Parks
Logging Project
The Town Planner and Headwater Forestry have updated the project schedule for bidding, forestry operations, and the required permitting process. At this time, the project remains on schedule, and we are expected to be on the agenda for the next Planning Board meeting.
Trail System
Unfortunately, we were not awarded the trail grant for which we applied. As previously discussed, I will move forward with developing a smaller-scale trail improvement project that can be completed in-house using available staff and resources.
Friendship Center Garden
The Friendship Center Garden is up and running and has received very positive feedback from many of our senior participants. While the recent weather has presented some challenges, the project continues to progress well.
Bike Pad
The bike pad is scheduled to be repaved within the next few weeks. Painting will follow shortly afterward, provided the project remains on schedule.
Departmental Updates
Recreation Programs
Our Summer Concert Series begins July 2 and will continue every Thursday through August 20. The complete concert schedule, along with information on all summer programs and events, is available at pvpr.com.
Children’s Center / Summer Camp
Summer camp is underway and is off to a positive start. Staff have done an excellent job adapting to the adjustments required due to the ongoing school construction, and operations have been running smoothly.
Frank DiMarco
Town of Putnam Valley
Parks and Recreation Director
After consulting with several agencies, we have decided to delay the start time to 8:00 PM due to the current Heat Warnings.
To help everyone stay safe and comfortable, we will have water coolers available throughout the field & Sprinklers running at the far end of Johnson Field periodically for anyone who would like to cool off.
Please take precautions and stay hydrated, starting today. We encourage everyone to drink plenty of water before heading to the event. Shuttles will be running from the Elementary School, and we will still have our Local Food Trucks!
In addition to the revised festivities the VFW has graciously offered to be open with AC at 5:30 PM through the evening if anyone wants a place to cool off, chat with our Veterans, and celebrate the Fourth of July!
We look forward to celebrating with everyone. Stay cool, and we’ll see you tonight!
Good evening, ladies and Gentlemen
I’d like to take a moment to thank the men and women of the Highway dept. for their continued hard work and dedication.
Just wanted to remind those that haven’t done so yet sign up for the emergency alerts it is the best way to stay on top of road closures and other emergencies.
I spoke to the contractor this morning Cimarron Rd Bridge project is moving along and on schedule. I ask residents to drive slow on Horton Hollow.
Unregistered vehicles are not permitted to be parked on town roads. If they are, they will be tagged by the building dept and will be towed within 10 days.
We replaced 35 ft of 12-inch pipe on Sawmill Rd as well as did some hammering of ledge rock and slight widening of a few sections of the road
Our tree crew took down several dead trees along roads.
Our Blacktop crew has been out patching roads where needed
Our Basins repair crew has repairing basins they will be out daily as we have several in need of repair. They repaired 56 YTD
Vac-ALL crew has been out cleaning basins in Lake Peekskill they have cleaned roughly 345 basins so far.
The phones at highway are monitored 24 / 7 and I ask residents with issues to call us and not post on Facebook as we don’t troll for complaints. Several people have been going back and forth about highway related issues on social media instead of calling me my phone is on 24 / 7 I will not answer people’s questions on social media.
I can always be reached in my Office 845-526-3333 on my cell 845-745 -0795 and SKEELER@PUTNAMVALLEY.GOV
190 Days till Christmas
Join us for Fireworks, Live Music and more, Thursday July 2nd at 7pm
at the Town Park 156 lake Oscawwana Lake Road, Putnam Valley New York.
Live music at 7 PM with Andrea and the Armenian rug riders.
Food by Serenas Hot Dogs, Octavios, Scottys Egg Rolls, and This Guy’s Fries.
9 PM Fireworks
Lots of opportunities to engage and have fun!
- Saturday, June 13th at 10 AM LOMAC State of the Lake Meeting at Town Hall
- Saturday, June 13th 2-5 PM Picnic in the Park with Karaoke at the Town Park Pavillion – Rain or Shine
- Tuesday, June 23rd Commission of Lakes Meeting at Town Hall – Riverkeeper Presents
- Thursday, July 2nd Independence Day Celebration at the Town Park – Music at 7 PM, Fireworks at 9 PM
Town of Putnam Valley Projects Overseen by J. Robert Folchetti & Associates (JRFA)
FEMA Projects
- Wiccopee Road Culvert – Construction complete
- Bell Hollow Road Culvert – Construction complete
- Town Hall Parking Lot Retaining Wall – Construction complete
- Town Park Beaches at Lake Peekskill and Oscawana Lake – Construction Complete
- Brook Falls Road Culvert – Construction ongoing, to run through July 2026 – Temporary bridge removed. Culvert footings, arched concrete culvert sections, wingwalls and headwalls are installed. Project work to be completed includes paving, site restoration and guiderail installation.
