100 signatures reached
To: Rhinebeck Town Supervisor and Town Board Members
Rhinebeck Citizens and Business Owners Deserve a Voice
We, The Undersigned, Oppose Rhinebeck Elected Officials' Unilateral Decision To File a Lawsuit against Multiple Plaintiffs
Rhinebeck Taxpayers and Business Owners Oppose Rhinebeck Elected Officials’ Unilateral Decision To Spend Taxpayer Dollars To Sue the Neighboring Towns of Hyde Park, Clinton, and CECNY (Six Senses)
Rhinebeck Taxpayers and Business Owners Oppose Rhinebeck Elected Officials’ Unilateral Decision To Spend Taxpayer Dollars To Sue the Neighboring Towns of Hyde Park, Clinton, and CECNY (Six Senses)
Town board members have no basis to assume the support of Rhinebeck citizens for the recent filing of a lawsuit against multiple plaintiffs by the Town Board. The filing of the lawsuit was a unilateral decision made behind closed doors by the town board members on behalf of the Town of Rhinebeck, without input from Rhinebeck citizens, presumably for the benefit of Town Board members’ constituents, who had no opportunity to learn or speak about it prior to the filing of the lawsuit. Ninety percent of the attendees at the meeting held on Monday, April 28th, 2025, after the lawsuit was filed, were Clinton residents who read prepared statements to show support for the lawsuits filed by Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck citizens did not have the benefit of prior notice of this topic on the agenda because it was not on the agenda. Rhinebeck citizens are now responsible for footing the bill for our town attorney's primary client's goals in this matter. Town residents were not given any information nor an opportunity (with notice) that would allow their voices to be heard about this lawsuit that they are responsible for paying for. The Lawsuit had already been filed against the towns of Hyde Park and Clinton, as well as CECNY (Six Senses), in an attempt to stop Six Senses.
This decision made behind closed doors was implemented by the town board with no input from Rhinebeck stakeholders to further the goals of a private group of Clinton citizens represented by Warren Replansky. Warren Replansky serves as attorney for the Town of Rhinebeck. Mr. Replansky did not disclose to the Rhinebeck public prior to the filing of the lawsuits that his representation of "Common Senses HV", the private opposition group to the proposed project of Six Senses, pre-dated these Rhinebeck lawsuits against neighboring townships and CECNY. The ethics of Mr. Replansky’s failure to publicly and explicitly disclose his relationship with Common Senses HV are highly questionable, at the very least.
The Clinton opposition group was prepared to show support for the lawsuit at the town board meeting open to the public on April 28th, 2025, whereas Rhinebeck citizens did not have the benefit of this matter being announced on the agenda. The Rhinebeck town board now claims broad support for the lawsuit largely based on Clinton opposition group members' support - but Rhinebeck taxpayer dollars pay the cost.
The Clinton opposition group was prepared to show support for the lawsuit at the town board meeting open to the public on April 28th, 2025, whereas Rhinebeck citizens did not have the benefit of this matter being announced on the agenda. The Rhinebeck town board now claims broad support for the lawsuit largely based on Clinton opposition group members' support - but Rhinebeck taxpayer dollars pay the cost.
HERE is the post of the public agenda for the 4/28 meeting. There’s no mention of this topic.
Furthermore, blatant mischaracterizations continue to be made publicly by board members about the project and its scope. Town board members refer to it as a "mega-resort". Mega-resort is commonly defined as a type of destination resort that is exceptionally large. These resorts often include features like casinos, golf courses, theme parks, and hundreds of accommodations.
Fact: Less than 4 acres of programming on already-cleared land on a 236 acre property is proposed. The property's permits were in place and the site has been used for retreats, conferences, and events for years before CECNY/Six Senses purchased the property.
