Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Fishkill Revolution War/Burial Ground story
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, New York’s Revolutionary War-era Fishkill Supply Depot historic archaeological district represents one of the least understood threatened cultural landscapes in the nation.
Established by General George Washington, the Fishkill Supply Depot thrived as a sophisticated military city center for the bulk of the Revolutionary War. The self-contained establishment—one of the most extensive of its time—functioned as a small city and the site of one of the largest early military cemeteries in the nation. In spite of its great historical significance, in the latter half of the 20th century, rapid suburbanization obscured its stories and threatened its preservation. While the heart of the complex remained, much of the cultural landscape was sacrificed for commercial development. Currently, two essential open space properties at the heart of the Depot Complex are at risk of further development.
In the town of Fishkill, several miles from the Hudson River and surrounded by the Hudson Highlands, lies the physical space that defines the Fishkill Supply Depot. Stretching over more than 70 acres on both sides of the heavily trafficked Route 9 in Fishkill and trimmed by Interstate 84, a portion of the site is now home to the Dutchess Mall, built in the early 1970s and a Hess gasoline station, built in the 1990s. Although it remains true that aspects of the site have been impacted by prior commercial development, critical areas of this historic landscape remain, and are now threatened with a fresh round of development.
History
Established by command of General George Washington in 1776, thousands of Continental troops, Militia, and their families, resided at the Depot complex until April 1783, five months before the Treaty of Paris was signed ending the Revolutionary War. Funded by the Continental Congress, this military “nerve center” matured into the central and most extensive Northern military logistical center for munitions and war supplies of all types. The highest level of American technology was in action at the Fishkill Supply Depot. Simultaneously, it was home to a medical complex, a prison facility, powder magazines, store houses, artillery park and numerous artisan workshops—as well as residences for officers and barracks for thousands of soldiers during the fight for independence. Although under British surveillance, the Depot was never attacked. Its stalwart position in the Hudson River Valley prevented enemy advances. General George Washington stated the war would simply not have been won without the Fishkill Supply Depot.
Although the Depot itself was never under fire, hundreds—likely thousands, perished there. War wounds, hypothermia, dysentery, and small pox were leading causes of death. Periods of starvation were also endured by troops during the Depot's seven years of service.
In the 1960s and 1970s archaeological excavations helped bring attention to the Fishkill Depot property. These surveys helped spur the restoration of the officer’s headquarters—the Van Wyck Homestead—by the Fishkill Historical Society. The restored structure is now home to the Van Wyck Homestead Museum.
In the Spring of 2006, as plans for further commercial development were gathering steam, local historians and activists banded together to advocate for permanent protection of the properties within the Fishkill Supply Depot historic district. The first step taken by the group, now known as Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot, was to lobby for further archaeological review of the endangered acres. Through extensive study of previous archaeological reports, it became clear that the undeveloped acres contained important unrecorded archaeological resources. Previous cultural resource management surveys had recommended these properties simply be written off and developed. Signatories of a petition calling for further review, included archaeologists, historians, environmentalists, and concerned citizens throughout the country. The group’s advocacy work, pressing for further study proved successful and further archaeological work was conducted with a refined methodology geared to Revolutionary War military sites.
It was during this final round of testing that a significant archaeological discovery was made on the grounds of the Fishkill Supply Depot—on one of the parcels primed for commercial retail development. Archaeologists working closely with the New York State Office of Historic Preservation’s archaeological program analyst, uncovered part of a large soldiers’ burial ground. Evidence indicates the presence of hundreds of graves, a monumental discovery, as the exact placement of one of the nation’s first and largest identified military cemeteries known to exist in the area has eluded historians and archaeologists for decades. Current research suggests that this is the largest Continental Army Burial Complex identified in our country’s history.
Threat
The at-risk properties within the boundaries of the Fishkill Supply Depot historic archaeological district are currently for sale or under private ownership. Their fate remains unclear. Senator Charles Schumer has been leading the preservation efforts in D.C. and has vowed to protect the historic lands of the Depot and the Continental Army Burial Complex as a sacred place of national memory. However, unless funding is secured and these properties are permanently taken off the market, the threat to this cultural landscape remains.
