Woodbury board adopts volunteer first-responder tax exemption, approves contracts and budget mods; denies village exemption

The Town Board of Woodbury at its Feb. 6 meeting adopted Introductory Local Law No. 1 of 2025 to allow volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance personnel who live in Woodbury to claim a local property-tax exemption even when they volunteer in another municipality; the board also approved intermunicipal agreements and budget adjustments, accepted an animal-control resignation, and denied a village request for tax exemptions on several parcels.

Why it matters: The local law affects eligibility for the 2025 property-tax billing cycle and could change tax obligations for qualifying volunteers. Several other approved actions allocate town resources or change budget line items; the denial of a village exemption affirms the town’s historical practice and a recent county-court ruling.

Key decisions and outcomes

- Introductory Local Law No. 1 of 2025 — Adopted. The board held a public hearing and then adopted a local law described to “allow all first responder volunteers the ability to receive tax exemptions in towns where they reside even if they are volunteering in another municipality.” Nicole Young, the town clerk, read the public-hearing notice that stated the application deadline is March 1, 2025, and that the exemption would affect the 2025 property-tax billing cycle. The town’s discussion and vote followed the hearing; the board adopted the local law at the meeting.

- Town resolution denying requested tax exemptions for properties owned by the village of "Keri Shuel" — Approved. The board voted to deny a written request from the village (submitted Jan. 29) seeking tax-exempt status for several parcels within Woodbury. The resolution cites Real Property Tax Law Section 406 and notes that Orange County Supreme Court litigation had upheld the town’s prior denials. Parcels named in the request included the block-and-lot identifiers read into the record by the clerk.

- Intermunicipal agreement (ACO IMA) with Town of Monroe — Approved. The board authorized the supervisor to sign an intermunicipal agreement for animal-control services with the Town of Monroe for Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 30, 2025, in the amount of $31,000.

- Acceptance of resignation — Approved. The board accepted and regretted the resignation of Eric Peterson from the position of full-time animal control officer, effective Feb. 12, 2025.

- MVP medical plan renewal — Approved. The board authorized the supervisor to sign a contract renewal for the MVP medical plan covering Dec. 1, 2024, through Nov. 30, 2025.

- Abstract and budget modifications — Approved. Abstract 2 (vouchers) totaling $417,289.65 was approved. The board also approved multiple 2024 and 2025 budget modifications across departments (animal shelter, buildings and grounds, attorney line items, police personnel and benefits, and appropriated fund balance transfers). Notable items read into the record included a $25,000 increase in 2025 repairs and materials for buildings and grounds and multiple smaller revenue and expense line adjustments.

- Remote participation resolution for Council member Sandra Capriglione — Adopted. The board adopted a temporary resolution allowing Town Board member Sandra Capriglione to participate remotely for up to 90 days (or until she is able to resume in-person duties), via electronic platforms including Zoom, Teams or FaceTime; the resolution was read into the record and adopted by roll call.

- Library MOU authorization to sign — Tabled. The board placed on hold a motion to authorize the supervisor and library liaisons to sign the memorandum of understanding with the Woodbury Public Library after an attorney-client executive session; the item was not approved and remains pending further counsel review.

What the record shows and what it does not: Most votes on routine agenda items were recorded as passed with voice votes indicated by the clerk and supervisor (“Aye. Motion passed.”). The transcript does not give a complete roll-call tally for every item; where a roll call occurred it was noted in the record (remote-participation resolution). The meeting minutes and the town clerk’s official record will contain the formal roll-call results.

Ending: The board finalized multiple administrative and budget items that take effect immediately, adopted a local law affecting volunteer first-responder exemptions for the 2025 tax year, and left the library MOU unresolved pending further legal review and public-document posting.