While the Town Board has its hands full with a major drainage program in the Hasbrouck Ave. area of Cornwall, they continue to look at other areas of drainage concern.
One such area is referred to as “the nut and tree streets” drainage; Supervisor Josh Wojehowski acknowledged problems in that area (Elm St., Hickory St., Walnut St., Oak St., Chestnut St.) at the February 13 board meeting, and said the first step in a project that is a few years down the road will be to do some in house work.
“Let’s tackle the easy stuff first,” he said in response to audience comment about drainage problems. “We really are focused on trying to fix a lot of these areas.”
In other matters from last week’s board meeting:
— Walden Savings Bank’s Derrik Wynkoop was at the meeting to talk about the possible creation of a ‘Banking Development District’ for Cornwall. It’s a state program, he said, that can benefit the elderly, small businesses and target groups in the community with small grants and programming. To continue with pursuing such a program for Cornwall, Wynkoop asked for a letter of support for the board.
— The Town Board and Cornwall Historical Society are working to update an agreement which will figure out who pays for what when it comes to things like internet service in the Historical Society’s small building behind Town Hall. The agreement they’ve been operating on was from 2018, President Susan Kamlet said.
— The board approved an ‘Arts on Main’ series of events hosted by the Cornwall-Highlands Arts Alliance. First Friday Art Walks will take place on May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2 and September 6. The board noted that the Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is also still expected to have second Friday Art Walks through the warm-weather months.
— The resignations of two town employees and one board member were accepted, with regret. John Hand resigned as assistant building inspector as of January 31; Hector Torres resigned as a court officer as of January 22; and Sarita Bhandarkar resigned from the Board of Assessment Review effective January1.
— Several events were approved for the upcoming months, including Bethlehem Presbyterian Church’s Chocolate 5K Run/Walk on April 28; and the Cornwall Garden Club’s annual plant sale on Saturday, May 11 on the Town Hall grounds.
— Councilwoman Karen Edelman-Reyes, in committee reports, said that the town is currently working on creating an employee handbook. She also noted, in giving the reports from the Planning and Zoning Boards, and Building Department, that there are 29 open projects currently before the Planning Board.
— In her report, Councilwoman Rokhsha Michael-Razi reported that the Cornwall Revitalization Committee (formerly Main St. Beautification Committee) has elected Elizabeth Heldt and Eileen Hartmann as its new leaders. Michael-Razi also spoke about the Cornwall Youth Garden Committee’s successful composting program at Donahue Farm, and a popular Gardening Club at the Lee Rd. Elementary School.
— From the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Committee, Ted Warren said that group has begun to look at possible lighting laws to recommend for the town. Cornwall-on-Hudson has one, he said, and they will look at that one and other area towns for guidance.
— Supervisor Wojehowski and Police Chief Joseph Gebert said the highway and roads crews have done a good job with snow removal during recent storms.
— Councilman Tim McCarty gave a brief overview on ongoing plans for keeping Rings Pond clean. While there is some state funding for dredging it fell through, he said he has “Plans B, C and D” to turn to, and has spoken with the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation about getting some help. In the meantime, he said the town will again use barley extract to keep the algae contained this coming Spring, Summer and Fall.
— Councilwoman Virginia Scott reported on a recent Senior Advisory Council meeting. One of the things discussed there, she said, was the quality of senior meals provided by Orange County at Munger Cottage. She said there is some dissatisfaction with the quality of the meals and seniors feel that is why other seniors don’t partake in them. Improving transportation for seniors was also discussed.
