Washingtonville board approves hires, events, contracts and ADA sidewalk upgrades; accepts police grant

The Washingtonville Village Board on Jan. 21 approved a package of resolutions that included hiring two part‑time employees, authorizing the village’s July fireworks display and a beautification grant application, approving a five‑year telephone contract and authorizing ADA sidewalk upgrades at two locations.

Why it matters: The votes set personnel, events and near‑term capital work in motion for the village and put an anticipated $175,000 police grant on the books as additional revenue earmarked for equipment and downtown cameras.

The board voted, 4‑0‑1, to approve a resolution to hire Jose Willow as a part‑time police officer at $28 per hour. The board also approved the employment of Lincoln McCormick as secretary to the planning, zoning and building departments at $22 per hour, with a start date of Jan. 29, 2025.

The board authorized the village’s July 4 fireworks display (rain date July 5) and approved a public‑assembly permit for the Knights of Columbus carnival planned for May 22–26 at Elgin Park, after the board corrected the submitted hours for the application. The fireworks contract was described in the meeting as $9,500 for the fireworks; village staff said they normally apply for an Orange County tourism grant that typically covers about half that cost.

Officials approved a beautification grant application to Greene County Bank for $9,000 to support improvement of E.K. McLaughlin Square and accepted the Washingtonville events committee’s list of 2025 events.

On contracts, the board approved a five‑year agreement with Independent Telecommunications (ITC) for the village telephone system at a monthly cost not to exceed $750.80 after installation.

The board amended a prior dedication resolution (24‑0158) to add street names in the Highgrove subdivision — Highgrove Drive, Hopkins Court and Ambrose Wayde — at the county’s request for the record.

In votes tied to public works, the board approved resolution 25‑0019 to authorize upgrades to sidewalks for ADA compliance specifically at Price Crossing and Route 208 and at West Main Street across from the middle school. During a public comment exchange, staff said the sidewalk work is part of a New York State Department of Transportation project; DOT crews will perform the work and the village will document existing conditions and monitor repairs. Staff said contractors have agreed to seed and repair disturbed turf and that photos would be taken before work begins to note damage if it occurs.

The board also approved resolution 25‑0020 to authorize necessary budget transfers and pay bills of warrant. Officials reported water fund warrants of $82,494.04 and sewer warrants of $18,978.33. The figure reported for the village (A) fund during the meeting was unclear in the record and is listed in the meeting transcript as an unclear spoken figure; board staff said the item represented the two‑week warrant payments for general village operations and will be published with the minutes.

Police department funding and cameras: The police chief told the board the department applied for and was accepted for a grant of $175,000; the chief said the funds will be additional revenue earmarked to purchase equipment (including red‑dot optics) and to add technology/cameras for the downtown area. The chief said the grant funds must be used before September and the department will begin procurement and deployment planning. The board discussed that much of the camera hardware has been delivered, is undergoing bench testing and will be deployed to downtown, Memorial Park and the sewer plant as weather permits.

Other announcements included a comprehensive plan update: staff said the comp plan has been recommended by the planning committee and sent to the county, with zoning items still pending and environmental review outstanding before the board holds a public hearing. Staff also reported that Greenlight Networking has applied to install internet cabling in parts of the village and will notify affected neighborhoods before construction begins.

The meeting ended with a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel; the board voted to move into executive session.

Votes at a glance • Resolution 25‑0015 — Approve employment of Jose Willow as part‑time police officer at $28/hour: approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0016 — Approve employment of Lincoln McCormick as planning board/building department secretary, $22/hour, start Jan. 29, 2025: approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0011 — Authorize Ever Fireworks Display Inc. for July fireworks at Elgin Park (rain date July 5): approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0012 — Authorize beautification grant application to Greene County Bank, $9,000, for E.K. McLaughlin Square: approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0013 — Approve Independent Telecommunications (ITC) telephone system quote not to exceed $750.80/month; 5‑year contract: approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0014 — Report public‑assembly permit for Knights of Columbus carnival, May 22–26, hours corrected on record: approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0017 — Accept Washingtonville events committee list of events for 2025: approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0018 — Amend resolution 24‑0158 to add Highgrove subdivision street names: approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0019 — Authorize ADA sidewalk upgrades at Price Crossing/Route 208 and West Main Street (across from middle school): approved, 4‑0‑1. • Resolution 25‑0020 — Authorize budget transfers/amendments and pay warrants: approved, 4‑0‑1 (water fund warrants $82,494.04; sewer warrants $18,978.33; general/A fund amount unclear in spoken record).

Who spoke (selected) • Presiding official — unnamed (led the meeting, made and called votes). • Police Chief — Police Chief, Washingtonville Police Department (discussed grant, equipment, cameras). • Resident Eric — identified himself as “Eric, Apartment 38, Woodfield” (asked about fireworks costs and police grant impacts on village budget). • Staff member (unnamed) — village staff who described DOT sidewalk project, budget review with state controller’s office and event logistics.

What’s next The board said it will finalize the budget at its Feb. 3 meeting after digesting written comments from the state controller’s office. Staff will publish full warrant lists and meeting minutes with itemized figures and will notify neighborhoods affected by Greenlight Networking construction and upcoming DOT sidewalk work.