Wappingers Falls board adopts zoning tweak and new loitering, littering laws

The Wappingers Falls Board of Trustees closed public hearings and adopted a package of local laws March 12 that amend the village zoning code and create new chapters on loitering and littering.

The board voted to adopt an amendment to Chapter 151 of the village code (introduced as Local Law 1 of 2025) after holding a public hearing and issuing a negative declaration under SEQRA. Trustees then opened and closed hearings and approved two additional local laws: one creating a chapter on loitering (Local Law 2 of 2025) and one creating a chapter on littering (Local Law 3 of 2025). All motions to open hearings, close hearings and adopt the resolutions were carried by voice vote with the board answering “Aye.”

Why it matters: the zoning amendment updates the village zoning code (Chapter 151); the loitering and littering laws create new enforcement tools village officials said they lack now. Village officials framed the loitering provision as a means to address congregations that create obstruction, disturbances or littering on village property and public ways. During the hearing on loitering, a presenter summarized the measure by saying the draft “states that no person shall loiter in [a] public place in such a manner as to create or cause to be created a danger of a breach of the peace, create any disturbances or annoyances to the comfort and repose of any person, [or] obstruct free passage for pedestrians.”

What the board and some residents said: trustees and the village attorney noted the loitering law includes provisions addressing juveniles and treats a violation as an ordinance violation rather than a misdemeanor; residents asked how enforcement would work and whether a complaint or witness was required before police could act. One resident, identified as Steve (690 East Main Street), told the board he supported the local law as a tool to address homelessness and related problems in his neighborhood.

How enforcement will work, according to officials: board members and village staff explained enforcement of loitering and littering depends on a complaint or on an officer witnessing the behavior; they said juvenile cases will be handled under different procedures when minors are involved. At the littering hearing residents described specific local patterns such as discarded lottery tickets along Market Street and near the nursing home; trustees and staff said the new village chapter on littering clarifies definitions of “litter” and enables the village to issue summonses when appropriate.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution adopting a negative declaration for Local Law 1 (zoning amendment): motion carried (voice vote: board answered “Aye”; no recorded roll-call tally in the transcript). Referenced as "Resolution number O925Of2025" in the meeting record. - Resolution adopting Local Law 1 of 2025 (amend Chapter 151 — zoning): motion carried (voice vote: “Aye”). Transcript indicates this was presented as a formal introduction of a prior draft referenced as Local Law 4 of 2024. - Resolution adopting Local Law 2 of 2025 (creating a chapter titled “Loitering”): motion carried (voice vote: “Aye”). - Resolution adopting Local Law 3 of 2025 (creating a chapter referring to littering): motion carried (voice vote: “Aye”).

Board and process notes: hearings were opened and closed during the meeting; the board repeatedly used voice votes and the record in the transcript shows motions, “Aye” responses and “Carried.” The transcript contains inconsistent internal spellings of the village name and some official names; this article uses the village’s official name, Wappingers Falls. The board directed staff and the village attorney to proceed with formal adoption steps following the votes.

The board took other business after the local laws; residents raised related enforcement questions during public comment and trustees said they would supply additional clarifications about juvenile handling and complaint processes at follow-up meetings.