Popular Searches
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
Brown wants to finish projects
By Andrew Amelinckx
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Roy Brown, the Republican and Independence Party candidate, is vying for a second term, in order, he said, to finish a number of projects he began in his first term.
These include repairing the town’s sidewalks, expanding the wastewater treatment plant, continuing to enrich the lives of the town’s youth and elderly through various programs and bringing the tax assessment up to 100 percent.
Brown, a lifelong county resident, said that even before he was elected to the town supervisor position he began working on a stalled 1998 plan for repairing the town’s sidewalks funded through a $300,000 state grant.
The funding, he said, was only enough for a small percentage of needed repairs and so he reapplied for the grant securing $1.2 million in 2005.
“Now we’re just waiting for (the Department of Transportation),” he said, adding that they hope to begin the project in early spring.
Another project that Brown is working on is upgrading and expanding the town’s wastewater treatment plant.
“There’s a problem with one pump” he said, “repairs should be completed this week.”
But the bigger issue is expansion.
Brown said he has brought on a pro bono consultant and applied for grants to assist with upgrades for the plant.
The current supervisor also works at continuing to expand programs for young and old alike in Germantown.
His latest project is the reconfiguration of the town’s baseball fields to allow for a soccer field.
“Soccer has become a big thing in Germantown,” he said, adding that the baseball teams have complained that having soccer games on the fields tears them up.
A local engineering firm is helping out for free said Brown.
A new concession stand that will double as sports equipment storage is also planned during the renovation.
Of Livingston pulling out of the town’s park system, he said, that there was talk of them possibly coming back in.
On the property tax front Brown is working to bring assessments up to 100 percent. He said that with the economic recession it was important to due to ensure everyone was “paying their fair share.”
”It’s currently at 67 percent,” he said.
The 2010 budget includes the necessary funding to get it done said Brown.
One of his proudest accomplishments, he said, was creating the Germantown Economic Development Committee, which is focused on bringing new business to Germantown and looking for ways to sustain the businesses currently there.
So far the committee, with the help of local businesses and volunteers, has put up two signs on 9G to identify local businesses in town not located on that thoroughfare.
Another project, provided through a grant, was the institution of gold flags for local businesses. Brown said businesses fly them when they are open to let the public know.
“It seems to be working very well,” said Brown.
Artspace, a venue that both promotes local artists, and brings in customers to surrounding businesses was also a GEDC program.
On the county level, Brown, who was named deputy county chairman in September, defends the purchase of the Ockawamick school last year.
“It proved to be the best at the time,” he said.
The cost of renovating the property, he said, was less costly than building something new.
“It’s not as bad as people make it out to be,” he said.
Brown, who is currently the office manager for Family Eye Care Center, is an Air Force veteran and is heavily involved in local service organizations, from the Germantown Lions’ Club and the town Fire Company to Little League.
These include repairing the town’s sidewalks, expanding the wastewater treatment plant, continuing to enrich the lives of the town’s youth and elderly through various programs and bringing the tax assessment up to 100 percent.
Brown, a lifelong county resident, said that even before he was elected to the town supervisor position he began working on a stalled 1998 plan for repairing the town’s sidewalks funded through a $300,000 state grant.
The funding, he said, was only enough for a small percentage of needed repairs and so he reapplied for the grant securing $1.2 million in 2005.
“Now we’re just waiting for (the Department of Transportation),” he said, adding that they hope to begin the project in early spring.
Another project that Brown is working on is upgrading and expanding the town’s wastewater treatment plant.
“There’s a problem with one pump” he said, “repairs should be completed this week.”
But the bigger issue is expansion.
Brown said he has brought on a pro bono consultant and applied for grants to assist with upgrades for the plant.
The current supervisor also works at continuing to expand programs for young and old alike in Germantown.
His latest project is the reconfiguration of the town’s baseball fields to allow for a soccer field.
“Soccer has become a big thing in Germantown,” he said, adding that the baseball teams have complained that having soccer games on the fields tears them up.
A local engineering firm is helping out for free said Brown.
A new concession stand that will double as sports equipment storage is also planned during the renovation.
Of Livingston pulling out of the town’s park system, he said, that there was talk of them possibly coming back in.
On the property tax front Brown is working to bring assessments up to 100 percent. He said that with the economic recession it was important to due to ensure everyone was “paying their fair share.”
”It’s currently at 67 percent,” he said.
The 2010 budget includes the necessary funding to get it done said Brown.
One of his proudest accomplishments, he said, was creating the Germantown Economic Development Committee, which is focused on bringing new business to Germantown and looking for ways to sustain the businesses currently there.
So far the committee, with the help of local businesses and volunteers, has put up two signs on 9G to identify local businesses in town not located on that thoroughfare.
Another project, provided through a grant, was the institution of gold flags for local businesses. Brown said businesses fly them when they are open to let the public know.
“It seems to be working very well,” said Brown.
Artspace, a venue that both promotes local artists, and brings in customers to surrounding businesses was also a GEDC program.
On the county level, Brown, who was named deputy county chairman in September, defends the purchase of the Ockawamick school last year.
“It proved to be the best at the time,” he said.
The cost of renovating the property, he said, was less costly than building something new.
“It’s not as bad as people make it out to be,” he said.
Brown, who is currently the office manager for Family Eye Care Center, is an Air Force veteran and is heavily involved in local service organizations, from the Germantown Lions’ Club and the town Fire Company to Little League.
Share this Article
 |
 |
|
| Newcomer challenges Germantown supervisor | Guys plead not guilty to felony drug rap |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
