The task ahead

Supervisor delivers state of the town address

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 1/16/19

On Monday evening Marlborough Supervisor Al Lanzetta delivered his State of the Town address, saying he, on behalf of the Town Board, was offering an assessment of the work that was accomplished this …

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The task ahead

Supervisor delivers state of the town address

Posted

On Monday evening Marlborough Supervisor Al Lanzetta delivered his State of the Town address, saying he, on behalf of the Town Board, was offering an assessment of the work that was accomplished this past year and is looking forward to the, “task of guiding our community for 2019.”

Lanzetta said several infrastructure issues were addressed last year: the completion of sidewalks along the western side of Grand Street from Western Avenue to Church Street in the Marlboro Hamlet, with the help of the town’s Highway Department and from members of Laborers Local 17.

“This involved working with Central Hudson and Verizon to move poles and install additional lights.” he said.


There was additional sidewalk work done on the east side of Grand Street to Bloom Street. He said much of this work was funded through a $250,000 member item that was procured by the late NYS Assemblyman Frank Skartados. In 2019 Lanzetta said he is hoping to install new sidewalks from West Street to Bloom Street.

Lanzetta said the town reached an agreement with Mark Ciaglia, owner of the Supply Captain, for a public parking lot on Western Avenue that is near the center of the Marlboro hamlet.

In 2018 Lanzetta said contracts were signed that will begin the long-awaited process of bringing sewer infrastructure up Route 9W from the hamlet of Marlboro. He again thanked Skartados and retired State Senator William Larkin for procuring $500,000 in member items that, “will help the effort to attract more business to the Route 9W corridor and allow existing projects to move forward.” Additionally, Lanzetta said the sewer extension in Milton, culminating at the intersection of Route 9W and Milton Turnpike, has been completed.

Lanzetta said the town worked with Central Hudson to switch all of the fixtures in the lighting district to brighter and more efficient LED lights. The Highway Building on Route. 9W also received an upgrade to LED lighting.

In order to broaden the tax base Lanzetta said the town has worked “very hard” to increase economic development. He pointed out that the town made changes in their zoning code aimed at expanding opportunities for development and attracting new businesses. He said work has started on a 40,000 sq/ft, $7 million POD storage facility on the south side of town just off Route 9W. In addition, Chestnut Petroleum began working on a convenience/gas station project at the old Dickie’s Diner site, north of the Marlboro Hamlet, also on Route 9W. Lanzetta said town government has been working jointly with Ulster County Planning, the Ulster County Economic Development Director, the IDA and the NYS Department of Transportation to help “facilitate movement” on these projects.

Last year the town completed a study aimed at improving the Rte. 9W corridor and will partner with the Ulster County Transportation Council to implement the study’s proposals this year.

Lanzetta again thanked Larkin for obtaining a $150,000 member item that allowed the town to finish the exterior rehabilitation and final painting of the Milton Train Station last fall.

“While our partner, the Milton Train Station Foundation, continues to work to finish paving and landscaping, the building is, once again, open for public use by the community,” he said.

Last year the town received a $4,000 Hudson River Greenway grant that was used to build a trail from the upper level of the Milton Landing Park down to the river. He said this was completed with help from members of the Milton Fire Department and volunteers from Jolly Rovers, a volunteer group dedicated to creating paths for public use in the Hudson Valley.

Lanzetta said the town received a NYS Estuary Grant in the amount of $40,000, thanks to the hard work and persistence of Rosemary Wein. This grant was used to evaluate the conditions of the piers at the Milton Landing Park and was later parlayed into a Consolidated Funding Application grant in the amount of $313,000 that will be used to start the rehabilitation of the southern pier at the park.

“This vote of confidence from the state of New York will help us to attract additional funding for this important project,” he said. This step was accompanied by the Friends of the Milton Landing Park receiving their non profit status that will give the town a partner in future fundraising efforts for this project.

Lanzetta said also before retiring, Larkin obtained $150,000 that will be used to renovate and update the existing children’s play area at the Cluett Schantz town park.

“This will make it safer and accessible for children of various abilities and needs,” he said, adding that work is expected to start this year.

In 2018 the town signed a lease with the Tilcon Corporation that will allow the public to hike on land that was formerly private. He hopes to expand the hiking network in 2019.

Lanzetta said last year residents voted overwhelmingly to keep the TOMVAC building and to renovate it for public use.

“Thanks to a new citizen committee and a $250,000 member item from Assemblyman Frank Skartados, 2019 will become the year we work towards that goal,” he promised.

Lanzetta said the Town Board and members of the staff of the town government worked together to keep town taxes at or under the mandated 2% tax cap.

“Marlborough is also blessed to have so many members of the community who are willing to volunteer to be on committees to help guide our future,” said Lanzetta.

After the untimely death of Assemblyman Skartados and the retirement of Sen Larkin, Lanzetta said he is confident that the town’s new state representatives, “will come to know and love Marlborough as well. The town has important initiatives that we’ll move forward and the government is committed to doing its best to provide necessary services and improve all aspects of our constituents’ lives.”