Keep Fishkill Beautiful!

10/28/2026

OPENING on the TOF Planning Board.

The Town of Fishkill Planning Board has an opening for an Alternate Planning Board Member. The Alternate would attend all Planning Board meetings, but would not vote unless a Planning Board member is absent (and is appointed as a voting member by the Planning Board Chair).

Having Alternate members helps ensure that quorums are maintained for all meetings and agenda items.

anyone looking to get involved in local government and be part of the SOLUTION please consider this!

10/28/2026

UPDATE- the only way to change the laws is to run for office (and obviously to vote). We are hoping that this will inspire people to do both.

****Join our mailing list so that you are in the loop when it's time to mobilize: http://eepurl.com/g_ZOY1****

More context regarding the monstrosity on Jackson & Main and why VOTING MATTERS.

Some might not know that the empty lot on the corner of Jackson & Main was once occupied by a highly significant 18th-century landmark that had been the home of Dutchess County Judge Joseph I. Jackson. The home stood for over two and a half centuries until was demolished under the instruction of then Mayor James Miccio- literally in the middle of the night.

Local preservation groups had been actively organizing rallies, writing petitions, and planning public awareness campaigns to save or relocate the building. However, on the night of December 2, 2013, the Village of Fishkill Board of Trustees held an executive meeting. By lunch the next day the house that had stood on the corner since 1741 was demolished.

What sparked deep community anger was not just the loss of the physical landmark, but the sudden, non-transparent way the local government executed the teardown.

After the historic site was cleared it sat empty as a vacant lot, until the new Village Mayor, Kathy Martin and the rest of the trustees at that time (please note that there are some new trustees currently on the board who had nothing to do with this) passed a new law (in 2021) expanding building height restrictions west of Jackson Street.

Following that change, developers proposed the high-density residential complex known as Jackson Crossing.

All this time, in each Village election, no more than *75 people came out to vote* (sometimes half that!). Complain? Sure. Vote or run for office? Not so much. Keep in mind that people living in the TOWN of Fishkill are unable to vote in VOF elections.

We are now in the midst of an election cycle and KFB is happy to see great numbers turning out even before Election Day. When the people speak, crisis like the Jackson house demolition and subsequent are avoided.

If you don’t think your vote matters, think again. It does. Voting the wrong people in can lead to irreparable damage. Voting the right people in can preserve the dignity of a community and ensure that residents voices are heard.

Below is a note from Frederica Noland, descendant of Judge Joseph Jackson and Sarah Van Brunt, regarding the loss of Jackson House.

This was written in 2013 immediately following the demolition:

"I still have moments of sadness over the loss of the Jackson family house last month. I so appreciate what you and your partners did to save it and how loathsome the progress of loss was.

I am not a Facebook member (age related) so I don't know if there are any further repercussions from the rotten deal your town was given by its leaders and real estate developers.

I feel I have lost something important and have not done a proper job of mourning that loss. Of finding out where the loss will lead to.

Please keep me informed of any good things that may come as a result - perhaps a realization at the importance of tending to the past? Now that my grandmothers grandparents no longer have a home.

By the way my daughter has archived many of our family papers including a letter that speaks of how the Judge looked out his door and saw the lovely widow down the street - Sarah Van Brunt - in her house. Thus their union occurred.

Take care, Frederica Noland

10/27/2026

Did anyone vote today? What is the line like? 

10/25/2026

There is about a 15 minute wait at town hall today which is a great sign that people are turning out! They are open till five!

10/23/2026

Now accepting new or gently used coats of all sizes.
Hats, gloves, scarves and winter wear accepted as well.
Please help us keep our community warm this season!

10/22/2026

Know before you go! The election is fast approaching. The Times Union has put together this handy nonpartisan voting guide for Dutchess County residents.

Fishkill residents can vote early in person, starting this Saturday Oct 24 through Nov 1 at Fishkill Town Hall from 9-5 (hours vary by day, so check the schedule).

Learn more here:
https://www.timesunion.com/projects/2026/dutchess-county-election-ballot/?fbclid=IwY2xjawVHL9JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5JfpHp2fa5v5pw_k84NT2kNkkbv06OocgAL0Es2puihoc7T53uWhE_USoKNg_aem_Srzbkl2EwIx5SKzwg_KQ-g

Who’s on the ballot in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election? Find candidates, contested races, early voting dates and polling information.

10/19/2026

The village of Fishkill wants your input (better late than never?).

https://surveymonkey.com/r/vofcbd

10/18/2026

Dutchess County Legislature Backs Pause on Large-Scale Data Centers

HV Newswire
By Roger Rosenbaum

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Dutchess County lawmakers unanimously passed a bipartisan memorialization resolution calling for action to protect the community from large-scale data center developments and offering support to municipalities seeking to enact local moratoria.

Resolution No. 163, brought forward by Legislator Chris Drago (D, District 19) and colleagues, urges a temporary halt to hyperscale facility growth across the county. The measure passed by voice vote following a broad debate over environmental risks, energy grid demands, and the broader social implications of artificial intelligence.

Legislator Lisa Kaul (D-District 5) highlighted the strain hyper-scale facilities put on local infrastructure, noting that a data center previously proposed in East Fishkill was projected to consume more electricity than the entire city of Buffalo. Call also pointed to heavy municipal water consumption, air pollution from diesel backup generators, and round-the-clock cooling fan noise.

"Data centers, especially hyperscale data centers, are a perfect example of what makes ordinary people and municipalities feel powerless and put upon," Kaul said during discussion, advocating for a temporary pause like the proposed state Responsible Data Center Development Act to assess community costs.

Legislator Brendan Lawler (D, District 4), a humanities teacher, warned against rushing into AI infrastructure expansion driven by corporate debt and profit motives at the expense of human labor and community well-being.

The resolution also pledges county assistance—including model moratorium templates—for local towns and cities considering their own temporary bans on large-scale tech development.

"The Environment Committee voted on this unanimously last week," Drago said. "The resolution also offers support for any municipality that wants to have their own moratorium... if that is of interest, please do get in touch and we're happy to help."

The debate turned to state investments when Legislator and Minority Leader Michael Polasek (R, District 3) noted that the New York State Common Retirement Fund held $4.6 billion in Nvidia stock in 2025. Polasek suggested that lawmakers who view AI as an existential threat should consider petitioning the state comptroller regarding divestment.

In response, Legislator Eric Alexander (D, District 25) sought clarification on whether the Minority Leader was advocating for complete divestment from tech holdings. Polasek responded that elected officials participating in the state pension system should align their financial holdings with their legislative stance.

Following the discussion, the resolution passed without opposition.

Dutchess County Government
Sue Serino

10/17/2026

5:24pm today, Saturday. Two car accident on Osborn hill rd - expect delays

10/16/2026

Dutchess County Legislature Passes Gas Sales Tax Cap Extension

Poughkeepsie, New York - (October 16, 2026) At the October Legislative Board meeting earlier this week, the Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously to pass a resolution to extend the cap on the County's sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel at $3.00 per gallon. The current gas tax cap expires December 1, 2026.

Chair Yvette Valdés Smith (Fishkill) said, “I am proud to have passed this resolution to extend the gas sales tax cap. All of our prices in Dutchess are too high, including the price of gas and diesel. Capping our county’s sales tax on gas and diesel helps put money back into our residents’ pockets. Our job as legislators is to find every opportunity to make life more affordable for our constituents, capping the gas sales tax does this. This money belongs to the hard working Dutchess County residents.” said Legislator Emma Arnoff.

The resolution is expected to take effect December 1, 2026, pending approval from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

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