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Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Tensions explode over security cameras
P olice B lotter
STATE POLICE
Continued from page 3
property.”
They made the statement earlier this year in their
publication, Talk of the Towns, going on to explain
that Town Law gives the town board control over town
property, so “a majority of the town board may decide to
install video surveillance on town property.”
The Association of Towns urged caution before making
the move, citing potential constitutional issues, conflicts
with state law and collective bargaining agreements, and
impacts on FOIL. In addition, the board members are to
know where they are installed.
“It puts the board in a bad position,” said Councilwoman
Cindy Voss. “I don’t think security cameras are bad. It’s
the way it was done.”
Town records show that New York Security Systems
installed the cameras and submitted two invoices. The
first, for 18 indoor cameras and related equipment, was
paid by the town on March 25, 2019. The second was
submitted to Marlin, in the amount of $41,470, for 12
outdoor cameras and related equipment. Essentially,
rather than having the town purchase the other half of
the equipment themselves, Marlin purchased it and is
leasing it back to the town.
“Why in God’s name would you do that?” asked
Councilman Hoyt, stating that the town is “wasting
money” with the contract.
The lease means that the town is paying an additional
$15,305.60 over a direct purchase, again, not including
late fees and insurance payments. As of Sept. 6, the town
has paid Marlin Business Bank a total of $8,459.04.
Supervisor Winchell said the “interest rate is high”
because it includes service for the cameras, as well as
upgrades over the term of the lease.
“You don’t want to own anything. They don’t
understand that,” said Winchell.
Town board members were told they could buy out
of the lease early—if they paid approximately $71,000.
That’s nearly $30,000 more than the original invoice from
the security company.
Winchell said that even if they bought out of the
contract, the town still wouldn’t own the equipment and
the company would pull it all out.
“It’s like peeling an onion. Each layer you peel back,
the worse it gets,” said Hoyt.
Supervisor Winchell explained that they used a grant
for part of it and the contract was for the rest. They were
“piggybacking on a county bid”, so he believes the town
received a good deal and he didn’t need to go through the
process of going out to bid.
Town board members disagree and point out that
the supervisor still needed board approval before doing
anything.
“You can’t just take the money out of the account,”
said Melick.
Supervisor Winchell said he talked to the board about
cameras prior to moving forward, but admitted that he
didn’t wait for board approval and didn’t see it as a “big
deal.” He pointed out that the town attorney at the time,
Austin Dubois, looked over the contracts and watched
him sign it.
“If that’s what they have, put me in jail,” said Winchell.
“The attorneys looked at it. I’m cool. It helped the police
department.”
Meanwhile, there are allegations that it also helped
the supervisor, as according to NY Open Government,
New York Security Systems made a donation of $1,000 to
Friends of Rodney Winchell, the supervisor’s re-election
campaign, the same day the company’s bill of $27,960 was
paid by the town.
“I honestly don’t know what to do. It’s a mess,” said
Hoyt. “How much other stuff has also gone on that we
don’t know about yet?”
Winchell is unconcerned about the controversy, saying
there is “a lot of stuff” that he signs, and sometimes there
are motions, and other times there aren’t. He is trying
to fix things at town hall and move forward and said the
town board members aren’t helping him.
“They can stick it. I don’t care. The bottom line is, it’s
ridiculous,” said Winchell. “I’d do it again. For what
these tools have done for the town, I’d do it again.”
Medline to withdraw IDA application
Continued from page 1
“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the local
leaders, including Supervisor Winchell and the Orange
County Partnership, for their dedicated, transparent
communications on Montgomery’s needs and local
considerations for success,” Dukhan continued. “We’re
hopeful these open lines of communications with the
Town of Montgomery, our neighbors and employees will
continue in our new home once the project is complete.”
The decision to withdraw the IDA application was
hailed by State Senator James Skoufis who, while
sporting a “Pay Your Damn Taxes” T-shirt, had rallied
against tax breaks for the company at a recent Town of
Montgomery press conference.
“From the moment I announced my investigation
into Medline’s application for corporate welfare, I made
one thing clear to the company: they needed to pay their
taxes. Today, taxpayers can declare victory as common
sense prevailed and the corporation withdrew their
$17 million property tax break application,” Skoufis
said Monday in a prepared statement. “Throughout
my investigation, Medline’s representatives, the Orange
County Partnership, and others constantly warned that
the corporation would walk away if they did not receive
the proposed $17 million taxpayer-funded giveaway. It
is now clear they were either misleading the public or
simply refused to ask the hard questions themselves to
make an accurate judgment.”
Skoufis called the decision a win for local residents
and schools.
“I hope this victory will herald a culture change
whereby taxpayers are better respected and every
application for incentives is fully investigated before
moving forward,” Skoufis said.
Barry Cooper, 26, of Middletown was charged on Sept.
24 with Assault 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a
Weapon 3rd Degree, both felonies. He was arraigned in the
Town of Wallkill Court and remanded to the Orange County
Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.
Noah G. Baker, 19, of Middletown was charged on Oct. 2
with rape 1st, a class B felony and strangulation 2nd, a class
D felony. Baker was arraigned in the City of Newburgh and
remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of bail pending a
future court appearance.
TOWN OF SHAWANGUNK
Ronald D. Ferguson Jr., 67, of Wallkill was arrested on
Sept. 5 for DWI and refusal to submit to a breath test. He
was a released on his own recognizance to return to the
Shawangunk Court on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.
Heidi K. Gillespie, 36, of Middletown was arrested on
Sept. 11 for petit larceny. She was released with an appear-
ance ticket to return to the Shawangunk Court on Sept. 17.
Crystal L. Thiers, 31, of Wallkill was arrested on Sept.
11 pursuant to an active Bench Warrant. Crystal was turned
over to the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.
VILLAGE OF WALDEN
Michael Morea, 63, of Middletown was charged on Sept.
3 with petit larceny. He was scheduled to appear in village
court on Sept. 11.
Joseph Ausenbaugh, 25, of Walden was charged on Sept.
4 with aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd. He is scheduled
to appear in village court on Oct. 23.
John Arquitte, 35, of Walden was arrested on Sept. 5
with a bench warrant out of the village of Walden. He is
scheduled to appear in village court on Oct. 9.
Jessica Pillius, 33, of Walden was charged on Sept. 6
with aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, suspended regis-
tration, fail to return plates, operate vehicle without insur-
ance, operate vehicle without inspection and unregistered
vehicle. She was scheduled to appear in village court on
Sept. 25.
Rebecca Crawford, 33, of Pine Bush was charged on
Sept. 6 with aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd and
DWAI combined drugs and alcohol. She was arraigned and
remanded to Orange County Jail.
Adrian Venuti, 29, of Walden was charged on Sept. 10
with assault 3rd and act in a manner injurious to a child. She
was scheduled to appear in village court on Sept. 11.
Heather Baxter, 42, of Maybrook was charged on Sept.
11 with aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd, circumvent
interlock device, suspended registration, operating a vehicle
without insurance and operating an unregistered vehicle.
She is scheduled to appear in village court on Oct. 10.
Robert Depuy, 35, of Ellenville was charged on Sept.
13 with aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, operating an
unregistered motor vehicle and operating a vehicle without
insurance. He is scheduled to appear in village court on Oct.
23.
Brian Areno, 38, of Fishkill was charged on Sept. 14 with
aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, fail to return plates.
He is scheduled to appear in village court on Oct. 9.
John Nokland, 81, of Montgomery was charged on Sept.
15 with DWI 1st and operating a motor vehicle with BAC
.08%. He is scheduled to appear in village court on Oct. 9.