Brianne O'Hare's Efforts May Re sul t in Windfal l for Putnam Coffers

Br ianne O'Hare of Carmel and Legislator Vincent Tamagna work late one evening last week on an appl icat ion for federal st imulus dollars. Photo by Eric Gross Brianne O'Hare is a young lady with a mission.

The 20-year-old communications major at Connecticut's Quinnipiac University graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Somers in 2006, and is working with the Putnam Legislature on a series of stimulus grants that will hopefully result in a windfall for county coffers.

After being introduced by Legislator Mary Ellen O'Dell, who has known the young Carmel woman for many years, Legislator Vincent Tamagna has taken Brianne under his wing.

Tamagna said that, in addition to the grant applications, "Brianne is helping us with the recently organized Task Force on Energy. I don't know what this legislature will do in the middle of August when she returns to school. Brianne is a wonderful person whose dedication and hard work are truly amazing. She has a bright future. We are extremely lucky to have her."

Brianne decided to volunteer with the county because, "I want to see government in action. I needed a credit for school and contacted 'Aunt Mary Ellen,' who introduced me to Legislator Tamagna. The 120 hours needed for my course will hopefully benefit the people of our county in the long term."

During the past couple of weeks, Brianne has compiled a project list of where stimulus funds will be sought. At the top of her agenda: The County Office Building Energy and Weatherization Program, where new windows are needed, along with modern heating and air conditioning systems.

Several grants are being sought for projects in Cold Spring, including enhanced water transportation along the Hudson Highlands to boost tourism. One plan involves the installing of two floating docks that will connect to West Point while being in close proximity to the Metro-North Railroad.

Another project seeking stimulus funds deals with the Cold Spring Wastewater Treatment Plant. Grants are also being sought to refurbish the Cold Spring FD headquarters and the Cold Spring Village Courthouse.

A grant to stabilize the shoreline at Garrison's Landing that would preserve and protect the area from washing away into the Hudson River is on the drawing board, in addition to the restoration and rehabilitation of access roads in Manitoga—a 75-acre garden beset by soil erosion.

Stimulus money is also being sought to repair the Putnam County Historical Society headquarters, along with several bridge projects that include the Morningthorpe/Turk Hill Road Bridge in Southeast, Peekskill Hollow Road Bridge in Putnam Valley, and the Mill Street Bridge in Putnam Valley.

Grant requests are also being made to cap the Putnam County Landfill in Carmel, assist with geothermal technology at the planned new Putnam County Senior Center in northern Kent, restoration of the old barn at the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, a new salt shed at the county's Highway Garage in Patterson, and a roof replacement at the Putnam Correctional Facility in Carmel.

Brianne has also outlined plans for funds to assist with a number of road projects, including culvert replacement on Croton Falls Road in Mahopac, retaining wall reinforcement on Snake Hill Road in Garrison, a new intersection at North Main Street and Crosby Road in Brewster, realignment of Fair Street and Terry Hill Road in Kent, and sidewalk improvements in Cold Spring.

The Putnam Park will also benefit since the county hopes to refurbish public toilets and replace a dam at the Kent facility with funds applied for, thanks to the young college student.

Tamagna put it this way: "You have to be in it to win it! With Brianne's help and determination, the sky is the limit. Millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds are out there. Why can't Putnam get its fair share?"