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Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, May 22, 2019
B riefs
Fatal crash on I-84
“Please come join us for refreshments, an open house
and to honor our veterans,” Montgomery Nursery School
Director Tori White said.
The school was created in First Presbyterian Church
50 years ago by a few village families. The community-
supported non-profit continues to be a cornerstone of the
community, White said.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., outside the
Montgomery Nursey School at 21 Wallkill Avenue and in
First Presbyterian Church at 137 Clinton Street.
State Police Montgomery are investigating a single
vehicle crash that occurred on Interstate 84 in the town
of Montgomery.
On May 17, at approximately 6:41 a.m., troopers
responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a Dodge Journey
operated by Heather Morgan, 36 of Beacon, was traveling
westbound on I-84, left the roadway and entered the
center median and struck a tree. Heather Morgan, along
with her passenger Derick Jones, 37 of Beacon, died as a
result of their injuries sustained in the crash.
State Police are still investigating. Anyone who may
have information is asked to contact the State Police at
SP Montgomery at 845-457-1389.
Gardiner proposes mural project
Skoufis pushes for
road improvements
New York State Senator James Skoufis promised to
repave NYS Route 52 sooner than the scheduled New
York State Department of Transportation (DOT) date of
2023.
Skoufis is working to identify funding to repave 52 and
engage the DOT to better prioritize the project.
“2023 is an unacceptable timeline that must be
accelerated,” Skoufis said.
Crawford Town Supervisor Charles Carnes agreed,
stating the road is in disrepair and must be improved
before 2023. Route 52 is a main artery of the town, leading
into Pine Bush and Walker Valley.
Skoufis said funding can be found either in the state’s
transportation budget or within the DOT’s agency budget.
“Route 52 is in terrible shape and, as a result, is among
the most dangerous roads in our entire Senate District,”
Skoufis said. “Improving Route 52 is an infrastructure
priority of mine because people ought to see their
government address the basics, which includes keeping
our roads safe and well-maintained.”
Montgomery church approved
The Town of Montgomery planning board recently
granted conditional final approval to Good Canaan Land
Church.
The congregation of the Queens-based church will
be comprised of between 60 and 70 Montgomery-area
residents who travel to Flushing each week for services
and would like a local place to practice their religion.
“They are local residents that would like a local
church to attend services,” Principal Engineer for MNTM
Lawrence Marshall said.
The two-story 12,000-square-foot building has a
footprint of 7,800 square feet. The bottom floor houses a
sanctuary, a common area, bathrooms and offices while
the top floor contains four apartments and a balcony for
overflow during services.
Marshall said the apartments are to be used by the
pastor, sexton and visiting clergy.
The sanctuary will have a maximum occupancy of 170
people.
The parking lot will have 65 parking spaces, Marshall
said.
Bob McCormick
Two Beacon residents were killed in a one-car accident last
Thursday on I-84 in the Town of Montgomery.
The project will have two accesses. One entrance will
be approximately 60 feet west of the gravel driveway
known as Zwart Lane. The second access is approximately
325 feet west of Zwart Lane.
The traffic study completed by Stephan Maffia,
Principal Engineer, concluded the estimated additional
traffic generated by the church is minimal, even during
its peak Sunday service time period. The study estimates
approximately 40 additional vehicles at peak Sunday
traffic times traveling in either direction on Lake Osiris
Road for a total trip generation of no more than 80
vehicles.
Montgomery Nursery School to
commemorate 50th anniversary
The Montgomery Nursey School will host a free event
commemorating its 50th anniversary on Memorial Day.
Everyone is invited to honor veterans and watch
students perform patriotic songs. Nursery school
students will march in the parade with the veterans.
The event also includes free refreshments, carnival
games, face painting and school tours.
Majestic Park in Gardiner is getting a makeover: two
community murals will be painted on its walls this year.
Committee members Joshua Platt and Andy Lewis
presented the project to the town board at the town board
meeting on March 14.
`The project will be broken up into two stages. The first
stage will be a rotating mural created by local artists that
will change annually. The mural painting will coincide
with the Gardiner Open Studio Tour. The mural will be
painted over four days during the week of May 27, before
the tour on June 15 and 16.
The initial painting will be completed by graffiti
artists Lady Pink and Roger Smith. The mural will be
painted on the handball/tennis wall facing the Frisbee
golf course.
“We chose Lady Pink and Roger because they are
Gardiner residents and are world renowned muralists
who also have experience with community-based
murals,” Platt said.
The second phase will be a community mural painted
on Gardiner Day. Mural ideas will come from Gardiner
residents under 18. Flyers at the Gardiner Library will
focus on the question: “What does Gardiner mean to
you?” Poetry, words and drawings are encouraged.
Lady Pink and Roger Smith will then collage ideas,
develop a mural painting and send it to Gardiner Parks
and Recreation for approval. On Gardiner Day, Lady Pink
and Roger Smith will implement mural ideas. The mural
will be painted on the handball/tennis wall facing the
basketball court.
“The project will enhance the aesthetics of the park,
show the importance of public art in Gardiner and bring
the community together as we work together to create
the second mural for Gardiner Day,” Platt said.
P olice B lotter
Town of Montgomery
Charles Hancock, 41, was arrested on May 8 for
operation of a vehicle without seat belts, operation
of a motor vehicle on public highway while using a
mobile phone and aggravated unlicensed operation
3rd.
Charnjeet Aujla, 38, was arrested on May 8 for
harassment 2nd.
Bruce Shafer, 63, was arrested on May 9 for
making a terroristic threat.
Stanley Salomon, 22, was arrested on May 9 on a
bench warrant.