Dear Ms. Levenberg,

I am pleased that you, who already understands Albany, won the race for the Assembly and are now there working on our behalf. I write today as a deeply concerned citizen about the proposed fjord trail. I come to this having worked for public-private partnerships in the City, and know how they should work.  Others in Philipstown are focusing justifiably on the numerous environmental and quality of issues that swirl around this proposal. I choose to focus on the financial mysteries. I hope you will do the same. Here are some questions about money:  

Where did $2 million allocated through DOT for the rebuilding of the Fair Street sidewalk go?  

The State divided the 7.5 mile project into three separate sections, and then approved $20 million for building the Breakneck Connector with no public comment and a peculiar process, to say the least. How much has already been spent on Phase One and who will pick up the rest, if it runs over budget? Did the State ask, at that time, for a construction budget of Phase Two and Three? If so would you please share it. 

When Dockside Park was rebuilt to stop erosion, did the contract include the tall and wide berm that now dominates the northern end of Dockside? Clearly that was not designed for mitigation. Why was it included? 

The State approved $500,000 for infrastructure improvements at Dutchess Manor, a privately- owned and operated visitors center, ahead of any approvals for Phase Two and Three of the trail.  Why? Do you know who were the legislative champions for that? Who?  

The Governor included in her 2024 budget request $200 million for the Parks Department.  Subsequently, the Commissioner highlighted projects in Kingston, Brooklyn, Olana, Harlem, and others. Is any part of the fjord trail included in that request for 2024? 

Voters approved  the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act last November, which addresses environmental resiliency and sea level rise. Are any of those dollars earmarked for the fjord trail?  

The fjord trail staff say that they will “relieve the Village of its responsibility of managing Dockside Park.” I fear the fjord trail staff does not understand how quickly costs to maintain  7.5 miles of “recreational attractions” will add up. In fact, they only just now began to search for a finance director.  Liability alone will be astronomical. What would stop them from commercializing Dockside as their only major asset in order to earn revenues to pay for those costs?   Think Bryant Park in a rural area, not midtown Manhattan. 

And yet with all this activity with worrisome implications we have yet to see a formal agreement between OPRHP and Scenic  Hudson/Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail that delineates roles and responsibilities. The OPRHP’s website clearly states that public-private partnerships are “designed to supplement—not supplant—resources provided to the agency through the state budget process.”  Without  a budget for either construction or long term maintenance costs how are roles delineated? Who is actually in control? What promises have been made by who for what to whom.  

This whole process is antithetical to all precepts of good government. I hope you are as worried as I am and will help Cold Spring raise its collective voice.  

Sincerely,

Gretchen Dykstra

We have been trail maintainers for the NYNJ Trail conference for the past 20 years. We live up on East Mt. Currently we maintain the following blazed trails in Fahnestock State Park: Clove Creek, Wiccopee, Trout Brook. We also maintain two non-blazed trails: a section of the old Wiccopee and another just off Trout Brook.

First off, as maintainers who take pride in our husbandry of our trails we are taken aback at the whole idea of the so called “Fjord Trail.” There have been major problems with way too many hikers at Breakneck on many weekends and during the summer. The Conference's own statistics bear this out with single day attendance in 2013 at 700 and 4 years later at 2100. There were 3 days of over 1,000 visitors in 2014; 3 years later there were 27 days. [see https://www.americantrails.org/resources/new-yorks-breakneck-ridge-a-challenge-for-hikers-becomes-a-challenge-to-sustain] There are simple things that could be done which I will describe a little later but the idea of a private individual suggesting a way to get even more to use this area as it is currently configured is beyond us. Why would the Trail Conference support this? Why isn't the Trail Conference encouraging and advertising many of the other local wonderful trails, many of which have excellent views of the Hudson?

If you have ever been to Cape Cod and the National Seashore that President Kennedy helped start you will realize that the entire outer bank communities have dealt with crowds very successfully. There is limited parking in all areas and in towns one needs a permit. When the spaces are full no other cars are allowed. No one parks alongside the road or on grass. It has been an accepted culture since the 1960's.

Breakneck should have designated parking with signs that illegally parked cars will be towed. Working with the state the speed limit on 9D must be lowered.

I want you to know that I and many others in the community feel we are being taken for a ride with the so-called “Fjord Trail.” It is an example of misnaming for the purpose of getting folks to support something different from what they may get. In what way is it a Fjord and not just a side of the Hudson River? It is not what most consider a trail as it is a boardwalk. In addition, how can you call it scenic? It will have a chain link fence on both sides for part of the trail.

I am also upset about the lack of local input from the very beginning of the private initiated project. Since this is not part of the Parks Department what are the plans for ongoing maintenance and upkeep?

I hope folks take into consideration the criticisms that many in the Cold Spring area have said and will be saying as meetings on the subject take place.

Sincerely,

Terry Weber

Constancia Dinky Romilly

Dear Mayor Foley & Members of the Village Board of Trustees,

First and foremost, I want to thank you for your efforts and realize there’s a lot on your plates right now, especially for a tiny Village. We can talk about that a later time but for now: Fjord Trail.

As a former member of multiple public bodies there’s always an issue with perception vs reality. We grapple with these issues and how it gets navigated at times can be the deciding factor in building public support for our work. The Fjord Trail is a massive project heavily funded and how they view our tiny community is less than admirable. I know you’re concerned and have been working in various channels on behalf of all of us, but I think you can use some help. There’s power in numbers and if we can get our community behind your efforts that at least gives us a fighting chance of minimizing the disastrous impact this project can have. I offer the following the following suggestions which I believe would help.

1. Recreate your public Fjord Trail web page, it’s dated. Include a chronological list of documents and correspondences between the various parties which will show the public your efforts have real substance and which we can get our heads around and advocate. We need you and vice versa to be frank. I’m happy to hole up in the office and help.

2. Formally request a full traffic, parking, and pedestrian study of all the Village with a requirement you have a committee appointed to be part of the process. I’m not saying a work group that receives the results and is politely asked to comment but one where your part of the process start to finish. This will assure a serious set of outcomes that can then really be part of an honest debate. This has been lacking by the project developers.

3. Along same lines, the same process for a full Economic Impact Study. Who benefits, how and what’s the impact on local government services/resources. This was Goal # 4 in the Fjord’s recent 2020 Master Plan, unless that’s changed once again. I have serious concerns who will benefit but let’s put it all on the table.

4. Lastly, the DGEIS process is going to be a beast to absorb. I know the VCS Planning Board is listed as an “interested party”. I would suggest the Village Board makes provisions and sets funds aside to hire consultants to dissect this report in a timely manner. I realize there’s an effort ongoing to have the developer fund these consultants, but a contingency plan is necessary. I see no reason why fund balance cannot be used for these one-time services and I’m sure our auditors would agree. If it comes to this, I’m sure a mechanism can be set up to assist on a funding level.

I realize I’m throwing a lot your way, but our community has always stepped up when times get tough and there’s a clear plan in place to deal with adversity. We need your help and don’t think you have to go it alone.

I’m raising my hand; many others will follow I believe.

Yours truly,

Joe Curto