Philipstown Told Fjord Trail South is ‘Going to Take Time’

A slide shared by Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail Executive Director Peter Mullen at the March 5 Philipstown Town Board meeting.

The Philipstown Town Board on March 5 approved a new advisory committee to propose amendments to the town’s “equal protection” amendment, heard a proposal for a memorial garden for suicide loss survivors, and received an update on the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail from Executive Director Peter Mullen.

Town Supervisor John Van Tassel thanked HHFT for a $450,000 matching grant that will assist the town, Village of Cold Spring, and Putnam County in obtaining a major Transportation Alternatives Program grant from the New York State Department of Transportation for improving and extending Fair Street sidewalks in Cold Spring.

Using a slide presentation, Mullen explained that HHFT’s priority now is on what he describes as “Fjord Trail North,” from Breakneck Ridge in Fishkill to Long Dock Park in Beacon. This involves a group of projects including drainage infrastructure along the route and rehabilitating the landscape between Metro-North train tracks and Route 9D, ecological restoration in the forest and marsh areas, as well as subaquatic vegetation in the Hudson River.

The goal is to create a trail that is Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible “from end to end,” and that includes building a pedestrian bridge over Fishkill Creek, as well as other streams.

HHFT also seeks to transform Dutchess Manor by restoring the building to its 1868 envelope and expanding parking at that location.

“What is the Fjord Trail’s timeline for Philipstown?” asked Van Tassel. “Five years?”

Mullan responded: “Honestly, we don’t know. We are trying to be responsive. Fjord Trail South (connecting to Cold Spring) is complicated… It’s going to take time.”

Also at the March 5 meeting, the Equal Protection Update Committee was approved, with the purpose of proposing amendments to the town’s existing “equal protection” amendment and authorizing the town attorney to participate. In discussion, it became clear that an informal committee has already been meeting for the last month since an amended policy was proposed at the Feb. 5 meeting.

The informal committee, which includes town board members Nat Prentice, Ned Rauch, and Judy Farrell, as well as community members Alexandra Cain, Liz Corio, Susan Anspach, and Dan Nobel, drafted a new resolution for the town attorney that makes the committee official and adds new members Madeline Rae, Victor Burgos, and Recreation Director Cecily Hall.

“We have made excellent progress and should have a resolution and policy ready for approval by our next meeting,” said Rauch. “We have heard from many residents in support of strengthening our community’s defenses against ICE.” 

Also, Theresa Frey of the Philipstown Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Committee read a statement in support of a stronger resolution and policy.

In other business, the town board reacted favorably to a proposal from the Nicole Ettere Memorial Gardens Foundation, Inc., for the creation of a memorial garden of remembrance to help suicide loss survivors who are left behind to cope. The foundation has similar gardens in Carmel and Mt. Kisco, and has been working with the Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub to hold suicide prevention workshops.

Van Tassell suggested that the area around Glassbury Court lake be considered for the garden, which would be approximately 20 by 30 feet in size.

The Philipstown Town Board meets again April 9 at 7:30 p.m.