The Ancram Town Board passed Local Law No. 1 of 2025 at its Feb. 20 meeting, granting a property tax exemption to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who serve either the town or its neighboring municipalities.
The unanimous decision marked a rare moment of consensus in a meeting punctuated by tension between a resident and the board, which led Supervisor Jim MacArthur to walk out.
During the public comment session, former board member Donna Hoyt criticized the board’s $14,000 expenditure on an engineering study of the intersection at Routes 82 and 7. Conducted by the engineering firm GPI, the study was approved in June 2024 and completed in October, identifying safety hazards and potential improvements. Hoyt, whose property borders the intersection, argued that she had been required to demolish a structure on her land while another deteriorating building at the same intersection remains standing. The vacant structure at 1320 County Route 7, listed for sale at $90,000, is described on Trulia as “not currently habitable” and could face condemnation by the Ancram Building Department. As board members responded to Hoyt, the discussion grew heated, culminating in Supervisor Jim MacArthur abruptly leaving the meeting.
After a brief silence, Deputy Supervisor David Boice took control of the proceedings, tabling the discussion and guiding the board through a series of resolutions. The board voted to support a New York State Department of Transportation plan to enhance signage and pavement markings at the intersection. Additionally, the board approved converting the slip road in front of the former Simon’s General Store from two-way to one-way traffic.
In other business, the board also appointed Tom Ciano to the Conservation Advisory Council and the Ancram Housing Committee, and Darren Mosher to the Zoning Board. A line item was added to the 2025 budget in anticipation of a $125,000 revitalization project for Blass Park, funded by a grant from State Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106) The board also approved Town Clerk Monica Cleveland’s attendance at the New York State Town Clerks Association conference in April.
Earlier in the evening, Boice addressed the contentious January Town Board meeting, during which he questioned Planning Board Chair Joe Crocco’s qualifications, leading Crocco to call for Boice’s resignation. That meeting had also featured heated exchanges between members of the public over what they alleged was disrespectful behavior toward the country and its veterans.
“Everything that was talked about in last month’s meeting was based on emotions, not facts,” Boice said. “Some people used obscenities; if I had ever said some of the things I heard last month, I’d be up on charges. This isn’t how we behave, it’s not the way things should go.”
The meeting was bookended by tributes to others who have served Ancram, opening with moments of silence for former tax collector Denise Hamm, who died on Feb. 16, and for former Planning Board volunteer Donald R. MacLean, who died in January. Near the close of the meeting, the board passed a resolution extending its deep appreciation to Fred Schneeberger, “for his years of service to Ancram,” including decades volunteering with the Planning and Zoning Boards.
Schneeberger, who attended the meeting via Zoom, responded, “I’m sorry I can’t be there in person; I really appreciate this. I’ve done a lot for the town, because the town means a lot to me. My volunteer days are over, but you make a commitment, you show up, you do your part.”
The next Ancram Town Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 20.