Rendering of "The Hive" (33-35 Academy Street)
 

Mayor Rob Rolison said, “These latest grant awards demonstrate that New York State recognizes the upward trajectory of the City of Poughkeepsie.  Momentum and interest in our city continues to build, and we are seeing increasing private investment such as The Hive coming into downtown as well as other areas of the city.  For our part, the city is increasingly focused on sustainability and protecting the environment, such as through green infrastructure improvements to our downtown parking lots.  These two projects complement each other and demonstrate what can happen when the public and private sectors work together toward common goals.”

Mayor Rob Rolison announces the appointment of Scott L. Volkman who was rated “highly qualified” by the Judicial Screening committee, to serve as a City of Poughkeepsie Court Judge.  Scott L. Volkman will fill the vacancy created by the mandatory retirement of Judge Thomas J. O’Neill on January 1, 2019.    
 
Scott Volkman is an attorney and a lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie. He graduated from the University at Albany with a BA in political Science in 1982 and received his Juris Doctor from the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law in 1985. 
 
Scott was admitted to the Bar in 1986 and joined the firm of Quartararo and Quartararo in 1988, which merged with the firm of Gellert and Klein in 2002.  In 2013, he became Of Counsel for the law firm of Stenger, Roberts, Davis and Diamond LLP.  Scott has served as the Town Attorney for the Towns of Pleasant Valley, Amenia and Pawling, and as Counsel to the Dutchess County Legislature since 2003.
 
A longstanding public servant and community volunteer, Scott served on the City of Poughkeepsie common council for 10 years and served on the Board of Directors for organizations such as the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Inc., Half Moon Theatre, Poughkeepsie Industrial Development Agency and The Poughkeepsie Urban Renewal Agency.  He is a member of the N.Y.S. Bar Association and the Dutchess County Bar Association. 
 
Mayor Rolison said, “Scott brings to the bench a keen intellect and over thirty years of legal experience deeply rooted in trial practice.  Scott is well versed in the rules of evidence and the practical application of specific rules related to both Civil and Criminal Law.  Throughout his career Scott has shown himself to possess the character and temperament necessary in managing a courtroom and varied caseload.  We are very fortunate he has accepted the position, and know he will serve the City and its residents well..” 
 
“On the other side of this appointment”, continues Rolison, “we are saying farewell to a compassionate and understanding Judge, Tom O’Neill.  In appointing Tom in 2016, I saw an individual with wisdom, decency, impartiality and respect for persons on both sides of the bench.  Tom will return to private practice and looks forward to assisting those afflicted with opioid addiction.  We wish him the best of luck and much success.”

LWRP Public Workshop Recap

On December 5th, 2018, the City of Poughkeepsie hosted the first public information workshop for the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) update. Attendees heard about the LWRP program, what goes into the document itself, possible expansion of the LWRP boundary, and had an opportunity to ask questions and speak with experts about their vision for the waterfront and about specific challenges, opportunities and new ideas or priorities.

The presentation can be viewed here. Boards and visual aids used during the presentation can be viewed here.

The next public workshop will be held in February 2019.  Stay tuned for specific date, time and location details!

Clearing Snow from Fire Hydrants

During a fire, the fire department must quickly locate and gain access to the nearest fire hydrant. If a fire hydrant is buried by snow, valuable time must be spent digging it out. Remember, water is the main tool firefighters use to extinguish fires. Delays in locating and connecting to the fire hydrant could hamper fire suppression, thereby increasing the risk of injury and additional property damage.

When shoveling your driveway and sidewalk, please remove the snow from around the fire hydrant common to your home or property. Clearing the snow around the hydrant and shoveling a path to it from the street will give the Fire Department the access they need.

Consider helping a friend, a neighbor with a medical condition, or a neighbor who is elderly by shoveling out the hydrant in front of their home. This act of kindness will benefit the entire neighborhood.
 
Under the Codes of the City of Poughkeepsie there is a responsibility of the owner/lessee of property fronting a hydrant to maintain the area clear around the hydrant. Failure to clear and keep clear a hydrant may result in a $100 fine or more.

The City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department and Public Works Department would like to thank you in advance for helping to keep hydrants clear of snow, which helps make our communities safer!