This letter written by Noel Kropf appeared in the PCNR the first week of October, 2001

Dear Editor,

The Old Road Society of Philipstown (ORS) requests that our Town Board provide more information and consider the input of affected residents before paving East Mountain Road North. We are concerned that insufficient notice and the terrible events of Sept 11 combined to deter interested citizens from attending the weekly meeting on Sept 12 where the decision was taken to pave.

Since runoff from this road enters Beacon's water supply, we request that an environmental review be undertaken and the public have an opportunity to study and comment on the environmental issues involved.

We urge the Town Board to avoid any appearance of rushing through a decision on this issue. To some it might seem like an open and shut case, and some may say it has already been debated, but many area residents are not yet convinced that paving the length of this road is the best or only solution to a localized runoff problem. Please, let us proceed in a deliberate and open manner on this matter. The impact of paving this scenic road is very important to many residents and we trust the Town Board will take their views into account.

Sincerely, Noel Kropf, ORS President on behalf of the ORS Board of Directors

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And an appeal I subsequently wrote to Philipstown residents:

Dear friends and neighbors,

If you feel strongly about retaining dirt roads in Philipstown, I urge you to come to the Town Board meeting this Thursday at 8PM. The paving of E. Mt. Rd. N. is on the agenda. Your Town Board members have already given the go-ahead for paving and Roger Chiricho (Hiway supervisor) is already preparing the road for same. We suspect that E. Mt. Rd. S. may be the next target. Sustained, intense pressure on the Town Board is our best hope to reverse the decision.

Whether or not you can come to the meeting, please communicate with your neighbors and friends about this situation before Thursday, maybe they can come.

Also, please call your Town Board members to let them know how you feel. If you need their phone #s let me know.

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