Milton Train Station project completed

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 11/7/18

Restoring the 1883 Milton Train Station to its former glory was a labor of love for a group of tenacious volunteers who never gave up on a project that eventually took 12 years to complete. A special …

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Milton Train Station project completed

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Restoring the 1883 Milton Train Station to its former glory was a labor of love for a group of tenacious volunteers who never gave up on a project that eventually took 12 years to complete. A special gathering called, “We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You” was held recently at the station to thank all who supported and saw the project through to its completion.

President of the Milton Train Station Foundation Sherman Sitrin acknowledged the dedication of Glenn Clarke, the first founder of the project, who brought together a dedicated core group that got the project up and running. After the Royal Kedem Winery stopped using the building for a tasting room in 1998 they donated it to the town. Though it was in terrible shape, Glenn Clarke saw it every day from his home perched high above on a hill. He just could not sit still and let it rot away. He persuaded a group of like minded souls who cared deeply about saving an important part of the town’s history.

“I want to thank everybody who is here today and look around to see the beauty of this building. It is a fantastic, fantastic building. We’re so lucky that it was saved,” Clarke said.

The prime movers of the train station project; L-R Cindy Lanzetta, Pat Quick, Glenn Clarke, Peter Hoffmann, Glen Botto and Sherman Sitrin.

The idea to restore the station was hatched when Clarke met Elaine Greenspan at a party years ago when the project was in its infancy. She suggested that Clarke make a pitch for funding to the Louis Greenspan Foundation.

“Well sure enough we went to them and they helped out,” he said, estimating that the Foundation has eventually given $100,000 toward the station project.

Elaine Greenspan said the Foundation has, “taken pleasure in doing this and seeing it come to pass. It’s wonderful to think that from an idea and just hard workers, and of course a little money helps, that this could happen...It couldn’t be done without all of you and all the work that you have put in.”

It was pointed out that in its heyday the Milton Station shipped produce from the local farms to the New York City markets and is also where soldiers shipped off to war.

Cynthia Lanzetta said that NYS Sen. William Larkin, who was unable to attend due to a familial obligation, “has been a wonderful patron of our project and we really appreciate his help.” Larkin, a WW II and Korean Veteran, has been able to secure funding to municipalities, school districts and non profit organizations in the area during his tenure.

“Senator Larkin’s record of service is unmatched and will shine brightly as an example for future public servants to follow for years to come,” she said.

Lanzetta said in March 2016 Larkin acquired a member item of $150,000 that made it possible to finish the exterior painting of the station.

Town Supervisor Al Lanzetta said Pat Quick headed up the Saturday morning work sessions, saying that under his tutelage he learned, “how to do things the right way. Pat was quite a driver, when you came down you didn’t have your hands in your pockets, he made you work.” Lanzetta said in the beginning the station was a mess but they worked tirelessly to get it cleaned up.

“Along the way we met people, we had friendships, we had a good time and the ladies came down with coffee. It was a very, very great time just fixing this place up...everything was done with great pride and love,” he said.

Past Foundation President Peter Hoffmann brought Quick up to the podium and together they unveiled a new donor recognition plaque that hangs in the station.

Quick said he did not regret a minute of the effort that he put into the project.

“It’s a beautiful place and a lot of hard work we got through one day at a time.” he said.

Lanzetta also acknowledged the support of the station from the late NYS Assemblyman Frank Skartados. Lanzetta said Skartados not only secured $50,000 for the station roof but also $250,000 for sewer infrastructure along Route 9W and yet another $250,000 that was used for sidewalks in town. Lanzetta said Skartados, “had his heart in Marlborough and he just continued giving. He was just a great friend and a great asset to this town. He will be missed.”

Lanzetta recalled that at an early fundraising auction for the station, Skartados and Clarke eagerly bid for a painting of the station; Skartados won out with a bid of approximately $2,400. Just before he passed, Skartados made sure that the painting was to go to Clarke, which was presented to him at the event. Clarke said it will be hung inside the station.

There was a moment at the event that acknowledged the passing of Bob Zellner, Andrew Marker and Jerry Starpoli, who all worked on the station project in various capacities.

Past Foundation President Glen Botto said with the station now finished it is time to focus on turning the immediate surrounding area into a park. He showed a few pavers that will be installed in the parking lot surrounding the station. In addition, he provided a sketch of what the park would look like in the future.

John Scott, who is on the Foundation board, has been involved with the station since 2004 but credits Pat Quick with pushing the project forward.

“Pat was the leader of it all. He knew what we had to do; jacked up that end of the building, replaced the rafters that were rotted and we went on from there,” he recalled.

Scott said he has been, “railroad fan for a long, long time.” He said this station was unique because it provided a combination of freight and passenger service. It was actually built by the Wilson Brothers in Philadelphia, who specialized in bridges, railroad stations and industrial buildings, however, no architectural plans have survived for any of the West Shore stations. He said the tracks were laid from Weehawken, New Jersey to Newburgh in 1882 and in 1883 it was completed up to Highland and by 1885 it reached as far as Buffalo. The system was called the New York West Shore and Buffalo Railway Company. Scott noted that by the end of 1885 the larger shipping companies on the east shore of the Hudson River eventually put the West Shore railroad company out of business. Today, the focus in on moving freight and oil from the Midwest to the Port of Newark.

Glenn Clarke recalled that he and Pat Quick broke into the closed station and found it a “terrible mess. We decided then and there that we were going to do something and it worked out just fine. I am so happy, a dream has come true.”