Groups directory

PANDA Channel 23 (Public Access Television Northern Dutchess)

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:17:02 -0500

Established in the mid 1990s by the five Rhinebeck and Red Hook municipalities, PANDA Channel 23 is a nonprofit organization that provides public, education and government access and programming for northern Dutchess County residents.

Rhinebeck Collaboration

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:39:21 -0500

The Rhinebeck Collaboration brings the village mayor, school superintendent, town supervisor and one member of each board together on a regular basis to discuss and work on issues of mutual concern. The Collaboration was established in 2006 by separate resolutions of the town board, village board and school board.

Town Arts & Culture Committee

admin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:45:25 -0500

Established in 2006, the Arts & Culture Committee cultivates and promotes cultural, historical, and artistic events and programming throughout Rhinebeck. Current subcommittees include PANDA, visual arts,marketing, historic & prehistoric preservation, and office and exhibition space.

Town Assessor's Office

jwinne — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:24:15 -0500

Responsible for assessing the value of real property and for maintaining property records, assessments, tax billing addresses, real property tax exemptions and tax maps for the Town and Village of Rhinebeck.

Town Attorney

admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:10:32 -0500

The Town Attorney provides legal advice, prepares laws and resolutions for town board consideration, and conducts litigation on behalf of the town board. In addition, the attorney provides advice to the Planning and Zoning Boards and municipal departments as requested. All inquiries for the Town Attorney should be made through the Town Supervisor.

Town Board

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:49:42 -0500

As the Town of Rhinebeck's governing body, the Town Board oversees all municipal functions in the town and some joint municipal activities in the town and village, including recreation, tax collection, property assessment, Web site management, senior citizens programs and certain permits.

The five members of the town board -- comprising the supervisor, deputy supervisor and three members at large, commonly referred to as "councilpersons" -- serve as legislators when they sit together in public session at Town Board meetings. As a board, they adopt budgets, tax rates, laws and resolutions; approve contracts; and hire all staff. The elected town supervisor serves as chair of the board, prepares agendas, and leads all public board meetings.

Acting in their administrative capacity, members of the Town Board also serve as liaisons to departments, committees and councils.

Town Board Member Bruce Washburn

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:49:22 -0500

Bruce W. Washburn was elected in 2008 to the Town Board for a 4 year term. Mr. Washburn has been a Rhinebeck resident since 1979. He has served on Town and Village committees and has served as a member of several community and regional organizations. Mr. Washburn has well over 30 years of practical management, financial, and organizational experience. Bruce serves as the Town Board liaison to the Maintenance Department, Recreation Committee, Thompson Mazzarella Park Committee, Affordable Housing/Opens Space Committee, Vandenburgh Cove Committee with Councilman Staley, Transfer Station, Community Visioning Committee and the Rhinecliff Waterfront Committee. Previsouly, he also served as liaison to the Web Site Committee and Quitman Resourse Center. Bruce believes that town government is really neighbors serving neighbors and that the common good of the overall community is the top priority.

Town Board Member Elizabeth Spinzia

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:45:13 -0500

Town Board Member Gina Walker Fox

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:43:24 -0500

Gina Walker Fox was thrilled to be elected to the Town Board for a four year term beginning
January 1, 2010. Gina serves as the Town Board Liaison to Zoning, Recreation, Thomposn
Mazzarella Park, Animal Control, Web and Northern
Dutchess Alliance (w/Melodye Moore)

Gina has lived in Rhinebeck for over 20 years and raised four children here. She is
a real estate agent with Heather Croner Sotherby's Internation and often substitute
teaches in the Rhinebeck schools. She's on the board of Hudsonia and volunteers for
Planned Parenthood. She can bake a fine pie and will share her favorite recipes

Town Board Member Joseph Gelb

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:47:21 -0500

Joseph W. Gelb was elected to the Town Board for a four year term beginning January 1, 2010. Joe serves as the Town Board Liaison to PANDA, Courts, Planning, Northern Dutchess Alliance (w/Councilperson Gina Fox and Melody Moore), Assessors, and Historian.

