Rhinebeck Citizens and Business Owners Demand A Voice

To: Rhinebeck Town Supervisor and Town Board Members

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 privately received prior notice of the meeting’s agenda, who read prepared statements to show support for the lawsuits filed by Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck citizens did not have the benefit of any prior notice. Rhinebeck citizens are now responsible for footing the bill for Warren Replansky's primary client's goals in this matter. Town residents were not given any information nor an opportunity 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 Sense", the private opposition group to the proposed project of Six Senses, pre-dated these Rhinebeck lawsuits against neighboring townships and CECNY. The ethics and legality of Mr. Replansky’s failure to publicly and explicitly disclose his relationship with Common Sense 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.

HERE is the post of the public agenda for the 4/28 meeting. There’s no mention of this topic.

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.

🚨 RHINEBECK: DEMAND A PUBLIC HEARING NOW 🚨
Lawsuits 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 a private opposition group from Clinton — and you’re paying their legal bills.
❌ Rhinebeck residents were kept in the dark.
✅ Clinton residents got private notice and came prepared.
⚠️ The opposition group has made no effort to collaborate — only legal threats.
⚠️ Attorney Warren Replansky, who filed these lawsuits on behalf of Rhinebeck, failed to disclose that he also represents the Clinton opposition group behind them. This is a serious ethical breach.
💸 Rhinebeck is funding lawsuits pushed by a citizens' group from a neighboring town, with no public debate.
We, the business owners and taxpayers of Rhinebeck, demand:
🗣️ A PUBLIC HEARING before a single dollar more is spent.
🛑 NO MORE CLOSED-DOOR DECISIONS.
✍️ Sign the Petition. Make Your Voice Heard.

https://sign.moveon.org/petiti...