1997-10-20RESOLUTION
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 the 20th
day of October, 1997, at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Constance 0. Smith, Supervisor, and upon roll being
called, the following were:
PRESENT: Supervisor
Councilpersons
ABSENT: JUNE VISCONTI
Constance 0. Smith
Robert L. Valdati
3 ,seph Rug( -'era
incent Bettina
The following resolution was moved by Councilperson VALDATI and seconded
by Councilperson BETTINA
WHEREAS, the Town of Wappinger endorses and supports the Wappinger Greenway
Trail; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution dated September 29, 1997, the Town Board of the Town of
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Wappinger authorized the Supervisor, Constance O. Smith, to file an application for funds from
the Hudson Valley Greenway to be used for certain improvements to be made to Reese Park,
located in the Town of Wappinger in connection with the "Wappinger Greenway Trail"; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has been advised that there may be further funds available
from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation which also may
be used in connection with the aforementioned improvements to be made at Reese Park; and
WHEREAS, the Town has agreed to undertake certain work in Reese Park in connection
with improvements to the "Wappinger Greenway Trail", a portion of which is located through
Reese Park, more particularly described in the project narrative attached hereto as Exhibit "1":
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. That Constance O. Smith, Supervisor of the Town of Wappinger, is hereby
authorized and directed to file an application for funds from the New York State Office of Parks,
Recreation and Historic Preservation in accordance with the provisions of Title 9 of the
Environmental Protection Act of 1993 and/or Title 3 of the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act,
in an amount not to exceed Three Thousand ($3,000.00) Dollars, and upon approval of said
request to enter into and execute a Project Agreement with the State of New York for such
financial assistance to the Town of Wappinger for the Reese Park Greenway Project.
The question of the adoption of the foregoing Resolution was duly put to a vote on roll
call, which resulted as follows:
CONSTANCE O. SMITH, Supervisor
ROBERT L. VALDATI, Councilperson
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voting AYE
voting AYE
voting ABSENT
JUNE A. VISCONTI, Councilperson
voting AYE
JOSEPH RUGGIERO, Councilperson
voting AYE
VINCENT BETTINA, Cotincilperson
The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted.
Dated: October 2 0 , 1997
Wappingers Falls, New York
ELAINE SNOWDEN, Town Clefk
Town of Wappinger
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TOWN OF WAPPINGER
RECREATION COMMITTEE
P.O. BOX 324 CONSTANCE 0. SMITH
20 MIDDLEBUSH ROAD Supervisor
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. 12590-0324 Telephone: (914) 297-0720
October 13.1997
Protect N arrahve
The Reese Park Projectwiii consist of upgrading the park. trsiis. signage .entrance ;ales &parking facilities
in order to perser✓e tt.e park as a nature area !cr :ducational activities and as a major connecting trail interface for the
Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail link between New York City and Troy New York.
The present area is in need of much wc�,c since its inception, back in the late 1960's as a result _ years of
storm damage.vandalism and lack of daily routine maintenance.
The key focus of work will be the rehabilitation and improvements .such as re-establishing original trails and
marking same. rebuild all footbridges (approx 3), provide gates at the various park entrances with directory signs
identifying park nature interest and the frail linkage with Hudson Valley Greenway Trail network along with the
Audubon Sanctu:ary!ocated along Wappinger Creek.The Greenway, trail interface will allow public access to the
Wappinger Laka,Wappinger Falls. Icwer creek as well as the Hudson Rr.er. in addition it will provide access to the
National Registered Historical District of the Village of Wappinger Falls. 1's parks, library, Mesier Homestead. with
Historic senic ,fere✓ of the Falls which dates back',c the 1300's.
The previous, current and proposed concepts for Reese Park has always been to use d as a Nature study,
park, developing trail networks within and !dent ng all the plant / animal habitat :hut using it as a na.' tool
for the local school system/students and other nature enthusiast of all ages.it is only new that the intera:,,. nos gr Oren
as a resuft of the Greenway Trail expansion, objec:F✓es .whereby we have had guireies by the Dutchess County
Cornell Cooperative Extension Mc yha Cheo Dir. about establishing a high Scheot vater/nature education programs
utilizing Reese ?ark because of it's access to the at ocialed water t butanes to the Hudson R..,er.At present :here
are several Jr. high school teachers looWng into generating such a study program and are looking to establish help
with park develcpment.at present there has been minimal maintenance funds available for this park area do to the
minimal use and park activity exposure , however interest is gaining as a result the parks tie with Hudson Valley
Greenway Trail systems.
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The community/public support has gyred much momentum again resulting from the Greenway trait acidity --- --- - --
around H
aroun ee a ppmger upervmor -on ce m crate pp,rger -- - — --- — —
Greenway committee which is made up of towns iocalbusinessl,rec:eatior, represertatives,and Greenway
--- — - - --
people.therefore- creating more focus / exsposure for the municipals governing body as well as tha the community at
large.
- -- — l tf a 3eveloping ofReese parkTrar resey o he states commrttment for Greenway trail-conitnu
New york City to A.!bar y.Reese Park :will provide one of the missing links in that it will create access to the Hudson "
River bike trails and water on `Alapp,nger Creek Wappinger Creek road Audubon Trail through the Audubon
Sanctuary connecting New Hamburg train station which links New York City and Albany Hudson River Greenway
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At present the Town of Wappinger Supervisor (Constance Smith) has undertaken chairing the Wappinger
Greenway development. in which she has appointed a committee of people from private business(Market St Industrail
Park)T.Ci `N Recr23"or. `r/appjngar Falls Business and Professional As cc..Camr^uni`r Ser✓ices Program
Greenway Representative.with legal and egireering consultants within ,he town municipaity governing ..Bstructure.--- -
_ Volunteer help in many flavors local business FecN1a Boy Scouts. reGrees,and Cam Smith Challenge Ptogra��t. , -
The benefits will be many upon completion of this program providing Nature education the young and old.
it :all allow the connecting and bonding of several communities along Route 9D.1ying together local p4rks.business ..
distncts,recreaticnaf arnenities.historic resources and even a 19 century industrial facility(Market St. Industrial Park)
that has undergone major refit for adaptive reuse.
The Reese Park planning has been renewed with new interest over the past 2 yrs. again as a result of the
Greenway goals and objectives and has resulted in generating applications for other grants for finanical help through
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such orgarcations as DuPont Grennway Agency.and the Greenway Conservancy.
The finanical support for Reese Park at this time is through the Town of Wappinger Recreation Comm.and
includes a small sum for general annual maintenance and is in the amount of about 3. and looking for another 3 k in
kind help plus donation for the next fiscal year.
The park trails presently located within property boundries follow the natural ground and grade contours and
should create no concerns for any regrading any ground disturbance s.The park be provided with electrical security
lights above ground and located on existing poles that were set at the parks original opening .The park upgrade is
consistent with the Greenway criteria as a result of Jeff Anzevino's (Greenway rep.) active participation on our Town of
Wappinger Greenway Committee.
This project is considered Type it ,since there will be no major building structures erected or anything that
will require any ground changes or create potential water pollution rrspact.The major work will to providing trail
markers repair existing footbddges,park signage and addition of entrance gates and therefore see no requirement for
for any permits.