Meeting Overview

TOWN OF ORANGETOWN

WORKSHOP

TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015

 

This Workshop Meeting was opened at 8:10 p.m. Supervisor Stewart presided and the Deputy Clerk called the roll.

 

Present were:  Councilman Denis Troy

Councilman Thomas Diviny

Councilman Thomas Morr

Councilman Paul Valentine

 

Also present:

Teresa Accetta-Pugh, Deputy Clerk

Gerri Orlik, Deputy Clerk

John Edwards, Town Attorney

Jeff Bencik, Director of Finance

James Dean, Superintendent of Highways

Joseph Moran, Commissioner of DEME

Robert Simon, Receiver of Taxes

John Giardiello, Director of OBZPAE

Aric Gorton, Superintendent of Parks/Recreation & Buildings

Kevin Nulty, Police Chief

 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United State of America.

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 321                                          OPEN PUBLIC COMMENTS PORTION

 

Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:

 

RESOLVED, the public comments portion is hereby opened.

 

Ayes:   Supervisor Stewart

Councilpersons Diviny, Troy, Morr, Valentine

Noes:   None

 

John Giardiello, said there is a residential home that is being rented short-term for parties, private functions, weddings and all types of events.  There is nothing in the Town Code that addresses short-term rentals but there is a section that addresses the definition of residential.  The definition says permanent occupancy.  The Building Dept. has sent out a violation notice to the owner of this residential home.  He suggested that stronger language, in terms of what types of short-term rentals can exist and tightening up the Town Code.
Donald Brenner, attorney on behalf of a client and his neighbors, explained that this neighborhood is zoned residential (R-40), on properties no less than 40,000 square feet.  He spoke about the homeowner at 7 O’Grady Court, Orangeburg, who is not residing in his home and rents it out.  He rents it as a hotel, motel, catering hall for wedding receptions and parties, conference center, for music videos and film shoots, which the Town Clerk refused to issue any Filming permits at this address.   He advertises a residential home for rent by the hour, by the day, by the week and by the weekend.  Recently, a potential pornographic movie was filmed, several large parties with loud music, music videos, a three day wedding reception, which was very noisy and busloads of people being transported back and forth, has taken place at 7 O’Grady Court, Orangeburg.  This property owner advertises on AirBnB.com and Homeaway.com.  The Town Board needs to take immediate actions to strengthen the Town Code and increase the penalties.  The Code has to be made strong so that property owners cannot benefit from having a commercial business in a residential neighborhood, creating it unsafe and a hazard to the community.
Betsy Brenner, Orangeburg, handed out advertisements showing the cost of the rental by the hour, by the day, by the week, by the weekend; a description of this luxury house and neighborhood; that it even has a nightclub; and it is great for all kinds of events, including film shoots (the Town Clerk has never issued any Filming Permits) and a calendar of available rental dates.  This calendar shows, he has rented it out for the entire summer.

RESOLUTION NO. 322                                          APPROVE/DATE CHANGE/BLUE HILL GOLF RFP

                                                                                   

 

Councilman Valentine offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:

 

RESOLVED, that in order to provide adequate time to respond to questions asked by prospective Proposers relating to the subject matter of the Blue Hill Golf RFP, the date and time

by which RFP responses are due is hereby extended to July 28, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., and the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation is directed to take such action as necessary to inform prospective proposers of the change.

 

Ayes:      Councilpersons, Valentine, Morr, Troy, Diviny

Supervisor Stewart

Noes:      None

***

 

RESOLUTION NO. 323                                          ADJOURNED/MEMORY

 

Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:

 

RESOLVED, at 10:20 p.m. the Town Board adjourned in memory of Tom Scully, Pearl River and retired Orangetown Highway Dept. employee; Trevor Fennell, Pearl River; and Dan Roche, Sr., Pearl River.

 

Ayes:      Supervisor Stewart

Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Morr, Valentine

Noes:      None

 

 

 

 

 

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Geraldine Orlik, Deputy Clerk

 

 

 

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Teresa Accetta-Pugh, Deputy Clerk