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Southern Ulster Times, Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Milton shows appreciation for train station volunteers
Continued from page 1
project was in its infancy. She suggested
that Clarke make a pitch for funding to
the Louis Greenspan Foundation.
“Well sure enough we went to them
and they helped out,” he said, estimating
that the Foundation has eventually given
$100,000 toward the station project.
Elaine Greenspan said the Foundation
has, “taken pleasure in doing this and
seeing it come to pass. It’s wonderful to
think that from an idea and just hard
workers, and of course a little money
helps, that this could happen...It couldn’t
be done without all of you and all the
work that you have put in.”
It was pointed out that in its heyday the
Milton Station shipped produce from the
local farms to the New York City markets
and is also where soldiers shipped off to
war.
Cynthia Lanzetta said that NYS Sen.
William Larkin, who was unable to attend
due to a familial obligation, “has been a
wonderful patron of our project and we
really appreciate his help.” Larkin, a WW
II and Korean Veteran, has been able to
secure funding to municipalities, school
districts and non profit organizations in
the area during his tenure.
“Senator Larkin’s record of service
is unmatched and will shine brightly as
an example for future public servants to
follow for years to come,” she said.
Lanzetta said in March 2016 Larkin
acquired a member item of $150,000 that
made it possible to finish the exterior
painting of the station.
Town Supervisor Al Lanzetta said Pat
Quick headed up the Saturday morning
work sessions, saying that under his
tutelage he learned, “how to do things
the right way. Pat was quite a driver,
when you came down you didn’t have
your hands in your pockets, he made you
work.” Lanzetta said in the beginning
the station was a mess but they worked
tirelessly to get it cleaned up.
“Along the way we met people, we had
friendships, we had a good time and the
ladies came down with coffee. It was a
very, very great time just fixing this place
up...everything was done with great pride
and love,” he said.
Past Foundation President Peter
Hoffmann brought Quick up to the
podium and together they unveiled a new
donor recognition plaque that hangs in
the station.
Quick said he did not regret a minute
of the effort that he put into the project.
“It’s a beautiful place and a lot of hard
work [that] we got through one day at a
The prime movers of the train station project; L-R Cindy Lanzetta, Pat Quick, Glenn Clarke, Peter Hoffmann, Glen Botto and Sherman Sitrin.
time.” he said.
Lanzetta also acknowledged the
support of the station from the late NYS
Assemblyman Frank Skartados. Lanzetta
said Skartados not only secured $50,000
for the station roof but also $250,000 for
sewer infrastructure along Route 9W
and yet another $250,000 that was used
for sidewalks in town. Lanzetta said
Skartados, “had his heart in Marlborough
and he just continued giving. He was just
a great friend and a great asset to this
town. He will be missed.”
Lanzetta recalled that at an early
fundraising auction for the station,
Skartados and Clarke eagerly bid for a
painting of the station; Skartados won
out with a bid of approximately $2,400.
Just before he passed, Skartados made
sure that the painting was to go to Clarke,
which was presented to him at the event.
Clarke said it will be hung inside the
station.
There was a moment at the event that
acknowledged the passing of Bob Zellner,
Andrew Marker and Jerry Starpoli,
who all worked on the station project in
various capacities.
Past Foundation President Glen Botto
said with the station now finished it is
time to focus on turning the immediate
surrounding area into a park. He showed
a few pavers that will be installed in the
parking lot surrounding the station. In
addition, he provided a sketch of what the
park would look like in the future.
After 12 years, work on the 1883 Milton Train Station has been completed.
John Scott, who is on the Foundation
board, has been involved with the station
since 2004 but credits Pat Quick with
pushing the project forward.
“Pat was the leader of it all. He knew
what we had to do; jacked up that end
of the building, replaced the rafters that
were rotted and we went on from there,”
he recalled.
Scott said he has been, “railroad fan for
a long, long time.” He said this station was
unique because it provided a combination
of freight and passenger service. It was
actually built by the Wilson Brothers in
Philadelphia, who specialized in bridges,
railroad stations and industrial buildings,
however, no architectural plans have
survived for any of the West Shore
stations. He said the tracks were laid from
Weehawken, New Jersey to Newburgh in
1882 and in 1883 it was completed up to
Highland and by 1885 it reached as far as
Buffalo. The system was called the New
York West Shore and Buffalo Railway
Company. Scott noted that by the end of
1885 the larger shipping companies on the
east shore of the Hudson River eventually
put the West Shore railroad company out
of business. Today, the focus in on moving
freight and oil from the Midwest to the
Port of Newark.
Glenn Clarke recalled that he and
Pat Quick broke into the closed station
and found it a “terrible mess. We decided
then and there that we were going to do
something and it worked out just fine. I
am so happy, a dream has come true.”