I have to wonder in what condition the roof was before the collapse. It survived 100+ years of snow storms. Granted, this one was pretty bad, but I doubt it was faulty engineering that let to this collapse. Given the visibly poor condition of several buildings on Main Street, it's my guess that neglect played a role. Maybe our town officials should stop bickering over what businesses can and cannot expand (e.g.-The River Bank situation) and start enforcing and/or passing local ordinances that require upkeep of buildings on Main Street. Consider offering tax breaks for making improvements instead of jacking them up (pipe dream, I know). With a little motivation, maybe we can get some businesses back in Cornwall and stop the steady decline that makes what should be the centerpiece of a quaint small town look like a depressing slum.

condemn it,demolish it and put in a parking lot. The town can use more parking and less empty stores.

...and then expect to start seeing "parking lot maintenance" on your next tax bill. :)

The little green old Randazzo House on Mill street also needs to be taken down it is a hazard and the roof has colapsed it's not safe . A lot of children live in quaker mill development and I would not want anyone to get hurt it needs to be taken down

The town officials have nothing to do with The River Bank, which is in the village.

If the town were to buy the property and put in a parking lot, what would be wrong with expecting town residents and businesses to pay for its maintenance?

In lieu of this collapse, the Town should take the oppurtunity to perform an engineering review on all current main street properties in question. If a complete engineering review is deemed too costly, at the very least an inspection should be conducted on all structures that appear to be in a state of disrepair. It is my understanding that the building department sees less and less permits come across their desk each month. A trend that culmintaed in zero applications being submitted in one rescent month. Perhaps we can use the lull in new construction to evaluate these existing structures. We have all sat back and watched the most visable street in our community, deteriorate over the last 15 years. This unfortunate incident should be the catalyst that ensures the safety of all residents. More over, the Town should use this to force the hand of the numerous absentee landlords on our Main Street. Create and enforce consequences for those who don't adhere to both structural, and asthetic standards in our community. I commend those who take pride in maintaing their properties and business' on Main Street, but they are clearly now part of the minority. Let's clean this town up to be the jewel of the Hudson Valley we all know in our hearts it should be.

I can't endorse the parking lot proposal as a way to generate funds. But it's hard to convince me that people don't avoid shopping on main street because of the lack of parking. I'd be shocked if business owners don't think parking is a concern. We even lost spots in the only municipal lot on Main St when it was renovated years ago. How and why is beyond me. Not to mention it's now a one way that forces you around the back of the nail salon and dragons den deli, which seems odd.

Perhaos someone in Town would get wise and reduce the redundant staff employed by the Town. Hire a grant writer and go for something like the grant seen below.

http://nysdhcr.gov/AboutUs/Offices/CommunityRenewal//