Greenwood Lake Boards, Roads and Police Changes in Motion
Changes in boards, roads and comprehensive plans are afoot.
By Vera Miller and Jessica Cohen
Much is in flux in Greenwood Lake—on the roads, above the roads and beyond them, as suggested by discussions at the Village of Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees meeting on December 18 and public hearings coming up on Jan.17. Beginning on that date, Village of Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees meetings will change to the third Wednesday of the month from the current third Monday of the month scheduling. The change was approved for 2024 and to continue unless amended.
One initiative that will have a public hearing on Jan. 17 would allow golf carts on Village roads but not state roads. Drivers must have a drivers license, and golf carts would have to be registered, insured, inspected and equipped with lights, signals and seat belts, said Village Clerk Katheleen Holder after the meeting.
“Golf carts would help with parking at events like concerts at the beach,” Holder said.
Also intended to help manage traffic will be speed feedback signs, said Police Chief Adam Eirand. The signs can cost thousands of dollars, but two signs were purchased for $500 each on Facebook Marketplace and are being refurbished by Village employees. They can be moved to different locations to collect data on traffic volume and speed as a basis for responding to residents’ concerns about speeding and other driver behavior.
Eirand also announced New York State Accreditation of the Greenwood Lake Police Department, which only 32 police departments in New York have achieved. Program requirements are intended to enhance a department’s effectiveness.
Another street initiative, emerging from the Greenwood Lake Centennial Committee, was the idea that centennial themed banners could be hung on main roads in town and on both sides of the lake, to alert passersby about the Centennial as well as about local businesses and attractions in Greenwood Lake. Banners would be sponsored by individuals, businesses and associations, or other organizations.Management of the program for the centennial year ending December 31,2024 would be the responsibility of the Centennial Committee. After the end of the year, the program could be handed off to the Village with proceeds from the program going to support the Historical Society or tourism initiatives, as well as the program's ongoing costs.
Also being considered for a place on a Greenwood Lake road is Benjamin Steak House on the site of the old Anton's on the Lake Country Inn, at 7 Waterstone Rd. However, the process for evaluating the proposal could change. A proposal to combine the planning and zoning boards will be the subject of another public hearing on January 17, at 6 p.m.
“Combining the boards would streamline the process, so it’s not held up by either board, and paying two lawyers would not be necessary,” said Holder.
The change would require only one attorney instead of one for each board. The Village of Greenwood Lake attorney also changed recently. John Buckheit, who was Village attorney for 19 years, resigned to become Town of Warwick attorney. The new attorney is Brian Nugent, of Feerick Nugent MacCartney, PLLC, based in South Nyack.
Meanwhile, another Village group is moving into position to act. The formation of a comprehensive planning committee was also announced. Prospective members of the committee, who have signed up to serve, will soon be notified of their appointment.
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