|
Philipstown to Take Part in Hazard Mitigation Planning
Recreation Center building to be considered for emergency shelter
by Mike Turton
Spring must be close at hand. The March 6, 2008 Philipstown Town Board meeting was devoted mainly to housecleaning items. When all is said and done the meeting may go into the record books as one of the shortest gatherings of the year. Called to order at 8pm, the meeting was adjourned exactly one hour later.
Philipstown will participate in the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services' Hazard Mitigation Planning Project. A presentation at the meeting outlined the details of the initiative which is aimed at reducing or eliminating risk to life and property caused by natural hazard events such as flooding. The project will identify policies, actions and tools that communities can adopt over the long term to lessen the impact of such events. Town Board member Nancy Montgomery will work with a multi-jurisdictional team that will also include representatives from the towns of Carmel, Kent, Patterson, Putnam Valley and Southeast as well as the villages of Cold Spring, Nelsonville and Brewster. Communities must have hazard mitigation plans in place in order to qualify for a number of disaster and mitigation grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The Veterans Cold War Exemption was adopted into local law. The legislation provides a reduction in Town property taxes of 15% or $12,000 - whichever is less - to veterans who served during the Cold War. A public hearing on the law was held just prior to the Town Board meeting. Supervisor Bill Mazzuca, a veteran, recused himself from the discussion and the vote.
Bob Repetto, a professional engineer and resident of Continental Village, was appointed to serve on the Conservation Advisory Committee. Repetto had already volunteered to assist the Town with producing GPS-based mapping of storm water outfalls. Town Board member Richard Shea commented that Repetto will provide the committee with "an even keel and good perspective" on conservation issues.
Shea also reported that a public hearing date will soon be set to discuss the creation of a mining overlay district as recommended in the Town's comprehensive plan. The law will provide a layer of local control over soil mining. Without such a law, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) would be the only agency exerting any authority over such operations in Philipstown. The proposed overlay district would limit soil mining to one area along Route 9.
The Town has been awarded grants to upgrade security in the justice court. Three thousand three hundred and forty five dollars will go towards video and alarm equipment, while five thousand one hundred and fifty dollars will fund metal detection equipment.
Supervisor Bill Mazzuca indicated that he is working to arrange a tour of the Philipstown Recreation Center by the Putnam County Health Department and the County Executive in order that the site be considered for use as an emergency shelter. He indicated that the building is well suited to that use since it is already outfitted with showers, kitchen and bunk facilities. Mazzuca also reported that final revisions are being made to a contract between the Town and the Putnam County Sheriff's office. A sheriff's deputy will soon be assigned specifically to patrol Philipstown roads including Routes 9 and 9D.
Garrison resident Joe Regele asked when the 2007 auditor's report on the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department's (GVFD) finances would received by the Town. Regele suggested that because the bond rate received by GVFD for financing new equipment purchases is lower than original estimates, a considerable cash surplus will result. He went on to say that during 2008 budget discussions it had been proposed that surplus funds be funneled back to the Town. Board member Richard Shea indicated that a cap on cash surpluses had been suggested, with funds being rolled over into the fire department's next budget, and that GVFD was considering the idea. Regele also questioned GVFD's plan to spend $25,000 to convert the fire hall attic into an emergency shelter, especially in light of the fact that the Philipstown Recreation Center was being considered for that same use.
Shea indicated that the auditor's report will be received later in March and will be reviewed by the Town Board, "…..putting this to rest to everyone's satisfaction soon."
Garrison resident Mike Finnegan thanked the Town Board for its action in taking owners of the used car lot located on Route 9 across from the Stadium Restaurant to Putnam County Supreme Court over zoning violations. Kevin Jones, an owner of the business, was also in attendance and stated that the Supreme Court had ruled that charges that eighty percent of the site was zoned residential were incorrect, and that the entire site was in fact zoned commercial. Supervisor Bill Mazzuca responded that the Town had not yet received any correspondence from the court.
In other business, Supervisor Mazzuca was authorized to sign a contract with the law firm of Donoghue, Thomas, Auslander and Drohan to provide general labor counsel services to the Town. The Town Clerk was authorized to advertise for bidders for road improvements at Glenclyffe, site of the Philipstown Recreation Center.
Town Board Workshop meetings will be held on March 12 to discuss affordable housing for the Quarry Pond project and on March 19 to consider storm water management issues. Both meetings will be at 7:30pm at the Town 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! | 