- New Hill Road Culvert – 95% Design Complete working on NYSDEC and ACOE approvals, received New York State Office of General Services “no permit required” document. Temporary bridge installation during construction included in the design documents.
Capital Projects
- Horton Hollow Road Bridge – 30% Design Complete working on engineering report, property acquisition documents, subsurface soil borings, tree removal and NYSDEC and ACOE approvals.
- Cimarron Road Culvert – Cimarron Road closed on May 18, 2026, to start construction. Bridge will be closed until construction is complete. Construction estimated to take 12-14 weeks.
- Oregon Corners Substation Demolition – Demolition Complete, working with state and federal agencies to construct new sewer pump station and parking lot on site.
Good evening, ladies and Gentlemen
I’d like to take a moment to thank the men and women of the Highway dept. for their continued hard work and dedication.
Cimarron rd is closed at the bridge, barring any issues we are trying to keep this closure as short as possible, 8 to 10 weeks at most I will do my best to keep everyone updated as the project moves along. I ask residents to drive slow on Horton Hollow.
Unregistered vehicles are not permitted to be parked on town roads. If they are they will be tagged by the building dept and will be towed within 10 days
Our tree crew took down several dead trees along roads.
Our Blacktop crew has been out patching roads where needed
We continue to repair dirt roads
We have been hammering and splitting ledge rock on Sprout brook Road widening the shoulders in several area as well as creating a gutter to allow rain water to flow towards basins
We did drainage repairs on North shore Rd where we replaced 40 ft of 18 in pipe and Lovers Lane where we replaced 40 ft of 18 inch , 120 ft of 15 inch 40 feet of 12 inch
Our Basins repair crew has repairing basins they will be out daily as we have several in need of repair. They repaired 25 YTD
Vac-ALL crew has started cleaning basins in Lake Peekskill they have cleaned roughly 100 basins so far.
The phones at highway are monitored 24 / 7 and I ask residents with issues to call us and not post on Facebook as we don’t troll for complaints. Several people have been going back and forth about highway related issues on social media instead of calling me my phone is on 24 / 7 I will not answer people’s questions on social media.
I can always be reached in my Office 845-526-3333 on my cell 845-745 -0795 and SKEELER@PUTNAMVALLEY.GOV
211 Days till Christmas
Lake Peekskill
On May 18, 2026, EverBlue Lakes conducted water quality sampling and analysis at Lake Peekskill at the following locations: Site S1, Site S2, and Site S4. Our program captured data on the following parameters with the following results:
• Total Phosphorus
• Ortho Phosphate
• Nitrates, Nitrites, and Total Nitrogen
• Silica
• Algal species analysis
Acceptable Nutrient Levels for a Lake:
Nitrite: < 1 mg/L
Nitrate: < 0.6 mg/L
Total P: < 30 ug/L in order to prevent nuisance vegetative growth.
Total N: < 0.75 mg/L
Discussion
At Lake Peekskill, the ultrasonic sonars were installed during the week of April 29th. Sampling had occurred then with the nutrient levels remaining high. Approximately 3 weeks after the installation, there was reduction seen similar to last year. Although, the average total phosphorus remains elevated, it has shown a reduction in the middle depth by 10 ug/L and 18 ug/L at the bottom water column. In addition to the reduction of the total phosphorus levels, the total nitrogen was also reduced by half, and on average is no longer elevated. There are some spikes in the total nitrogen levels at the surface in Sites S1 and S2 and the bottom water column at S4. Although there was a reduction in the nutrient levels, algal blooms and nuisance vegetation can still develop based on the elevated phosphorus levels.
During the May sampling period, there was a switch in dominant species from blue-green algae to green algae. Looking at the historical data, this seems to be the case, as the green algae has been dominant in May 2024 and June 2025. Data has not been collected in April prior to this year, but the switch between the dominant species has been significant and we believe the ultrasonic units have helped contribute to this extreme change.
Here is an additional look at the data that may be useful to communicate to residents.
The introduction of Ultrasonic Algae Control Technology to Lake Peekskill has correlated to significant positive changes in water quality data. Below are annotated graphs that show this change in relation to the timing of the Ultrasonic Implementation last August and this Spring.
While the data looks excellent, there are still many variables that could be impacting results other than the Ultrasonics – so we still have a long way to go and the real test will come as the weather gets warmer.
The nutrient levels in the lake while lower, are still of concern. So continuing to make progress on septic monitoring and watershed improvements is key to making the lake as resistant as possible to heavy blooms this season.
