December 2022

Dear Residents & Community Members:

One of the most wonderful things about this time of year is gathering with family and friends, sharing the priceless gift of togetherness. We hope this update finds you having had the opportunity to do just that over the past few weeks!

Thank you to those who considered our small businesses when shopping this holiday season. This month's update includes information on two new businesses we are excited to welcome to our community in January. In addition, Monroe Restaurant Week will take place January 9-23rd, providing a great opportunity to support our local establishments.



As we prepare to welcome 2023 in just a few short days, we do so reflecting on the year we've had while looking ahead with renewed hope and determination. On behalf of the Town Board, we wish you a Happy, Healthy and Fulfilling New Year.

All the best,

Tony Cardone

Supervisor, Town of Monroe

Members of Monroe-Woodbury Football Program and James I. O’Neill High School Student-to-Student Club Assist in Toys for Military Tots Collection

Pictured above are Monroe-Woodbury Varsity Football Captains with Head Coach James Sciarra,

left to right: Alan Ramirez, Conor Fitzgibbon, Mike Rowe, Erik Shammgod & Mateo Severo

Pictured above are members of the James I. O'Neill Student-to-Student Club. President: Leah Richardson

Vice President: Brynn Marks, Secretary: Bilqees Ibrahim, Treasurer: Ella Barnhill, Public Relations: Ashley Melnyk, Co-Advisors: Sarah Fitzsimmons and Heather Milano

Members of the Monroe-Woodbury Varsity Football Team gathered earlier this month at WTBQ in Warwick to assist with the collection of donated toys for the Toys for Military Tots Program. In addition to their assistance at this event, program members also supported this cause by each bringing a toy donation to their end of season dinner held at Falkirk Estate & Country Club a few days prior.

The Student-to-Student Club at James I. O'Neill High School in Highland Falls also worked to collect toys for this initiative which were delivered by the Town of Monroe on their behalf.

We are grateful for the overwhelming amount of donations received at Town Hall by residents, community members and employees in support of this initiative. A portion of the proceeds from the Flags for our Heroes program at Town Hall in November was also donated to the Toys for Military Tots initiative.

The Town of Monroe hosted a "Meet & Treat" on Saturday, December 3rd at Monroe Town Hall. This fun-filled afternoon featured sweet treats from local vendors, a fantastic seasonal performance by Monroe-Woodbury High School student Victoria Jimenez, and a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus. It was a fantastic way to kick off the holiday season!

Pine Tree School Read-A-Thon Fosters Importance of Reading and Sense of Community

Students enjoyed the story of

"Mr. Peabody's Apples."

Pictured is Pine Tree School 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Reynolds with Ann Marie Morris

The Pine Tree School Read-A-Thon returned on Friday, December 9th providing an opportunity for representatives of the community to serve as guest readers to students in grades 2-5. Ann Marie Morris, Town of Monroe Senior Center Director and Department Head, Mombasha Park/Alex Smith Pavilion, represented the Town of Monroe as the guest reader in Mrs. Reynold's 4th grade classroom as well as Mrs. Eldred's 5th grade classroom.

Smith's Clove Park Tree Lighting, A Festive Night of Fun!

Pictured above are Monroe residents Nucula & Omarilynn Williams with Councilwoman Dorey Houle and her husband, Anthony.

Smith's Clove Park held their annual Tree Lighting event on Wednesday, December 21st. This year's event featured the lighting of the tree outside the Park Office as well as a visit from Santa and the Grinch. Hot chocolate and holiday treats were enjoyed by all at this festive community event.

Highway Department Employees Work to Minimize the Effects of Salt on Town Trucks this Winter Season

Pictured above is Heavy Equipment Operator Chris Rand recently applying Salt & Corrosion Terminator to a Town of Monroe Highway Truck.

With Winter weather upon us, the Highway Department is taking preventive measures to ensure all trucks remain in optimal running condition this season and beyond. One such measure is the application of Salt & Corrosion Terminator to all trucks. This application cleans & protects anything exposed to salt (saltwater, salt air, road salt) and neutralizes the salt, slowing and preventing rust. Ultimately, this aids in extending the life of highway trucks and equipment while also making it easier to perform repairs and maintenance.  

Ward Brower Honored For Long-Time Service to the Conservation Commission

Town of Monroe resident Ward Brower was honored at the November 9th Town Board Meeting for over 31 years of dedicated service to the Town of Monroe Conservation Commission. Throughout the years, Ward's insight and expertise has been an invaluable asset to the town and the efforts of the Conservation Commission. We thank him for his commitment to our community and wish him all the best in this next chapter.

Celebrating 50 Years of Greatness in Our Community

The Monroe Town Board recently honored two popular businesses in our community in celebration of 50 years. We extend our congratulations to the Captain's Table and Harriman Army-Navy for their service and contributions to our community.

Pictured above is Ray Hafenecker of the Captain's Table accepting a plaque on behalf of his family.

Pictured above with Town Board members is Jennifer Carrillo, her daughter Kaia, and Madelyn Goldberg, owners of Harriman Army-Navy.

Congratulations to the following Town of Monroe employees who retired in 2022. We thank them for their many years of dedicated service and commitment to serving the Town of Monroe community.

• Mike Garry, Highway Department
• John Scherne, Highway Department
• Joe Mancuso, Smith's Clove Park
• Teresa Doyle, Court

Saona Kitchen & Bar Scheduled to Open January 6th

Important Reminders Regarding 2023 Tax Payments

2023 Town & County Tax Season

The Town of Monroe Tax Collector will be accepting the following payment methods only for the 2023 Orange County Town and County Real Property Tax Bills: personal checks, money orders, or cashier checks (please include phone number on check).

NO CASH, CREDIT CARD / E-CHECK PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT TOWN HALL

Please note, that online payments are subject to a convenience fee (charged by the credit card company) that will be applied for the service.

The fees are as follows:

• Visa, MasterCard and Discover Credit cards: 2.45% percent
• Visa Debit: $3.95
• E-Check: $1.75

If you have any questions, please contact Valerie Bitzer, Tax Collector, via e-mail at valerie@monroeny.org or by phone at (845) 783-1900 ext. 203.

Tax Collection Hours: 

Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and the following Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (January 28, 2023, February 25, 2023, and March 25, 2023).

For payments received after February 1, 2023, a 1% penalty is added.

For payments received after March 1, 2023, a 2% penalty is added, plus a $2.00 Second Notice Fee.

Tax payments made after March 31, 2023 must be paid to the Orange County Commissioner of Finance. They can be reached at (845) 291-2480.

Useful Links:

Orange County Real Property

Town of Monroe

Mail Payments To:

Town of Monroe

Tax Collector

1465 Orange Turnpike

Monroe, NY 10950

Town Board:

January 3rd (Re-org Meeting), 7 p.m.

January 9th, 7 p.m.

Planning Board:

Workshop Meeting, January 12th, 6 p.m.

Regular Meeting: January 17th, 6 p.m.

Zoning Board of Appeals:

January 24th, 7 p.m.