Question 1:
According to the 2023 adopted Comprehensive Plan, when respondents were asked what they would like to see more of in the Town of Fishkill, the top answers were: community gatherings, activities events and volunteer projects, more walkable community, bike paths and trails, small, local businesses.
What initiatives would you support to address these points? If you have held office before, can you give examples of how you voted on this issue in the past? Please be specific. 

Jackie Bardini Answer:
As a town board member, I voted to earmark money to upgrade our long-ignored park. We also created a sensory park, and I have been told by families who use it, how much the children enjoy the park. The parks have been beautified and include things like ramps for kayaking and pickleball courts.

Also, during Covid, we ensured that the town was open for business so that citizens had full access to services. This also resulted in keeping income flowing in, whereas municipalities that closed did not have the benefit.

I voted to help keep businesses functioning during the pandemic, with initiatives expanding use of new drive-up services. I am also proud that we recognized history in our community by commissioning the statue of Chief Daniel Nimham. It is a source of pride for all citizens and a beautiful landmark.

These things show my dedication to our citizens, to history, and my ability to successfully navigate contingencies such as the pandemic.

Question 2:
Earlier this year, the Town Board received a proposal to consolidate the Glenham and Blodgett water districts. Such a consolidation would increase water supply to the Route 9 corridor in Fishkill, ultimately paving the way for additional large developments in town. The Town Board voted down this proposal, citing residents’ concerns regarding overdevelopment and traffic.

How would you vote, should the below resolution come up again? 

Jackie Bardini Answer:

First, let me state that we need development- especially new businesses- in order for our town to continue to grow, but also, we need to consider the impact on our citizens, regarding traffic, schools, use of services, increase in taxes to pay for new infrastructure, etcetera. Town citizens have stated their opposition to large scale development for these reasons.

More importantly, I want the town to have leverage in negotiations in order to maintain (and improve) the nature and character of our hometown. For example, we could ask developers to help pay for and/or maintain major infrastructure projects (e.g. water and sewer infrastructure). If a large development is proposed, we might want to negotiate a new school, fire truck and ladder, as well as other major projects which accompany new construction and increases in population.

Question 3:
What initiatives would you support to address traffic concerns in Fishkill? If you have held office before, can you give examples of how you voted on this issue in the past? Please be specific 

In the past I voted against the large-scale development called Rolling Hills. I was most impacted by their failure to plan for contingencies such as traffic, fire, schools and infrastructure. In fact, they tried to belittle our contention that such a large-scale development would necessitate the building of a new school to accommodate families which would move to Fishkill.

I have similar concerns with the sale of Downstate. I see this as a proposal that is outside the zoned use of this parcel. Simply enforcing our zoning laws is a method we may use to limit the scope of this land, or as leverage in negotiations.

Besides enforcing our zoning laws, we need to work with NYS DOT to improve traffic around I84 by right lane entry onto the I84 at 9D and 52. We could also divert traffic for Downstate and the Stadium with designated on/off ramps for these parcels.

Question 1:
According to the 2023 adopted Comprehensive Plan, when respondents were asked what they would like to see more of in the Town of Fishkill, the top answers were: community gatherings, activities events and volunteer projects, more walkable community, bike paths and trails, small, local businesses.
What initiatives would you support to address these points? If you have held office before, can you give examples of how you voted on this issue in the past? Please be specific. 

Cindy Maeitta  Answer
Gatherings and events such as these are signs of a vibrant community. We are blessed in Fishkill to have so many activities for young and old. We have the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Fall Festivals, Winter Holiday Events, free summer concerts at the Park, senior citizen programming, block parties (through the Fishkill Business Association- which promotes small, local business) , beautiful parks for passive recreation and so on. If elected, as a member of the Town Board, I would not only look to expand on some of these programs and events, I would also like to help bring awareness to some of the opportunities that our citizens may not be aware of. 

The town does a great job marketing all these events but there are still those in the community who are unaware of the many opportunities that are offered. Perhaps team up with the County to incorporate the Think Differently initiative where we can host events or start projects that include children and adults of all abilities. 

As a school teacher, I see first hand the importance of removing barriers to children with disabilities so they can enjoy all the great things Fishkill has to offer. Unfortunately, there are many children with sensory sensitivities or other disabilities that become overwhelmed when too many people are around. Perhaps we can look into small setting summer camps and unified sports programs. Working with the County we can identify programs that would be beneficial to children and adults with all abilities.
Other programs I would like to see implemented concerns Veterans. The Hometown Hero Banners that we currently have are terrific and are a great reminder to all of us of their tremendous sacrifice. It highlights and gives tribute to the courageous members of our community. We could recognize a “Veteran of the Month” at a Town Board meeting or highlight some at events or on the Town website. These Veterans have given us so much, it would be a privilege to continue to honor them whenever we can.

