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Bondi’s Town Hall Meeting At PV Library Centers Around Peekskill Hollow Road Construction
by Edward Paul Greiff
 | | Officials from all levels of government listened and discussed issues facing Putnam Valley at the Town Hall Meeting at the PV Library last week. |
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Putnam County Executive Robert J. Bondi hosted a "Town Hall Meeting" Wednesday, April 25th at the Putnam Valley Library. Bondi explained, "We are here primarily to hear what is on your minds and will try our best to answer your questions and address your concerns." Also present at the meeting were Putnam County Deputy County Executive Don Smith; Legislature Chairman Bob Pozzi and Putnam Valley Legislator Sam Oliverio. Representatives present from state, county and local goverment included Tom Jacabellis, legislative council for Assemblyman Willis Stephens; Gerry Mathew, representing Congresswoman Sue Kelly; Putnam Valley Supervisor Carmelo Santos; Putnam Valley Councilman Hari Jadoonauth; Putnam Valley Councilman Bob Cesark; PV Councilmen Pete Kennedy and Dan Ricci.
In the firing line hot seat this night was Putnam County Highway Commissioner, Harold Gary, because almost all of the questions raised by the audience were about Peekskill Hollow Road and the County’s plans for this road.
"I can assure you as your legislative representative that if the people’s will is that the road is not to be touched then before you, in front of the camera and the media, and everybody else, that road will not be touched," said Legislator Sam Oliverio.
The first speaker from the audience was Stephen Anderson, Town Historian of the Town of Putnam Valley. "I am interested in the history of the town, and Peekskill Hollow Road is a very historical road. As a matter of fact, in the 1740’s when they first decided to make a Turnpike Company and design a road that was four rods wide from Kirkman’s Mills, that’s in Red Mills along Peekskill Hollow stream, it was a little bit different countryside, it was more open land. …Tompkins Corners has an historic past that started before the Revolutionary War when four brothers came here and established themselves. One of the brothers became very prominent - his name was Cornelius Tompkins and he opened an inn. That was the way to make money in the old days. Later on he had a grocery and later on his family built another building right across the street. This building is owned by the Fire Department; it’s right at the corner of New Hill Road and Peekskill Hollow Road, and that was the original store and inn. Across the street the 1730’s store and inn was built by a relative of his, and of course down the line they built the Methodist Church, and across the street from the store was a barn that was actually used for a Town Hall in the early part of the century."
"Cornelius Tompkins conducted his business and they named it Tompkins Corners to perpetuate the name of the Tompkins family who were early settlers of Tompkins Corners, a historic site. He was a Supervisor of the Town of Putnam Valley before the American Revolution, he was an officer in this Town, he joined the Revolutionary Corp, he was in the Continental Army, his brothers were in the Continental Army, they fought for this Country, and they fought for the beginning of this Country. He was elected to office in April 1772, the first time in office so he must have been prominent, he must have been there, he lived there, the building is still there, the corner still has the same configuration - it’s an historically sensitive site. Gentlemen, my question is, how are you going to take care of this problem of an historically sensitive site at Tompkins Corners?"
Executive Bondi said, "Well, we’re certainly going to check with you. We are not going to take any action that would harm the integrity of the neighborhood or deface the historical integrity of the structures that you just described. So we would be glad to hear from you in great detail exactly what areas and buildings and locations would be most affected by the project if it goes forward."
Jan Hoekstra was the next speaker who said, "I’ve lived on Peekskill Hollow Road for forty years, we love the road, it’s a nice road and we think it is fine the way it is. You sent us the answers to questions by the office of Sue Kelly and I’d like to read what disturbed me. One of the main economic benefits will be to allow faster commuting south to Westchester and New York City. This is the last thing we want. I speak for myself and a group, we would like better communication to know what is going on."
Sam Oliverio suggested having a separate meeting prior to any public hearing to just address this subject since so many townspeople have come out to express their concerns. Bondi said yes it is possible and that they must, by law, whenever they receive financial aid to hold public meetings to get community input on all the various issues and its impact on the community.
John Polanere, a 35-year resident of Peekskill Hollow Road, was the next speaker. "According to the literature assembled so far it appears that this has been up to the federal level and down several times and should be looked at more closely." John continued, "This is like when they tried to push the Taconic Parkway through Wiccopee Valley and the people from the Department Of Transportation came and gave us their rationale. They said that by opening the middle lanes of the Taconic many thousands of new people would see more trees each day and this would make people more environmentally aware. An engineer said this would be one of the positive values; we are dealing with a sense of madness."
Gwen Cope, Chairman and trustee of the Tompkins Corners Church, was the next speaker. "Bartholomew Tompkins deeded that land for the church in 1834. The present building was built in 1891. Bartholomew Tompkins is buried at the Tompkins Corners Cemetery. The building is the only State and National Landmark in the Town. We already have problems with the road because of the many times it has been blacktopped. If the road is widened it is going to be a disaster. The State has very strict restrictions when any highway construction is being done near any historical landmark - does the County have similar restrictions?"
Bondi responded, "As I stated with Mr. Andersen, we will need specific details of these locations. If this project is not to be, then the funds will be used elsewhere. There are numerous other projects that are competing for these resources and that if these resources are not desired in this particular project for whatever reason, the monies will be put to good use elsewhere."
Bob Pozzi supported the statement made by Sam Oliverio, and said, "If you don’t want this to happen it’s not going to happen, we’re not here to try and shove something down your throat, we are here to listen to you and do what you want."
Oliverio asked if the money allocated could just be used for maintenance and repair and the balance used for other projects and Mr. Gary replied, "No, once a project begins the money must be used for that project or you lose it."
Audience member Marie Zarcone said, "Oregon Corners needs to be widened to handle the traffic and turns onto other roads, the dip in the road needs to be fixed so cars don’t scrape their bottoms."
Oliverio asked if anyone had anything besides Peekskill Hollow Road to bring up.
Dr. Kate Hoekstra said, "Is there, or is there not a project? Who signed off on it? If the costs go up do we also have to pay more?"
Gary responded, "If a commitment is made by the federal government and state and county, then each one’s share is increased proportionately: 80%, 15% and 5% of, say, $50,000,000."
Anderson said, "Spend money to improve getting on and off Peekskill Hollow Road from the Taconic and eliminate the 90 degree turn you need to make when you turn off the Taconic heading north.
Bondi said, "The project is very much open and no commitments have been made. The real issue tonight is do you want to give up some of the positive projects that you really think should be undertaken to improve Peekskill Hollow Road. I don’t think you want to walk out of here tonight and say we should abandon the entire project and give the money back. I need to hear what you think we should spend the money on. The rumors have been growing for five years. Tonight’s meeting was a step in the right direction. The next step is to arrange another meeting to talk about specific things you want done, and the specific locations and structures that should not be touched."
Sam Oliverio and Carmelo Santos will be arranging such a meeting in the near future.
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