Split Legislature OKs Watershed Coalition



By a vote of 6-3, the Putnam Legisla­ture has agreed to join 19 other munici­palities throughout the New York City watershed by forming the East of Hud­son Watershed Corporation, resulting in the transfer of $20 million of Big Apple funds allowing members to clean storm­water flowing into the city’s reservoir system. The action came last week at a special meeting […]

Columbus Day Parade draws thousands



Never mind the luck of the Irish: Italian-Americans were in their glory Sunday when, despite predictions for inclement weather, ideal conditions greeted more than 5,000 marchers and thousands more on the sidelines as Putnam County’s annual Columbus Day Parade went on without a hitch. One hundred eleven organizations marched in precision in four divisions with virtually every group within the […]

Network Honors Movers & Shakers



Two dozen of Putnam’s movers and shakers were honored last week when the Putnam Community Service Net­work hosted its 26th annual Awards Breakfast. More than 250 were on hand at the Clearpool Education Center in western Kent for the event that has grown tre­mendously during the past quarter cen­tury. Twenty-six individuals and organiza­tions were nominated for awards and following a […]

Bridge Tolls to Rise



Starting on January 1, it will cost you more to cross the Bear Mountain and Hamilton Fish Newburgh-Beacon Bridges. The New York State Bridge Authority announced last Friday that it plans to hike the tolls from $1 to $1.50 for cash users and from $1 to $1.25 for E-Z Pass subscribers. A public hearing will take place on the toll […]

Teaming Up To Make A Difference:

Business Leaders and Elected Officials

Public-private collaboration was on display all over the Hudson Valley this past Monday as business and commu­nity leaders sought to help our economy emerge faster from the recession. The day began with a forum hosted by Pattern For Progress at SUNY New Paltz, dis­cussing implications of recently enacted property tax cap legislation. Later, the Mid Hudson Regional Economic Development Council […]

Putnam’s Sales Tax Revenue Finally Back in the Black



Putnam’s sales tax revenue is back in the black. After two months of declining sales tax dollars, county shoppers have re­turned to their earlier spending habits. According to Commissioner of Finance William Carlin shoppers generated $3,661,147 in tax revenue for August, which was an increase of $18,600 from August, 2010. Carlin issued his monthly report last week at the legislature’s […]

Economic Woes Aired at Two Summits



Stimulating the economy was at the forefront for businesspeople and commu­nity leaders Monday during back-to-back forums at Putnam Hospital Center. The Mid-Hudson Regional Eco­nomic Development Council allowed participants from Putnam, Westchester, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties to solicit feedback and input on the creation of a five-year economic development plan. Then, the Putnam County Chambers of Commerce presented […]

Ground Broken on Sidewalk Project



State and county officials gathered on Route 6 outside the Putnam Plaza Shopping Center in Carmel last week with shovels in hand to ceremonially kick off a $2.3 million sidewalk proj­ect that will not only improve pedestri­an safety and create jobs but promote local business. Putnam’s Acting Commissioner of Highways and Facilities Emma Kounine told the Courier the project is […]

Foundation Pledges It Will Pay Back Taxes on Carmel Land



Tax woes are piling up for the Put­nam Community Foundation, which owes an additional $84,668.61 in back taxes to the county. The amount relates to water and sew­er charges in Carmel, and is tied to land the non-profit owns next to the Putnam Hospital Center on Stoneleigh Avenue. If the taxes continue to be unpaid, the county will file a […]

Retirees Dodge A Bullet



of Putnam County govern­ment retirees have dodged a bullet: The Putnam Legislature Tuesday decided to keep the status quo, refusing to go along with County Executive Paul El­dridge’s suggestion to increase contri­bution rates for retiree health plans and spend $80,000 in 2012. Premiums for retirees’ health insur­ance have increased by 63 per cent from 2006 through 2011. In an effort […]