2026-692026-69
Resolution Adopting Local Law Amending Chapter 221 Of The Town Code Of The Town
Of Wappinger Entitled "Taxation" By Adding Section 221 -IX Entitled "Exemption For
Permanently And Totally Disabled Military Veterans"
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on February
9, 2026.
The meeting was called to order by Joseph D. Cavaccini, Town Supervisor, and upon roll
being called, the following was recorded:
✓ Vote Record - Resolution RES -2026-69
Yes/Aye
No/Nay
Abstain
Absent
Q Adopted
❑ Adopted as Amended
Joseph D. Cavaccini
Voter
Q
❑
❑
❑
❑ Defeated
William H. Beale
Voter
❑
❑
❑
Q
❑ Tabled
Heather O'Dell
Mover
Q
❑
❑
❑
❑ Withdrawn
Christopher Phillips
Seconder
Q
❑
❑
❑
Al Casella
Voter
Q
❑
❑
❑
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilwoman O'Dell and seconded by
Councilman Phillips.
WHEREAS, the Town Board has considered the adoption of Local Law to amend Chapter
221 of the Town Code entitled "Taxation" by adopting a local law pursuant to the authority granted
under New York State Real Property Tax Law,and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing on the proposed Local Law was duly advertised in the
Southern Dutchess News and the Poughkeepsie Journal as required by law; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was Noticed Properly and held on February 9, 2026 and all
parties in attendance were permitted an opportunity to speak on behalf of or in opposition to said
proposed Local Law or any part thereof; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has determined that the Proposed Action is an action for which
there are no other Involved Agencies and that the Town Board is therefore, by default, the Lead
Agency for this action; and
WHEREAS, as in accordance with Section 239 of the New York State General Municipal Law,
the Town Board referred the proposed Local Law to the Dutchess County Department of Planning
and Development (DCDPD) for its advisory opinion; and
WHEREAS, said Local Law has been on the desks of the members of the Town Board of
the Town of Wappinger for at least ten (7) days prior to the adoption of this resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Town Board hereby adopts and incorporates the recitations and statements set forth
above as if fully set forth and resolved herein.
2. The Town Board, after due deliberation, finds that it is in the best interest of the Town to
adopt said Local Law, and the Town Board hereby adopts Local Law of 2026, a copy of which is
attached hereto and made a part of this Resolution; and The Town Clerk is directed to enter said
Local Law in the minutes of this meeting into the Local Law book for the Town of Wappinger and to
give due notice of the adoption of said Local Law to the Secretary of State of New York.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Heather O'Dell, Councilwoman
SECONDER: Christopher Phillips, Councilman
AYES: Joseph D. Cavaccini, Heather O'Dell, Christopher Phillips, Al Casella
ABSENT: William H. Beale
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
2/9/2026
The Resolution is hereby duideclared Adopted.
JOS/EPM P. PAOLONI, TOWN CLERK
INTRODUCTORY LOCAL LAW NO. 4 OF 2026 OF THE TOWN OF WAPPINGER
AMENDING CHAPTER 221 OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF WAPPINGER
ENTITLED "TAXATION" BY ADDING SECTION 221 -IX ENTITLED "EXEMPTION FOR
PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED MILITARY VETERANS"
Section 1. Legislative Intent.
It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger to amend
Chapter 221 of the Town Code entitled "Taxation" by adopting a local law pursuant to the
authority granted under New York State Real Property Tax Law § 458-a(I1), in order to provide
a full exemption from Town and special district taxation for the primary residence of
permanently and totally disabled military veterans who meet the statutory eligibility
requirements.
Section 2. Text Amendment.
Chapter 221 of the Town Code of the Town of Wappinger entitled "Taxation" is hereby amended
by adding a new section to be known as Section 221 -IX, to read as follows:
§ 22 ll) .. Exemption for Permanently and Totally Disabled Military Veterans.
Pursuant to New York State 11.eal Property ll"u x Law § 458...a(i 1), the primary residence ol" any
permanently and totally disabled military veteran shall be fully exempt from Town and special
district charges, assessments, and special ad valorem levies, provided that such veteran meets all
o `the 1:61iowing requirements:
A. The veteran:
Was discharged or released from military service under honorable conditions, or
llllas a ciuualilying condition, as del:lned in Section i ol`the New York State
Veterans' Services Law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or
dishonorable, or
Is a discharged L(J13"ll" veteuln, as defined in Section i oJ`the New York State
Veterans' Services Law, and has received a discharge other than hard conduct or
dishonorable.
B. The veteran:
Is considered to be permanently and totally disabled as a result ol"military service,
and
Is routed one hundred percent (100%) disabled by the Invited States Department oJ"
Veterans AlTairs, or
ll llas been routed by the IJnited States Department oi" eterans A i 1.tirs as
individually unemployable.
C.The veteran:
Is eligible for pecuniary assistance from the Invited States government, or has
received such assistance, and
ll llas applied such assistance toward the acquisition or modification of` a suitable
housing unit with special features or movable 11wilities made necessary by the
nature of"the veteran's disability, as required by applicable law.
D. The real property f:or which the exemption is claimed must be used exclusively
as the veteran's primary residence and must otherwise meet all requirements set
forth in 11.eal PropertyTax. Law § 458 u.u(l l) and applicable rules and regulations.
Section 3. Authority.
This Local Law is enacted pursuant to the authority granted to the Town Board of the Town of
Wappinger by Municipal Home Rule Law §§ 10 and 20, Town Law § 130, and New York State
Real Property Tax Law § 458-a(11)
Section 4. Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this Local Law shall be
adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause,
sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in
which such judgment shall have been rendered.
Section 5. Effective Date.
This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State of the
State of New York.