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Residents urge help for Rotterdam Community Center and press police on cemetery vandalism
Summary
At privilege of the floor, residents described financial struggles at the Rotterdam Community Center and warnings that zoning changes could imperil a developer‑backed plan to fund the center; another speaker urged a stronger law‑enforcement response to recent cemetery vandalism, calling for state or federal assistance.
Residents used the town’s public‑comment period to press the board on two separate community concerns: the future of the Rotterdam Community Center (which runs a food pantry and other services) and vandalism at local Jewish cemeteries.
Several speakers, including Christy Tesso and Kim Marose, described the Community Center’s operations — volunteer‑run food distribution, outreach and sheltering functions — and detailed precarious finances. Tesso said the pantry served 3,123 meals in June and reported an ending balance of $2,317 going into July. Center advocates described a previously discussed plan in which selling property to a developer for a three‑story mixed‑use building would have generated steady payments to support the center; speakers said recent zoning changes limiting building height could disrupt that plan and urged the board to work with the center on alternatives, including variances or partnerships.
Board members responded that the code restricts building height but does not prohibit the center from operating or making repairs; they pointed to options including variances before the Zoning Board of Appeals and alternative funding avenues and said the town is willing to help explore solutions outside direct town funding.
Separately, Mark Bronich described widespread cemetery desecration that occurred in April across six cemeteries (three active, three dormant), condemned the acts and questioned the thoroughness of the local investigation. He said police classified the matter as criminal mischief and that he believes state police or the FBI could bring additional resources; he urged the town to push for a more vigorous investigative response and to consider contacting federal or state hate‑crime units. Board members said they took his concerns seriously and encouraged residents to visit the sites and remain engaged with law enforcement.
The comments underscored tensions between zoning rules meant to preserve the town’s character and community concerns about maintaining essential social services and public safety. Board members noted the community center may pursue a variance, that town code changes do not automatically shutter operations, and that the police department had been asked to coordinate further follow‑up on the cemetery investigation.
