May 13, 2025

Town Board Members Present:

Supervisor Dave Helsey

Council Member Austin Sullivan

Council Member Kaare Christian

Council Member John Kukon

Absent: Council Member Sarah Suarez

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

Others Present: Tom Shannon (Town Historian), Tony Albino (Fire Commissioner), Community Members

Presentation: Germantown Central School District Budget

Superintendent Benjamin Bragg and Business Manager Ryan Smith presented the district’s proposed 2025-26 budget of $17.16 million. The budget represents a 1.23% overall increase but requires a 4.93% tax levy hike – well above the state’s 2% cap which means it must be approved by 60% rather than the regular 50% margin for a 2% or less increase. Key cost drivers described by Mr. Ryan include:

  • A rising number of students with individualized Education Plans (IEPs) which often entail out-of-district placements costing up to $120,000 per student.
  • Growing mental health needs among students
  • Investment in curriculum, safety and aging infrastructure.

To mitigate costs, the district is launching in-house special education programs and pursuing revenue through inter-district services. Both Superintendent Bragg and Business Manager Smith emphasized the long-term risks of contingency budgeting, which would force an immediate rollback of $600K–$700K, likely impacting programs and staffing. *

Background: School budget presentations have become an annual fixture at May board meetings, as town officials aim to support transparent communication with residents. Last year, the district’s budget passed with a lower increase, but trends in special education and transportation costs have escalated.

*Update: The GCSD budget vote held on May 20 failed to reach the 60% threshold by 6 votes leaving the School District to determine if the they would like to try again or opt to reduce costs to keep the necessary margin to the more easily achievable 50% simple majority. They have decided to go forward with a second vote which will again need to meet the 60% threshold. The vote is scheduled for June 17.

Presentation: Zoning and Subdivision Code Update

Matthew Rogers of Labella Associates presented a draft update of Germantown’s Zoning and Subdivision Laws. The overarching goal of the draft, submitted May 2nd is to align Germantown’s Zoning Law with the Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2021. Proposed changes presented include:

  • New regulations to address the housing shortage that ease requirements to allow 3 and 4 family dwellings.
  • Regulations that prepare for potential Cannabis businesses due to our “opting in” at the roll out of legal cannabis.
  • Formula and franchise business prohibitions and restrictions to promote town businesses and keep the character of Germantown intact. Franchises are defined as having 10 or more branches with identifying trademarks, signage etc.  The new code would not prohibit chain grocery stores due the need for food access.
  • Adding 5 Historic Overlay Districts to encourage protection of 77 identified historic properties in the town. Visits by the town historian before beginning work would be required to identify issues and recommend voluntary adjustments to preserve historic qualities.
  • Additional uses are identified such as primitive campgrounds, marinas, event venues and distilleries/breweries.
  • No expansions of existing gas stations or storage units are to be allowed nor new businesses of this kind.

Council Member Christian noted the absence of changes to the Scenic Overlay and Signage regulations. Mr. Rogers indicated that the Update Committee felt those regulations were adequate and not a significant concern.

The Town Board will review further and await comments and recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Boards.

Old Business

Kellner Activities Building – Final inspection of the building has been delayed due to damage to an exterior vendor outlet. Fees were again discussed with $100 plus homeowner’s insurance being the likely but not finalized consensus choice.

SPDES Permit – Supervisor Helsey reported that the DEC issued a draft SPDES (State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit for the town’s wastewater system. The permit will be noticed publicly on May 14.

Bard Parcel

  • The Board formally named the parcel Theodore Robinson Community Forest.
  • The completed Recreation Plan to be submitted to the DEC was presented and noted by the entire board as very thorough.
  • A request will be made to have the DEC delineate wetlands.
  • Planning Board Member, Jen Crawford, led trail design and construction. The more difficult trail construction and flood mitigation will be left until next summer. It is planned for parking to be set up this year.

Filming Permit Law – A decision on fees was tabled until the Columbia County Film Commission could be consulted.

Fire Alarm Law – The Fire Alarm was once again referred back to the Fire Department for a quick turnaround on the latest redlining by Corinne Smith.

Twin Ponds Solar Project – A number of documents, including engineering estimates, have come in that need to be reviewed and signed off on by the Town Board before the project can go forward. A workshop was scheduled for June 3 at 7pm.

Official School Zone – The Board will look into the next steps needed to establish an official school traffic zone.

Harriet Tubman Scenic Byway – The Byway was officially designated in a motion by the Board.

New Business

  • A resolution passed to solicit bids for the historic Parsonage roof replacement pending verification of a standing seam metal roof being historically appropriate.
  • The Town’s 2005 F-550 truck and attachments were declared surplus. This is a predicate towards their eventual auction.

Comments From the Public

  • Via communication with Counsel Member Suarez, Big Towel Sauna has indicated that they want to return for a fall/winter stint at Lake George. This will be put on an upcoming agenda – likely July.
  • A question was raised about the grid capacity for the Twin Ponds Solar project. Also, the use of a renewable letter of credit for decommissioning was questioned.

The board went into executive session before returning to adjourn the meeting.