Summer 2025

Dear Residents & Community Members,

As usual, Summer seems to be quickly slipping away. As we look forward to the Fall season, we reflect on what's been a very busy and productive Summer here at the Town of Monroe. As you read ahead you'll catch a glimpse of a season that's been full of community events, project completions, new initiatives, and preparation for happenings on the horizon.

With budget season upon us, we were pleased to welcome Noah Nadelson, Chief Executive Officer of Munistat Services, Inc. to the August 4th Town Board meeting to provide an overview regarding the town's financial condition and debt profile. In the most recent report, S&P considers the Town to have a “low, manageable debt position.” It also states that the Town has a “history of strong and stable financial results, supported by conservative budgeting.” As Noah summarized, there has been a consistent, steady investment in equipment, building improvements, roads, public safety, and water upgrades- most of it without the issuance of debt.

S&P Global Ratings once again assigned its 'AA' long-term rating to the Town of Monroe in July 2025. We are proud of this rating and continue to work every day with fiscal responsibility at the forefront of our efforts.

Many of our community's college students have returned to their campuses and our younger student population will be returning to school in just a few short weeks. As we embark on another school year, on behalf of the Town Board, we wish our students, teachers and faculty returning to school a safe, happy and successful school year ahead!

All the best,

Tony Cardone

Supervisor, Town of Monroe

Monroe Residents Named Orange County Citizens of the Month

Pictured above are Hailee (right) and Madison (left) Lendor, Orange County Citizens of the Month for August along with Town of Monroe Supervisor Tony Cardone and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.

Orange County Government

Office of County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                           

Contact: Rebecca Sheehan

August 18, 2025                                                                          Phone: (845) 291-2700

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus Names Hailee and Madison Lendor August Citizens of the Month

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has named Monroe-Woodbury Middle School eighth grade twins Hailee and Madison Lendor as the County’s Citizens of the Month for August, recognizing their extraordinary community spirit, generosity, and leadership.

On January 6, 2025, the Lendor sisters sprang into action after a devastating fire destroyed their neighbors’ home. Drawing upon their passion for baking, instilled in them at the age of four by their mother and aunt, the sisters launched a fundraising effort through their homegrown business, Double Baked Culinary.

The twins set an initial goal to bake 12 dozen cookies to help the displaced family. After their mother shared the effort on social media, the community rallied, and orders skyrocketed to more than 126 dozen cookies overnight. With the help of friends, relatives, and even a neighbor’s kitchen when their own oven broke, the sisters baked over 1,600 cookies in just 24 hours, raising $1,875 to support the family.

“Hailee and Madison Lendor embody what it means to be outstanding citizens,” said Neuhaus. “They have shown compassion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Their kindness inspired our community and sets an example for all of us, proving that no one is too young to make a difference. I’m proud to recognize them as our August Citizens of the Month and can’t wait to see all they will accomplish in the future.”

The twins’ philanthropic work extends beyond this one act. Through Double Baked Culinary, they donate proceeds to causes including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Adopt-A-Family, and various organizations and events. They received a New York State Senate citation, and Madison was featured on the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship Season 12 while Hailee participated in the Greatest Baker Competition with Buddy Valastro, benefiting the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.

Monroe Town Supervisor Tony Cardone, who honored the sisters earlier this year, praised their initiative. “Hailee and Madison took the simple idea of baking cookies and turned it into a powerful act of empathy and community spirit,” said Cardone. “Their hard work and generosity touched the hearts of so many and are an example of the best of Monroe.”

Their mother, Yesenia Lendor-Montero, expressed pride in her daughters’ dedication. “From the time they were little, Madison and Hailee have always cared about helping others,” said Lendor-Montero. “They put their hearts into everything they do, and to see the community respond with so much love and support has been truly humbling.”

In addition to their baking success, the twins have been recognized locally with Sojourner Truth Awards, Hailee for Citizenship and Madison for Creative Arts, and by the Town of Monroe, which presented them with personalized aprons as a token of appreciation.

Looking to the future, Madison aspires to become a neurosurgeon, while Hailee plans a career in law or the medical field. Both hope to one day open their own bakery, continuing their mission of blending passion with purpose.

“Even though it’s a lot of hard work, we know in the end it’s for a great cause, and it feels good to help other people,” Madison said.

