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It’s Official: Dems Take Put Valley & Patterson Seats

By Holly Crocco The absentee ballots have been counted and the results are in, with Democrats officially gaining victories in a couple of key town races in Putnam County. While the 2025 election took place Nov. 4, absentee ballots were accepted by the Putnam County Board of Elections through Nov. 12. According to the numbers posted Nov. 14, Putnam Valley incumbent Republican Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi was defeated by Democrat Alison Jolicoeur by 23 votes (1,477 to 1,45

6 days ago2 min read

County Mulls Home Tax Relief Program

By Holly Crocco The Putnam Legislature has unanimously approved moving $6.5 million from the county’s fund balance in the 2026 budget toward a homeowner tax relief program. “This is intended to give meaningful tax relief to single-family homeowners,” said Legislator Paul Jonke, R-Southeast, during the Oct. 29 special meeting of the Legislature. “Even with putting this money in subcontingency because it’s coming out of the unassigned fund balance, it’s not going to have any im

Nov 114 min read

Putnam Youth Bureau Moves to Tilly Foster

County Executive Kevin Byrne, joined by Youth Bureau Director Janeen Cunningham and other dignitaries, cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the new Putnam County Youth Bureau offices at Tilly Foster Farm. The Putnam County Youth Bureau celebrated the grand opening of its new offices at Tilly Foster Farm last week with a ribbon cutting that drew well over 100 attendees, including representatives from local schools, BOCES, parks departments, community organizations, youth age

Nov 32 min read

County to Increase Trailway Security

Following a reported physical assault of a woman that took place last week on the Putnam County Trailway in Carmel, County Executive Kevin Byrne has issued an executive order directing immediate measures to improve safety and security across the county’s trail system and other public spaces, and “reaffirming his administration’s commitment to public safety and the rule of law.” On Oct. 19, the Carmel Police Department – along with Kent police and sheriff’s deputies – responde

Oct 273 min read

Kent Overrides Tax Cap For 2026

By Holly Crocco The Kent Town Board on Oct. 21 passed a resolution to override the state-mandated 2 percent property tax cap for 2026, as it continues to whittle down a tentative $19.2 million spending plan. According to Director of Finance Cristina Cahill, after deducting about $4.2 million in revenue, the tax levy comes out to about $15 million – up from the $13.4 million tax levy for 2025. “Why such a big increase, is the typical costs,” she explained at the board meeting.

Oct 272 min read

Southeast Debates New Building Dept. Position

By Holly Crocco The Southeast Town Board it trying to chip away at the tentative proposed 2026 budget that was introduced by Supervisor Nick Durante in September and would raise the tax levy by 10.95 percent. “I do think percentages are hard to sometimes accept,” Durante said at the Oct. 9 town board meeting. “What I’d like to speak to is the dollar amount.” He explained that the 10.95 percent increase would equate to about $50 in taxes more next year for the average househol

Oct 223 min read

Southeast Facing 2026 Tax Levy Hike

By Holly Crocco During a Sept. 29 special meeting of the Southeast Town Board, Supervisor Nick Durante took some heat for presenting a tentative budget that raises the tax levy by almost 11 percent – blowing the state-mandated property tax cap of 4.23 percent for the town out of the water, and adding about $50 more in taxes per household. “You’re proposing a 10.9 percent tax levy increase, which I’m honestly kind of stunned by,” said Councilman Eric Cyprus. “You started off b

Oct 143 min read