Town of Stony Point Board Awards Outstanding Residents, Gives Go-ahead to Farmers’ Market and Rolls Out Red Carpet for Film Industry

BY SARA GILBERT

On Tuesday, August 14, the Town of Stony Point board held its regular meeting, awarded girl scouts and a local good Samaritan with plaques, approved a farmers’ market and invited the film industry in.

“Every month we try to honor people who have done something special,” said Supervisor Geoffrey Finn. The special individuals honored included four girl-scouts and one “outstanding citizen.”

The girl-scouts that received their golden awards were: Lauren Urguhart, of troop 403; Christina Borsellino, of troop 403; Shannon Finucane, of toop 262; and Teresa Madonna, of troop 403.

“You have made Stony Point very proud. You’ve worked very hard and reached a tremendous goal,” Finn said.

The recipient of the Outstanding Citizen’s Award went to Lowell Parker, 80, of Reservoir Road. He was awarded for “appreciation for the many years of hard work and dedication he has shown to neighbors and the Town of Stony Point.”

“When your neighbors call and tell us what an amazing person you are, that’s something else,” said Finn, who described receiving calls about how Parker was mowing neighbors’ lawns and out picking up trash. “You help make Stony Point the greatest town in the world.”

During the public comments section a group of residents spoke to the board about how Stony Point doesn’t have a farmers’ market and they thought it would be a good way to bring the community together with a health and wellness purpose, as well as be good for the local economy.

They asked if they could start in September and if they could use the town hall. After some legal discussion of what would be required, the board gave their approval. The plan is to have a farmers’ market gathering every Saturday and if possible include activities for children, like arts and crafts, and lectures on health or a yoga session each week.

The room erupted with applause when the board approved the idea.

Many areas, including in New York, are trying to interest the film industry in choosing their area for shooting because it helps the economy. Stony Point Councilwoman Luanne Konopko has helped advance this trend in the town.

They are “rolling out the red carpet for the film industry,” as Councilwoman Luanne Konopko said.

“We were approached by HBO to film something here,” said Konopko. “And we want to jump on it.”

The board is in the process of finalizing a set agreement and policy any professional film company would have to sign in order to film on Stony Point’s public property, but in the meantime they were given the green light and can invite HBO in for their shoot.

Finn made sure to point out that these contracts are for businesses, not a group of people who just want to do a film project on their own.

On September 13 there will be a hearing on the issue for the public to weigh in on.

The benches project, part of the Beautification Committee, “has taken off,” said Konopko. Three benches have been donated so far and the orders haven’t even been made. The town will provide the initial funds to purchase the benches and the plaques and will be reimbursed when they’re donated.

There were several announcements as well at the meeting.

On September 8 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. there will be a Rockland County Firemen’s Parade through Stony Point. The parade will include 150 trucks and about 1,000 firemen. “Please come out and support the firemen, they are volunteers,” said Finn.

Normally there would be a meeting on September 11, but it is being moved to September 12.

At the September 12 meeting there will be recognition for the Stony Point Little League champions. “We’re very proud of them and want them to be honored,” said Finn.

The Ambulance Corp’s new building is almost ready. In just one to two weeks it will be ready to be occupied. An open house date will be announced as soon as everything is finalized.  “The building’s looking very nice,” said Finn.

The town board also voted 4-1 to be the lead agency dealing with Wayne Corts’ proposed 300 condo project for the waterfront. Konopko did not concur, she said the planning board would be better equipped for the task.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login