For more on the Lendor sisters and their work, visit their Instagram page at @doublebakedculinary.

Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding residents who make a significant impact in their communities through volunteerism, leadership, and acts of kindness in January of 2017.

To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, NY 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information.

For general media inquiries, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to the County Executive and Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845-291-2700 or presscontact@orangecountygov.com.

To stay informed about County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus’ work and initiatives across Orange County, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on social media:

•            Facebook: @OrangeCountyNYGovt | @Steve.Neuhaus

•            Instagram: @OrangeCountyNYGovt | @Steve.Neuhaus

•            X (formerly Twitter): @OCGovNY | @SNeuhausOC

You can also watch NeuCast podcasts and the Leadership Speaker Series on the Orange County Government YouTube channel.

Mombasha Park Receives New Signage Thanks to Troop 440

Eagle Scout Project

Thank you to Siddharth Ranganathan of Troop 440 who completed his Eagle Scout project at Mombasha Park located at 405 West Mombasha Road in the Town of Monroe. We are grateful for his hard work, focus and leadership in successfully completing the following project components:

• Installation of Town of Monroe Mombasha Park sign at the entrance to the park

• Reconstruction of existing garden bed including staining of the wood, addition of fresh dirt and planting of flower beds

• Installation of solar lights to illuminate the sign at night

The Town of Monroe is grateful for Siddharth’s willingness to make a difference in our community and the lasting impact his project will have on our town. It has been a pleasure working with Siddharth and we wish him the best in what is certain to be a very successful future!

Several Mombasha Park Improvements on the Horizon

Mombasha Park is home to a community used baseball field, soccer field, pickleball courts as well as walking trails. The Town of Monroe is always seeking ways to improve the operations of the park while enhancing the experience and safety for those community members who frequent it. The town was awarded $4,999 in funding from the Orange County Municipal Legislative Grant Program to assist in implementing a lighting option for our pickleball courts. A 12 x 14 shed has been installed on the soccer field/pickleball side of the park which will house the electric meter to be installed for the lighting option and will serve as a storage facility for equipment related to both the baseball and soccer field. We are hopeful that the lighting project will be completed by late Fall.

Additionally, the town has recently gone out to bid for improvements related to the baseball field at Mombasha Park, specifically to re-delineate the existing field to accommodate both 46/60 and 50/70 play. With these improvements, we look forward to being able to accommodate additional age groups for game play.

Monroe Residents Make An Impact This Summer through the Orange County Internship Program

Pictured above are Sofia Bevacqua and Brielle Polizzano along with Lisa Santiago, Nora Martinez, Amanda Dana, and Rachel Carr of Orange County Tourism & Film. Sofia and Brielle completed their Summer Internship with the Orange County Tourism and Film Office.

Pictured above are Hailey Lanari and Christian Paolicelli along with Langdon Chapman, Commissioner, Human Resources, Legislator Pete Tuohy, Legislative Chairman Kevin Hines and County Executive Steve Neuhaus. Hailey completed her Summer Internship with the Department of Social Services while Christian worked with the County Executive's office.

CarFit Program at Senior Center Ensures the Fit is Right!

"Don't Throw it Away, Try to Fix it!"

Monroe's First Repair Cafe Event was a great success!

The Town of Monroe was happy to support the efforts of the Monroe Conservation Commission in hosting the town's first Repair Cafe at Town Hall on Saturday, June 28th. With nearly 100 attendees, the event was a great success with many repairs completed. A special thank you to Dennis Fordham, Chair, as well as members of the Monroe Conservation Commission who dedicated their time and efforts in organizing this event. Last, but certainly not least, we are extremely grateful for the "fixers" including several local businesses who all volunteered their time. We look forward to hosting this event again in the near future!

Nam Knights Hold Annual Fundraiser at Pine Island Legion

Remembering Police Officer Jason Conklin

A memorial service was held on Thursday, August 21st at the Monroe Community Cemetery for Tuxedo Park Police Officer Jason D. Conklin, a Monroe-Woodbury graduate, on the 28th anniversary of his line of duty death.

The Orange County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge No. 957 is named in honor of Officer Conklin. Formed shortly after Jason’s tragic death, it has grown to well over 600 members, representing 35 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. For more information on FOP Lodge No. 957 please visit https://www.foplodge957.org/.