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Mamakating talks firefighters, burn bans and history

by Samantha Montagna
Posted 2/21/23

MAMAKATING –– During their recent town board meeting, Mamakating Town Supervisor Mike Robbins announced that there would be a public hearing to amend the Town of Mamakating’s …

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Mamakating talks firefighters, burn bans and history

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MAMAKATING –– During their recent town board meeting, Mamakating Town Supervisor Mike Robbins announced that there would be a public hearing to amend the Town of Mamakating’s property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and emergency workers. 

Taking effect on January 1, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law that allows municipalities to grant up to a 10 percent reduction in the assessed value of the property of a volunteer. 

Robbins noted that prior to this, Mamakating already had this 10 percent exemption, but with Governor Hochul’s new rules, the town wants to make sure they update the law to coincide with the state. Some changes include volunteers had to be in service for five years, but now, volunteers can take advantage if they have two years of service. There also was a cap of $3,000 prior, and now there is no cap, Robbins said. He stated that hopefully this will help the fire companies with their volunteers. 

During public comment, Chris Leser noted many people have become very critical, but he was in “100 percent support” of the 10 percent tax break. He did note that this tax break should only apply to active volunteers, not those that are retired. He also said it was a good thing as it will incentivize volunteers to stay or for new volunteers to apply. 

The public hearing is scheduled for the next town board meeting on February 21 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall and via Zoom. 

Burn Bans

Robbins also brought up the upcoming New York State Wide Burn Ban from March 15 to May 15 and its limitations. He noted that last summer was very dry, and many residents were worried about people burning. Robbins said that a burn ban can be implemented in dry conditions, but there currently is no local law that would permit the town to do so. 

Robbins, Councilmen Peter Goodman and Jim Post would make up the emergency management committee to start brainstorming ideas in coming up with a local law, Robbins said. He also stated that he would like to see the law be able to give people a hefty fine for breaking the ban. He cited many people in Westbrookville who were upset that the board could not fine people for burning when conditions did not permit it. 

During public comment, Kathy Dawkins stated that she was in support of the burn ban and thanked the board for pursuing it. 

Town Historian traveling
to Virginia 

The board discussed sending Virdanna Lawrence to a conference in Williamsburg, Virginia with a budget of $1,000. During public comment, Lawrence appealed to the board for $1,500 instead citing plane fare and hotel accommodations, and all other expenses, she would incur. The conference is on the American Revolution. 

She has also been compiling information from archives and has come across a book that was hidden and saved from a fire in 1911. In it has the town’s Revolutionary War soldiers’ names and who they fought under. It was also discovered that there was a Persian soldier who was brought to Mamakating who had Mamakating soldiers fighting under-neath him. Lawrence said that this was a “big find,” and many other historians want to review these papers, but she wants to do more research first. 

She noted that Mamakating has a lot to learn about these local soldiers that were discovered, and she is going to the people that will help her.

During public comment, a woman who identified herself as Emily on Zoom stated that the town should not have to support someone to go on a trip with taxpayer dollars. Robbins responded that Lawrence is the town historian, and she has volunteered a lot of time over the years and “has never asked for a dime.” 

The board voted to give Lawrence $1,500 for travel, and since she does not have a budget, the money would be taken from the Parks and Recreation budget. 

Lawrence expressed gratitude to the board, and Councilman Matt Mordas asked her for a report when she gets back. Lawrence replied, “absolutely, if you can get me to stop talking when I get back.

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