Orangetown Board To Vote on Charging County for Maintenance of Utilities

The Orangetown town board discussed a resolution that would charge Rockland County for the maintenance of streetlights, traffic lights and hydrants on county roads within the town.

Clarkstown is among towns in the county that have already passed similar resolutions. The towns have retained Attorney Edward Guardaro of Kaufman, Borgeest & Ryan LLP of Westchester County to pursue the matter. 

Last Wednesday, Rockland County Legislator Ilan Schoenberger strongly criticized last week. Schoenberger questioned the legality of the resolutions and said the county could simply turn responsibility for the roads over to the towns.

The Orangetown town council is expected to vote on the resolution at tonight's regular town board meeting 7:30 p.m. at Orangetown Town Hall. The full agenda and supporting materials for tonight's meeting are attached to this report. 

The action by the towns follows the decision by Rockland County to shift tuition and election costs to the municipal governments, effective this year.

Tuesday's agenda also includes the following items:

• A resolution approving the use of up to $100,000 in PEG (Public, Educational and Government) funds to develop the town's broadcast capabilities. Check back with Patch later for more on this project.
• Accept a performance bond submitted by FB Orangeburg, LLC related to the Orangeburg Commons project.
• Award a bid for a heavy duty four-wheel drive plow truck to Gabrielli Truck Sales, Lt. 
• Approve budget transfers related to the town's new five-year contract with the Orangetown Police
• Amend the town calendar to move the workshop scheduled for Aug. 14 to Aug. 21 and move the next town board meeting from Aug. 21 to Aug. 28. 
• Approve Orangetown Police Chief Kevin Nulty's attendance at the 119th Annual Training Conference of the International Chiefs of Police in San Diego, CA from Sept 29 to Oct. 3. The trip will be paid for through Rockland County Federal Assets Forfeiture funds.