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 8, 2024
Year in Review 2023
This was a remarkable year for the Village of Warwick. We’ve been awarded a record number of grants, received significant awards and recognition, and have undertaken important Public Works and Administrative projects.
The Village received the New York Planning Federation Comprehensive Plan Award for its recently completed Comprehensive Master Plan. The Awards Committee noted our innovative approach to community outreach and the focus on “middle housing.” The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce awarded the Village with its “Commitment to Community Award” for developing outdoor dining during the COVID-19 crisis. Climate Smart Communities is a Statewide Program that focuses on communities that are committed to developing and sustaining climate-smart practices. The Village is one of the 144 communities statewide to receive Bronze Certification and is the only individual municipality in Orange County. The Village was also given a Momentum Award from the Hudson Regional Council for its work to receive Bronze Certification. Out of the many initiatives have come task forces to further the key aspects of the Comprehensive Plan and Climate Smart Communities Program.
To date the Village has been awarded over three million dollars in grants: from County, State, and Federal sources. A quick synopsis: $250,000 Maple Avenue Pump Station relocation; $960,000 Well#3 Filtration Plant; $15,650 Clerk’s Office Records Inventory and Planning; $108,570 South Street Sidewalk Repair and Accessibility; $600,000 Warwick Skatepark Initiative; $575,770 Lead Service Line Replacement; $30,000 inflow and Infiltration Study; $4,999 August for the Arts; $3,333 “Way to Go Warwick” Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Campaign; $50,000 Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study; $406,167 Comprehensive Planning and Demonstration Project.
The 12-million-dollar wastewater treatment plant upgrade is continuing to move forward. It is a complex project that will be going out for bid this January.
Some of these grants are tied to projects that have been accomplished this year. The South Street sidewalk project included major reconstruction of the sidewalk between Second and Third Street and a new sidewalk established from Lawrence Avenue to Galloway. The Records Management Grant was completed, giving us the ability to remove records that have reached their retention period from our system. The Tourism Grant was used to give greater visibility to August for the Arts. The Pump Station relocation and Well #3 are in the process of going out for bid.
Road repaving this year included: South St. Ext., Church St., Cherry St., Crescent Ave., and Woodside Drive.
The Veteran’s Memorial Park Masterplan has been adopted after a year of intense work done by the Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Plans include new pathways, a new skatepark, pickleball and bocce courts, a pump track, sculpture walk, a dog park, and enhanced public areas.
The Village is now offering a quarterly newsletter as a way of communicating timely news and information. This is directly mailed to Village residents and is available on the Village website.
The Village recently closed on purchasing 75 Main Street, a property adjacent to Village Hall. The plan is to house the Warwick Chamber of Commerce’s office, to develop a visitors center as well as public bathroom facilities. This is a result of growing tourism in our region and the Villages historic and vibrant downtown being a significant draw.
The Village has been working with the owners of a 2-acre parcel adjacent to Lewis Woodlands, a Village Park. The property is an environmentally sensitive area connected to the Wawayanda Stream and Hudson River estuary system. The combined gift and Town PDR transaction will be deeded to the Village.
In the Water Department an AutoPay system has been implemented.
The Shade Tree Commission has had an active year. The Village will be heading towards its 40th year as a Tree City and is the longest-standing growth award recipient in New York State. Cottage Street’s treescape was completely restored and new plantings have occurred in key areas.
The Building and Planning Departments have been going through a major re-organization focusing on meeting rules and procedure as well as identifying code and fee modifications. Other administrative work includes the adoption of a Cash Management policy.
This has been a year of accomplishments because of the work, dedication, and pride of the men and women who serve the residents of the Village of Warwick. It has been teamwork and vision that has helped make this a successful year. This is in essence the foundation for 2024 and we are excited and optimistic about the year to come.
The next Village Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street.
