Myers seeks Conservative support
I am writing to encourage Conservative voters to come to the caucus on Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center on Market St.
This is an important election year for Saugerties. This is a real opportunity to set the course and the direction of our local government.
I’m proud to announce many exciting changes have been successfully implemented during my first term:
Our town budget is now posted on the website, a new procurement policy is in place and all contracts are bid out. Interest rates on town bonds/BANS were bid out and significantly reduced. A weekly bill pay system was initiated. A new website is under development to better market all the town has to offer. Town Hall signage has been completed to name our Town Hall after Col. Donlon. Town Economic Development Committee has been revitalized and has a new chairman. A new Tourism Committee was instituted this year. Several staffing reductions were implemented.
We successfully advocated for Ulster County takeover of Safety Net charges. Town health and dental insurance were bid out– saving 6 percent. PILOT was revoked for Dickinson’s Keep. Grant applications were awarded for: community safety, sewer plant upgrades, replacement of water meters containing lead, re-lining rusty water storage tank, and night lighting at Cantine Field to enable minor league and collegiate night play. Funding and bonding was completed so that work could be accomplished to repair 28 roads and bridges after hurricanes destroyed them. We had a well-coordinated response to hurricane and emergency threats.
Upgrades at Senior Center were completed: new outside bench, raised seat in rest room, telephone installed in lobby, new interior paint. Town Hall and Sr. Center are getting upgrades for more accessible entrances this year. Safe sidewalk in front of High School was installed. We closely collaborated with state agencies, towns and Congressman Gibson to protect the Esopus Creek from damage by NYC DEP.
I am asking for your support at the caucus because we have more to do. We need to control costs and make meaningful budget cuts. We need to continue to streamline town government so that taxpayers get the best service possible, and pay the least amount necessary.
Saugerties is a great community, but we all need to be able to afford to live here. We need to provide resources for children to thrive, and then have a place where young people can afford to stay, obtain quality employment and someday raise a family.
We have lots of housing but Saugerties has been known as a “bedroom community” for too long. What we need are good-paying jobs. We have prime development sites, but we need continued marketing to sell Saugerties. The state has tax incentives for businesses, but we need to advertise them better and to help new businesses just getting started. We have identified industrial development corridors but we need the infrastructure in those corridors in place to attract and support business.
There are areas in town that do not have cable access, or access to town water, or access to town sewer or access to natural gas.
There are homeowners and businesses in town that still need help recovering from the devastating effects of hurricanes and floods. I’m currently working with the governor’s office to implement Community Reconstruction Zone planning and development to identify and assist with these projects. There will be several community meetings announced soon. Look for announcements in the newspapers. There are several neighborhoods experiencing blight due to neglected properties. Expect a revised property maintenance law to be presented soon to help get these hot spots cleaned up.
These are the things I’m currently working on. Please come to the Conservative caucus and cast your vote. I want continue to work for you. We’ve got more to do.
Kelly Myers
Saugerties town supervisor
