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Residents urge Red Hook board to rescind Boat Club eminent-domain action amid mounting legal bills
Summary
Public commenters at the April 14 Red Hook Town Board meeting criticized the town's legal spending on the Red Hook Boat Club litigation, citing FOIL-obtained invoices showing nearly $293,000 through February 2026 and urging two council members to rescind the domain action.
Public commenters sharply criticized the town's legal strategy in the Red Hook Boat Club litigation at the April 14 Town Board meeting, saying mounting fees and a shift into federal discovery make the case increasingly costly for taxpayers.
"Last Friday, April 10th, at 5:11 p.m., the absolute final hour of a court-mandated deadline, the town finally filed its response to the Article 78 petition," said Roxanne during the public-comment period, highlighting the timing and arguing it suggested an effort to minimize scrutiny. She said records obtained via FOIL show the town had spent more than $293,000 on related legal fees through an invoice dated Feb. 23, 2026, and warned that costs have likely exceeded $300,000 since then.
Roxanne and another commenter, Lisa Pollero, urged the board to reconsider the town's decision to pursue eminent-domain style actions against the Boat Club. Pollero cited specific invoice totals in public records for firms involved and alleged conflicts of interest during the zoning-amendment and litigation process, saying the town and its residents are bearing the cost.
The board did not act on a rescission request. During a brief exchange after public comment, board members said that legal responses were authorized by the previous board and that decisions about legal counsel and filings had been made under that authorization. The chair said the meeting would continue while the board pursued clarification about counsel and authorizations outside public session.
The comments drew applause from those in attendance and underscored continuing public concern about the pace and cost of litigation. Roxanne said the Boat Club's legal team would address the merits of filings in court and that the discovery phase in federal court, which she said began after failed mediation in February, will add expense for depositions and document production.
The meeting record shows no board vote to rescind the prior authorization; instead, members said the town will continue to rely on counsel and that any change in course would require board action. Commenters said they provided a complete file of invoices to local reporters at the meeting for public review.
