POUGHKEEPSIE – After more than a decade of state pressure, Dutchess lawmakers are beginning the long process to replace the antiquated county jail.
The only item on the monthly legislative agenda up for discussion Monday night was to declare the county ‘lead agency’ in making a finding of environmental significance for the proposed Justice and Transition Center.
Democrat Hannah Black proposed amending the resolution to better reflect the role and responsibilities of the county legislature
“Resolved that following its review of the above-referenced project, the county legislature, on behalf of the County of Dutchess, will consider a resolution determining the environmental significance of the project.”
That amendment was approved.
Another Democrat legislator, Craig Brendli, suggested adding the City of Poughkeepsie as a co-lead agency.
While the center would be located in the city, on the grounds of the current jail, County Attorney James Fedorchak advised that in this case, ‘lead agency’ designation goes to the entity that is proposing and paying for the project, which is the county.
“At best, at this point, the City of Poughkeepsie would be not even a lead agency and perhaps not even an involved agency, but would be an ‘interested agency’,” he said. “As such, it would have to exhibit its interest in wanting to be part of the consideration.”
Fedorchak said that would put the city on the same level as any member of the public.
The lead agency designation was approved with one dissenting vote, from Democrat Joel Tyner.
