Watching Putnam Valley

Government

Election Results Correction

There were 468 write-in votes for the trustee positions, not 16.

Government

School Election Results

After an increasingly bitter divide about how Putnam Valley's school district is financed, the results are now in. Voters decided to support the school board's budget for next year and also gave their blessing to a revised $13.5 million capital plan. The two school board

Government

Town Updates

* At yesterday's work session, the Town Board issued the fee schedule for residents seeking permits for their short-term transient rentals. Homeowners will need to pay $500 for the application for the special use permit and another $500 to the Planning Board for its review. Once approved, the annual

Government

A Republican Primary!!

For the first time in at least forty years, there is a primary contest for who will be the Republican candidate for Putnam Valley Town Supervisor. Stephanie Waters, a longtime Putnam Valley resident, has thrown her hat in the ring. In the election on June 24th, she will face incumbent

Events

May Events (curated)

May 4th at 2pm - Pete Seeger Festival at Tompkins Corners Cultural Center, the ninth annual (free) celebration of his music and life's work May 10th from 1pm to 4pm - Repair Cafe at Putnam Valley Free Library May 16th at 6pm - Town Board meeting at Town

Government

It's Almost Time to Vote Again

Four weeks from today Putnam Valley residents will determine the outcome of several important questions. How much money should the school district have in its budget next year? How much should it be able to spend on capital projects to improve the schools' facilities? And should the town library

Environment

What a Mess!

Thirty-eight years ago, Christie Kroll and Peter Kirchner bought a little red house on 39 acres directly across from Camp Combe on Peekskill Hollow Road. Although their attorney warned them that living across from a children’s camp could be challenging, they decided they were game. They became regular donors

Government

Regulating Outdoor Events?

What kind of regulation should be required for outdoor community events in Putnam Valley? That is the question raised by a new law proposed by the Town Board, which is holding a public hearing on the subject on April 16th at 6pm. At issue is a proposal unveiled at the

Events

April Events (curated)

April 5th at 7pm - Episode 4 of "The Peekskill Riots", shown at Putnam Valley Library, register here April 5th at 7:30pm - Rob Flax's Boom Chick Trio, performing at Tompkins Corners Cultural Center. Tickets are $25 April 6th at 11am - Community Clothing Swap

Government

New Vote on School Bond Issue

Putnam Valley's Board of Education agreed last night to put a new bond proposal up for consideration at the district's next voting opportunity on May 20th. In January, the board's $14.2 million proposal to support capital improvements at the school district's

Government

Town Updates

Last November, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi announced that to make Putnam Valley more business friendly, the board was creating a Neighborhood Business Committee. In January, after receiving eight applications for the committee's seven seats, the Town Board appointed five residents and allocated the remaining two spots to Town

Fresh Faces, New Energy

Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but over the last few months new leaders have stepped up at several of the town's important organizations. They are not all newcomers to Putnam Valley, but they are new in their leadership roles and they are bringing palpable energy to

Government

County Legislators Turn On Each Other

Four of Putnam County's nine legislators have joined together to publish a scathing critique of the practices and culture currently on display in the Putnam County legislature. The three Republicans and one Democrat accuse their colleagues of engaging in "a pattern of misconduct and self-interest". In

School Board Proposal Defeated

The nays have it. The Putnam Valley Central School District's proposal to float a $14 million bond to finance its capital improvement plan was defeated by a vote of 666 to 624. Opponents waged a fierce campaign against the proposal in the Putnam Valley Voice Facebook group. The

School District Vote on January 28th

Tension is mounting over the vote on Putnam Valley Central School District's bond proposal that is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th. Although the district's administrators have made clear that their proposal for capital improvements will result in no increase in taxes for residents, and state funding

Events

Strengthening Putnam Valley's Schools?

Mark your calendars, folks. On January 28th, most Putnam Valley residents will have an opportunity to shape the future condition of the town's schools. That's when the Putnam Valley Central School District is asking residents who live in its district to vote on a proposed $14

Environment

An End to the Landfill Dispute

For years, Putnam Valley residents have bemoaned the dumping of contaminated landfill at the construction site of the town's Volunteer Fire Department and watched as litigation has dragged on. Resolution may finally be at hand, though not one that will likely bring satisfaction. For a detailed summary of

Government

A Look Back - And Ahead

When asked to summarize how this year went for her, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi was uncharacteristically at a loss for words. After a long pause and obvious consternation, she finally exhaled, saying "2024 was a whirlwind." It certainly started off badly, with the death on January 15th of

Government

How Did Putnam Valley Vote?

You probably think you know already, but the batch of certified election data released last week by the Putnam County Board of Elections reveals some interesting tidbits. Let's start with the trivia item that always seems to surprise people: There continue to be more registered Democrats in Putnam

Government

Making PV More Business Friendly

At this month's Town Board meeting, Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi announced a new initiative designed to encourage more business activity in Putnam Valley. The Town Board proposed a resolution to create a "Neighborhood Business Committee" that would advise on the "creation, enhancement, attraction and retention, marketing

Government

Planning Your Vote

While the national political contest has been omnipresent for at least two years, it's time for Putnam Valley voters to focus on some key local elections we are being asked to decide in November. This week, the Putnam County Board of Elections released its sample ballot, which you

Environment

Seeking Albany's Help

On September 23rd, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi took an important step forward seeking funding support from New York State to help lakeside homeowners defray the cost of replacing their aging septic systems. Supervisor Annabi invited NY State Senator Rob Rolison and NY Assemblyman Matt Slater to join in conversation at

Government

Things are finally heating up!

And no, that isn't a reference to the weather. Putnam Valley sits in one of the most hotly contested Congressional seats in the country. Yet, for the last few months, you wouldn't have known it. But with Democrats energized by their likely new presidential nominee and

Government

Commemorating the Town's Black Cemetery

Putnam Valley residents who were not able to attend the unveiling on Juneteenth of a historic marker for the Larksburg Cemetery missed something special. Deputy County Historian Sallie Sypher gave a detailed account of the history of Sumner Lark, a civil rights lawyer who established the cemetery in the 1920s

Government

New Public Hearing Scheduled

At Wednesday's work session, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi announced that she would be adding a third public hearing to the agenda for the June 19th Town Board meeting. This new hearing will focus on the board's desire to impose a 12-month moratorium on applications for lithium