Due to the snow storm and snow removal there will be no parking on Main Street Until Further Notice
From the Mayor’s Office
January 1, 2023
Refresh, Reboot
A New Year is somewhat of a line of demarcation. Out with the old, in with the new! A moment to reflect and to take stock, a moment to possibly refine or renew – to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, start all over again!
It always sounds easier than the reality of life. If only personal transformation was so simple. The foundation of real change is honesty, realistic goals and hard work. The same goes with organizations and in our case our local government. The best change is from within. It is developing policies and systems that shape us and define our goals.
In the past few years, we have worked internally to examine and to establish policies that strengthen our position as a government that serves for the betterment of our community. In part that’s the construct and result of observation and listening. Those are two factors that often are lost and we recognize that they are the most valuable way of developing a healthy and balanced community as well as effective municipal governance.
We have many goals for the coming year.
The Board will begin the process of creating committees to implement action items in our newly approved Comprehensive Master Plan.
The Veteran’s Memorial Park Master Plan Committee will continue to examine and help create a new plan for the future of this beloved green space.
We will begin partnerships with organizations, both grassroots and formal, for a series of listening sessions to better understand the needs of the community.
The Village has garnered enough points to apply for Climate Smart Communities Bronze Level Certification. If awarded, the Village of Warwick will be the first individual municipality in Orange County to achieve such certification. The CSC Task Force involved in this achievement will continue to encourage activities and implement programs that are proactive toward climate smart stewardship.
The Village Board has been investigating the issue of traffic calming and pedestrian and public safety on many levels. We have engaged the NYSDOT and are pursuing Federal and State funding.
The Board is reviewing policies involving Short Term Rentals, Film Productions, and Ethics as well as pursuing status as a Certified Local Government. Some other initiatives include:
- Pursuing a NYS Archives Local Government Records Management Improvements Fund Grant to develop a strategy, formalize policies and procedures and map technology infrastructure for managing records.
- Applying for Bridge NY funding to replace culverts on Wheeler and Memorial Park Drive.
- LED Streetlight project with projected installation in late 2023.
- Installation of EV Charging Station, Spring Street lot.
- South Street ADA compliant sidewalk renovation between Second and Third Street.
- Awarded Grants: WIIA Grant for watershed protection and LoCAP Grant for relocation of the Maple Avenue Water Pump Station.
- Updates to Alarm Systems and False Alarm code.
Beyond all this activity is our continued efforts and focus on our water and sewer infrastructure, including the Wastewater Plant Renovation Project and the rehabilitation of Well #3.
We have an ambitious calendar and many goals. Most importantly, these initiatives have come from the community and it’s that community voice and interest that drives and inspires the Board.
I’m looking forward to this New Year and all that it has to offer and all that we can do together.
On behalf of the Village Board of Trustees, the Village Administrative Staff and the Department of Public Works I wish you and your family a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