Joe has had a house in Rhinebeck since 1982. He is a director of the Winnakee Land Trust where he serves as a volunteer attorney, and he is a honorary lifetime trustee of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Joe has a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Yale Law School. He is a retired partner of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, a large international law firm.

Office hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, every other Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday). On the Mondays that Joe Gelb does not hold office hours, Gina Fox will hold office hours 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, every other Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday).

Town Board of Assessment Review

admin — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:33:07 -0500

The Board of Assessment Review is comprised of volunteer residents.They review and render decisions on appeals submitted by property owners who disagree with the assessment place on their property by the assessors. The Board considers such appeals on Grievance Day, annually the 4th Tuesday in the month of May, and typically finalizes a decision shortly afterward. The process for filing an appeal includes completing a short form and submitting it to the Assessor's Office. While attendance at Grievance Day is not required, it is recommended. Forms must be submiited prior to the end of Grievance hours to be considered. Property owners are advised to submit their completed form 10 business days before Grievance Day.

Town Building Department

admin — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:43:37 -0500

The Building Department ensures that all new construction and building modifications adhere to plans submitted to and approved by the planning board. It enforces appropriate building codes and issues written building permits and certificates of occupancy once construction is completed.

Town Cemetery Committee

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:21:10 -0500

The Town Cemetery Committee oversees operations and maintenance of the town cemetery.

Town Citizens Budget and Finance Committee

admin — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:53:35 -0500

Established in 2006, the Citizens Budget and Finance Committee reviews and makes recommendations on the town budget, contracts and fee schedule, and proposes cost-saving measures and revenue enhancements.

Town Clerk

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 08:56:00 -0500

The Town Clerk is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of Town Hall. The clerk is responsible for birth and death records, marriage licenses and records, town records, geneology searches, hunting and fishing licenses, Freedom of Information Act (FOIL) requests, and burn permits. The clerk reports primarily to the Supervisor.

Town Committee on Aging

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:28:04 -0500

Established in 2006, the Town Committee on the Aging identifies and considers the needs of older Rhinebeck residents and recommends improvements to programs and services for Rhinebeck's senior population.

Town Comprehensive Plan Committee

admin — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:19:01 -0500

Established in 2003, the Committee prepared a new Comprehensive Plan for the Town, and proposed a new Zoning Law and Wetlands Law to provide a vision for future land use development in the Town. The new Plan, the Zoning Law, Wetlands Law, and a Subdivision Regulations Local Law were all adopted by the Town Board on 12-29-09, and became effective on January 4, 2010.

If you would like to read a short summary of the Plan and Zoning Law, an 11" by 17" poster can be downloaded here. All of the documents have been provided on this page in PDF format. These documents can be viewed online or downloaded from the links provided. Some documents are large and may take some time to view or download, especially if you do not have broadband access.

Town Conservation Advisory Board (CAB)

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:33:50 -0500

The CAB examines and recommends measures to improve and protect Rhinebeck's natural environment. It reviews applications before the Planning Board and makes recommendations on environmentally sensitive aspects of those applications. It operates in an advisory role only.

Town Dog Control

admin — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:26:23 -0500

The Town Dog Control Officer enforces agriculture and market laws pertaining to dogs, including licensing, enforcement of the village leash law and rabies inoculation requirements. The officer rescues and cares for lost dogs at the town kennel, and brings unclaimed dogs from the kennel to the Columbia County Humane Society. Gina Fox is the Town Board liasion to this Department.

Town Emergency Coordinator

admin — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:44:27 -0500

The coordinator is responsible for the Town of Rhinebeck comprehensive plan to manage natural or man-made disasters and emergencies. The plan vests the Supervisor and the Coordinator responsibility for declaring a "state of emergency," for overseeing the deployment of first responders, for assuring proper responses to calls for help, and to relate to county and state emergency officials. Town officials work with Village and School district officials to assure maximum coordination among the three public venues when confronting an emergency.

Town Energy Task Force

admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:15:00 -0500

The Town Energy Task Force's mission is to develop and execute a work plan that establishes a baseline of Rhinebeck’s current greenhouse gas emissions and recommend reduction targets, identify strategies for emission reductions and energy efficiency, engage and educate the public and identify threats and recommend strategies to cope with coming changes.

