March 9, 2009

Pete Grannis Commissioner
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-0001

Re: Dutchess Community College Petition to Establish Lead Agency Dutchess Community Housing Project T/Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., New York

Peter,

My name is James R. Doxsey.

I am the Dutchess County Legislator representing Dist. 1 in the T/Poughkeepsie.

I am writing to express my great concerns in reference to the potential subject housing project and the Dutchess Community College’s subject petition.

Due to the rapid expansions of my District from the tax – free Not for Profit Organizations, the demands for services required currently are endangering our residents, commercial property owners, our fireman and our police.  Not to mention the 5500 local College residents in my District in dorms from another college.

With the Dutchess Community College potentially wanting to produce dormitories, the college currently has in fall of 2008 a total amount of 8,000 students, with an added 880 students recently, and a spring est. of 7,000 students with an increase of 11%. This totals to approx. 7,700 students along with the 8,000 from the other college.

The negative impact on our district is already over-bearing on the Fire District. The Fire protection is currently in-adequate to sustain safety for all area residents and such, and has been for many, many years now.

We can not provide additional protection to ANY type of construction currently, or in the future. The inability to do so puts lives in a constant danger.

The Fairview Fire District currently pays the Highest Fire Taxes in New York State; taxpayers can not afford ANY increases in the taxes.

We have Two Hospitals, Schools, Churches and dozens upon dozens of non – taxed property already. To a tune of 47% Tax Exempt.

With approximately 16% Emergency call for Fire and EMS, all going to the colleges alone. We have over 900 calls out of 1814 calls per year going to the NFP’s. This is creating the inevitable and unthinkable, yet a reality.

The Town of Poughkeepsie put in place a moratorium in 2008, to potentially stop the Dormitory being built on Dutchess Community Property, given to them by a 13/12 vote in Legislation.  As you can see the split vote passed, much to my dismay.

I had Both Towns of Hyde Park and Town of Poughkeepsie full support, my particular district has both towns in it. Multiple Fire, Police and EMS support, residents, business owners and alike turned out in protesting the College ( Dutchess ) from moving forward.

The District needs to address the cumulative impacts by the local Town Planning Board to resolve any more expansion of the District to the NFP’s. Until that happens, and I firmly believe it is not going to happen in the near future, we are threatening the lives every moment of every day of Everyone.

I respectfully request you to DENY the Dutchess Community Colleges request to become Lead Agency, and place the Lead Agency in either the Town of Poughkeepsie Planning Boards hands or the Local Fairview Fire Commissioners.

The risk of injury or worse is again inevitable, let the Town/Towns decide whose best interests are and should be the Lead Agency.

I close with respect to you and your fellow members to look out for the Safety and Wellbeing of my residents, fireman, students and all other people who are involved. Safety must be the main concern.

Respectfully Submitted,

Honorable Mr.  James R. Doxsey

Dutchess County Legislator for District 1
55 Buckingham Avenue
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601

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