The members of the Town Board of Gardiner unanimously passed a resolution affirming that Black Lives Matter at their Aug. 11 meeting and, in an effort to hold their own feet to the fire, added in language vowing to contribute meaningful change to denounce systemic violence and racism. In the next order of business, some board members argued against some aspects of a Black Lives Matter mural soon to be resurrected in an area park.

“Whereas Black Lives Matter, and whereas, the Gardiner Town Board denounces systemic racial discrimination and violence against people of color, and whereas the Town of Gardiner strives to be a welcoming town, where all people can feel protected, included, respected and safe, now therefore, be it resolved: That the Board denounces systemic violence and racism, and affirms that Black Lives Matter, and the Town of Gardiner commits to actions necessary to create meaningful and measurable change,” read the resolution after all five members accepted Deputy Supervisor Laura Faye Walls’ proposal to amend the final sentence to include language that would hold the town accountable and to put their words into action.

Walls’ colleagues praised the alteration and tossed around a few ideas on how they could follow through with the resolution, including Town Supervisor Marybeth Majestic’s proposal to look into zoning codes to make the town more affordable and thus more diverse.

“I think we have our work cut out for us,” she said.

Just moments after the resolution agreeably and unanimously passed, the board members disagreed over the Black Lives Matter mural created by New Paltz High School students that will be resurrected near the handball courts in George Majestic Park. The mural depicts a myriad of cartoon figures, some famous such as Patrick Star and Finn the Human, displaying picket signs of phrases associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, including, “My skin color is not a crime,” “A movement not a moment” and “Silence is violence.”

“I am very troubled by the fact that some of these signs to me in a public place like Majestic Park indicate that the Town of Gardiner is supporting some of these positions and I see some of these positions as being political positions,” said Warren Wiegand, referring to two signs in particular: “I can’t breathe” and “Hands up, don’t shoot.”

Wiegand expressed a concern that the phrases are so closely associated with liberal and progressive positions, and that the town supporting those positions would be similar to supporting a candidate for office.

Majestic agreed with Wiegand’s point and admitted that a constituent called the town board to say the mural “did not represent their Gardiner.” Majestic added the phrases may be too controversial for a town that does not have a police presence.

“They’re meant to be [controversial]. They’re meant to make some of us feel uncomfortable, all of us, even those of us who think we are always on the right side of history. We have to be introspective,” said Franco Carucci. “I think it’s important that we don’t forget that life isn’t just here in this town ... We’re showing support regionally.”

Carucci added that he only worries that the two phrases mentioned by Wiegand might be too violent for display in a park that frequently services young children.

The board ultimately agreed to allow the mural resurrection to continue as planned, but for the students and their art teacher, Todd Martin, to discuss whether the two phrases could be substituted out without changing the message of the artwork. The outline of the mural had already been laid out at the time of the Tuesday night meeting and Martin alerted the board that the characters would be filled in Saturday, at which time the students would discuss the board’s suggestions. They would contact the board that evening in order to finalize the project the following day.

Another resolution the board disagreed upon, but eventually passed, was to reject Danskammer Energy Center’s proposal to build a new combined cycle gas plan directly to the south of the existing plant in Newburgh. The new technology would replace old equipment that would be shut down.

“A new gas plant is not needed in the Hudson Valley,” said Hayley Carlock on behalf of Scenic Hudson and in favor of the resolution, arguing that a new plant would not be consistent with the state’s goal of transitioning to 70 percent renewable energy by 2030. “The new plant is going to increase air pollution, which is somewhat counter intuitive because it’s going to be newer, it’s going to be more efficient … as we now population from power plants contributes significantly to respiratory and other health issues and of course exacerbating climate change.”

A representative from the power plant argued with Carlock’s statements, claiming there would be some environmental advantages to the addition.

“If we are not needed, we are not allowed to turn on the facility. Furthermore, wind and solar will always be dispatched first for power purposes. Why? Because they’re the cheapest … most efficient option,” said Michelle Hook of Danskammer, adding that the facility would be there as an alternate energy source for clients when wind and solar are in short supply, and especially after the nearby Indian Point finally shutters its doors.

Both the representatives touched on the issue of union jobs — Carlock argued that there is room for the power plant employees to move to an energy conservative company in the case that Danskammer isn’t able to construct their new plant, but Hook argued that those jobs do not require the same level of skill as a power plant job, and therefore is below the union worker’s pay grades.

After considering both the environmental and occupational aspects, the board voted to reject Danskammer’s proposal.