With the year drawing to a close, village mayor William Murphy took a few minutes to look back at the good things that have taken place in Saugerties in 2016.
“First I want to recognize Alex Wade for all he’s done for the village, in getting projects started, keeping them on time, and saving us money,” Murphy said. Wade, the village’s former code officer, is in charge of special projects for the village. He writes grants for the village and serves as liaison with the state Department of Transportation on financing for projects in the village. His institutional knowledge of the planning board, zoning board of adjustments, and historic preservation committee has proven invaluable to trustees and board members.
“It’s been a great year in the village,” Murphy enthused. “Things are getting done.” New gas lines throughout the village were recently competed. The Department of Public Works has added bicycle lanes in the village and installed a walkway for students at the high school and middle school. The police and village government have instituted a safer streets program to protect pedestrians.
Saugerties trustees have also helped the village go greener by reducing the village’s carbon footprint. A number of exterior doors and windows have been replaced to reduce the amount of fuel consumed to cool and heat village buildings. “We’ve also replaced a number of old, inefficient boilers at village buildings,” Murphy added.
The village has rejuvenated and upgraded the water plant and wastewater plant, said Murphy. “And work has begun on upgrading the village beach, with a new dock installed and boat launching ramp for canoes, kayakers and boaters on the Esopus Creek above the dam.”
“I’m very pleased in the direction the village is headed in,” summed up the mayor, “and hope for even better things in 2017.”
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