Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Historic Fishkill Building

Written by Anthony P. Musso For the Poughkeepsie Journal. For more check out the papers website at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com or subscribe to it as I do. The large two-story red-brick building at the corner of Main (Route 52) and Bedford streets in the Village of Fishkill has had an interesting history since its construction in 1853. Through the years the building has served as a private residence, a dry-goods store, a bank, headquarters for the Veterans of Foreign War, a courthouse and, for 44 years, Fishkill’s Town Hall. Four years after it was built, its first floor became the base of operation for the National Bank of Fishkill. A second smaller bank, the Fishkill Saving Institute, also rented a portion of the building during that time. The building features 18-inch thick walls and has a mansard roof that was added during the 1870s. While the National Bank of Fishkill would suffer the effects of the post-Civil War depression and go out of business in 1870, the Fishkill Saving Institute prospered, eventually moving a few doors east of its original location and changing its name to Fishkill Savings Bank. Through the years its name would change again to Mid-Hudson Savings and it is now a branch of Wells Fargo. Following the failure of the National Bank the ownership of the building passed to the Dean family in whose possession it remained for many years. Herman Dean, the editor of the Fishkill Weekly Times also operated a dry goods store on the building’s first floor. Dean, whose father was Fishkill’s first postmaster, rented out an apartment on the second floor. “Herman Dean was a familiar sight in the village often navigating its streets peddling a high-wheel bicycle,” said village historian Willa Skinner. “On Sunday afternoons he could be observed riding the bicycle along Albany Post Road (Route 9) with a box of candy under his arm on his way to court a local lady who lived on a farm where the Holiday Inn is located today.” The second-floor apartment was eventually remodeled and used as headquarters for the Veterans of Foreign War . In 1945, the Town of Fishkill purchased the building and it became Town Hall through 1989 when the municipality moved to a new location farther west on Route 52. When the village moved its operation out, Kenneth Davies bought the property and remodeled the interior of the building for his real estate business . The building, now owned by Jordan Leigh, is occupied by Piano Piano, a wine bar and new business opened by Rich and Anne Corbo. “This building just has so much character,” Anne Corbo said. “We built our bar on the spot that the original bank vault once stood.” On April 27, the Fishkill Historical Society will kick off its 50th anniversary with a celebration in the building. On May 19, it will be one of several historic buildings in Fishkill to participate in an open house event. The original iron shutters that date to the building’s use as National Bank of Fishkill still adorn the historic structure, which is located at 1064 Main Street. “Dateline” appears Wednesdays. To suggest a topic, call 845-437-4834. Anthony Musso: railcommute @aol.com. http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20120425/NEWS01/304250017/Dateline-Fishkill-building-home-businesses

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Fishkill Historical Society Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Written by Susan Campriello Poughkeepsie Journal For more check out the papers website www.poughkeepsiejournal.com or subscribe to it as I do. FISHKILL — In 1960, Shirley “Trotsie” Mathews began working to lay the groundwork to form the Fishkill Historical Society and to save the Van Wyck Homestead, which was slated for demolition to make way for a cloverleaf ramp off Interstate 84. The homestead had been requisitioned as a Continental Army “officers headquarters” during the Revolutionary War and was assigned to the Fishkill Supply Depot, and was visited by George Washington, according to the now 50-year-old society. Mathews said the interest she found showed “that the people of Fishkill felt it was worth saving.” The society, which gathers and preserves resources related to Fishkill’s history and the homestead, incorporated in 1962. It begins celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. Joey Cavaccini, a 12-year-old member from Wappinger, will help kick off the celebration by presenting a history of the organization, complete with photographs and interviews with some of the group’s founding members. His presentation will be at 3 p.m. April 29 in Fishkill’s Van Wyck Hall. Cavaccini said he learned through the project the challenges the group faced as it worked to persuade the state Department of Transportation to spare the building. “It was really hard to save the house,” he said. Other planned anniversary events include a kickoff reception Friday at Fishkill’s Piano Piano Wine Bar, a tour of three historic churches and about a dozen historic homes in Fishkill and Beacon in May, a children’s quilting workshop in June and a portrayal of the life of Revolutionary War spy Enoch Crosby in September. Society President Steven Lynch said he set a fundraising goal this year of $50,000. The society spends on average about $21,000 in restoration expenses, insurance, supplies and printing, among other needs, he said, adding that major, and costly, repairs are needed every few years. Mathews wants to see youth involvement in the society increase. “If they don’t get interested (...) there won’t be a future,” she said. More information about the Fishkill Historical Society, along with a list of society events, can be found at www.fishkillhistoricalsociety.org. Susan Campriello: scampriell@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-451-4518, Twitter: @SusanCPJ.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

4/18/2012 Fishkill Town Workshop Meeting

http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/TownBoardAgendas/2012%20Agendas/04-18-2012%20%20TB%20Agenda.pdf

The Brinkerhoff Water District, Rombout Sewer and Dutchess Park Sewer Districts. Will see increases in billing to make up for previous borrowed monies to such districts.

There is a update on the Brinkerhoff connection to Merritt (Toll) water districts. It appears that a 3rd well that was going to be used, which needed a filtration system. Is not going to be needed. This may reduce the cost of the connection.

Monies gained from the dog park, may be dedicated solely to the park. Currently the money is going to the General Fund and being spent.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

4/4/2012 Fishkill Town Board Meeting

http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/TownBoardAgendas/2012%20Agendas/04-04-2012%20TB%20Agenda.pdf

There were 2 Public Hearings

1. The board by a 5-0 margin. Passed Local Law #4 of 2012 to override tax levy cap established in the General Municipal Law 3-c.

2. The board by a 5-0 margin to repeal the "Apprenticeship Law."

A court action was taken, involving the PBA and the town over demotions and promotions. It appears that a stay was granted.

Fireworks at Dutchess Stadium are to end at 10 pm on weekdays and 10:30 on weekends.

K-fest is to end at 8 pm.

The towns Comptroller was replaced without resolution or reason.

The board also affirmed it's desire to obtain waterfront land from a developer. For the purpose of the town applying for a grant to build a bridge to access such property. This will be taxpayer dollars being used to make the developers money.