Three Village Hall Improvement Projects in Rockland Receive State Funding

By M. C. Millman

The Villages of Chestnut Ridge, Montebello, and Wesley Hills were awarded State grants through the State and Municipal (SAM) Grants Program.

The funding presentation took place on Wednesday, June 22 with Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presenting the checks.

"As a former village official," Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick tells Rockland Daily, "I know how important state grants can be to allow small local governments to afford needed improvements to municipal facilities without overburdening taxpayers. That's why I prioritized getting state funding to help the villages of Chestnut Ridge, Montebello, and Wesley Hills renovate and upgrade their village halls--so that these villages can better serve the public while keeping taxes low."

The Village of Chestnut Ridge ($50,000) and Montebello ($125,000) plan to utilize the funding for exterior work on their Village halls. The Village of Montebello will utilize the grant for a new slate roof on their historic Village hall.

The Village of Wesley Hills ($55,000) will use the funds to reconfigure the hall’s interior space to better serve residents.

“These funds obtained by the Senator for Wesley Hills will help enhance the Village’s engagement with our residents and other visitors to Village Hall,” says Wesley Hills Mayor Marshall Katz.

“The money will help fund a project to reconfigure our lobby, providing additional counter space that will allow our staff to serve more than one visitor at a time. The Village is appreciative of the work of Senator Reichlin-Melnick in securing these funds.”