Get Involved
If you or your organization would like to contribute resources to protect the endangered lands of the Fishkill Supply Depot, please send an e-mail to info@fishkillsupplydepot.org, or write directly to: Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot, PO Box 311, Fishkill, NY 12524. Volunteers are also encouraged to get involved in a range of research activities and events held throughout the year.
Letters advocating permanent protection of the historic lands of the Fishkill Supply Depot can either be mailed to: Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot at the address above or e-mailed to info@fishkillsupplydepot.org.
Resources
Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot
The Dutchess Historian
Hudson Valley Times Article
USA Today Article
Senator Charles E. Schumer Press Release
Baumann Photography
About the Author:
Mara Farrell is co-founder of the historic preservation advocacy group, Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot, and owner of Mara Farrell Communications based in Beacon, New York.
http://tclf.org/landslides/fishkill-supply-depot-threatened
Link contains pictures.
Established by General George Washington, the Fishkill Supply Depot thrived as a sophisticated military city center for the bulk of the Revolutionary War. The self-contained establishment—one of the most extensive of its time—functioned as a small city and the site of one of the largest early military cemeteries in the nation. In spite of its great historical significance, in the latter half of the 20th century, rapid suburbanization obscured its stories and threatened its preservation. While the heart of the complex remained, much of the cultural landscape was sacrificed for commercial development. Currently, two essential open space properties at the heart of the Depot Complex are at risk of further development.
In the town of Fishkill, several miles from the Hudson River and surrounded by the Hudson Highlands, lies the physical space that defines the Fishkill Supply Depot. Stretching over more than 70 acres on both sides of the heavily trafficked Route 9 in Fishkill and trimmed by Interstate 84, a portion of the site is now home to the Dutchess Mall, built in the early 1970s and a Hess gasoline station, built in the 1990s. Although it remains true that aspects of the site have been impacted by prior commercial development, critical areas of this historic landscape remain, and are now threatened with a fresh round of development.
History
Established by command of General George Washington in 1776, thousands of Continental troops, Militia, and their families, resided at the Depot complex until April 1783, five months before the Treaty of Paris was signed ending the Revolutionary War. Funded by the Continental Congress, this military “nerve center” matured into the central and most extensive Northern military logistical center for munitions and war supplies of all types. The highest level of American technology was in action at the Fishkill Supply Depot. Simultaneously, it was home to a medical complex, a prison facility, powder magazines, store houses, artillery park and numerous artisan workshops—as well as residences for officers and barracks for thousands of soldiers during the fight for independence. Although under British surveillance, the Depot was never attacked. Its stalwart position in the Hudson River Valley prevented enemy advances. General George Washington stated the war would simply not have been won without the Fishkill Supply Depot.
Although the Depot itself was never under fire, hundreds—likely thousands, perished there. War wounds, hypothermia, dysentery, and small pox were leading causes of death. Periods of starvation were also endured by troops during the Depot's seven years of service.
In the 1960s and 1970s archaeological excavations helped bring attention to the Fishkill Depot property. These surveys helped spur the restoration of the officer’s headquarters—the Van Wyck Homestead—by the Fishkill Historical Society. The restored structure is now home to the Van Wyck Homestead Museum.
In the Spring of 2006, as plans for further commercial development were gathering steam, local historians and activists banded together to advocate for permanent protection of the properties within the Fishkill Supply Depot historic district. The first step taken by the group, now known as Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot, was to lobby for further archaeological review of the endangered acres. Through extensive study of previous archaeological reports, it became clear that the undeveloped acres contained important unrecorded archaeological resources. Previous cultural resource management surveys had recommended these properties simply be written off and developed. Signatories of a petition calling for further review, included archaeologists, historians, environmentalists, and concerned citizens throughout the country. The group’s advocacy work, pressing for further study proved successful and further archaeological work was conducted with a refined methodology geared to Revolutionary War military sites.
