Comment on Putnam County to Consider Fjord Trail Lawsuit

However one feels about the Fjord Trail, having the town and village bring litigation to address concerns with the project brings this issue to another level. One of the parties to be named a respondent is the state parks department. This means that local taxpayers will be incurring expense on all sides of this lawsuit.

However one feels about the Fjord Trail, having the town and village bring litigation to address concerns with the project brings this issue to another level. One of the parties to be named a respondent is the state parks department. This means that local taxpayers will be incurring expense on all sides of this lawsuit. One reason this proposed litigation is generating so much vitriol is, I believe, a result of the rush to litigation, without any meaningful dialogue with the public. Both Cold Spring Village and the Town of Philipstown did not provide notice on their public agendas that litigation was being considered, let alone that a binding vote would be taken on April 8 and 9, respectively. The FGEIS was released on Jan. 7. Certainly those in leadership positions had plenty of time to suggest litigation might be necessary if discussions on specific issues were not successful. It is important that community members and elected officials who wish to make known their dissent from the majority decisions can do so without being belittled by other community members. Our town thrives on civil participation.