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| May 04, 2025 |
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July 13, 2011
To the Editor:
It was very disheartening to hear the Mayor open the work session with discussion regarding matching grants available thru the Hudson River Valley Greenway when we are on the threshold of walking away from grant money.
The Village has two weeks to purchase pavers for a new walkway from the municipal lot to Hudson Street, which was approved by a former board using a $5000 grant from Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun. The Village Square Improvement Committee brought this walkway to the board to enhance the Central Business District and increase visibility to the parking area. We received $1250 for the parking sign at Maple Avenue Extension and Hudson St. and we have approximately $3750 remaining for the walkway. I have spoken to the NYS Department of State and this is a restricted grant and cannot be used for anything else.
Speranza Landscaping has stepped up and will donate their services to do the walkway at no cost to the village. He’ll do the work next week except the Mayor is against it. Now the bad news is that if we do not use this grant money by July 31, 2011, we will lose it and we will have to return the $1250 to the state. Sadly, I brought this to the Mayor’s attention on July 1 when I had the offer from Speranza Landscaping. Prior to that we only had an offer that fizzled.
Now it is two weeks later and I am disappointed, frustrated and saddened that something nice for our village will again fall by the wayside. Why does our village always lose?
Also, I am upset that on July 1 during my meeting with the Mayor, I questioned the financial statement for the month of May. There appears to be a discrepancy of $8,900 in the litigation line that I asked him to look into. Monday night I brought it to the attention of the full board. I was told that our budget figures are not accurate at this time because of prior errors. This is a new fiscal year and expenditures are expenditures. Did we spend the money or not? I feel I must ask the same question at the regular board meeting on Monday, July 18. I want an answer regarding use of taxpayer money.
Finally, I want to thank all of the residents who came out and supported the Hike-Bike on Sunday, July 10. It was the best and we have seven Sundays left from 11-3 pm! In many ways, it reminded me of our first Village Wide Yard Sale with a hometown feel that brought many positive comments and a sense of pride in our village and what we can do here. We invite others to enjoy what we have and patronize our businesses. That’s why I felt so compelled to share this with you today. So much is possible here if we open our eyes, put the village first and stay positive.
Barbara Gosda
Village Trustee
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