It was during this final round of testing that a significant archaeological discovery was made on the grounds of the Fishkill Supply Depot—on one of the parcels primed for commercial retail development. Archaeologists working closely with the New York State Office of Historic Preservation’s archaeological program analyst, uncovered part of a large soldiers’ burial ground. Evidence indicates the presence of hundreds of graves, a monumental discovery, as the exact placement of one of the nation’s first and largest identified military cemeteries known to exist in the area has eluded historians and archaeologists for decades. Current research suggests that this is the largest Continental Army Burial Complex identified in our country’s history.
Threat
The at-risk properties within the boundaries of the Fishkill Supply Depot historic archaeological district are currently for sale or under private ownership. Their fate remains unclear. Senator Charles Schumer has been leading the preservation efforts in D.C. and has vowed to protect the historic lands of the Depot and the Continental Army Burial Complex as a sacred place of national memory. However, unless funding is secured and these properties are permanently taken off the market, the threat to this cultural landscape remains.
Get Involved
If you or your organization would like to contribute resources to protect the endangered lands of the Fishkill Supply Depot, please send an e-mail to info@fishkillsupplydepot.org, or write directly to: Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot, PO Box 311, Fishkill, NY 12524. Volunteers are also encouraged to get involved in a range of research activities and events held throughout the year.
Letters advocating permanent protection of the historic lands of the Fishkill Supply Depot can either be mailed to: Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot at the address above or e-mailed to info@fishkillsupplydepot.org.
Resources
Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot
The Dutchess Historian
Hudson Valley Times Article
USA Today Article
Senator Charles E. Schumer Press Release
Baumann Photography
About the Author:
Mara Farrell is co-founder of the historic preservation advocacy group, Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot, and owner of Mara Farrell Communications based in Beacon, New York.
http://tclf.org/landslides/fishkill-supply-depot-threatened
Link contains pictures.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
3/9/2011 Fishkill Town Board Meeting
Meeting began with a moment of silence for retired Legislator Ballo who passed away last week.
Big news was the Consent Orders/Judgements that will result in lower taxes for the following properties.
RPA Associates
Stadium Plaza
Chelsea Waterfront
Wingate
Wachovia
We will not know the chargeback to Fishkill until November. These properties bring alot of tax dollars in.
The Town will be taking possesion on the Wal-Mart pumping station. What's unique about this. Is that the electric service is on the same panel as the traffic lights.
Also, it was mentioned that Villages are allowed to use the old level election machines.
Big news was the Consent Orders/Judgements that will result in lower taxes for the following properties.
RPA Associates
Stadium Plaza
Chelsea Waterfront
Wingate
Wachovia
We will not know the chargeback to Fishkill until November. These properties bring alot of tax dollars in.
The Town will be taking possesion on the Wal-Mart pumping station. What's unique about this. Is that the electric service is on the same panel as the traffic lights.
Also, it was mentioned that Villages are allowed to use the old level election machines.
Monday, January 10, 2011
January 5th, 2011 Fishkill Re-Organization Meeting
http://www.fishkill-ny.gov/pdfs/TownBoardAgendas/2011Agendas/01-05-11%20TB%20Agenda.pdf
The 5th was Fishkill's re-organization meeting. This is the yearly meeting where professional services are hired by the town for the year.
The town went to Spain Insurance for it's coverage after many years of service with Brinkerhoff Insurance. The savings is $60,000 yearly. Mr. Brinkerhoff passed away last year at a early age.
Councilman LaColla was involved in a spirited debate over the re-newal of the Wladis Law Firm. http://wladislawfirm.com/ The law firm stated that it saved the town $600,000, after the town spent $400,000 on it's services. LaColla mentioned that a application was pulled by the town, which was re-submitted by Wladis, for the Rombout Sewer District. LaColla indicated that the town was going to recieve the grant without Wladis assistance. LaColla and Councilman Callahan voted no on the re-hiring.
Councilman LaColla then requested that the town hold it's meeting in the evening so resident's could attend, as Fishkill is the only local in Dutchess that holds it's meetings in the morning. Supervisor Pagones shot that idea down.