Interested in working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Rhinebeck?
Contact Suzanne Kelly at suzmkelly@aol.com.

Town Ethics Board

aschulkind — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:33:59 -0600

Pursuant to the provisions of § 806 of the General Municipal Law, the State of New York recognizes that there are rules of ethical conduct for public officers and employees which must be observed if a high degree of moral conduct is to be obtained and if public confidence is to be maintained in our unit of local government.

It is the purpose of this chapter to promulgate these rules of ethical conduct for the officers and employees of the Town of Rhinebeck (hereafter, the “Town”). These rules shall serve as a guide for official conduct of the officers and employees of the Town.

The rules of ethical conduct of this chapter, as adopted, shall not conflict with but shall be in addition to any prohibition of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law or any other general or special law relating to the ethical conduct and interest in contracts of municipal officers and employees.

Town Finance Department

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:07:48 -0500

The Finance Depatment provides accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, vouchers, budget and revenue analysis and development.

Town Highway Department

admin — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:07:34 -0500

The Town Highway Department maintains approximately 114 lane miles of roads, bridges, and culvert crossings in the Town of Rhinebeck. The Highway Department is responsible for repairing, improving, and maintaining our roads and infrastructure, including snow and ice removal, road drainage, street sweeping, roadside vegetation control, installation and maintenance of appropriate road signage, guiderail maintenance and more. It is the Town’s largest municipal agency.

Town Historian

admin — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 10:02:33 -0500

The Town Historian works to preserve historical records, interpret history and identify land, buildings and objects of historical significance.

The Local History Room at the Starr Library is open Tuesday 10am to 3pm with the Town Historian and Thursday 10am to 3pm with the Rhinebeck Historical Society. A large collection of reference material is available as well as microfilm, research CD’s & family files.

More information about local historical organizations and a catalog of their holdings is available at http://www.rhinebeckhistory.org/. Participating organizations include the Rhinebeck Historical Society, the Museum of Rhinebeck History, DAR and the Rhinebeck Town Historian.

Two files below may be of particular interest: Researching your family history in Rhinebeck, and researching buildings in Rhinebeck. Both are available for download as PDFs.

Town Justice Court

admin — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 10:12:27 -0500

The Town Justice Court is created under, and governed by, the Uniform Justice Court Act. It has limited jurisdiction over civil matters including all traffic offenses, and misdemeanors occurring within the town. The Court also handles landlord and tenant matters, has a small claims part for the simplified handing of small claims matters, and is presided over by one of two elected justices.

Town Maintenance Department

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:02:33 -0500

The Town Maintenance Department performs maintenance and small repairs of town buildings and grounds, the town pool and recreational facilities and sports fields, including the town landing in Rhinecliff. Councilman Bruce Washburn is the Town Board Liasion assigned to this department.

Town Open Space and Affordable Housing Committee

admin — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 10:22:08 -0500

The Open Space & Affordable Housing Committee was established in 2006 to recommend tools to preserve Rhinebeck's historic natural environment and for housing affordable to Rhinebeck's workforce and moderate income senior citizens.

Open Space & Affordable Housing Glossary
Open Space & Affordable Housing Presentation

Town Planning Board

admin — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:26:12 -0500

The Planning Board reviews and approves applications for site plans, subdivisions, special use permits and sign permits.

Town Police Services

admin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:29:39 -0500

The Town of Rhinebeck is served by three police departments. The State Police and the County Sherrif's department provide vehicle patrol and most criminal pursuit and investigation. The town contracts with the Village Police Department to provide 26 person-hours of coverage each week, mostly for traffic patrol.

Town Recreation Committee

admin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:41:07 -0500

The Recreation Committee assists the Recreation Department in planning and implementing recreation events and programs based on community needs.

Town Recreation Director

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:13:57 -0500

Provides recreation activities and opportunities, primarily for the children of Rhinebeck, including events and ongoing sports programs such as basketball and dance/movement in the winter. The department also operates an extensive summer day camp, swimming lesson program, and swim team at the town's recreation center adjacent to Starr Library.

Town Rhinecliff Hamlet Advisory Council

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 09:41:04 -0500

Established in 2006, the Council identifies and proposes to the town board solutions to issues that are of particular concern to residents of the Hamlet.

