September/October 2025

Dear Residents & Community Members,

We hope this update finds you enjoying all the traditions of the season we are fortunate to enjoy in the Hudson Valley including apple and pumpkin picking and festivals galore. Speaking of traditions, the town is looking forward to two upcoming events that our community enjoys every year-the Fall Town of Monroe Food Truck Festival on Saturday, October 18th and the Town of Monroe Trunk-or-Treat on Monday, October 27th. The town has been awarded $4,999 in grant funding from the Orange County Municipal Tourism Grant to be used for this year's Trunk-or-Treat event. We are grateful for this award as we consistently seek ways to enhance our event offerings. Please see the flyers in this month's update for additional details on both events.

It's been a busy month with many projects completed including the installation of lights at our Pickleball Courts at Mombasha Park. This much anticipated addition to the park will result in extended hours for game play with safety at the forefront of our efforts. We are also pleased to share that the 50/70 baseball field renovations at Mombasha Park have been completed. The field will reopen in the Spring with the ability to host baseball games for multiple age groups because of these improvements.

In keeping with our commitment to park improvements, we are happy to announce that the Town of Monroe has been awarded $84,000 in CDBG grant funding as a result of our FY-2027 application to be used toward ADA compliant sidewalk construction at Mombasha Park.

Lastly, Early Voting begins on Saturday, October 25th ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 4th. Monroe Town Hall will once again serve as an Early Voting Site. Please see below for more information on polling hours and additional locations. Many fought for our privilege to vote in this country-please exercise your right.

Best wishes for an enjoyable month,

Tony Cardone

Supervisor, Town of Monroe

Pictured above is beautiful Mombasha Lake.

"Out in the Garden" Series-A Valuable Resource for Our Gardeners

Pictured above is Master Gardener Mary of Cornell Cooperative Extension with members of the Monroe Community Garden.

Monroe Senior Center Member Honored at Super-Agers Event

Pictured above left to right is Orange County Legislator Pete Tuohy, Monroe Senior Center Director Ann Marie Morris, Super-Ager Louise Kavanaugh and Town of Monroe Supervisor Tony Cardone.

Pictured above with Super-Ager honorees is Danielle Diana-Smith, Director, Orange County Office for the Aging (back row, far left) and Cliff Davis (back row, far right), the driving force behind the Super-Ager initiative.

On August 28th, 16 Orange County Super-Agers were honored at Munger Cottage in Cornwall, including Monroe Senior Center member, Louise Kavanaugh. Louise is a long-time member of the Senior Center and currently serves as the Vice President of the Jolly Seniors of Monroe as well as the Treasurer for Young at Heart. This year's luncheon marks the fourth year that Cliff Davis, the driving force behind the Super-Ager initiative, in conjunction with the Orange County Office for the Aging have searched the County for Super-Agers. To date, 74 individuals, age 80 - 100 have been honored.

The criteria used to define a Super-Ager includes being age 80 or older; having cognitive skills equal to the average middle-ager; being socially active; actively exercising; and adhering to a reasonably healthy diet. The Town of Monroe extends its congratulations to all that were honored!

For more information on the Orange County Office for the Aging, please visit https://www.orangecountygov.com/151/Aging.

In early September, the Town of Monroe received encouraging news when Governor Hochul signed bill number A5877/S6247 as Chapter 412, a bill to formalize the establishment of town Water District 14.

In 2013, the Public Service Commission mandated that the Town takeover the private water system that previously served the residents of the current Water District No. 14. The water system was previously owned and operated by Orchard Hill Water Co. The water system was in substantial disrepair and required significant capital improvements. Upon taking over the water system, the Town immediately made certain necessary capital improvements to the water system that were paid from the Town’s General Funds. Absent the improvements, the system was in complete disrepair and residents were experiencing intermittent disruption of water service. The Town initiated proceedings in 2012 for the formation of Water District No. 14 and amended the scope of work in 2013 following discussions with representatives from the State Comptroller’s office; however, the Town withdrew its application to the State Comptroller for approval of the formation of Water District No. 14. In 2019, the Town undertook additional proceedings to establish Water District No. 14; however, the Town’s application to the State Comptroller was not completed and approved. The District has been operating as a de-facto district since 2012.  

Water District 14 continues to face challenges associated with aging infrastructure resulting in multiple water main breaks, boil water advisories and leaks. Supervisor Cardone has requested assistance from our local representatives including Senator Skoufis and Congressman Pat Ryan in addition to recently submitting another application for WIIA (Water Infrastructure Improvement Act) Grant Funding. The town understands the frustration of the residents in this district and is exploring every avenue possible to assist in completing the much needed repairs.

Pictured below is Supervisor Tony Cardone with staff from the office of Senator Skoufis discussing the urgent need for funding for Water District 14 to assist in repairs and in turn, lighten the financial burden for the 51 residences of the district.

Help Bag Hunger Event at Shoprite -A Valuable Reminder of the Importance of Helping Those in Need

Eagle Scout Project at Town Hall Will Assist Our Friends and Neighbors in Need

Town Awarded $80,000 in CREST Grant Funding

The Town of Monroe was recently awarded $80,000 in CREST Grant funding through Assemblyman Karl Brabenec's office for the purchase of a new Trailer Leaf Loader for the Highway Department. The Highway Department relies on this machine to help meet the demand of maintaining 47 linear miles of roadway and keeping catch basins clear of leaves and debris, which helps prevent flooding and roadway hazards. Additionally, it enables the Highway Department to provide curbside leaf pickup for approximately 2,500 residences. We are grateful for Assemblyman Brabenec's ongoing support of the Town of Monroe's initiatives.

Monroe Proudly Hosts Orange County Volunteer Firemen's Association Parade

Orange County Holds Annual Battle of the Hindenburg Line Ceremony

Hosted by Orange County Veterans Service Agency, the Battle of the Hindenburg Line ceremony was held on September 29th at the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. This annual ceremony honors the 40 local soldiers from Orange County who died during the World War I battle.

Pictured left to right is Christian Farrell, Director, Orange County Veterans Service Agency, Dave McTamney and Town of Monroe Supervisor Tony Cardone.

On Wednesdays, Dial-A-Ride Employees Wear Pink!

During the month of October, Town of Monroe Dial-A-Ride employees wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. Pictured above left to right are Bus Drivers Tiffany Truex and Josette Figueroa, Supervisor of Transportation Edwin Morales, Mike Taggart, Bus Driver and John Dowling, Head Bus Driver.

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