East Fishkill Board OKs Local Law, Will Put $20M Open‑Space Bond on November Ballot

The Town Board of East Fishkill adopted a local law on the Community Character Preservation Act and authorized a November ballot question that would let the town borrow up to $20,000,000 to buy land or purchase development rights to preserve farms and open space.

Supervisor D'Alessandro said the proposal grew from the town’s recent master-plan survey, which showed overwhelming support for preserving open space. Town Attorney (counsel) explained the financing model and implementation process, saying the law gives the board up to five years to implement purchases and that each parcel would be publicly announced with an opportunity for referendum on specific acquisitions. "This is our way of responding to what we're hearing from our residents," Councilperson Flores said. The attorney added that, in one illustrative example, the borrowing could cost a homeowner roughly $97 per year under a 30‑year bond scenario.

During a public hearing, residents asked whether purchased land could be resold and whether farmers identified as potential sellers had agreed to participate; the board said conservation easements or purchase-of-development-rights agreements would be permanent, and that the town had identified about 20 candidate parcels but would publish details later. Bobby Grasso, a resident, asked whether farmers would sign on; the town replied that some property owners previously signaled willingness to sell rights and that each acquisition would follow public notice requirements.

The board voted to place the referendum before voters and said it will continue public education before the election. The action was framed as nonbinding acceptance of grant funds where relevant and as an initial step toward implementing the preservation program if voters approve the borrowing.