2025-602025-60
Resolution For Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway
Nomination
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on March 10,
2025.
The meeting was called to order by Joseph D. Cavaccini, Town Supervisor, and upon roll
being called, the following was recorded:
✓ Vote Record - Resolution RES -2025-60
Yes/Aye
No/Nay
Abstain
Absent
2 Adopted
❑ Adopted as Amended
Joseph D. Cavaccini
Voter
2
❑
❑
❑
❑ Defeated
William H. Beale
Voter
2
❑
❑
❑
❑ Tabled
Angela Bettina
Voter
2
❑
❑
❑
❑ Withdrawn
Christopher Phillips
Mover
2
❑
❑
❑
Al Casella
Seconder
2
❑
❑
❑
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Phillips and seconded by
Casella.
WHEREAS, the historic qualities of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic
Byway, as described in the corridor management plan, and the surrounding areas have been
appreciated and celebrated for over a century by the residents of New York State, as well as
tourists, historians, artists, authors, and other visitors to the region; and it is this unique
combination of the journeys of Harriet Tubman and those Freedom Seekers who traveled on the
Underground Railroad that create the special sense of place that is vital in telling the New York
story of the human desire for freedom and the historic sites they created during their journey to
emancipation; and
WHEREAS, the Steering Committee of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York
Scenic Byway, composed of representatives of 22 municipalities along the proposed scenic
byway route, committed to work cooperatively to protect and promote the historic, scenic,
recreational, and economic well-being of the 544 -mile Corridor throughout the state and agreed
to pursue the nomination of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway;
and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York
Scenic Byway Steering Committee, each of the 22 municipalities contributed to the development
of this corridor management plan by forming local byway groups, encouraging public
participation, and leading individual meetings of the Collaborative; and
WHEREAS, the Advisory Committee of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York
Scenic Byway, consisting of relatives of Harriet Tubman, descendants of Freedom Seekers,
Harriet Tubman and/or Underground Railroad historians, representatives from state and federal
agencies has strengthened the historic integrity, representation, and the principles of the
corridor management plan; and
WHEREAS, in the process of developing this corridor management plan, the Harriet Tubman
Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway Steering Committee has strengthened the
bonds of inter -municipal cooperation, and the involved entities envision further benefit through
scenic byway designation including sustained collaborative progress, increased funding
opportunities for recommendations identified in the plan, enhanced partnerships with agencies
responsible for the stewardship of resources along and adjacent to the byway route, and an
improved transportation experience that preserves, interprets, and promotes the corridor's
intrinsic qualities and resources; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger
supports the designation of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway
which includes programs for stewardship and enhancement of the scenic byway and guidance
to manage future activities along its corridor; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger confirms that
they will not approve any requests for new off -premise outdoor advertising signs along the
designated Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Scenic Byway route; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger will work in
partnership with the other municipalities along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New
York Scenic Byway and local and regional stakeholders in order to support future Byway
program development and collaborate with these interested entities to explore opportunities for
cooperation and methods to advance the Scenic Byway.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows
RESULT:
ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:
Christopher Phillips, Councilman
SECONDER:
Al Casella, Councilman
AYES:
Cavaccini, Beale, Bettina, Phillips, Casella
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
3/10/2025
The Resolution is hereby duly declared Adopted.
JOSEM, ,P. PAOLONI, TOWN CLERK