From the Mayor’s Office – Keeping Up Appearances, Community Investment

In the Northeast, we have a window of time to get things done. Major projects consider seasonal changes and challenges. We often hear about building projects that are scheduled to “button things up” before the cold weather arrives. For these reasons, Summer and Fall are very active for the building trades as well with municipal infrastructure projects.

Driving or walking [or biking] through our Village, there is hardly a neighborhood that does not see some construction or maintenance activity. On Main Street scaffolding has been erected and public thoroughfares created as two buildings, the former Chase Bank and the buildings that house Frank’s Pizzeria, the Candy Apple Shop, and Rhinebeck Bank are being worked on – both projects are for extensive exterior work. Multiple façade repainting projects in the Business District have occurred as well in this time period. There are sidewalk projects on Park Way as well as a large municipal sidewalk/handicap accessibility project on South Street. In the early 1900’s Warwick was called “The Village of Homes” which had much to do with the architectural merits of our community but also the pride and maintenance of our diverse neighborhoods. This is clear by the number of house painting and landscape projects throughout.

As I write this, I’m reminded of Clinton Wheeler Wisner, Mayor 1893-1904 who spoke so glowingly about such things. “Warwick is too progressive to be quaint and she strives to be dressed up in her best Sunday gown. What little quaintness we have, we borrow from the architect but by and by the landscape gardener will bring back some of it too.”

It’s not just what we have, it’s how we take care of it. Pride, determination to maintain, beautify, and love of place equate to community investment.

On behalf of the Village Board, I want to thank the building owners and homeowners who are making these important investments. These projects have a ripple effect, making our Village more beautiful and our inherent property value stable.

August for the Arts had its kick-off this past Saturday at Stanley Deming Park. It was a wonderful evening of music, dance, performance and was a sampling of the month ahead. The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival is part of August for the Arts and begins this Wed. August 9th through August 13th. Go to https://www.augustforthearts.com/ and https://www.hudsonvalleyjazzfest.org/ for details.

The next Village Board meeting will take place tonight, Monday, August 7, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street.