|
Nelsonville Mayor Dul to Step Down in March
Village election schedule set
by Maria Theodore Leiter
After an eleven-year tenure, Nelsonville Mayor Mitch Dul announced at the January 8, 2007 Village monthly meeting that he would not be seeking a third term in office.
"With the passing of my father, I have had to take on more of the responsibility of taking care of my mother," explained Dul. Between his full-time position teaching Dentistry at the State University of New York, his role as father and husband and now as the primary caretaker of his mother, he said something had to give. "After eleven years, I am really going to miss it." Dul's father, a WWII Army Air Force Veteran, passed away in December.
Marlene Bowman, a long-time village resident who attended the meeting commented on the news:
"We are sorry that it really is true. It has been rumored around the village for a while."
Trustee Anthony Merante, who served with Dul for one and a half years, said, "He always had the Village's interest at heart. He worked hard. It is difficult to put in the time, especially with a full time job in the city."
Former Village Clerk Josephine Doherty, who worked with Dul for ten years before retiring last year said, "It was a pleasure working with him. He was always very knowledgeable and personable." During his tenure, she said he was instrumental in keeping the Village trails free of debris by organizing regular cleanup days and working with the Open Space Institute. He also worked with O.S.I. in securing the deal that created the Village Green.
His term will expire in March. Dul said that he knew of one person who was interested in running for his seat, but he did not disclose the name of that person. However, he said that he felt better about leaving knowing that someone was willing to step up.
At the meeting, Dul also announced that one of the large grants anticipated by the Village was approved by the State Legislature at their December meeting. However, a second grant for $200,000 promised by former Governor George Pataki may be caught up in Governor Eliot Spitzer's new review of his predecessor's grant applications.
"Matt Diamond was assigned by the State Department of Transportation to the Village grant application," said Dul. "He said that he would make sure that it meets federal specifications. I reminded him that I thought we did meet the specifications to have come this far." But, it has been reported in another New York paper that Spitzer is questioning the very large increase in grant money awarded by Pataki as he was leaving office.
Merante said that he had contacted Congressman John Hall's office to try to push for the money, which had been promised the Village for some time.
The Board approved a Registration Resolution, setting the Village election registration date as March 10 from noon to 5 pm. The upcoming village election will be held at the Village Hall (Pearl Street entrance) on March 20 from noon to 9pm. Anyone who is not registered, and wishes to vote in that election should register at the Village Hall on March 10.
The Board also appointed Marlene Bowmann, Paula Gallagher and Gretta Graham as Election Inspectors.
"We have good doughnuts and a crack team that we can contact every year," quipped Dul.
A budget adjustment was also approved at the request of the Village Clerk. She explained that the change was needed because of the number of extra trees that needed to be cut down this year. The money was taken from another line that came in under budget.
The Board discussed the implications to the Village of the Public Authority Accountability Act of 2005. Dul explained that the law was designed to make certain public officials were not involved in conflicts of interest in their capacity as public servants. It was decided that the law would be sent to the Village Attorney to review and to advise as to whether there was anything that needed to be done by the Village to comply with the law.
Trustee Merante mentioned that a resident of Bank Street had enquired about the possibility of putting a stop sign on Bank Street at the corner of Division. He said there was concern over the speed of drivers coming off of Fishkill Road and the fact that there were children in the vicinity.
This prompted Trustee Tom Corless to discuss the lack of a yield on the street in front of his home. He said that without a clear indication of entry and exit on the road, cars came in from both ends, not knowing whether to yield the right of way.
Merante also shared his frustration at having on three occasions called the County Executive's office without receiving a reply. He wanted to discuss the County's lease of the firehouse property, because there were individuals who were interested in renting office space at that location.
The next meeting of the Village of Nelsonville Board will be held on Monday, February 12 at 7:30pm in the Village Hall.
Providing local news, information and opinions from
Philipstown and Putnam Valley, NY
Encompassing the Villages of Cold Spring and Nelsonville,
and the hamlet of Garrison, Putnam County, NY.
This site is a publication of The Putnam County News and Recorder, the source for news and information of the Philipstown
and Putnam Valley area. The PCN&R is 139
years old, published in hard copy every Wednesday, and circulated throughout Putnam
County, NY.
The PCN&R prints LEGAL NOTICES
for: Putnam County, The Town of Philipstown, The Town of Putnam Valley, Village of Cold Spring, Village of
Nelsonville, the Haldane Union Free School District and the Garrison Union Free School
District.
Deadline for printed press releases, advertisements and classifieds is Monday at noon for
Wednesday publication. This site is updated on an as-needed basis with a minimum update
weekly on Thursdays. For further information or to request a subscription to the paper, please
contact us with your name and mailing address at:
(845) 265-2468 PO Box 185, Cold Spring, NY 10516, or e-mail us at editor@pcnr.com
If you see an advertiser on line, tell them! | 
