Short-term rentals. For years the town has received complaints regarding short-term rentals. Issues include constant noise, cars blocking roads, and homes being rented for pool parties. Since there are no regulations, there’s nothing the police or code enforcement officer can do. The board discussed requiring permit applications to rent out a home. Homes would also need to undergo inspection before approval is granted and surrounding neighbors would need to be notified of the owner’s intent. Those who don’t register their property would be subject to a penalty. Still under consideration is whether or not living out of the home would be required to register it as a short-term rental.

Tax exemption. The board continues to discuss whether or not to offer a 100 percent tax exemption to veterans who are completely disabled as it determines what the tax impact will be town-wide. There are currently 10 veterans who are 100 percent disabled. If each filed for the exemption, taxes would increase by one percent. The board could also opt to offer additional exemptions to veterans, but the tax impact is unknown. Currently 673 of 9,800 taxed parcels receive an exemption.

Woodlawn Cemetery. Seeking additional sources of revenue, the board is considering constructing Columbarium for families to store urns containing cremated remains.

Infrastructure project. The town will be moving forward with improvements to the water infrastructure at Stewart Airport after approving the $1,913,000 project. A bond resolution, in the amount of $3,306,000, was also approved to improve the sewer district facilities in that area. The town will also be going out to bid on a two-million gallon above ground water tank to replace the 2.5 million in-ground tank as part of phase one of the project.

Promotion. Police Officer Brian Levy was promoted to the position of sergeant effective July 2.

Ruscitti Park. The board rejected the sole bid received for splash pads at Ruscitti Park. Supervisor Steven Bedetti described the $1.2 million bid as “astronomical” and authorized the town clerk to re-advertise the project. The town will also be seeking new bids on the plumbing project associated with the activity center renovation after the contractor advised it would be unable to honor the bid.

Flag poles. The Flag Guys was accepted as the lowest possible bidder in the procurement of 13 flag poles for the historic Last Encampment site. The flag poles, representing the 13 original colonies, will cost $38,826.84 and will be paid for through a $126,000 grant from Assemblyman Chris Eachus. Remaining funds will be used to repair the roofs on the huts at the site.

Moratorium. A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Aug. 5 on a temporary moratorium on warehouses, distribution facilities, and self-storage facilities.
Retirement. Effective Aug. 28, Andrew Conley will be retiring as a laborer with the Buildings and Grounds Department. He worked 36 years for the town.