The Pine Plains Town Board approved modest increases to water rates and announced a rescheduled public forum later this month to gather community feedback on a proposed new Town Hall, two actions that framed the board’s Dec. 18 meeting, its final meeting of the year.
The water rate changes, which will take effect in January 2026, were approved unanimously following a public hearing, while the town hall forum, postponed due to inclement weather, was set for Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 6 p.m.
Town Supervisor Brian Walsh said the meeting is intended “to get feedback from the townspeople and is not a debate.” The forum will be livestreamed, though questions will not be taken from viewers online.
The board first examined a preliminary concept prepared by LaBella Associates in October. The proposed Town Hall would be built on town-owned property at 8–12 North Main St. and cost an estimated $4.5 million.
Existing plans outline an approximately 80-by-78-foot building with a basement and a large multipurpose meeting room designed to hold up to 145 people. The space would also function as a courtroom, with a raised dais and a continuous bench seating up to nine officials. The remaining layout includes offices for town officials, judges’ chambers, and space for the Police Department.
Water Superintendent Ray Jurkowski said the proposal reflects rising costs and marks the first increase in three years. Under the new structure, customers who use less than 9,000 gallons per quarter will see the flat rate increase by $5, from $45 to $50. Customers who exceed that threshold will pay an additional $6.20 per 1,000 gallons. Jurkowski said Pine Plains’ water district remains the cheapest in Northern Dutchess County.
The measure passed 4-0, with board member Robert Ambrose absent.
Town Supervisor Brian Walsh said the Pine Plains Fire Department will host a breakfast with Santa Claus on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Board member Matt Zick announced that the town ice rink is open, noting it is the earliest opening he could recall, and urged residents to follow posted regulations. He also thanked the town, addressing his departure from the board after eight years of service. He said he “tried to make decisions not emotionally but with a level head.”
During public comment, Helene Marsh, a Pine Plains resident and farmland owner, thanked the board for its service and discussed her work founding Hudson Valley Farmland Stewards, a group focused on educating non-farming landowners. She encouraged the town to consider housing for farmworkers as part of broader affordability efforts, cautioning that a lack of housing could reduce labor available to local farms.
Zick suggested the current Town Hall property could be transformed into affordable housing.
Highway Superintendent Carl Baden said the town is in the process of installing new speed limit signs on Skunks Misery Road, Tripp Road and Woodward Hill Road, setting the speed limit at 35 mph. Finkel Road and Hammertown Road will be posted at 30 mph. Roads without posted signs default to the state speed limit of 55 mph, he said.
Baden said the town is awaiting delivery of a new highway truck. He also outlined plans to sell a town-owned mower for $42,100 and replace it with an Alamo Boom mower costing $212,053.14 using government pricing. Town Supervisor Brian Walsh decided that the purchase decision will be tabled until next month. The earliest possible delivery would be April.
Baden also raised concerns about residents dumping leaves along rural roads.
“We have noticed this season that there are a lot of piles of leaves showing up on the side of the road in rural areas,” Baden said. He urged residents to bring leaves to a designated drop-off location at the town garage rather than dumping them on private property.
Baden also warned against vehicles driving onto the town’s beach area during snowy conditions.
“We have also noticed a lot of vehicle damage to our beach area — people playing in the snow,” he said. “Please do not do that anymore. We have a lot of damage that we are going to have to contend with, and there will be repercussions.”
The Pine Plains Beautification Committee and an ad hoc Community Day Committee met Wednesday, Dec. 17 and reported progress on planning efforts for a June 2026 Community Day, though members said a lead recreation coordinator is still needed.
Board member Jeanine Sisco said several recreation activities are under discussion, but there is a need for a designated recreation point person. A public meeting to discuss Community Day is scheduled for Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room at the Stissing Center, Sisco said.
Sisco also shared results from a recent sidewalk survey, noting that the town is in the process of adding new sidewalks and replacing existing ones, as well as installing additional crosswalks and lighting.
She said the town is preparing an application for a New York State Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives Program grant. The goal of the program is to improve pedestrian safety and create safer walking routes throughout the town.
“The impetus for this is to address sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting, creating safe passageways, and also bike lanes,” Sisco said.
The initial application deadline is Jan. 15, followed by a public feedback period. The final grant submission is expected to be filed in March.
The town’s annual reorganization meeting is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026, at 6 p.m.