By Holly Crocco
“The state of Putnam County has never been stronger. The opportunities here are greater than ever. A future beckons wherein every resident has a place in this community and the potential to contribute his or her talents.”
County Executive Kevin Byrne kicked off his State of the County address March 3 with the above statement, and by expressing pride in all his administration has accomplished over the past year and excitement for what’s to come in 2025.
Byrne presented his address to a large crowd gathered at Ace Endico in Brewster, which recently completed a 60,000-square-foot, multi-million-dollar expansion with the support of the county’s Industrial Development Agency and Economic Development Corporation. It was the first time a county executive has presented their address publicly prior to delivering it to the County Legislature, which he did March 6 at the Historic Courthouse in Carmel.
Byrne touted his administration as being the most transparent in the county’s history, by hosting annual constituent forums in each town, arranging for the live-streaming of public hearings, developing a new user-friendly website that is a go-to for residents looking for various information, and more.
“I have long felt that greater transparency is one of the most effective ways to build greater confidence in the work of our elected leaders,” he said. “Sunshine is the best disinfectant.”
When it comes to spending, Byrne said his administration has made great strides in making Putnam more affordable.
“Reducing the cost of living helps everyone – from the weekend visitor to the young couple buying their first home, to retirees on fixed incomes,” he said, noting the effects of inflation and high cost of living on residents. “The middle class is still paying too much for its necessities. We should not add to that burden, but must practice creative problem solving without breaking the bank.”
Byrne said the county currently has $7.5 million in its property tax stabilization fund, while continuing to reduce its property tax collection and borrowing less.
“Under my leadership, Putnam County has never raised taxes,” he said of his past two budgets. “We have consistently cut taxes, driving the property tax rate down to its lowest level in 18 years.”
But lawmakers can still do better, he said.
“That’s why the county government needs sustainable sources of reliable revenue,” noted Byrne. “County sales tax revenue assists counties in funding critical services, including many that are mandated by state government – enabling us to finance our current and future obligations while relying less on property taxes.”
While the County Legislature is considering reducing the additional sales tax collection allowed by the state from 2 percent to 1 percent, Putnam is still bringing in more revenue than has been budgeted the past several years.
“In my budget, I intend to propose the largest tax cut in Putnam County’s history, providing more meaningful relief to our residents,” continued Byrne. This, he said, will make the county “more inviting and more competitive.”
According to the county executive, New Yorkers pay the highest property taxes in the country – right behind New Jersy. “That’s not fair,” he said.
When it comes to facilities and infrastructure, Byrne noted that the Putnam County Youth Bureau is moving from the government campus on Old Route 6 to Tilly Foster Farm in Brewster. “This is a move that just makes sense,” he said. “There is already some great youth programs located at the farm, like BOCES.”
In addition, a new training facility for emergency services personnel is almost complete. “I’m ecstatic to report that later this year we will cut the ribbon on our new Lt. Michael Neuner Fire & EMS Training Center,” announced Byrne.
Also, Peekskill Hollow Road is in the last phase of its years-long improvement project, and is expected to be completed by Mother’s Day; and the county office building has been made more Americans-With-Disabilities-Act-accessible, with a new front (side) entrance ramp.
Byrne thanked Deputy County Executive Jim Burpoe, and Director of Compliance and Intergovernmental Relations Jennifer Caruso of the planning department, for leading a committee tasked with reviewing how the county would use its American Recovery Plan Act funding and ensuring no federal funding was wasted.
“As of Dec. 31 of last year, all of Putnam County’s federal stimulus ARPA money – $19 million in total – has been committed,” he said. “All dollars have been accounted for and are being spent to benefit you (the taxpayers).”
While the County Legislature opted not to use ARPA money to fund the renovation of Schweiger Hall at Camp Herrlich, lawmakers do acknowledge that that project needs to be addressed. Byrne noted that the camp provides valuable services for working parents, such as after-school programming and summer camp.
“I am committed to securing the funding needed to support this magnificent children’s campus,” said Byrne. “At a minimum, know that I will include this project as part of next year’s capital plan. I hope we can rely on the Legislature’s support… It’s time we repaid their generosity, honored our obligation, and did more to support their mission.”
The county is also working on a new preschool special education program.
“At the moment, we spend millions of dollars transporting and educating many children outside the county to obtain critical services and schooling,” explained Byrne. “We have special-needs children below the age of 6 sitting on buses multiple hours a day just to get to a facility that can properly meet their needs.”
An executive team lead by Valerie Kurtz, supervisor of early intervention and preschool programs at the health department, is developing a “braided model” with school districts, to provide pre-kindergarten services to families.
“If enacted, this program will save taxpayer dollars, cut transportation times, and produce better education outcomes,” said the county executive.
In addition, Putnam intends to partner with community-based services, as well as the Brewster and Carmel school districts, to create a ThinkDIFFERENTLY Pre-K Campus at Hudson Valley InterArts in Patteson.
“This administration believes in developing an inclusive and comprehensive early learning facility, and this facility will support preschool special education at no extra cost to taxpayers,” said Byrne. “For this project to succeed we need all stakeholders involved to come together. That means our school districts, the Town of Patterson, and the County Legislature. We need their help.”
Another project that has long been in the making is a ride-on-demand pilot program that will explore better ways to serve residents, including paratransit. It is being spearheaded by Planning Commissioner Barbara Barosa.
“Putnam On-Demand is an app-based public transit system where residents can book rides for the price of a regular cup of coffee and get door-to-door service Monday through Saturday,” explained Byrne.
The county is also continuing to work with People USA to bring a stabilization center to fruition.
“While this facility will be open 24/7, let me be clear, it is not an inpatient facility like Arms Acres,” said Byrne. “It is designed to be a calm, relaxing place for those who need mental health support. We are providing options for individuals and families, allowing people to rely less on the costly and overburdened health care and criminal justice systems for their needs.”
Similar to how an urgent care facility recommends a follow-up with a specialist, those at the center will work to treat a situation that needs immediate attention, then connect patients with other community sources.
Byrne has been a critic of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed congestion pricing, which would levy a toll on highway users based on the volume of traffic. In January, he sent a letter to President Donald Trump, outlining his concerns and offering other solutions to the high travel costs of highway congestion. In February, the Trump administration sent a letter to the state, rescinding key federal approval needed for congestion pricing.
While litigation is expected, Byrne said he hopes the proposal will be squashed.
Byrne has also advocated for the state to fully fund transportation monies being handed down to local governments, noting that last year, the county received $1.2 million in Consolidated Local Street & Highway Improvement Program money to resurface roads. “Any cut to this funding would cause significant stress to county, town, and village budgets,” he said.
The county executive said Putnam is focused on bringing business to Putnam, noting that Magazzino Italian Art museum in Cold Spring recently underwent an expansion, the Lincoln Logistics warehouse in Brewster is at completion – with Danbury-based LesserEvil leasing space at the location, and a multi-sports complex known as Brewster Yards has received approvals to move forward. All this, Byrne says, will create additional demand for restaurants, hotels, and other entertainment opportunity in Putnam.
“I believe we can pass the lowest tax cut in county history, lower the cost of living for everyone, care for and support our most vulnerable residents, and build on our victories to invite a better, more prosperous tomorrow,” concluded Byrne. “There is only one Putnam, one new York, one America. Let us continue this important work together.”
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