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 Clerk Joyce Vale

Others Present: Fire Commissioner Tony Albino, Recreation Committee Chair Tatiana Carayannis, Recreation Committee Members, Town Historian Thomas Shannon, Community Members

Reorganizational Resolutions

• The Board approved 30 resolutions establishing the town government structure for 2026. Key organizational actions included:
• Regular Meeting Schedule: Meetings are set for the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., continuing the established pattern from previous years.
• Staffing and Appointments: The Board approved the reappointment of key personnel including Deputy Supervisor Austin Sullivan, Budget Officer David Helsley, and Town Clerk Joyce Vale. Due to recent resignations, the Justice Court Clerk position is vacant and the town will advertise for candidates. The town will also seek applicants for a Planning Board member position, as Chris Brown is leaving the area.
• Professional Services: The Board reappointed Brian Fitzgerald as town accountant/bookkeeper, Whitbeck, Benedict and Smith as legal counsel, Delaware Engineering for engineering services, and Brandon Mullins as Code Enforcement Officer. North Shore Solutions was appointed as webmaster, and Thomas Shannon was reappointed as Town Historian.
• Organizational Designations: The Register Star remains the official newspaper, the Bank of Greene County continues as the town’s depository bank, and the Columbia Greene Humane Society is designated as the official dog shelter, with Phil Salvatore reappointed as Dog Control Officer.
• Zoning Board: Theresa Repko was reappointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a five-year term (2026-2030) and reappointed as ZBA Chairperson. Garrett Montgomery was reappointed as Planning Board Chair.
• Travel and Expense Reimbursement: The town’s official travel reimbursement rate was set at $0.725 per mile, aligned with current federal guidelines.
• Equipment Rentals: Kellner Community Activities Building rental fees were adopted for 2026, with rates established for community groups – no charge, nonprofit use ($25 rental – Kitchen use included), Germantown residents ($25 rental plus $25 kitchen fee), and non-residents ($50 rental plus $25 kitchen fee). A $100 deposit is required for all non-community group rentals. An alarm permit registration fee of $25 was established, with renewal fees of $5. Filming permits are set at $100 per day.
• Financial Reserves: The Board formally recognized and recreated the town’s capital reserve funds, including the Sidewalk Reserve, Highway Reserve, and multiple capital reserve accounts established by previous boards. These funds are essential for major infrastructure and equipment projects.
• Further information may be found here.

Pickleball Courts Grant Proposal

The Recreation Committee, supported by the Parks Commission, presented a comprehensive proposal to build permanent pickleball courts in Palatine Park. This initiative grew from highly successful pop-up events that demonstrated strong community interest across all age groups.

Background and Community Need:

• Germantown residents currently must travel to neighboring towns to play pickleball. The sport is the fastest-growing recreational activity in the United States, with 19.1 million players nationwide. It is low-cost, low-impact, and accessible to all skill levels. Notably, pickleball is emerging as beneficial therapy for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and related neurological conditions. The Recreation Committee has received strong interest for a dedicated Parkinson’s pickleball program, as there are none in the region.

Site Selection and Design:

• The committee identified a location just west of the ball fields on an already-cleared area away from residential homes. The site requires no tree removal and is consistent with the Germantown Comprehensive Plan. The proposed design includes four north-south oriented courts to minimize sun glare during play, with 4-foot perimeter fencing and sound mitigation on the west side. The layout will include seating, shade structures, bike racks, signage, and utilities accessed from the existing concession stand building.

Budget and Project Costs:

• The committee looked at completed pickleball projects in neighboring communities to determine the best approach. They propose using existing town and county resources for grading and base preparation, and hiring specialized contractors to install the court surface and fencing. Preliminary cost estimates include approximately $2,000 for excavation and base material, $5,000 for asphalt paving, $28,000 for court surface treatment and fencing, and $8,500 for accessories. The Board requested pricing for concrete surface alternatives to asphalt, noting that concrete donations from local suppliers could reduce ongoing maintenance costs.

Funding and Next Steps:

• The town is applying for a New York State Parks and Recreation grant with a 90-10 match requirement (proposal due February 9, 2026).  A special Board meeting will be held on January 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (following the Zoning and Subdivision Law workshop) to approve survey work and complete grant paperwork. As a grant condition, Palatine Park must be recorded in perpetuity as parkland in county deed records, which can only be modified by legislative action.

Kayak Launch and Waterfront Improvements

The Waterfront Advisory Committee is pursuing a Trails Conservancy grant (due January 30) for a dedicated ADA-accessible kayak launch at Lasher Park, estimated at $37,000-$40,000. The current boat ramp serves both trailered boats and kayak users, creating congestion and safety concerns. The launch would feature aluminum poles that accommodate tidal conditions and can be seasonally installed/removed. The grant requires a 50% local match, which the committee plans to cover through fundraising partnerships and available WAC funds, minimizing direct town costs. Details will be finalized at the January 27 special meeting.

Zoning and Subdivision Law Update

Work continues on comprehensive revisions to align local zoning laws with the 2018 Germantown Comprehensive Plan. A final workshop with consultant Matthew Ryan is scheduled for January 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. to clean up formatting and address technical issues before circulating the draft to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and county planning department for review. This long-term project is expected to be finalized later in 2026.

Library Snow Removal

The Germantown Library raised concerns about snow removal from its parking lot following the December 26 snowstorm. For 17 years, the town cleared the lot; recently, staffing reductions in the Highway Department have made this difficult. The library requires full parking lot access to serve visitors. Supervisor Helsley committed to meeting with the library director, DPW superintendent, and Town Board members to negotiate a solution for the remainder of the winter season, potentially through a formal service contract. A meeting will be arranged before the February 10 Board meeting.

Hamlet Traffic Safety

The Town Board is continuing to work with the county to find a solution to the ongoing problem of speeding in the Hamlet.

Other Matters

• Friends of Historic Germantown Partnership: The Board received a draft memorandum of understanding with Friends of Historic Germantown, formalizing their working relationship on grant funding and historic preservation projects. Supervisor Helsley, Council Member Suarez, and the town attorney will meet with the organization on January 21, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. to finalize the agreement.
• Animal Kind Cat Rescue Program: The Board expressed support for a trap-neuter-vaccinate-release agreement with Animalkind to manage stray and feral cats. The town will pay $5 per cat. A MOU will be drafted.

Upcoming Meetings

• Special Board Meeting: January 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. (following the Zoning Law workshop at 6:00 p.m.) to authorize pickleball court and kayak launch grant paperwork.
• Next Regular Meeting: February 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.