Senator Reichlin-Melnick delivers $325,000 for projects in three Western Ramapo villages

RAMAPO, NY - Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) announced that he has secured $325,000 in state grants for three villages in western Ramapo. The grant funds will be used to improve parks, streamline government technology services, and purchase new sanitation equipment. The grants come through the State and Municipal (SAM) Grants Program.

“The villages of Suffern, Sloatsburg, and Hillburn in Western Ramapo are some of the most beautiful areas of Rockland County. I’m pleased to be able to contribute in a tangible way to improving them,” said Senator Reichlin-Melnick. “I got my start in local government, so I know how important it is to support projects that village residents can enjoy and be proud of for decades to come, and to make sure that our communities are clean and safe.”

The Village of Suffern received a check for $200,000 to purchase a new sanitation truck to make garbage collection more efficient and help keep the village clean. The Village of Hillburn received a check for $75,000 to make repairs to the pond in historic Veterans Memorial Park. The Village of Sloatsburg received a check for $50,000 to go towards new exercise equipment at the village’s community fields and computer and IT upgrades in village hall. The funds that Senator Reichlin-Melnick has delivered help lessen the burden on village taxpayers by having New York State pick up a significant portion of the cost of these projects.

Mayor Michael Curley of Suffern said, “The Village of Suffern would like to thank Senator Reichlin-Melnick for working tirelessly in acquiring these grants for our residents. Together, good government can accomplish great things to make all our lives better, one step at a time.”

Mayor Peter Akey of Sloatsburg said, “The Village of Sloatsburg is extremely excited to be one of the recipients of this generous grant. We have been in the midst of a downtown economic revitalization and now to have the ability to improve our outdoor recreation center is unprecedented. This grant makes it possible for our residents to not only enjoy the community park, but to improve their overall health as well.”

Mayor Joseph P. Tursi of Hillburn said, “Veterans Memorial Park is the centerpiece of our village. Unfortunately, over time the pond liner that was installed back in the 90’s has failed and the pond can no longer hold water. We voiced our concerns to Senator Reichlin-Melnick who understood that our village just doesn’t have the funds to make such an expensive repair. He made every effort possible to procure this grant. On behalf of the village board and the residents of Hillburn, I would like to thank him and we appreciate his steadfastness in assisting in bringing the pond back to life.”