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Residents criticize town leadership over Red Hook Boat Club eminent-domain actions during public comment
Summary
Several residents used the public-comment period to criticize the board's handling of Local Law 1 and its effort to acquire the Red Hook Boat Club by eminent domain, citing court rulings, legal costs and perceived secrecy; the supervisor responded that the boat club filed lawsuits and the town must defend its legislation.
Multiple residents addressed the Town Board during public comment on Aug. 27 to criticize what they described as the board's role in attempting to acquire the Red Hook Boat Club and to contest the town's legal spending and use of Local Law 1.
Albert Trezor, a resident, said the board "chose to amend the zoning law, striking out marinas, thereby reducing the value of the boat club while you were carrying on a hidden agenda to take it by eminent domain" and accused board members of causing legal costs. He demanded a retraction of public comments he said blamed the boat club.
Lisa Palero, another resident, objected to an email statement by the supervisor that she said misstated the boat club's legal claims and criticized the town for hiring multiple law firms at rates up to $370 per hour. Palero said the town's options should include abandoning the eminent-domain effort: "The prudent option is the one you failed to mention. Abandoning this ill conceived unnecessary action that has only enriched several law firms and the planner," she said.
Roxanne Fisher urged the board to rescind its July 15 vote to seize the Red Hook Boat Club and said she had filed complaints with state and county controllers and elected officials; she cited a judge's ruling striking down Local Law 1 as retaliatory and alleged the town exceeded its zoning power. She asked council members who voted yes to rescind their votes.
Supervisor responded during the agenda that the lawsuit was brought by the boat club against the town and that the town is incurring defense costs: "The lawsuit was brought by the boat club against the town. The town is expending funds and defending the passage of the legislation ... you wouldn't have enforcement if you didn't defend it in court." He added the town's municipal insurer will cover some costs and encouraged public-private discussion as an option.
The public-comment remarks raised questions about attorney fees, FOIL disclosures and whether the town should appeal court rulings, but the board did not take immediate formal action on the topic during the meeting.
