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Town Board Tries Preserving Putnam Valley Heritage Through Identification, Tourism, & Law
County's plan for Oregon Corners may conflict with local ideas
by Edward Paul Greiff
The February 21, 2007 Putnam Valley Town Board meeting touched upon a variety of topics that were all aimed at answering the question "How do you preserve the historical heritage of Putnam Valley?"
Kate Lucarella touched upon the answer in her presentation and argument for "Banner Flags" to identify Putnam Valley's six historic corners and other historic sites in town when she said, "First we have to identify the historic sites." Ms. Lucarella displayed an attractive graphic representation of an 11" x 17" banner flag identifying Oregon Corners. She also pointed out that one of the areas in need of identification is Smith Corners which is at the intersection of Wood Street and Bryant Pond Road.
Walt Thompson from "Keep Putnam Beautiful" brought with him sign expert Drew Howland to discuss erecting "Welcome to Putnam Valley" signs at the various roadway entrances into town.
Town attorney David Gordon explained that currently Town Law dictates that signs posted on trees for identification purposes can not be larger than two square feet. A new law is being proposed that will allow these signs to be three square feet in size to accommodate an attempt to identify the houses in town built prior to the 1900s.
The Town has an opportunity to preserve some of its past with the option to purchase the Ingersol property at Crofts Corners for one dollar from the County. In doing so the Town would be responsible for cleaning up and restoring the property. Dan Ricci explained a proposal for making the building's restoration both a community work project and a humanitarian effort, stating "That's what Putnam Valley is all about: helping our neighbors in need." The building would be restored back to a Colonel tavern and the couple living there now would be caretakers of the tavern museum.
In more current Town events discussed at the Town Board meeting, Highway Superintendent Earl Smith reported that the Valentines day snow and ice storm lasted for eighteen hours and the Highway Department worked twenty-six hours straight to keep the roads clear. He reminded everyone to "drive slow. It's winter and although the sun may shine during the day the melted snow freezes at night and when going to work you can run into black ice."
So far this month the Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded to thirty-seven calls and the PV Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded to fiftythree calls. Both organizations made a plea for volunteers.
The Town Board reviewed the Chazen Master Plan Report and requests for additional monies to write new zoning laws. Now that Chazen has identified new zoning requirements such as MS4 Regulations and Biodiversity Zones, new zoning laws have to be added to the codes. In a four to one vote approving the expenditure of additional monies, Bob Tendy argued against the idea stating that, "our attorneys should be able to accomplish the task without the need to spend more money with Chazen." Davis and the Board argued that Chazen could do it faster and within the short time frame available. Attorney Gordon presented an idea for reducing the Town's Chazen consulting expense by reducing the number of meetings Chazen consultants participate in with the Master Plan Committee. This would generate enough money to offset Chazen's additional charges for writing the laws and would expedite the whole process.
When Legislator Sam Oliverio spoke about the County's plans for Oregon Corners and its intersecting roads, Peekskill Hollow Road and Oscawana Lake Road, Councilwoman Wendy Whetsel challenged him by saying the Master Plan Committee is working on an image they would like to have for Oregon Corners. Clearly, a better coordinated effort needs to exist between the Putnam County Highway Department, the State, and Putnam Valley to make sure Oregon Corners reflects the Town's historic heritage. Fortunately the work scheduled for spring 2007 has been pushed forward to the spring of 2008, so there is still time to coordinate everyone's ideas.
Creating a successful business district at Oregon Corners is proving difficult as the newly erected Blue Building is still looking for tenants and is now up for sale.
It was announced that the Putnam Valley Businessmen's Association will once again hold their Business Expo at the Putnam County Golf Club. It will take place in October.
With St. Patrick's Day approaching it was time for the traditional reading of the Leprechaun Resolution. This year the honor fell upon Town Supervisor Sam Davis who read the resolution with the voice and diction of an English professor. The Town Board passed the resolution and issued a warning to all the townspeople to be on the lookout for ethereal beings who might mysteriously be painting a green shamrock at Oregon Corners.
Other upcoming events were announced at the Town meeting - In keeping with tradition, Henry Lopez announced that on Saturday, March 17 at 3pm the Republican Party will be having their annual corned beef dinner at O'Hanlon's.
Kathleen McLaughlin announced that on Saturday, March 17 at 10am at Town Hall Dr. George will be discussing lake issues. On Wednesday, March 14 there will be three public hearings at Town Hall starting at 6pm: Historic Signs, Senior Exemption, and Disability Exemption.
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