What Your New town Board has accomplished (2024-2026)

Saving you money:

  • Got IBM to pay triple the town property taxes it has been paying for the past 15 years.

  • Kept town spending under the NY 2% property tax cap despite inflation.

Affordability and Community Needs:

  • Increased grants and revenues to offset property taxes.

  • Partnered with Dutchess Outreach on twice-monthly Farm Stand food pantries at the Galleria Mall.

Housing:

  • Passed Good Cause law to protect tenants from unfair evictions and extreme rent hikes.

  • Expanded options for residents to build accessory rental apartments.

  • Required developers of new rental units to offer 1 of every 10 units at affordable or workforce rates.

Recreation and Youth:

  • Expanded rec programs for all ages, from free youth basketball to new Senior Center programs.

  • Will open a new Town Hall and Community Center with gym, kitchen, theater, and community meeting spaces at 244 Boardman Road (Spring 2027), including new space for Town Summer Camp.

Parks and Green Spaces:

  • Are revitalizing and expanding Town parks and walking trails.

  • Added the Reese Preserve to the Town park system, forever protecting this wildlife sanctuary.

Public Safety:

  • Brought the Youth Police Initiative to the town to work with at-risk youth.

  • Designated opioid funding for outreach to residents with substance use and mental health needs.

  • Opposed plan for Hudson Valley ICE facility in Chester.

  • Are planning a modern, community-centered Police and Courts facility, to open in 2028 at the site of the current Town Hall on Overocker Road.

Climate Action:

  • Adopted a Climate Action Plan and Climate Resilience Plan for the Town government.

  • Created food scraps and textile recycling programs at the Senior Center and Town Hall.

  • Secured grant funds for Town’s first EV’s (two pickup trucks) and landscaping equipment.

neighborhood improvement:

  • Won a $252,000 state grant and launched a plan to revitalize the former K-Mart site on Route 44.

  • Restored the Town War Memorial and annual Town Memorial Day ceremony.

Communication and Transparency (so you know what’s going on):

  • Sharing news through Supervisor’s e-newsletter, social media, and annual Resident Services Guide.

  • Increased budget clarity and accountability to residents.