A Review of 2011
In review of 2011 the Village of Greenwood Lake accomplished many of its goals, reached successful conclusion of others and continue the planning for projects for the future.
The year started off with the selection of our Citizen of the Year Mr. Walter Andrews. Walter, a very humble and unassuming individual, has volunteered years of his time and energy to guide numerous young men through the goals of scouting.
Planning began to become more sustainable in growing and sharing fresh produce in Greenwood Lake. The Greenwood Lake Community Garden Project under the direction of Community members Gregg and Elka Noll took shape in January. We opened our first Village Community Garden in the spring to the delight of all who participated. Look for information on our 2012 Garden coming soon!
As the snow falls and we shiver from the cold our budget team worked to bring in the 2011/2012 Village budget. Over the five years of my administration, through hard work and forward thinking we have presented an average budget increase of 1.48%. Even with the unfunded mandates from the State and annual increases in pension and health insurance costs we have not cut any of our essential services. Through our village property taxes we provide for health and safety by the existence of a full time police department, we supply garbage and recycling service, proper roads and drainage, recreation and beautification to all our community members. In 2012 we will seek to assure the continued high level of service that we have attained, while holding a level tax base.
In Greenwood Lake effective management of stormwater runoff and protection of our lake is a priority. We are continually looking for grant opportunities to implement our goals. In the spring of 2011 we were awarded our second New York State Green Innovative Grant. This grant award, a joint project with the Greenwood Lake Public Library of $560,000, will allow us to remove the asphalt parking area in the park n ride/library parking lot and replace it with designs and technologies to control stormwater as well as beautify this space. We also received a New York DEC Grant in the amount of $150,000 to make stormwater improvements in two strategic areas to prevent sedimentation and pollution from entering the lake.
Our lake community has so much to offer. We are fortunate to have such a diverse landscape of steep slopes and shimmering lake to hike, boat, or just take a passive moment to view from our beautiful Waterfront Park or your own backyard. Because of our location the Village of Greenwood Lake was selected to be the backdrop for a major motion picture. This film directed by Rob Reiner and starring Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen started production in the summer. With star sightings and local residents taking center stage the Village was turned into a little Hollywood with daily excitement for all to witness. We hear the movie editing is going well with a summer 2012 opening!
As the movie trucks moved out, in came Hurricane Irene. The Village of Greenwood Lake took the time to have proper preparation for the storm in cooperation with outstanding local agencies before, during and after the storm. Our flooding issues came from the intensity of the volume of water rushing from the highlands and the high water level of the lake itself. We are still working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Greenwood Lake Commission to solve this issue so we will not be impacted in the future.
Just as we have cleaned up from the hurricane, attended FEMA meetings, filled out numerous forms and await the findings, the snow began to fall. That surprise October snowstorm caused more power outages and destruction in the community then Irene.
In storms of this magnitude an evacuation center had to be established in the Village. I can not say enough about the kindness and volunteer spirit of the Greenwood Lake American Legion Post who opened their doors in both storm events to house and feed the people of our community and those from the Town of Tuxedo.
Every year our community suffers the loss of members we hold dear. We will miss these major contributors to our community’s history;
Mr. Brian Bennett
Mayor Marty Yannitty
Edmund “Ted” Ryerson
Village Historian Ross Miller
Mrs. Marie Smith
I wish to acknowledge the service and talent of our Village Administrative Staff, Police Department, Dispatchers, DPW Crew, Buildings and Grounds and the members of our Zoning and Planning Boards. Along with a special thank you to our volunteer agencies, the Greenwood Lake Fire District and Greenwood Lake Ambulance Corps for their efforts to be there for the community in a time of need. Many thanks and appreciation to the non profit, civic and fraternal organizations that provide outstanding community services and help to make Greenwood Lake a great place to live.
So as 2011 comes to an end and the New Year begins my pledge is to continue to provide professional management of our community. We will continue to focus on economic continuity and development and continue to improve our established policies and programs. Bust most importantly we strive to protect and serve the interest of all our Village residents.
Wishing all of the residents of our Village and our community neighbors a joyful, healthy and prosperous 2012.