PLEASE REVIEW THE SIX SENSES HUDSON VALLEY WEBSITE
It's unclear if statements made are erroneous due to board members being misinformed (have they ever visited the property to see what's there, and what the actual increase in proposed programming would look like compared to what's already there?) or purposeful mischaracterizations. The town board made no effort to communicate with defendants prior to filing a lawsuit paid for by Rhinebeck taxpayers.
Furthermore, blatant mischaracterizations continue to be made publicly by board members about the project and its scope. Town board members refer to it as a "mega-resort". Mega-resort is commonly defined as a type of destination resort that is exceptionally large. These resorts often include features like casinos, golf courses, theme parks, and hundreds of accommodations.
Fact: Less than 4 acres of programming on already-cleared land on a 236 acre property is proposed. The property's permits were in place and the site has been used for retreats, conferences, and events for years before CECNY/Six Senses purchased the property.
PLEASE REVIEW THE SIX SENSES HUDSON VALLEY WEBSITE
It's unclear if statements made are erroneous due to board members being misinformed (have they ever visited the property to see what's there, and what the actual increase in proposed programming would look like compared to what's already there?) or purposeful mischaracterizations. The town board made no effort to communicate with defendants prior to filing a lawsuit paid for by Rhinebeck taxpayers.
Therefore, we, the undersigned Rhinebeck business owners and taxpayers, demand a public hearing so that the voices of Rhinebeck stakeholders will be heard and considered, before these lawsuits move forward any further.
Why is this important?
A Decision to File a Potentially Costly Lawsuit On Your Behalf Was Made Behind Closed Doors. Taxpayer Dollars at Risk.
Your elected officials have filed a lawsuit against neighboring towns and the Six Senses project — without informing Rhinebeck residents and without your input.
These lawsuits serve the goals of a private opposition group from Clinton — and you’re paying their legal bills.
❌ Rhinebeck residents were kept in the dark.
⚠️ Rhinebeck Town Officials made no effort to communicate with defendants about their concerns before taking legal action on your dime.
⚠️ Attorney Warren Replansky, who filed these lawsuits on behalf of Rhinebeck, failed to publicly disclose that he also represents the Clinton opposition group's legal efforts which preceded Rhinebeck filing these lawsuits.
💸 Rhinebeck is funding lawsuits pushed by a neighboring town group, with no public debate prior to the filing.
We, the taxpayers and business owners of Rhinebeck, demand:
🗣️ A PUBLIC HEARING before a single dollar more is spent.
🛑 NO MORE CLOSED-DOOR DECISIONS TO APPROPRIATE PUBLIC MONEYS.
New York Consolidated Laws, Public Officers Law - PBO § 105. Conduct of executive sessions:
Your elected officials have filed a lawsuit against neighboring towns and the Six Senses project — without informing Rhinebeck residents and without your input.
These lawsuits serve the goals of a private opposition group from Clinton — and you’re paying their legal bills.
❌ Rhinebeck residents were kept in the dark.
⚠️ Rhinebeck Town Officials made no effort to communicate with defendants about their concerns before taking legal action on your dime.
⚠️ Attorney Warren Replansky, who filed these lawsuits on behalf of Rhinebeck, failed to publicly disclose that he also represents the Clinton opposition group's legal efforts which preceded Rhinebeck filing these lawsuits.
💸 Rhinebeck is funding lawsuits pushed by a neighboring town group, with no public debate prior to the filing.
We, the taxpayers and business owners of Rhinebeck, demand:
🗣️ A PUBLIC HEARING before a single dollar more is spent.
🛑 NO MORE CLOSED-DOOR DECISIONS TO APPROPRIATE PUBLIC MONEYS.
New York Consolidated Laws, Public Officers Law - PBO § 105. Conduct of executive sessions:
Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered, a public body may conduct an executive session for the below enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that NO ACTION BY FORMAL VOTE SHALL BE TAKEN TO APPROPRIATE PUBLIC MONEYS.
✍️ Sign the Petition. Make Your Voice Heard.
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