Larkin Bill Would Supply Home For Groundskeeper At James Olley Park

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today announced the Senate has passed legislation he sponsored (S.1610) to authorize the Village of Walden to rent the only private home in the James Olley Park.

Senator Larkin explained the necessity for the legislation, "Currently, there is an unoccupied house located within the James Olley Park that at one time was used by the park's groundskeeper. By giving legal authority to the Village of Walden to rent the home, not only will this structure and surrounding park lands be maintained, but it will stop the vandalism that has begun to occur."

According to the bill, a parcel of land equalling approximately .305 acres on which an unoccupied house is located and was at one time used by the park's groundskeeper, would be technically "taken out" of the 98 acre park.

For many years, this house was occupied rent-free by the groundskeeper for the James Olley Park and became part of the groundskeeper's compensation to help maintain the park. Since the groundskeeper has retired and left the home, the Village has had difficulty in finding a groundskeeper who wants to live in this house. Unfortunately, the house has been vacant for quite a while and has become subject to vandalism since it is located deep within the park and not visible from the surrounding neighborhood.

Village of Walden officials appealed to Senator Larkin for the bill. It now goes to the Governor for his approval.