The 5th was Fishkill's re-organization meeting. This is the yearly meeting where professional services are hired by the town for the year.
The town went to Spain Insurance for it's coverage after many years of service with Brinkerhoff Insurance. The savings is $60,000 yearly. Mr. Brinkerhoff passed away last year at a early age.
Councilman LaColla was involved in a spirited debate over the re-newal of the Wladis Law Firm. http://wladislawfirm.com/ The law firm stated that it saved the town $600,000, after the town spent $400,000 on it's services. LaColla mentioned that a application was pulled by the town, which was re-submitted by Wladis, for the Rombout Sewer District. LaColla indicated that the town was going to recieve the grant without Wladis assistance. LaColla and Councilman Callahan voted no on the re-hiring.
Councilman LaColla then requested that the town hold it's meeting in the evening so resident's could attend, as Fishkill is the only local in Dutchess that holds it's meetings in the morning. Supervisor Pagones shot that idea down.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Senior Center News
According to reliable inside sources. The Town of Fishkill Senior Center will be short around $30,000 this month. This will have significant impact as Fishkill is already broke and all revenue is needed to pay bills.
Also note that the Senior Center was bonded out for $3.6 million. So far it has been paid for using development fees, called the Parkland Trust Fund. According to the Fishkill Comptroller, there is about 2 years left of payments in that trust. As development dwindles in Fishkill, it appears that Fishkill Fishkill residents will be on the hook for those payments very soon.
Note: Fishkill's energy bills have went from $150,000 to $300,000. This is clearly in part of the new Senior Center. It was built to use electric for heating and cooling. There is also no back up generators, and cannot be used for a emergency shelter. This was built using bad planning.
Just think of all the money that could have been saved using Geo-Thermal energy.
Also note that the Senior Center was bonded out for $3.6 million. So far it has been paid for using development fees, called the Parkland Trust Fund. According to the Fishkill Comptroller, there is about 2 years left of payments in that trust. As development dwindles in Fishkill, it appears that Fishkill Fishkill residents will be on the hook for those payments very soon.
Note: Fishkill's energy bills have went from $150,000 to $300,000. This is clearly in part of the new Senior Center. It was built to use electric for heating and cooling. There is also no back up generators, and cannot be used for a emergency shelter. This was built using bad planning.
Just think of all the money that could have been saved using Geo-Thermal energy.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Fishkill 2011 Budget voted on 11/6/2010
On November 6th, 2011, I attended the Fishkill town board meeting regarding the 2011 budget. I believe the following should interest Fishkill taxpayers. The Tax Rate increased from 1.26 for 2010 to 1.44 for 2011. A overall Tax Rate increase of 14.87% and a overall 45% Tax Rate increase for 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Based on lower assessments, Fishkill claims it to be a Actual Value increase of 9.89%. Note that Fishkill used the Tax Rate, to claim tax decreases from 1997-2007.
Fishkill continues to transfer funds from water, sewer and lighting districts to the General Funds, to balance the budget. The Comptroller stated that the money owed to those districts is $3.3 million. The NYS Comptroller, in it's audit. Recomends against such practice. As Fishkill is unable to repay such funds, within the fiscal year as required.
Most important, is that Fishkill will continue to use Bond Anticipation Notes to balance the budget. For next year Fishkill will bond out $1.8 million, which is about 20% of Fishkill's 2011 budget. The interest on this, will add to the deficit, the amount of $66,000 a year. This also does not include the percent that is loaned from the above special districts. Thus, the percent loaned and or borrowed to balance the 2011 budget is greater that 20%. Councilman LaColla, indicated that the BAN may have to go up another million to $2.8 million.
I asked the Comptroller what the Tax Rate increase would be without the $1.8 million bond and he stated 45%.
Vote: Supervisor Pagones, Councilman Ferguson and Councilwoman Malvorosa YES. Councilman LaColla NO, Councilman Callahan excused for funeral.
