Putnam County held a second public hearing on July 23, 2025, on a proposed local law (Resolution No. 177) to amend Chapter 220, Article 10 to provide a 10% assessment deduction for qualified members of volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps. The hearing was called by the County Executive at the David Bridal County Office Building; no public comments, written or oral, were submitted.

The County Executive described the measure as intended to help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel by allowing a 10% deduction on property assessment for qualifying volunteers. The County Executive said the change implements enabling state legislation and would let Putnam County extend the local exemption to volunteers who serve within the county even if they live elsewhere.

Dane Pasquiello, chief of staff to the County Executive, led the pledge of allegiance at the start of the hearing. The County Executive asked Lisa Regeli, the confidential secretary, whether any written public comments had been received; the County Executive reported none.

The County Executive tied the proposal to other municipal tools supporting volunteers, saying it is connected to the state "length of service awards program," and noted that enabling legislation at the state level broadened eligibility so jurisdictions could include volunteers who do not live in the same town where they serve. The County Executive also referenced state and federal elected officials who helped advance the enabling legislation, naming U.S. Rep. Michael Waller and state Assemblyman Ken Zabrowski.

The County Executive said similar measures have been adopted in other counties, citing Westchester County earlier this year. No motions or votes were taken during the public hearing; the County Executive adjourned the session after the notice and the absence of public comment.

Because this was the second public hearing the County Executive said is required before he can act on the local law, next steps described in the meeting were limited to the County Executive's eventual decision to approve or veto the local law following the hearing record. No formal direction to staff or further action was recorded during the session.