Question 2:
Earlier this year, the Town Board received a proposal to consolidate the Glenham and Blodgett water districts. Such a consolidation would increase water supply to the Route 9 corridor in Fishkill, ultimately paving the way for additional large developments in town. The Town Board voted down this proposal, citing residents’ concerns regarding overdevelopment and traffic.

How would you vote, should the below resolution come up again? 

Cindy Maeitta  Answer
While I am adamant in my belief in smart growth, which to me is thoroughly and collaboratively examining each project that comes before the board and making a decision that is best for the people and the Town of Fishkill. In this case, if there were ANY evidence that this consolidation grant would lead to larger developments I would be against it because our traffic issues are unsustainable and need to be addressed.

My position on building is the same position of the Fishkill Town Board who recently passed the Update to the Comprehensive Plan. That position is that no building, etc., will be approved that is in violation of current zoning regulations. Like all responsible citizens, we, the citizens of Fishkill, do not want to do anything that stretches our resources and/or damages them in any way. That is why I'll take it a step further and say that I also fully support Highway Superintendent Carmine Istvan's initiative to decrease salt use on the roads in order to better preserve and desalinate our aquifers.

I'm running to do what is right for our Town and my neighbors in Fishkill and not to play politics. I will continue to be open, honest and work with integrity and I hope others do the same. Many of the community members that I have met throughout this journey, have shared that they have had enough of the pettiness and divisiveness. It's time WE work together FOR Fishkill.

Question 3:
What initiatives would you support to address traffic concerns in Fishkill? If you have held office before, can you give examples of how you voted on this issue in the past? Please be specific

Cindy Maeitta  Answer

The traffic that our town faces is not a political issue, it’s a quality of life issue. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful town that so many want to move to. The overdevelopment has led to many of these traffic problems. Again, I will state that this is NOT a political issue and to solve it we need to work together.

Neighboring towns such as Wappingers Falls and East Fishkill are working with State officials and the DOT to mitigate their growing traffic concerns. Wappingers has a new traffic circle by the airport which has been a tremendous success and East Fishkill has a new traffic circle by John Jay High School which has helped with the flow of traffic. More traffic circles are scheduled to go into East Fishkill to mitigate their growing traffic concerns. I am not saying we need a traffic circle, I am saying that we need to have everything on the table and see what works best for Fishkill. We must work together, the Town Board, our State officials, and the Department of Transportation to conduct studies and fix this growing problem.

All builders have to have their projects go through an environmental impact study. Part of this study is traffic concerns. Clearly, something was amiss because the amount of traffic we are experiencing is severe and unsustainable. Our traffic concerns are the result of the overdevelopment which is why Gov. Hochul’s housing plan must be stopped because her housing vision will result in worsening our traffic burden. 

Question 1:
According to the 2023 adopted Comprehensive Plan, when respondents were asked what they would like to see more of in the Town of Fishkill, the top answers were: community gatherings, activities events and volunteer projects, more walkable community, bike paths and trails, small, local businesses.
What initiatives would you support to address these points? If you have held office before, can you give examples of how you voted on this issue in the past? Please be specific. 

Scott Bierce Answer:
I would like to see more community activities ,and events for every season of the year examples fall festival, block parties ect,ect. The walking trail from Coldspring to Fishkill to east fishkill will be a great attraction. I would like to see sidewalks from 84/52 to the city of Beacon line.

Question 2:
Earlier this year, the Town Board received a proposal to consolidate the Glenham and Blodgett water districts. Such a consolidation would increase water supply to the Route 9 corridor in Fishkill, ultimately paving the way for additional large developments in town. The Town Board voted down this proposal, citing residents’ concerns regarding overdevelopment and traffic. How would you vote, should the below resolution come up again? 

Scott Bierce Answer:
I'm totally against overdevelopment and doing anything for developers. Traffic in Fishkill is terrible. Enough is enough.  I remember route 9 in Fishkill was two lane road and nothing but corn fields,  that's what I remember  as Fishkill being great.  I would vote it down again. 

Question 3:
What initiatives would you support to address traffic concerns in Fishkill? If you have held office before, can you give examples of how you voted on this issue in the past? Please be specific 

Scott Bierce Answer:
Traffic is the most alarming thing thats going on. With development comes traffic thats why we need to stop development.  I live off off red school house road were I've owned my house since 1984.  So u  know I'm watching Down state  jails decisions closely.   The traffic issue mostly is 52, through the village and coming south to Beacon.  The other issue is Route 9d during rush hr with traffic coming north on 9d to 84/route 9d. 

The issue on 52 I think has to do with the sequence of the lights.  When I was à supervisor with the Fishkill police department, I would assign a police officer during rush hours if available to do traffic detail at 52/84 and push cars through the intersections. The samething on Route 9d and 84.  The previous chief stated at a board meeting it wasn't his problem because they are state roads.  

Well it is our problem because it effects the residents of fishkill. I would work with local,state, county police,mta police department to come up with at least something that would ease some of the traffic at best.