Germantown NY Democrats Organization

Board Members Present: Supervisor Dave Helsley, Councilmember Austin Sullivan, Councilmember Kaare Christian, Councilmember Sarah Suarez, Councilmember John Kukon

Staff Present: Town Attorney Corinne Smith, Town Clerk Joyce Vale

Others Present: Fire Commissioner Tony Albino (via Zoom); Waterfront Advisory Committee Member Martin Overington; Town Historian Thomas Shannon (via Zoom); President, Board of Trustees, Friends of Historic Germantown, Ethan Dickerman (via Zoom); Community Members

Zoning and Subdivision Law Update

Town Attorney Corinne Smith reported on remaining comments in the Short-Term Rental section of the draft zoning law. One outstanding issue involves the Code Enforcement Officer’s recommendation to prohibit the use of recreational vehicles, travel trailers, tents, yurts, and similar temporary structures as short-term rentals in all districts. Smith noted the recommendation was driven by fire safety concerns related to these types of structures. The Board flagged the item for further discussion.

Smith outlined next steps for the zoning update: consultant Matthew Rogers will finalize the current draft incorporating all comments, after which it will be circulated internally to Code Enforcement, the ZBA, and the Planning Board for review. Public hearings will begin in parallel with referral to Columbia County Planning. Because the Board must keep public hearings open until county comments are received — a minimum two-month process — multiple public hearings are anticipated.

Memorandum of Understanding with Friends of Historic Germantown

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the Town Supervisor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Friends of Historic Germantown (FoHG), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. The MOU formalizes the relationship between the town and FoHG, particularly around fundraising for historic preservation projects benefiting town-owned properties.

Town Attorney Smith explained that the town is prohibited by law from soliciting donations or conducting fundraising activities. Under the MOU, FoHG will handle all fundraising independently and then come to the Town Board with proposals for historic preservation projects. Town Historian Tom Shannon will present recommended projects during the annual budget process. The agreement has a three-year term, is renewable, and can be reviewed annually.

Councilmember Christian raised a question about a confidentiality clause that limits the town’s access to donor information. Smith explained that this is a standard provision designed to protect donor privacy as FoHG is not subject to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). In cases where larger donations come directly to the town — such as gifts of land — the town would receive the necessary information to accept or reject the donation.

Ethan Dickerman, representing FoHG, thanked the Board and expressed the organization’s gratitude for clarifying the fundraising process, and stated that initial focus will be on rehabilitation of the Parsonage.

Pickleball Courts Grant Application

Councilmember Christian reported that the grant application for four permanent pickleball courts in Palatine Park has been completed and submitted. The total grant request is approximately $220,000, which reflects both OPRHP (Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation) requirements and construction costs. Christian credited the Recreation Committee and chair Tatiana Carayannis for an “amazingly large amount of work” on the comprehensive application.

Background: The Recreation Committee proposed the pickleball courts at the January 2026 meeting, citing strong community interest from pop-up events. A special Board meeting on January 27 authorized the necessary grant paperwork.

Lasher Park Dock Replacement and Improvements

Supervisor Helsley and Councilmember Christian reported on a meeting with the DEC regarding the planned dock replacement at Lasher Park. The new dock design from Dock Doctors does not include a courtesy dock on the north side of the boat launch, which had been part of the original expectation. The DEC initially attributed this to silting and shallow water, but Dock Doctors indicated the omission is a budgetary constraint. A rough estimate to add the northern courtesy dock would be in the range of $24,000–$26,000, though a formal proposal has not yet been submitted.

The Board discussed several alternatives for the north side, including an ADA-accessible kayak launch. The DEC was receptive to the idea, but Dock Doctors recommended against it, citing insufficient robustness for the wave action at that location. Instead, they suggested a low-angle ramp as part of a stabilized shoreline, which could double as a kayak launch site.

The new docks — everything except the northern courtesy dock — will be installed in April as planned, replacing the current aging docks. The DEC will also be resurfacing the parking lot, replacing the kiosk, and trenching a new electric line from the telephone pole by the railroad tracks to the south dock to restore nighttime lighting. These additional improvements are expected in the late summer timeframe.

The Board discussed the possibility of repurposing parts of the old docks — which the DEC is giving to the town — at Cheviot Park, where existing docks are worn out, or at Lake George.

Background: The DEC dock replacement project has been in discussion since fall 2024, when the town learned that new docks would not be ready for the 2025 season. The old docks were reused for one more year while the manufacturer completed the new heavier-duty units. Nighttime lighting at Lasher Park has been a recurring safety concern raised by community members. Separately, the Waterfront Advisory Committee submitted a Trails Conservancy grant application in January 2026 for a dedicated ADA-accessible kayak launch at Lasher Park.

Kellner Community Activities Building Rental Agreement

The Board voted to simplify the rental fee schedule for the Kellner Community Activities Building. The “for-profit event” category — which waived the room fee but charged a $100 deposit and 10% of profits — was removed. All non-resident and business rentals will now be charged a flat rate of $50 for the main room, $25 for the kitchen, and a $100 deposit.

Councilmember Suarez noted that the flat fee structure is cleaner and more practical, and that the previous profit-sharing arrangement could discourage events like farmers’ markets and holiday markets. The existing fee schedule for gatherings of more than 25 people — an additional $5 for each additional 10 persons — was confirmed.

Traffic Safety Board Appointment

The Board unanimously approved the appointment of Eric Arland as Germantown’s representative to the Columbia County Traffic Safety Board. Councilmember Suarez, who met with Arland, noted that he is a longtime resident who lives in an area of the hamlet with frequent traffic complaints, making him well-suited for the role.

