Poughkeepsie…Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus announced grants totaling nearly $1.1 million will be awarded through Dutchess County’s 2010 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to fund an array of local projects throughout Dutchess County. 

“These grants make critical infrastructure improvements and handicapped accessibility projects that may not otherwise be affordable for local municipalities, so I am pleased to direct this funding to many of our localities to make them become a reality,” said County Executive Steinhaus.  “Many of these activities address Dutchess County’s sound planning principles we have long promoted to create a safer, walkable, healthy community.”

Dutchess County secured $1,092,000 in CDBG monies to assist municipalities with projects to benefit low-to-moderate income county residents.  The 2010 totals represent an increase in Federal funding from the 2009 levels.  Projects slated to receive funding include:

Infrastructure projects

• Town of Dover: $125,000 for repair and safety improvements on Cart Road to address sharp turns, rock outcrops, drainage issues and encroachments.
  
  
• Town of Pleasant Valley: $150,000 for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk replacement on North Avenue from Milestone Square north to Ravine Road on the east side.
  
  
• Village of Millerton: $125,000 for sidewalk repair and replacement at various locations throughout the village.   New sidewalks will be ADA compliant, pedestrian and cyclist friendly and will reduce pedestrian impediments caused by the current condition of the sidewalks.
  
  
• Village of Tivoli: $150,000 for improvements to Montgomery and Spring Street including new pavement and drainage improvements.
  
  
• City of Beacon: $192,000 for improvements to Tioronda Bridge Infrastructure which will  create a new support system for a water main and a sewer main that cross over the Fishkill Creek.  This project will ensure the continuance of water and sewer service to the community and a future means of additional emergency vehicle access.

Handicapped Accessibility Projects

• Town of Pawling: $100,000 for the installation of fitness trail and handicapped accessible playground at Lakeside Park.
  
  
• Town of Washington: $100,000 to complete an alternative handicapped access to Route 44 and handicapped parking at the new playing fields at the Town Park.
  
  
• Village of Pawling: $50,000 to complete sidewalk improvements on various streets throughout the village to provide for handicapped accessibility.
  
  
• Town of Wappinger: $100,000 to construct a little league baseball field, specifically devoted to handicapped youth ages 5-18 years old in the Challenger Program, at the town’s Robinson Lane Recreation Park.   

Town of Wappinger Supervisor Christopher Colsey was pleased to receive CDBG funding to move forward with the Challenger League home field, a handicapped accessible ball field.  “This project has been a true community effort, beginning as the Girl Scout Silver Award service project.   We truly appreciate County Executive Steinhaus’ support in making this project a reality.”

Dutchess County Legislator Donna Bolner, who represents part of the Town of Wappinger where Robinson Lane Recreation Park is located and where the Challenger League field will be built, added, “The County’s CDBG program is funding projects that really make a difference in our residents’ lives.   The Challenger League project provides an opportunity for handicapped youth from all over the county to play baseball in an organized league as it removes the natural barriers set forth by a traditional field.”     

CDBG funding is administered by the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and provides funds to municipalities and human service agencies to benefit low-to-moderate income residents of Dutchess County.