The Pine Plains Town Board is advancing a proposal to mandate that future deputy supervisors be selected from among its elected members, marking a departure from the traditional practice of appointment at the supervisor’s discretion.
In December 2024, the board voted 3-2 to direct Town Attorney Warren Replansky to draft a local law stipulating that the deputy supervisor position be held by a sitting board member. Supervisor Brian Walsh and Councilmember Robert Ambrose opposed the measure.
The board reaffirmed that stance with an identical 3-2 vote on Thursday, April 17, this time approving the introduction of a local law that would formally eliminate the current administrative version of the role and establish an interim position to be filled by a member of the board.
The last person appointed deputy supervisor was Jim Smith, who served in that capacity and ran unsuccessfully for Town Board in 2023. He finished fourth in a competitive race for two open seats, receiving 357 votes — behind Democrats Jeanine Sisco (479) and Kevin Walsh (387), and fellow Republican Paul Murphy (379). As of Thursday, Smith remains listed as deputy supervisor in the town’s online directory.
“The consensus of the board was to dissolve the office of the deputy supervisor, which the Town Board can do,” said Town Attorney Warren Replansky. The board scheduled a public hearing on the measure for its May 15 meeting.
In other business, the board approved a contract with Choice Words, a New Paltz-based grant-writing firm, pending the company’s acceptance of a legal rider. Representatives from the Pine Plains Free Library said they intend to include the same language in their own agreement with the firm. Both the town and the library hope the partnership will strengthen their ability to secure outside funding.
In a moment that highlighted civic engagement among Pine Plains’ youth, Board member Jeanine Sisco addressed several letters from Pine Plains Central School District students, who raised concerns and offered ideas on a range of issues.
Logan Cavey wrote to the board about bicycle safety and proposed the addition of bike lanes. Caitlin Dillinger recommended installing a crosswalk near the library.
“We’ve been talking about a crosswalk at the library for a long time,” Sisco said. “Crosswalks in general, I think we agree, are something that need to be addressed.”
Patrick Cronin highlighted the condition of the town’s basketball courts. “I do believe that our director of recreation has already begun to follow up on that, if not solve it,” Sisco said.
Recreation Director Brian Coons reported a series of upgrades underway across town facilities. New nets have been installed at the basketball courts, which are also scheduled to be resealed. The beach house and pavilion have been pressure-washed, and a previously unused baseball field is being restored, with volunteers encouraged to contact the recreation department. A new fence is planned for the swim area at Stissing Lake, and youth basketball skills nights are being organized for the summer. The board also approved lifeguard and camp counselor appointments for the 2025 season at Stissing Lake Camp.
In the water department, daily flow is averaging 62,000 gallons. A service line leak on Myrtle Avenue was repaired on March 29, though roughly 10,000 gallons per day continue to be lost due to an unidentified leak.
Highway crews removed dead trees from the new town hall site, along Route 199 and at other locations across town. Work is ongoing on Tripp Road.
The Pine Plains Police Department reported 144 hours of patrol and 14 hours of court duty in the past month. Officers responded to 12 incidents, including three fire or EMS calls, one domestic case, and one automobile accident. A total of 24 traffic tickets were issued, along with four parking warnings. Police made one DWI arrest and two misdemeanor arrests.
The Conservation Advisory Council announced continued collaboration with Hudsonia, an environmental nonprofit based at Bard College, on the development of a Natural Resources Inventory. The group is now identifying study areas and assembling a project budget to guide the next phase of the initiative.
The meeting concluded with several community announcements and reminders.
The Stissing Spring Cleanup will be held on April 26 and 27, beginning at 10 a.m. at the town park by the traffic light. Residents are encouraged to wear bring work gloves, wear bright clothing, and practice safety. Disposable gloves and garbage bags will be provided.
Spring Cleanup Day at the highway garage will take place May 17. Metal and mattresses (with a fee) will be accepted. Electronics, tires, and paint will not be accepted.
The Stissing Lake Triathlon is scheduled for June 22.
The June Town Board meeting will be held Wednesday, June 18, due to the Juneteenth holiday.
The board encouraged residents to observe the state burn ban and to use extra caution while driving as warmer weather brings more children outdoors. The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 15.