Fall 2018 Announcements

OC Planning Board to Honor Former Board Chair Suzan Metzger 

The Orange County Planning Board and Orange County Planning Department will be holding a ceremony in the Village of Warwick’s arboretum, located in Stanley Demming Park, at 11:00 on Thursday November 29th in honor of Susan Metzger, who served as the chair of the County Planning Board for many years.  The ceremony will highlight the planting of a scarlet oak tree within the arboretum, and reflections on the service that Susan has dedicated to Orange County.  Please join if you want to pay tribute to this outstanding Orange County resident.  RSVP to Ellen Russell at 845-615-3840 or [email protected]

Upcoming Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Program Presentation

The Orange County Municipal Planning Federation is holding an evening class on Monday, November 26th at the at the Orange County Emergency Services Center from 7 to 9 pm.  The course will be a detailed presentation on New York State’s Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Certification Program.  CSC’s provide local governments with a robust framework to guide climate action and enables high-performing communities to achieve recognition for their leadership.  Dazzle Ekblad from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be presenting.  The course is $15 for members/$20 non-members. 

Register with Carrie Scali at [email protected] or call 845-615-3840.  Details can be found at https://www.orangecountygov.com/OCMPF

Multi-County Kick-Off for Regional Transit Study “Connect Mid-Hudson”

Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties have partnered together to launch a new regional transit study called Connect Mid-Hudson.  The aim of this study is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the existing regional transit network, and identify opportunities to improve regional connections.  Please visit www.connectmidhudson.com to learn more about this project, find out about public meetings, take a survey about regional transit, and to read reports and presentations. 

Orange County Receives Resiliency Planning Grant - 1 of 5 awards in NYS

Earlier this Fall Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that five counties including Orange will receive $200,000 each to help address climate change locally.   Each County is to develop a climate resiliency plan and identify projects and actions that incorporate smart, sustainable development guidance that addresses issues such as sea level rise and storm surge, river flooding, drought, ice jams, and increased frequency and severity of storms.   Here in Orange County, the Planning Department will lead an effort building from our existing Hazard Mitigation Plan as well as a set of development design guidelines produced with assistance from the Regional Plan Association.  Project work is expected to begin early in 2019.

With Orange County, other counties receiving awards are Albany, Genesee, Sullivan and Tompkins.   Funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund Smart Growth Program, the work will be oversee by the NYS Department of State.