Board renews agreement to shelter stray dogs, resident garners grant

AMENIA — The  Town Board meeting on Thursday, March 4, was held over Zoom and live streamed to the “AmeniaTV” YouTube channel due to the COVID health crisis.

Town Supervisor Victoria Perotti gave updates on projects including the Lavelle Road pump house and generator upgrade and Town Engineer John Andrews’ plans to submit the cost estimate for repairs. She also reported negotiations are still in progress for the Altice USA cable franchise renewal agreement. She said a response is expected in April for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation/Environmental Facilities Corporation planning grant. 

Veterinary care agreement

The board discussed the renewal of the dog control housing agreement with Pine Plains Veterinary Associates. The vet’s office will be charged with sheltering, watering, feeding and providing necessary veterinary services for dogs seized by the town’s animal control officer (ACO).

Perotti said Pine Plains Veterinary Associates maintains a kennel for boarding dogs at its office at 2826 Church St. in Pine Plains. In 2019, the Town Board authorized a contract with the practice to provide shelter for any dogs seized by the ACO through Dec. 31. The board unanimously voted to renew the agreement.

Emergency plan OK’d

Next, the board unanimously adopted the 2021 Town of Amenia Emergency Operations Plan, per state law. The goal is to “provide for effective local responses when disasters occur and facilitate local recovery,” said Perotti.

Resident garners grant

Next up was a resolution to accept the Bridging Divides grant from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF). Perotti said an Amenia resident applied for and obtained a grant from the BTCF totaling $2,500; its website, www.berkshiretaconic.org, describes the Bridging Divides, Healing Communities grant as being “for the purpose of building and strengthening relationships.”

It added applicants can submit proposals for “virtual forums that allow people to explore issues through different points of view… service projects that allow a group of people to come together to address an immediate community need… [or] activities that bring a community together around arts and culture.” 

The BTCF grant can be applied for on behalf of municipalities, among other entities.

Perotti noted the resident obtained the grant for the Wassaic Boarding School project. Going online to the “wassaicboardingschool” Instagram page, the Wassaic Boarding School seeks to bring “the joy and empowerment of skateboarding to Dutchess, N.Y., and Litchfield, Conn., Counties.” 

The project corresponds to a proposal the Town Board heard last December from Christopher May for the future installation of a skatepark in the hamlet of Wassaic. However, Perotti explained the resident may not have realized the need to gain Town Board authorization first before seeking a grant under the town’s name. In order to accept the grant, Perotti said the applicant must prepare and submit a project report to BTCF and the Town Board on or before Wednesday, March 31. 

The board accepted the resolution unanimously.

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