Dear Resident, Fall 2010
The Town Board members and I would like to update you on some of the events and accomplishments as well as plans for the fall and winter of 2010 and 2011. The failing economy continues to be the main concern of our residents. Local governments have seen mandated increases passed on from the state and federal governments. Although we have the lowest Town and Sewer taxes in Rockland County, the Town Board members and I have pledged to you to keep Town Government affordable, accountable and accessible. The following is a list of our achievements and the goals that we will strive to accomplish:
- The Town Board Members and I have announced the Town of Haverstraw Budget for fiscal year 2011. For an average single-family house there will be a 2.69% increase or a total average of $34.29. When special districts are added such as water, lighting, ambulance, fire and sewer the average increase is 2.85% or a total average increase of $43.61. The Town General Fund Budget will be increasing $1,047,100.00 of which $800,000.00 represents the cost of salaries and benefits for the Police Department or 76% of the total increase. Since taking over the policing duties of the Village of Haverstraw, the cost of policing has increased significantly. The remaining $200,000.00+ is mostly a mandated increase from the State in the form of retirement. The Town is also experiencing a significant increase in the cost of worker’s compensation insurance that is directly attributable to line-of-duty claims in our Police Department. Due to the recent systematic analysis of property values performed by the Town Assessor, there may be slight fluctuations in multi-family homes as it applies to property tax.
- The following roads were improved through the process of heat in placement and micro paving: Cinder Road, Madison Avenue, Rosman Road, Brisman Drive, Valley Drive and Valley Court. These were paid through our annual capital project fund.
- The following roads were improved through the process of micro paving and road resurfacing: Cherry Lane, Cherry Circle, Oakridge Road, Woodlake Drive, Eastlake Drive, Highlake Drive, Quaker Road, Cedar Road and Birch Drive. We completed these roads at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- Our annual Belgian Block program was able to install new Belgian curbs on the following roads: Oak Street, Elm Street and Sycamore Street at an expense of approximately $100,000 at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- The Town Board members and I have awarded a bid for the following roads: Tulip Tree Drive, Havervale Lane, Woodridge Drive and Locust Drive to install new Belgian Block curbs this fall of which 75% of this project will be at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- At the Town of Haverstraw Bowline Park, the Town Board members and I were able to have a new fishing dock/pier installed at Bowline Pond for the recreational pleasure of our residents at an expense of approximately $100,000 at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- At the Town of Haverstraw Cheesecote Mountain Park, we repaved the entrance road to the summit and installed guide rails at an expense of approximately $187,000 at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- At Bowline Park, we constructed new playground equipment located at the point of the park at an expense of $50,000 at no cost to the local taxpayer. We recently secured another $50,000 for additional playground equipment which we plan on installing for the spring of 2011 at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- We secured a $100,000 grant to improve lighting at Bowline Park which we plan to install in the spring of 2011. In addition, we continued to expand the pool deck lounge area at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- Our Police Department was able to secure a grant in the approximate amount of $130,000 to purchase and upgrade computers for the Town Police vehicles at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- At the Town Highway Department in order to save taxpayer’s money, we have authorized the Superintendent to go out to bid to replace two dump truck bodies for late winter of 2011. The dump truck bodies are an approximate cost of $35,000 each compared to purchasing new trucks at a cost of over $200,000 each.
- After 30 years of not having to make major improvements to the Town Hall parking lot, curbs and sidewalks, we could wait no longer since the deterioration would have led to even greater cost. We have repaved and constructed new curbs and sidewalks to beautify Town Hall and to improve the safety of the public while entering Town Hall.
- Our summer open-air concerts at Bowline Park are a huge success and have grown with greater public participation than last year. We would like to personally thank John Cooney, President of Tilcon New York, Inc. for their generous donation of $5,000 to help offset the cost for the performances. We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Michael Pointing, Vice President of United Water for their generous donation of $5,000 to offset the cost of our 4th of July Independence Day Celebration. Each year our fireworks display, which has been presented by “July-4-Ever,” is an enormous success and we look forward to an even greater show next year.
- The Town of Haverstraw’s Annual Halloween and Christmas/Hanukkah House Decorating Contests will be held again this year. Each year the number of contestants has increased. You can either nominate yourself or a friend’s home, by calling Town Hall at 429-2200. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the prizes to Tilcon
New York, Inc., Zugibe Hardware and Beckerle Lumber for their generous donations.
- The Town of Haverstraw’s Annual Halloween “Spooktacular” Festival will be held at Bowline Park on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 12 pm-4 pm. The day’s events will include: a costume contest, hayride, haunted house, inflatable rides, entertainment and
refreshments. Restricted to ages 12 years old and under. Must be accompanied by a parent.
