The meeting consisted of presentations, proclamations, reports, announcements, a variety of resolutions, a public hearing, and public comments.
The presentations and proclamations recognized a number of local public and government efforts. These included:
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- The Public Health Partnership Award to the dental team from Sun River Health who, in collaboration with Poughkeepsie Early Learning and Elementary Schools and the Dutchess County Board of Health, presented programs to over 300 kindergarten, first and second graders about good dental hygiene practices; Sun River Health, a health system with more than 45 locations in the Hudson Valley, accepts all patients regardless of their insurance or financial circumstances;
- Proclaiming May a) as Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and acknowledging Legislators Brendli and Versaci for their work on the Tick Task Force bringing awareness of symptoms and causes of Lyme Disease to the public; and b) Mental Health Awareness Month, and calling upon citizens and organizations in the community to recommit to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, and taking steps to protect mental health and make services accessible for all people with mental illnesses; and
- Acknowledging April 30th as Dutchess County Pet Partner Day and National Therapy Animal Day and commending the work of Pet Partners helping people of all ages in their struggles and challenges.
Legislator Drago, as the legislative representative at Cornell Cooperative Extension, announced the Cooperative’s annual plant sale taking place in Millbrook on May 17-18, and a taste of Todd Hill Market pop up on May 18.
Legislator Houston, from the Veterans Affairs Committee, reported that the “challenge coins” – previously approved via a budget amendment – had been ordered and delivery expected imminently.
In connection with Mental Health Awareness month, Legislator Atkinson invited his colleagues to participate with him (in partnership with the county’s Traffic Safety Board and community organizations) in his annual mental health awareness bike ride on May 19 at Malcolm X Park. The event features key note speaker Courtney Williams from Black Girls That Bike, and distribution of free bikes, helmets, repair kits, and lights.
Legislator Valdes-Smith extended Mother’s Day greetings to mothers throughout the County. She also acknowledged the work of SNUG, an anti-gun violence organization that recently won a nationwide award for their work in Poughkeepsie.
The public hearing addressed proposals to: establish two assessment zones in the the Dutchess County Water District located in the Town of Hyde Park; construct a water main extension to connect certain Hyde Park properties to the existing Hyde Park Regional Water System; and allocate capital, operating and maintenance costs among the affected properties. One person, a landlord of 24-unit building on one of the properties described the health concerns with brown water in the building, and urged support for the proposals. The Resolutions related to these proposals (## 87, 88 and 89) passed unanimously.
Numerous consent resolutions (## 83-86, 90-97) also passed unanimously. These related to: appointments and reappointments to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence, the Director of the Office of Probation and Community Corrections; the Dutchess County Local Development Corporation, and the Dutchess County Poughkeepsie Land Bank Board of Directors; authorizing an increase in passport photo fees; conservation easements, amending the county budget relating to the Department of Planning and Development and the Shared Services Reserve Fund; the Mortgage Tax Apportionment Period October 1st, 2023 through March 31st, 2024; requesting the New York State Department of Transportation to abandon maintenance jurisdiction to the County for lands located on New York State Route 22, in the Town of Pawling; authorizing the County Executive to apply for, accept, and a grant application as it pertains to the Dutchess County Division of Public Transit; and a request authorizing Dutchess County to increase the tax on the occupancy of hotel rooms to be used for County purposes.
In connection with approving the minutes from the last session, Legislator Drago noted that, with respect to the discussion preceding the vote to authorize funding for a lawsuit against NY, only a limited number of comments were included in the minutes. He sought clarification as to why other comments were not included. According to Chairman Truitt, only comments that are made for a motion, an amendment, or points of order are included. Legislator Valdes-Smith pointed out that she made a point of order that was not included in the minutes; Chairman Truitt assured that it would be reviewed and, if missed, it would be corrected.
The minutes were then approved.
Three members of the public addressed the Legislature. Johanna Fallert on behalf of Mothers Out Front, pointed out that the current incinerator operating contract expires in 2027 and urged the legislators to explore options other than incineration to dispose of municipal waste, such as composting and landfills. She explained that burning trash is more expensive and more polluting than these alternatives.
Another discussed the dearth of mental health services and psychiatric abuse. A third invited the public to a Memorial Day event at Eastman Park to celebrate veterans and first responders.
Finally, condolences were offered to the families of four county residents.