POUGHKEEPSIE – A ‘Social Host Law’, imposing sanctions on property owners who allow underage people to drink is now law in Dutchess County.  The County Legislature adopted the law with little opposition.

Among those in favor, Republican Angela Flesland, the legislature’s youngest member, who said the impact goes beyond just stopping young people from drinking.

“If we can do something, not only to lessen the financial impact placed upon all of us, but also the public safety impact, I think then that we are actually accomplishing something.  I can’t speak in favor of this enough.”

Among the few opposed, another Republican, David Kelly, who said the law was too invasive, and threatened the privacy of how parents control their own homes.

In other action during a four-hour legislative session …

• Approved, without debate, three maintenance projects for the Dutchess Community College, and $700,000 in bonding to pay for the upgrades
• Lelgislators pulled a resolution requiring electricians to be licensed, but approved a home rule request asking the state legislature to allow the county to license electricians.  Several spoke during public comment, both for and against the proposed licensing
• Pulled a resolution that would have banned trans fats in county restaurants.  Sponsor Joel Tyner is proposing an alternate measure to post a list of restaurants that do not use trans fats on the county website.