an erroneous Tax Levy that has affected all of us, and which has a tremendous negative impact on the future of our Town and its taxpayers.

There are remedies we can pursue and we are already speaking with Marc Molinaro and Greg Pulver at the County Level and other local and state officials as well. I urge you to attend our Town Board Meeting on February 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Auditorium.  We will explain the serious situation we have inherited. Our Town Auditor, Town Attorney, County Legislator and other experts will be there to help answer questions.

It is my deep honor to serve this Community.  We take your faith in our stewardship very seriously, and hope all of you will join with us to rejoice in the progress that is being made, as well as participating with us as we resolve the challenges we now face.

My best,

Wendy Burton, Town Supervisor