50 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 Multiple Lawsuits
Rhinebeck Taxpayers and Business Owners Oppose Rhinebeck Elected Officials’ Unilateral Decision To Spend Taxpayer Dollars To Sue Neighboring Towns and CECNY (Six Senses)
Rhinebeck Taxpayers and Business Owners Oppose Rhinebeck Elected Officials’ Unilateral Decision To Spend Taxpayer Dollars To Sue Neighboring Towns and CECNY (Six Senses)
Town board members have no basis to assume the support of Rhinebeck citizens for the recent multiple lawsuits filed by the Town Board. The filing of lawsuits was a unilateral decision 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 lawsuits. Ninety percent of the attendees at the meeting held on Monday, April 28th, 2025, were Clinton residents who read prepared statements to show support for the lawsuits filed by Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck citizens did not have the benefit of any prior notice of this topic 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 these lawsuits that they are responsible for paying for. Lawsuits have 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 was made and legal action was taken 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.
Clinton opposition group members had information that this matter would be heard at the town board meeting open to the public on April 28th, 2025, well before the meeting, whereas Rhinebeck citizens did not.
Clinton opposition group members had information that this matter would be heard at the town board meeting open to the public on April 28th, 2025, well before the meeting, whereas Rhinebeck citizens did not.
HERE is the post of the public agenda for the 4/28 meeting. There’s no mention of this topic.
Furthermore, blatant mischaracterizations were made publicly by board members about the project and its scope (less than 4 acres of increased programming on 236 acres is proposed), and the property's permits, which were in place before CECNY/Six Senses purchased the property. It's unclear if statements made were 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.
Furthermore, blatant mischaracterizations were made publicly by board members about the project and its scope (less than 4 acres of increased programming on 236 acres is proposed), and the property's permits, which were in place before CECNY/Six Senses purchased the property. It's unclear if statements made were 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.
Therefore, we, the undersigned Rhinebeck business owners and taxpayers, demand a public hearing to be held so that the voices of Rhinebeck stakeholders will be heard and considered, before these lawsuits move forward any further.
Why is this important?
Lawsuits On Your Behalf Were Filed Without Your Consent. Taxpayer Dollars at Risk.
Your elected officials have filed lawsuits 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 have 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 disclose that he also represents the Clinton opposition group's legal efforts which preceded Rhinebeck filing these lawsuits. This is a serious ethical breach.
💸 Rhinebeck is funding lawsuits pushed by a neighboring town group, with no public debate.
We, the taxpayers and business owners of Rhinebeck, demand:
🗣️ A PUBLIC HEARING before a single dollar more is spent.
🛑 NO MORE CLOSED-DOOR DECISIONS.
New York Consolidated Laws, Public Officers Law - PBO § 105. Conduct of executive sessions:
Your elected officials have filed lawsuits 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 have 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 disclose that he also represents the Clinton opposition group's legal efforts which preceded Rhinebeck filing these lawsuits. This is a serious ethical breach.
💸 Rhinebeck is funding lawsuits pushed by a neighboring town group, with no public debate.
We, the taxpayers and business owners of Rhinebeck, demand:
🗣️ A PUBLIC HEARING before a single dollar more is spent.
🛑 NO MORE CLOSED-DOOR DECISIONS.
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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