Suarez also reported that the county’s speed trailer, which had been out of commission, is now repaired and the Sheriff’s office is prepared to deploy it in Germantown as soon as road conditions allow. The Board is still awaiting a response from the Department of Transportation on the town’s speed limit reduction request for the hamlet. Suarez reached out to the Traffic Safety Board to check on the DOT response, and was told they expect to hear something for their March meeting.

Ice House Landing — Greenway Water Trail Site

The Board authorized the Waterfront Advisory Committee to apply to designate the Ice House Landing as a Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Site and authorized the Supervisor to sign the application. Martin Overington and Councilmember Christian spoke in favor, noting that the designation would make the site eligible for Greenway grants for future improvements such as tent platforms, simple docking for kayaks, and a gate to prevent unauthorized vehicle access. The site would be primarily water-accessible — reached by paddling or hiking rather than driving.

Christian noted that designating the property as a park has legal implications: once classified as parkland, using it for another purpose would require legislative action. Town Attorney Smith confirmed this but noted the property is already being used as a public park, and the change is consistent with current use. The Board also discussed updating the property’s tax code designation, which currently lists it as a cemetery, and will check with the town’s insurance provider.

Background: The Waterfront Advisory Committee has been cleaning up and maintaining Ice House Landing — a town-owned waterfront parcel acquired through tax foreclosure — for several years. Cheviot Park was designated as a Greenway Water Trail Site roughly 10–12 years ago. The WAC has also been pursuing other waterfront improvements, including invasive species management and shoreline stabilization.

Old Business Updates

• Theodore Robinson Community Forest: Additional survey work is complete. The Town Attorney has circulated the results to the DEC, but has not yet received a response. Once approved, the final map with additional markers will be filed.
• Salt Shed Solar Array: The electrical service installation by Hudson Solar is complete, with all service gear mounted and connections made. The remaining step is trenching from the service to the utility pole and having National Grid make the final connection. Frost conditions have delayed the trench work.
• Franchise Agreement with Hilltop/Archtop Fiber: A tentative meeting with the company’s representatives has been scheduled for Friday, February 27, at 2:00 p.m. Town Attorney Smith will recirculate the original franchise agreement and the unsigned renewal to prepare for the meeting, and the town intends to discuss payment for 2025 service.
• Background: The cable franchise agreement with Hilltop Communications (now Archtop Fiber) expired in mid-2025. Despite multiple extensions and follow-up efforts throughout 2025, the company has been largely unresponsive to the town’s attempts to negotiate a new agreement. In December 2024, Archtop announced it would no longer accept new cable television customers.

New Business

• Earth Day Tree Planting: The Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District is offering a free 12–15 foot tree to the town through its Earth Day program. Town Historian Tom Shannon suggested planting it behind the Parsonage in a recently cleared area. The Board’s Park subcommittee (Councilmembers Suarez and Christian) will determine the final location. Several sites were discussed, including Palatine Park, the area near Town Hall, and in front of the Kellner Building.
• Theodore Robinson Community Forest Ribbon Cutting: The Board discussed plans for an opening event for the trail, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, April 26 (the Sunday after Earth Day). Ideas include a ribbon cutting with invited local officials and DEC representatives (who supported the grant), a community work party for trail restoration, and a presentation by Tom Shannon on the history of Theodore Robinson.
• Independence Day 2026: The Board discussed plans for the Fourth of July, which falls on a Saturday this year — the nation’s 250th anniversary. The usual fireworks vendor, Legion Fireworks, is unavailable on both July 4 and 5. Town Historian Shannon reported that the county’s 250th celebration will be tied to the Hudson Flag Day Parade rather than a July 4 event at the fairgrounds, leaving the door open for Germantown to hold its own celebration on Independence Day without conflicting with a county event. Supervisor Helsley will immediately begin contacting alternative fireworks vendors.
• Grievance Day: The Board’s new assessor, who serves five other municipalities, has a scheduling conflict with Germantown’s traditional Grievance Day (the fourth Tuesday in May). After discussion, the Board agreed to pursue a local law moving Grievance Day this year to Thursday, June 4. Fire Commissioner Tony Albino, who serves on the Board of Assessment Review, confirmed the date works. A public hearing on the local law will be scheduled for the March Board meeting, with the aim of adopting it at the same meeting.
• Board Vacancies: The Board is interviewing a candidate for the Planning Board on February 18, and a candidate for the Board of Assessment Review has also responded. The BAR position interview will be scheduled separately.

Comments from the Public

• Big Towel Sauna/Kellner Building Utilities: In response to a question about the Big Towel’s use of the Kellner Community Activities Building, the Board confirmed that the Big Towel is paying for utilities. The Board noted that the Big Towel Sauna utility arrangement was scheduled for discussion at this meeting, but the owner could not attend. It will be placed on the March agenda.
• Snow Removal and Salt Runoff: A community member raised concerns about the county dumping plowed snow from town roads at Lower Main Street near the railroad station circle. The 15–20 foot piles of snow and debris will melt and drain directly into the Hudson River via the storm drain. The Board acknowledged the concern but Councilmember John Kukon noted that road salt throughout the town eventually reaches waterways through the storm drain system.
• Sewer District Assessment Updates: Code Enforcement Officer Brandon Mullins identified four properties requiring updated sewer district assessments due to changes in use, including a property operating as a B&B, a commercial property with a new apartment, and two other properties with unreported changes. The Board authorized Mullins to work with Councilmember Sullivan to update the property descriptions.

Upcoming Meetings

• Hilltop/Archtop Fiber Franchise Meeting: February 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. (tentative)
• Public Hearing on Grievance Day Local Law / Regular Board Meeting: March 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.