As a side note, Judge Pagones, led a large clapping cheer in support of his wife, Supervisor Pagones. This is contrary to the law created by Supervisor Pagones, that makes clapping illegal at town board meetings.
Fishkill continues to transfer funds from water, sewer and lighting districts to the General Funds, to balance the budget. The Comptroller stated that the money owed to those districts is $3.3 million. The NYS Comptroller, in it's audit. Recomends against such practice. As Fishkill is unable to repay such funds, within the fiscal year as required.
Most important, is that Fishkill will continue to use Bond Anticipation Notes to balance the budget. For next year Fishkill will bond out $1.8 million, which is about 20% of Fishkill's 2011 budget. The interest on this, will add to the deficit, the amount of $66,000 a year. This also does not include the percent that is loaned from the above special districts. Thus, the percent loaned and or borrowed to balance the 2011 budget is greater that 20%. Councilman LaColla, indicated that the BAN may have to go up another million to $2.8 million.
I asked the Comptroller what the Tax Rate increase would be without the $1.8 million bond and he stated 45%.
Vote: Supervisor Pagones, Councilman Ferguson and Councilwoman Malvorosa YES. Councilman LaColla NO, Councilman Callahan excused for funeral.
As a side note, Judge Pagones, led a large clapping cheer in support of his wife, Supervisor Pagones. This is contrary to the law created by Supervisor Pagones, that makes clapping illegal at town board meetings.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Recent decisions in Fishkill "chilling" November 3, 2010
Letter published in todays Southern Dutchess News
Last week the paper covered two very important stories in Fishkill. The first was the front page story about how Supervisor Pagones passed a resolution thjat makes it harder for a councilperson to place a item on the agenda. At the meeting, which I attended, Pagones clearly showed her displeasure when a councilman dared to question how $320,000 of taxpayer money was spent, in regard to payments made to a Syracuse law firm. For those that don't know, that firm was hired to apply for grants to cover the massive debt in Fishkill. As of now, not one grant has been recieved due to his work, during a nine month period. As we all know, Fishkill is at least $4.9 million in debt. Highway equipment has broken down. Police cars are running well over 100,000 miles and basic needs such as road flares and paper products are lacking. But Pagones found $320,000 to pay lawyers up front, while town employees and residents are left with scraps. Pagones also indicated that the rule was put in place to prevent a filibuster. Well, why would you need that rule when the board is 5-0 Republican? We all know the reason and it's truly "chilling."
The next story, on page two, was about the budget. In that story, Pagones created a "finance committee," consiting of herself and councilpersons Malvarosa and Ferguson, the same exact people that that put us $4.9 million in debt. This is contrary to law, which requires a public meeting if a "quorum" is met. In this case three out of the five board members present. But as Fishkill residents know, rules never stopped Pagones from doing what she wants.
Last week the paper covered two very important stories in Fishkill. The first was the front page story about how Supervisor Pagones passed a resolution thjat makes it harder for a councilperson to place a item on the agenda. At the meeting, which I attended, Pagones clearly showed her displeasure when a councilman dared to question how $320,000 of taxpayer money was spent, in regard to payments made to a Syracuse law firm. For those that don't know, that firm was hired to apply for grants to cover the massive debt in Fishkill. As of now, not one grant has been recieved due to his work, during a nine month period. As we all know, Fishkill is at least $4.9 million in debt. Highway equipment has broken down. Police cars are running well over 100,000 miles and basic needs such as road flares and paper products are lacking. But Pagones found $320,000 to pay lawyers up front, while town employees and residents are left with scraps. Pagones also indicated that the rule was put in place to prevent a filibuster. Well, why would you need that rule when the board is 5-0 Republican? We all know the reason and it's truly "chilling."
The next story, on page two, was about the budget. In that story, Pagones created a "finance committee," consiting of herself and councilpersons Malvarosa and Ferguson, the same exact people that that put us $4.9 million in debt. This is contrary to law, which requires a public meeting if a "quorum" is met. In this case three out of the five board members present. But as Fishkill residents know, rules never stopped Pagones from doing what she wants.
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