Town of Washington passes law on video attendance at meetings

WASHINGTON —  At the Thursday, May 11, Town of Washington Board meeting, it was decided that video attendance at town meetings will be allowed for members of the town, zoning and planning boards under certain circumstances, including disability, illness, caregiving responsibilities and any other factor that makes it impossible for the member to physically attend the meeting.

This will only be allowed if the members attending in person will make up a quorum. If this requirement is met, the member who is video conferencing can participate in the meeting and may vote. The number of meetings a member can attend in this manner is capped at two.

In other matters, the board approved and Town Supervisor Gary Ciferri signed off on a proposal from Colliers Engineering and Design per the limited traffic study on Killearn Road in the amount of $6,200.

Councilman Mike Murphy has been working on the problems associated with short-term rentals in the town. A local law amending the town code was proposed, requiring owners to obtain a short-term rental permit from the town in order to continue or begin the operation of such a rental.

The permit must be obtained in advance and is not transferable to a new owner. Rentals currently committed may be honored but the owner must apply for a permit within 180 days of the law being adopted. Full information on short-term rentals is available on the Town website at www.washingtonny.org

The next town board meeting will be on Thursday, June 8, at 6 p.m., at Town Hall, 10 Reservoir Dr., Millbrook.