Sarah Bartlett

Sarah Bartlett is a longtime journalist who recently became a full time resident of Putnam Valley.

Government

It's Almost Time to Vote Again

Four weeks from today Putnam Valley residents will determine the outcome of several important questions. How much money should the school district have in its budget next year? How much should it be able to spend on capital projects to improve the schools' facilities? And should the town library

Environment

What a Mess!

Thirty-eight years ago, Christie Kroll and Peter Kirchner bought a little red house on 39 acres directly across from Camp Combe on Peekskill Hollow Road. Although their attorney warned them that living across from a children’s camp could be challenging, they decided they were game. They became regular donors

Government

Regulating Outdoor Events?

What kind of regulation should be required for outdoor community events in Putnam Valley? That is the question raised by a new law proposed by the Town Board, which is holding a public hearing on the subject on April 16th at 6pm. At issue is a proposal unveiled at the

Events

April Events (curated)

April 5th at 7pm - Episode 4 of "The Peekskill Riots", shown at Putnam Valley Library, register here April 5th at 7:30pm - Rob Flax's Boom Chick Trio, performing at Tompkins Corners Cultural Center. Tickets are $25 April 6th at 11am - Community Clothing Swap

Government

New Vote on School Bond Issue

Putnam Valley's Board of Education agreed last night to put a new bond proposal up for consideration at the district's next voting opportunity on May 20th. In January, the board's $14.2 million proposal to support capital improvements at the school district's

Government

Town Updates

Last November, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi announced that to make Putnam Valley more business friendly, the board was creating a Neighborhood Business Committee. In January, after receiving eight applications for the committee's seven seats, the Town Board appointed five residents and allocated the remaining two spots to Town

Fresh Faces, New Energy

Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but over the last few months new leaders have stepped up at several of the town's important organizations. They are not all newcomers to Putnam Valley, but they are new in their leadership roles and they are bringing palpable energy to

Government

County Legislators Turn On Each Other

Four of Putnam County's nine legislators have joined together to publish a scathing critique of the practices and culture currently on display in the Putnam County legislature. The three Republicans and one Democrat accuse their colleagues of engaging in "a pattern of misconduct and self-interest". In

School Board Proposal Defeated

The nays have it. The Putnam Valley Central School District's proposal to float a $14 million bond to finance its capital improvement plan was defeated by a vote of 666 to 624. Opponents waged a fierce campaign against the proposal in the Putnam Valley Voice Facebook group. The

School District Vote on January 28th

Tension is mounting over the vote on Putnam Valley Central School District's bond proposal that is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th. Although the district's administrators have made clear that their proposal for capital improvements will result in no increase in taxes for residents, and state funding

Events

Strengthening Putnam Valley's Schools?

Mark your calendars, folks. On January 28th, most Putnam Valley residents will have an opportunity to shape the future condition of the town's schools. That's when the Putnam Valley Central School District is asking residents who live in its district to vote on a proposed $14

Environment

An End to the Landfill Dispute

For years, Putnam Valley residents have bemoaned the dumping of contaminated landfill at the construction site of the town's Volunteer Fire Department and watched as litigation has dragged on. Resolution may finally be at hand, though not one that will likely bring satisfaction. For a detailed summary of

Government

A Look Back - And Ahead

When asked to summarize how this year went for her, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi was uncharacteristically at a loss for words. After a long pause and obvious consternation, she finally exhaled, saying "2024 was a whirlwind." It certainly started off badly, with the death on January 15th of

Government

How Did Putnam Valley Vote?

You probably think you know already, but the batch of certified election data released last week by the Putnam County Board of Elections reveals some interesting tidbits. Let's start with the trivia item that always seems to surprise people: There continue to be more registered Democrats in Putnam

Government

Making PV More Business Friendly

At this month's Town Board meeting, Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi announced a new initiative designed to encourage more business activity in Putnam Valley. The Town Board proposed a resolution to create a "Neighborhood Business Committee" that would advise on the "creation, enhancement, attraction and retention, marketing

Government

Planning Your Vote

While the national political contest has been omnipresent for at least two years, it's time for Putnam Valley voters to focus on some key local elections we are being asked to decide in November. This week, the Putnam County Board of Elections released its sample ballot, which you

Environment

Seeking Albany's Help

On September 23rd, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi took an important step forward seeking funding support from New York State to help lakeside homeowners defray the cost of replacing their aging septic systems. Supervisor Annabi invited NY State Senator Rob Rolison and NY Assemblyman Matt Slater to join in conversation at

Government

Things are finally heating up!

And no, that isn't a reference to the weather. Putnam Valley sits in one of the most hotly contested Congressional seats in the country. Yet, for the last few months, you wouldn't have known it. But with Democrats energized by their likely new presidential nominee and

Government

Commemorating the Town's Black Cemetery

Putnam Valley residents who were not able to attend the unveiling on Juneteenth of a historic marker for the Larksburg Cemetery missed something special. Deputy County Historian Sallie Sypher gave a detailed account of the history of Sumner Lark, a civil rights lawyer who established the cemetery in the 1920s

Government

New Public Hearing Scheduled

At Wednesday's work session, Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi announced that she would be adding a third public hearing to the agenda for the June 19th Town Board meeting. This new hearing will focus on the board's desire to impose a 12-month moratorium on applications for lithium

Government

June Town Hall Updates

Two public hearings are scheduled to take place at the next Town Board meeting, which falls on Juneteenth, a federal holiday. Earlier that day, there will be an unveiling of a marker commemorating the town's historic all-Black cemetery. The first public hearing relates to a proposal to place

Government

School District Election Results

The people have spoken, or about 1,358 of them, to be exact, out of the 7,600 who were eligible to vote in today's school district election. The school budget passed, with 750 voting in favor of the administration's proposal and 608 voting against it.

Events

School Board Candidate Forum

Tomorrow evening, at 7pm, the Putnam Valley PTA is hosting a Meet the Candidates forum in the cafeteria of the Putnam Valley High School at 146 Peekskill Hollow Road. The Q&A will also be live streamed, but because the PTA is hoping to encourage attendance in person, that

More Contaminated Water in PV

A reporter at The Examiner News, Abby Luby, has been diligently following the saga of contaminated water in Putnam Valley. Here is her latest story, which highlights a group of new homes that have been found to have high levels of PFAS and are now receiving bottled water and new

Government

Your School Board Candidates

On May 21st, the Putnam Valley Central School District (PVCSD) will hold an election for two trustees to the board that governs the district's three schools. Four people are competing for those two seats: Barbara Parmly, Maranda Zocchi, Alexandra (Sasha) Hayes, and Zayd Eljamal. The district's