Town Rhinecliff Waterfront Committee

admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:40:41 -0500

The Rhinecliff Waterfront Committee reviews current useage and investigates additional use of the town landing in Rhinecliff. It oversees maintenance and improvements to the dock and park areas.

Town Supervisor Tom Traudt

admin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:56:59 -0500

While overseeing all departments, the Town Supervisor is also the Town Board liasion to the Finance & Control Committee, Emergency and Fire Services, the Collaboration, Rhinecliff Advisory Committee with Councilman Bruce Washburn, the Chamber of Commerce, Aging Committee and Town Hall Personnel. The elected Town Supervisor serves the dual role of leading the legislative functions of the town board and the chief executive functions of the municipal administration. The town supervisor is also the chief financial officer of the town and works with the office manager/bookkeeper and her office to oversee the financial affairs of the town.

Town Tax Collection Department

admin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:05:50 -0500

The Tax Collection Department mails tax bills to homeowners and banks, collects tax payments from town and village residents for the town, mails receipts, and transfers funds to town and county agencies.

Town Technology Committee

admin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:31:38 -0500

The Town Technology Committee assists town government in evaluating and implementing technologies that impact the town and and makes recommendations on technology policy.

Town Thomas Thompson-Sally Mazzarella Park Committee

dkliphon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:56:51 -0500

The Thomas-Thompson-Sally Mazzarella Park Committee investigates and recommends recreational uses of the newly acquired park lands adjacent to the existing recreation center and Starr Library. It oversees all aspects of the land use and funding priorities required for the town board to approve and implement comprehensive plans to develop the Park.

Town Transfer Station and Recycling Facility

dkliphon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:13:27 -0500

The Transfer Station and Recycling Facility is open Mondays, from 8AM to 3 PM, Thursdays, from 1PM to 7 PM, and Saturdays from 8AM to 12:00 PM. The facility accepts recyclable materials, garbage, scrap and bulky items. Please call for proper containment instructions. Non-residents are subject to a $60 fee.

If for any reason it is necessary to close the TS/RF on a Monday, Thursday or Saturday, advance notice will be posted at the TS/RF, and advertised in the Daily Freeman. Sudden closure do to weather will be announced on the radio, and recorded phone message.

Town Vanderburgh Cove Sewer District

dkliphon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:24:43 -0500

Established in 1991, the district operates, maintains and upgrades the sewage collection and treatment systems that serve the forty homes in the Cove. Homeowners are assessed a fee four times each year.

Town Vanderburgh Cove Sewer District Committee

dkliphon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:36:21 -0500

The Vanderburgh Cove Sewer District committee works with town board to
oversee ongoing operations and maintenance of the sewer district and to
assure cost-effective reconstruction of the treatment and collection
systems, when necessary.

Town Web Site Committee

admin — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:57:57 -0500

Established in 2006, the Web Site Committee is dedicated to creating and nurturing a Web site that contributes to accessible, interactive and easily understood town and village governments. Our goals are to:

Inform, educate and communicate town and village business
Assist and encourage participation in community decision-making and civic life
Help improve responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency of public employees, volunteers and officials
Reflect Rhinebeck's unique rural character through imagery, organization and language
Be simple, straightforward, comprehensive, useful and current

Town Zoning Board of Appeals

dkliphon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:53:01 -0500

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) interprets the meaning of the zoning law and may grant variances from the strict interpretation of the law. Applicants who are denied permission by the ZEO (Zoning Enforcement Officer) may appeal to the ZBA for either an Area Variance, which gives relief to dimensional specifications of land development, or a Use Variance, which would allow a use on the property which is not typically permitted in the given zoning district.

Town Zoning Enforcement Officer

dkliphon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:06:58 -0500

The Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO) reviews and approves or rejects building permit, zoning board of appeals and planning board applications for zoning law compliance. Denials may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The ZEO reviews business applications and investigates zoning violation complaints.

Village Government - IMPORTANT NOTE

admin — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:34:53 -0600

Important Note: the Rhinebeck Village Board has launched a separate website for the Village of Rhinebeck. It can be found at rhinebecknyvillage.org. More up-to-date information may be available there.