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Philipstown 2008 Budget Workshops in the Home Stretch
Highway projects take center stage
by Mike Turton
The road through Philipstown may be paved with good intentions, but depending on who you talk to, there are those who would much prefer to see it remain a gravel surface. The road in question is Old Albany Post and part of it may or may not be paved in 2008. While the November 13, 2007 Philipstown Town Board Workshop was intended to review the overall budget for Philipstown's Highway Department for the upcoming year, discussions had a way of coming came back to Old Albany Post Road again and again. The debate didn't revolve around the dollars being budgeted nearly as much as concern over whether the section of the road in Continental Village would be paved.
If public meetings held in 2007 are any indication, the jury is split down the middle. At a meeting held last summer in Continental Village, residents on hand who live in the area of the road severely damaged by last April's heavy rains, clearly favored paving in order to reduce erosion. At the November 1 Town Board meeting, the audience was markedly divided as to which option is more desirable. Residents attending last week's Workshop seemed strongly in favor of leaving the road as gravel. Those favoring that option have cited preserving the road's historic character and preventing traffic from traveling at excessive speeds as reasons for leaving Old Albany Post as a dirt road. At the workshop they argued that the real solution lies in improved drainage and not in asphalt. Noah Matalon, who lives on the road, strongly supported that view stating "I'd happily trade (improved) drainage for potholes."
Residents also expressed concern that Highway Superintendent Roger Chirico has the authority to proceed with paving without the Town Board's approval. Philipstown Supervisor Bill Mazucca responded that he "couldn't think of any major project where Roger has not kept us informed." Council member and Deputy Supervisor Richard Shea echoed that sentiment. "We don't go our separate ways. We always discuss projects and I'm in constant contact with Roger. He's always given us the courtesy of keeping us informed" Shea asserted. The Town Board plans to meet at least one more time with residents before proceeding with works on the road.
While there are strongly differing views over Old Albany Post Road, no one on the Town Board or in the audience disagreed with increasing Highway Superintendent Roger Chirico's salary. Chrico had requested an increase from $80,000 to $90,000 a year. In addressing the Board he stated "I take all the responsibility and never ask anyone else to" The Town Board suggested a salary of $85,000 and after a very brief discussion agreed that Chirco would be paid $86,000 next year. Council member Richard Shea expressed the view that Chirico's wage had to be "commensurate with the responsibility" adding that "Roger's a bargain." Even those in the audience who had locked horns with Chirico moments earlier over Old Albany Post Road nodded their heads in agreement.
Chirico will present a scaled down list of highway projects for 2008 when the final budget is reviewed by the Board. His draft budget had included potential capital projects totaling just over $1 million, causing Supervisor Bill Mazucca to comment "It's obvious that has to be pared down." Discussions focused on which projects could be eliminated or reduced in scope - and which are priorities. When the dust had settled, works on East Mountain Road South and Surprise Lake Road were eliminated for 2008 with funds for Moffat Road improvement being trimmed. Priority projects will include Clove Brook, Indian Brook and Philipsebrook Roads. The latter projects require replacing culverts at a cost of up to $300,000 and may require a bond to fund them. Funds will also be included for engineering and drainage studies associated with Old Albany Post Road. Funds are also available from FEMA for the actual improvements. Whether those improvements include paving is yet to be determined.
Garrison Resident Russell Dushin questioned Supervisor Mazucca regarding the hiring of a part-time Sheriff's deputy designated to patrol Philipstown roads. Mazucca has supported the idea as a way to deal with traffic problems caused by truck traffic coming off of Bear Mountain Bridge onto Route 9D and other roads, especially during early morning hours. The draft budget includes $45,000 for the project. According to Dushin the specific statute under which additional police protection is requested will have "diverse implications" for the Town, including possible increased liability and an inability to rescind the agreement if necessary. Mazucca indicated that the agreement would be similar to that used by other municipalities such as Brewster and that either party would have the option to end the agreement. Dushin also questioned whether it was appropriate to fund the deputy as part of the "B" budget which applies only to areas outside the Village of Cold Spring. In his view the additional policing will benefit the Village as well. Mazucca indicated that no patrolling would be done in the Village but acknowledged that Russel had "brought up some good points" and that he would consider the matter further.
Wages for clerks and secretaries at the Town Hall were also discussed. An overall increase of 3% is included in the budget. At Supervisor Mazucca's suggestion a contingency fund will also be added. The purpose of the fund will be to take seniority into account in adjusting wages. Mazucca indicated that because seniority has not been addressed in some time, some employees who have been with the Town for as little as two years are making almost as much as those who have been employed for much longer periods. "It's time we take seniority into account" he stated.
Mazucca himself will see no increase in his Supervisor's salary which will remain at $25,000 a year. Council members will receive a $1000 increase. The audience was again very supportive, one resident in the audience stating that "It is a tiny sum of money. I don't always agree with everything you [the Town Board] do, but the time and energy you put into this is phenomenal."
The Town Board is scheduled to review the final 2008 budget on November 20.
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