Friday, February 26, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

So, the Village Board approved my signing the contract for the Donahue Farm property Monday night and I signed it the next day. The 47-acre property now belongs to the residents of the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson. We’ll form a planning committee in the near future and start working on how to best enjoy this beautiful place.

The purchase culminated a whirlwind of activity in January and February during which the Village annexed 39 acres in the Town of Cornwall to help the Village manage the Black Rock Water Treatment Plant on the property. The Village will save $60,000 annually in town and school taxes.

The Village has also sought and received permission from the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to create a hiking trail on its 45-acre parcel along Rt. 218 that runs down to the Hudson River. The Village’s Riverfront Committee has begun meeting with the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference for guidance in developing a trail.     

And all three parcels will benefit from the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, also passed in the last two months. The plan, the first one in 60 years, will provide a roadmap for the parcels and the rest of the Village.

These developments will greatly enhance the quality of life for all of us.  

Enjoy your weekend!

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

Friday, February 19, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

The white stuff keeps coming down and our public works guys keep clearing it away. Dave Halvorsen and his crew are doing a great job. So many hours, so many safe streets and sidewalks. Thank you!

Our next Village Board meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, February 22, by teleconference. Among items on the agenda is the approval of the purchase of the Donahue Farm property.  

The Police Reform Committee will hold its fifth and last meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, via teleconference. The committee will review its latest draft report before sending it to the Village Board. The report is on our website. The Village Board must send its report to Albany by April 1.

We often get inquiries about online payment of utility bills (garbage, sewer and water). I’m happy to report that online payment is coming! Several staff members and I will be involved in a training session next week. We don’t have a launch date yet, but we will let you know as soon as we can.

Have a good weekend!

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

Friday, February 12, 2021

 

Dear Village Folks:

The Village created a bit of history Monday night, annexing property from the Town of Cornwall and adopting a new comprehensive plan.

 

The Village Board met with the Town Board to conduct a joint Public Hearing regarding the annexation. It was the first joint meeting in more than a dozen years. It would appear that everyone recognizes the benefits to all because no one spoke at the public hearing. Attorney for the Village John Furst outlined the benefits, including a more efficient operation of the Village water system and the annual savings of $60,000 in town and school taxes. Later, in separate meetings, both boards approved the annexation.

 

The Village Board also passed the 2020 Comprehensive Plan Monday night. I want to thank the Comprehensive Plan Committee, Led Klosky, chair; Mary Aspin, Deputy Chair; Dominic Cordisco, Bill Grisoli and Lorraine McGuinness. They worked for over the course of three years to provide the Village a blueprint for its future development. This is an historic moment for the Village: Our previous Comprehensive Plan was 60 years old. Thanks also to Jeff Small, former Village Planning Board chair, who attended many of the work meetings.

 

Enjoy the weekend! Stay warm. Stay safe.

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor

Friday, February 2, 2021

Dear Village Folks:

What a snow storm! We haven’t had so much snow in some time.

Thanks once again to our Public Works employees for digging us out and clearing our streets. They worked long hours to keep us safe. I also want to thank our Water Department employees for clearing our water supply properties to keep the water flowing.

The agreement allowing the Village to create a hiking trail on the property owned by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission has spurred some conversation. Bob McCue has just published a new book, Cornwall Landing – Our Times and I’ve enjoyed talking with him about the past and future of the property once owned by the Consolidated Edison utility company. Bob’s book is filled with photos, including some of the former hotel, the Villa Pennisi that once stood on the Palisades property. Bob has graciously donated a copy of his book to the Village Museum.

The Village Board and Cornwall Town Board will hold a joint public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday regarding annexation of town property where the Village has its Black Rock Water Treatment Plant. The annexation will save the Village $60,000 in town and school taxes annually.

I’m are still working on details of the purchase of the Donahue Farm property. We hope to close soon.

Monday’s Village Work Session includes a resolution to pass a new comprehensive plan. I’m grateful to our Comprehensive Plan Committee that has held more than 30 meetings over three years in working on a document to replace our 60-year-old plan.

Have a great weekend!

All the best,

Brendan Coyne

Mayor