Friendly visitor program under review for Town of Crawford

By Sharon MacGregor
Posted 1/22/20

Following the reading of the various Crawford departments at last week’s Town Board meeting, Supervisor Charles Carnes introduced Sean Gerow, Executive Director of the Jewish Family Services, …

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Friendly visitor program under review for Town of Crawford

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Following the reading of the various Crawford departments at last week’s Town Board meeting, Supervisor Charles Carnes introduced Sean Gerow, Executive Director of the Jewish Family Services, to provide an overview of the Friendly Visitor Program. The same program is currently utilized in other townships throughout Orange County including Wallkill and Gerow explained, “In the Town of Warwick, which includes a large area, the program provided over 2,000 hours to potentially over 8,000 seniors who are the fastest growing population.”

Gerow further explained the program is a through the door service, which is defined by volunteers being able to enter the home or off-site location, unlike Dial-a-Bus. The Friendly Visitor Program matches seniors, or those with disabilities, in need with volunteers who may just visit for a cup of coffee, groceries, or a ride as well as accompaniment to a doctor’s appointment.

“We already have a waiting list,” Gerow said, “and those who want to participate in the program either as a neighbor or volunteer would reach out to the Town Coordinator, similar in the way one could schedule an Uber or other ride service. The cost to the Town would be $5,000 for the year which would include three hours of training for the coordinator. Using the program would be need based, not financial based for those who live in the Town of Crawford within Orange County.”

The board expressed a high level of interest and support for the program and Supervisor Carnes explained the Memo of Understanding would have to first be reviewed by the attorney but implied the program would likely be supported with Domanie Ragni the potential candidate as coordinator for the Town.

Next order of business for discussion was the sidewalk/crosswalk project from the parking lot of the Valley Supreme Plaza on Route 52 down to the corner of Route 52 with Boniface Drive and impacting the intersection with the traffic light by McDonald’s, Stewarts, the laundromat, and site of Beer World.

“The plans are done,” said Carnes, “The speed of the project depends on the speed of the State. We would have to pay the entire $405,000 of expenses until we are reimbursed by the State and in the end, we (the Town) would be responsible for 20% (or roughly $81,000).”

A public hearing was held regarding the proposed introductory local law, “Farm Related Zoning Amendments.” Copies of the new suggested language were printed and available for attendees to review.

Supervisor Carnes explained the language around requiring “any building or structure used to house or stable animals shall be at least 50 feet from any property line,” was considered, “unreasonable,” by the attorney for Farmhood Fields and a distance of 20 feet was proposed. Carnes stated the Planning Board initially wanted the distance to be 100 feet. No ruling was made regarding the amendments and it will be on next month’s meeting agenda as well.

Debra von Ronn submitted all required paperwork for the fundraiser run to be held on April 25, benefitting the Kenneth Von Ronn Scholarship. Von Ronn said, “We have raised and dispersed over $44,000 from this event and this will be the last year we will hold it.”

During the public participation portion of the meeting, a brief discussion was held regarding the 52 one or two bedroom apartments to be built on the parcel of land the Town recently sold and the concern about the impact on available and clean water for current residents. Supervisor Carnes explained the project would not be a concern and Councilman Dan Flanigan mentioned the possibility of a new well being put in place for residents which has initially shown the ability to produce 150 gallons of water per minute.