Government

Putnam Valley Nixes Mixed-Use Zoning Proposal

By Rob Sample After listening to several sessions of public comment, the Putnam Valley Town Board unanimously decided to withdraw a series of proposed townwide zoning changes during its Jan. 28 meeting. “We decided to withdraw the proposed changes based on public input and on the advice of our newly appointed town attorneys, the firm of Daniels, Porco & Lusardi,” said Town Supervisor Alison Jolicoeur. Dave Daniels, managing partner at Daniels, Porco & Lusardi, noted that the

Southeast Supervisor To Step Down

Southeast Town Supervisor Nick Durante By Holly Crocco During an emotional testimony at the Jan. 22 Southeast Town Board meeting, Supervisor Nick Durante informed the public that he will be resigning from his post. “After many long and thoughtful conversations, along with a great deal of personal reflection, I’ve decided to step down and resign from my position as town supervisor,” he announced. “I’ll remain on for as long as needed to help my replacement move forward.” While

Carmel Votes Down Crisis Stabilization Center

By Holly Crocco The Carmel Planning Board voted unanimously Jan. 28 to deny an application by People USA to develop a crisis stabilization center in the hamlet. “We spent several months analyzing data, challenging People USA with a lot of questions, listing to the public quite a bit,” said Chairman Anthony Giannico prior to the 6-0 vote. While some audience members applauded the outcome, after the vote, the applicant simply packed up and left the meeting. Throughout the past

Opposition Heard For Charter Change

By Holly Crocco A number of lawmakers and residents voiced their opinions during a Jan. 15 public hearing on a charter change that was approved by the Putnam County Legislature in December that would allow the Legislature to hire independent counsel for both its majority and minority parties. The matter was before County Executive Kevin Byrne to either be signed into law or vetoed and sent back to the Legislature to be refined. (Due to anticipated inclement weather, this week

Concerns Raised Over Proposed Starr Ridge Complex

By Rob Sample Southeast residents aired their concerns at the first of what will be several public hearings on a proposal to build an office and retail complex at the corner of Danbury Road (Route 6) and Starr Ridge Road. Rraci Associates, a Westchester County real estate and property development firm, seeks to develop a retail complex consisting of four buildings, 130 spaces for parking, stormwater facilities, and a conceptual dog park. The parcel is 10.39 acres in size. As

A New Future for Garden Street School?

Southeast Town Councilman Eric Larca has presented a concept to transform the former Garden Street Elementary School into a town and village municipal building, as well as community center. By Holly Crocco There’s no denying the former Garden Street Elementary School in Brewster holds a special place in the hearts of many village residents who either attended the school themselves, or whose children walked those halls. However, since its closure in 2012 due to building deteri

County Legislature Led by Birmingham, Gouldman in 2026

Legislature Chairman Dan Birmingham. Putnam Legislature Deputy Chairman Bill Gouldman By Holly Crocco Returning Legislator Dan Birmingham, R-Southeast, was nominated by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the Putnam County Legislature for 2026, during its Jan. 6 organizational meeting. In addition to serving as deputy county executive during the Bondi administration (1995-98), Birmingham served on the Legislature from 2004 to 2012, when he decided to forego seeking a fourt

Candidates Stepping Up For County & Town Offices

By Holly Crocco After a few weeks of speculation, Republican Carmel Town Councilman Frank Lombardi has announced that he is running for Putnam County legislator in District Eight, since current Legislator Amy Sayegh, R-Mahopac Falls, is not seeking re-election in November. “As a 23-year resident of this town and specifically this legislative district, I have raised a family, paid the taxes, and pay a mortgage,” he said. “I know the difficulties families are having affording t

Putnam Valley Considers Eased Commercial Zoning

By Rob Sample Putnam Valley residents turned out in force for a Nov. 19 public hearing on zoning changes that aim to facilitate the creation of small businesses in residential areas and neighborhoods. Almost unanimously, residents spoke opposed the changes, saying the town needs to preserve its semi-rural character and find occupants for the many vacant commercial structures in town. Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi described the plan as a framework for enhancing the aesthet

Kent Overrides State Tax Cap

By Holly Crocco The Kent Town Board voted unanimously Nov. 18 to override the state-mandated 2 percent property tax cap and approve the 2026 town budget, which includes an approximate $1.5 million tax levy increase over the current year, but not before hearing from residents, business owners, and department heads – some of whom denounced the spending plan, and some who defended it. “Unfortunately, we have to go over the 2 percent this year for the budget,” explained Superviso

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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