- Our Youth Board has been very active with trips to Medieval Times, Yankee Stadium, 6 Flags, and Broadway shows and will be scheduling the annual trip to Radio City for the Christmas Show and The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center.
- We would like to recognize the following organizations for their accomplishments:
*The Haverstraw Little League Girls Senior Softball Team for finishing second in the world.
*David B. Roche Fire Department on celebrating their 50th Anniversary as a volunteer fire company and for hosting the 2010 Rockland County Volunteer Firemen’s Convention and Parade.
*St. Gregory Barbarigo CYO 5th Grade Girls Basketball Team who won back to back undefeated Archdiocesan State Championships.
- The construction of the New York Sports Club is progressing with a scheduled opening date for the winter of 2011. The location is in the Rosman Shopping Center on Route 202 where the Shoprite Supermarket is located. NYSC is planned to be a state-of-the-art fitness center, which will include an indoor pool.
- Both the Short Clove Bridge (Rt. 9W) and the Route 202 Palisades Parkway Bridge Projects are progressing expeditiously. They are scheduled to be completed sometime in the spring of 2011.
- This past August at the Town of Haverstraw’s Beach Road Park, the Hudson Valley Radio Control Club held its first annual air show. These miniature models of planes, helicopters, etc. performed acrobatic flights for the pleasure of the public. Also in attendance was the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department demonstrating child car seat safety. We would like to thank Bruce Leach, President of HVRCC for coordinating the days events and to all of the members who took the time to show many of our youth how to operate a radio control airplane. We also extend our gratitude to RC Sheriff James Kralik and Lou Falco, Chief of Patrol for their assistance in coordinating the day’s events.
- At the Town of Haverstraw’s Waste Water Treatment Plant, we have awarded a bid for the upgrade of the bar screen and grit collection system. This system treats the waste water in the purification process which eventually is discharged into the Hudson River at a cost of $920,000, of which 75% of this project will be at no cost to the local taxpayer.
- The Town Board Members and I would like to congratulate Chief Charles Miller and Sgt. Dave Kryger of the Town of Haverstraw Police Department and Chief Patrick Brophy and Det. Kevin O’Connor of the Stony Point Police Department for coordinating the North Rockland Police Youth Academy. The Youth Academy offers an opportunity to North Rockland High School students to learn about law enforcement through a 10 week learning program. At the same time, they build relationships with law enforcement officers from the State Police, FBI and local law enforcement departments. For more information, please contact either the Haverstraw Police Dept. at 354-1500 or the Stony Point Police Dept. at 786-2744.
The Town Board members and I believe it is important to recognize those who have assisted us in securing these grants to offset your local taxes. Special thanks to Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, who was able to secure over $1.4 million of your tax dollars back to our community. We would also like to recognize the efforts of Congresswoman Nita Lowey, who was instrumental in securing law enforcement grants for our Police Department and transportation funding for the Haverstraw Ferry to Ossining. On behalf of the Town Board and the people of Haverstraw we would like to express our most sincere thanks and heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Senator Tom Morahan for all of the wonderful things he accomplished in our community. If you have an opportunity to visit Bowline Park, a plaque honoring the Senator is located at the pool next to the handicap-accessible water spray area.
- United Water New York’s Proposed Haverstraw Water Supply Project, which includes a desalination water treatment plant, is progressing through the regulatory process. The proposal includes a pilot plant- a smaller scale of the full project- which will provide information such as how the permanent project can be more energy and chemical efficient. The pilot plant will operate for approximately 12-18 months. If the permanent project meets applicable regulatory standards and is approved by agencies like the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, United Water would proceed to construct the Haverstraw Water Supply Project (the permanent project). This would add a $100,000,000+ ratable to our tax assessment rolls and several million dollars translated into taxes for the North Rockland School District, the Town of Haverstraw and the County of Rockland.
- Recently, the Town evaluated its current bonding funds. The Town Board members and I have gone out to refinance the current debt because of the low interest rates now available in the market. This will accomplish saving the taxpayer over $300,000 for the remaining life of the bond.
Lastly, we will place our Newsletter on the Town’s website at www.townofhaverstraw.org. We hope that this will evolve to where our residents will read it online and eventually eliminate mailing the newsletter to your homes. Please review our website for additional information about Town Departments, programs and events. You can always reach the Town Board Members and myself by contacting the Town Hall at 429-2200.
Sincerely, 
HOWARD T. PHILLIPS, JR.
Supervisor
ISIDRO CANCEL VINCENT J. GAMBOLI JOHN J. GOULD HECTOR L. SOTO Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilman