Supervisor’s Newsletter
June 2026 Edition
Memorial Day: A Community United in Honor and Remembrance
Our Memorial Day ceremony was a meaningful and powerful gathering of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude.
We were especially honored to recognize WWII Veteran Nils Mockler, a survivor of Iwo Jima who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. The Town presented Mr. Mockler with a proclamation honoring his extraordinary service. He then shared poignant recollections from his time in the war, moving the audience with the gravity of his experiences. He received a standing ovation in recognition of his courage and sacrifice.
We also heard from VFW Commander Jeff Parker, who delivered a heartfelt message encouraging our community to stay connected, and supportive of our veterans. Commander Parker also shared his continued commitment to raising awareness for veteran mental health, completing the final stretch of his 51 mile walk to help stop soldier suicide.
We also included a musical tribute of “America the Beautiful,” with Chris Toland and Erica Farrell, adding a moment of reflection and unity through song.
Thank you to Archbishop Anthony J. Bondi, Mike Farrell, Bob Tendy, Sam Oliverio, and Rabbi Barbara Symons for their contributions, as well as our local Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts who participated in the ceremony, along with the Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps. Color Guard. Wreaths were presented in honor of the fallen, ensuring that their sacrifice remains at the center of our remembrance.
It was a somber yet uplifting ceremony that reminded us of the cost of freedom, the resilience of the human spirit. Our community is strengthened by coming together to honor, remember, and support one another.
Watch the complete Memorial Day Ceremony here: Memorial Day 2026
Meet the Assessor: Opening the Door to Understanding Assessments
We recently welcomed residents to our first Meet the Assessor event at Town Hall with Putnam Valley’s new Assessor, John Wolham, an opportunity for community members to ask questions, better understand the assessment process, and connect directly with the Town’s assessor.
John brings more than 40 years of experience working on property tax issues for New York State. Having joined the Town in March, he had limited time to prepare this year’s tentative assessment roll, making a full town-wide reassessment impossible this year. As a result, many properties remain assessed below market value.
Looking ahead, John’s focus is on improving the accuracy and consistency of the Town’s property inventory. He noted that the last comprehensive photographic review of town properties took place nearly twenty years ago, and he hopes to implement updated tools and software to help identify discrepancies more efficiently and with minimal intrusion to residents.
John also emphasized an important point: assessments are only one part of the property tax picture. Tax bills are ultimately shaped by the budget needs of the town, county, school districts, and special districts.
Thank you to everyone who attended, asked thoughtful questions, and participated in this important conversation. Making local government more understandable and accessible starts with opportunities like these, and we look forward to continuing them.
Putnam Valley Awarded Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant for Comprehensive Plan Update
The Town of Putnam Valley has been awarded a Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant to support a long-overdue update to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, which has not been formally revised since 2007.
As part of the final review process, I traveled to the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library to speak on behalf of the Town before the Greenway Grants Committee made its final vote. I shared Putnam Valley’s vision for a thoughtful, community-driven planning process that balances preservation of our rural character with smart planning, environmental stewardship, and sustainable economic development.
Known as the “Town of Lakes,” Putnam Valley faces unique challenges and opportunities tied to watershed protection, stormwater management, infrastructure, and land use planning. I spoke about the importance of updating our Comprehensive Plan to better address these issues while evaluating zoning, recreation, infrastructure needs, and the future of our local economy.
Unlike many communities that rely heavily on outside consultants, Putnam Valley will be undertaking this work largely in-house to keep costs down and maximize the value of grant dollars. Just as importantly, this process will be driven by public participation and local knowledge.
The next step will be forming a steering committee made up of residents, stakeholders, and representatives from key boards and committees to help guide the process. Public engagement will be at the heart of this effort, with community meetings, surveys, workshops, and opportunities for residents and local businesses to share ideas, concerns, and priorities for the future of our Town.
Hudson River Valley Greenway grants have helped communities across the region advance important planning initiatives. The Village of Cold Spring, for example, utilized Greenway funding to support zoning code updates designed to align land use policy with community goals and long-term planning efforts.
A Comprehensive Plan is more than a planning document, it is a roadmap for the future of our community. This update will help Putnam Valley make informed decisions, strengthen future funding opportunities, and ensure that our resident’s voices are heard.
Thank you to the Hudson River Valley Greenway Grants Committee for recognizing the importance of this work and investing in Putnam Valley’s future.
Honoring Wendy Whetsel: Women of Distinction Award & Years of Dedicated Service
At the Town Board meeting on May 27, 2026, the Town proudly presented a proclamation honoring Wendy Whetsel following her selection as a “Woman of Distinction” in the 94th Assembly District. The award, nominated by the Town and presented by Assemblyman Matt Slater on May 9th, recognizes Wendy’s long-standing commitment and service to the community.
Wendy was first elected to the Putnam Valley Town Council in 2005 and served four consecutive terms over 16 years. Throughout her tenure, she became widely known as a dedicated advocate for the environment and responsible local governance. She played a key role in resurrecting the Commission for the Conservation of the Environment (CCE), later continuing her service as both Chair and member, and helped launch the Town’s Heating Oil Co-op Program as well as the first comprehensive energy audits of Town facilities. She also advanced efforts to identify and highlight historic homes with signage.
Her work extended to regional preservation efforts, including advocacy to protect the scenic character of Peekskill Hollow Road and partnerships with the Hudson Highlands Land Trust to conserve open space, contributing to the preservation of over 1,400 acres within and around the Town. Wendy was also a strong voice for fiscally responsible budgets and ethical governance, supporting the Town’s Ethics Law and Board of Ethics.
Above all, Wendy is remembered as a thoughtful, caring, and deeply committed public servant who consistently prioritized her constituents and the long-term well-being of Putnam Valley.
Roaring Brook Lake State of the Lake: Strong Water Quality, and Ongoing Stewardship
At last weekend’s State of the Lake meeting for Roaring Brook Lake, AJ Reyes of GEI presented the 2025 water quality “data scorecard” and aquatic monitoring results, showing overall strong lake conditions alongside emerging management considerations. The community engaged in a dynamic yet productive conversation after the presentation, reflecting both strong interest and shared commitment to the lake’s long-term health.
Water quality was found to be in generally good shape and slightly improved from 2024. The lake earned an overall score of 8 out of 12 on GEI’s evaluation system, with low phosphorus and chlorophyll-a levels, good water clarity through most of the season, and no concerning long-term declining trends. There were no beach closures in 2025, and only a few early-season harmful algal bloom reports. While deep-water oxygen loss continues in summer months, as is typical for the lake, it did not translate into significant surface water quality impacts.
The most notable change was in the aquatic plant community. Vegetation coverage and diversity continued to increase following past grass carp stocking, with a shift toward more dominant species, including Eurasian watermilfoil, fanwort, brittle naiad, and largeleaf pondweed. While native diversity is present and overall ecological resilience is improving, several of the expanding species are considered nuisance or invasive and are becoming more widespread in certain coves and shoreline areas.
The report recommends establishing clear vegetation management goals, evaluating targeted control strategies, and continuing annual monitoring to balance recreational use with long-term ecological health.
Re-Envisioning the Commission of Lakes:
At our next Commission of Lakes Meeting, Riverkeeper will present a draft report that culminates a year-long project analyzing the relationship between wastewater and phosphorus in the Peekskill Hollow Brook watershed. The watershed includes Putnam and Westchester County lakes which drain into the Peekskill Hollow Brook, the source of drinking water for the City of Peekskill. Funded in part by a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program of the NYSDEC, Riverkeeper’s project explores the impacts of sewers and septics and the potential options of intermunicipal wastewater management for all communities in the watershed, upstream and down.
On Tuesday, June 23rd at 6 PM at the Putnam Valley Town Hall, Riverkeeper will share their findings from data analyses and interviews with stakeholders as well as case studies and policy recommendations. After the presentation, Riverkeeper will gather feedback from attendees which will influence the final draft of the report, planned to be released this fall.
Picnic in the Park with Karaoke – Bring a dish to share with your family. All are welcome!
Come together in community and share in food, music and fun! Saturday, June 13th 2-5 PM at the Leonard Wagner Memorial Park
156 Oscawana Lake Rd. Putnam Valley, NY 10579
For Entertainment DJ Mark will host Karaoke for all ages – Listen, Dance, or Sing! DJ Mark “The Crowd Pleaser” (Class Affair Inc.)
Has served the public as Disc Jockey, Karaoke Jockey, and Master of Ceremonies since 1982. DJ Mark produces each event according to his client’s specifications and then by asking guests what they wish to hear or dance to…and playing it! His biggest thrill is watching a crown having a good time enjoying the music!
In Other News & More!
More News Updates
- Lake Peekskill Report May 2026
- Highway Report
- Parks and Recreation Report
- Putnam Valley Projects Update May 29th 2026
- Sign Up For Town Alerts
More Happenings:
- Parks & Recreation – check out https://www.pvpr.com for ongoing programs and registration information.
- Bulk Drop Off at Town Hall – Saturday, June 20th – 8:00 -11:30 a.m.
- Sunset Series:
Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department:
PVVFD Blood Drive
Thursday, June 4th
9:00 a.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Putnam Valley Ambulance Corps.:
- Seconds Count – File of Life Workshop
Saturday, July 11th @ 2 PM
Register here – https://bit.ly/PVLHEALTHY - Tompkins Corners Cultural Center
Farmers Market every Friday 3:00 – 6:30 p.m. - The Lonetown Boys – June 6th 6:00 p.m.
- The Dream Choir – June 12th 7:30 p.m.
- Poet’s Corner with Ken Holland – June 14th 3:00 p.m.
- Light & Land, Exhibit by Chad Crume – Reception – June 28th 2-4:00 p.m.
- https://www.tompkinscorners.org
- Putnam Valley Grange
Visit Putnam Valley Grange - Monthly Meeting – 1st Monday of Every Month at 7:00 p.m.
- Pop-up Farm Store – 1st Thursday of June, July, August & September 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Our goal is simple: pursue every responsible opportunity to secure outside funding, reduce the burden on taxpayers, and continue moving Putnam Valley forward in a thoughtful and fiscally sound way.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve as your Town Supervisor. It is a privilege, and I look forward to the work ahead.
With gratitude,
Alison Jolicoeur
Town Supervisor, Putnam Valley
