Gromack Looks For New Partnership With County In 2014

Clarkstown Town Supervisor Alex Gromack delivered his 2014 State of the Town address on Tuesday night and included hopes for an improved working relationship with Rockland County government.

Gromack, who presented his 10th State of the Town address, said, “For the first time in 20 years we have a new county executive and that provides us with the ability to forge a new partnership with county government, a partnership where villages, town and the county can work together to address mutual concerns rather than working against each other and solving nothing.”

He spoke about the possibility of shared services and consolidation to save money and improve effectiveness.

“We have shown that consolidation of town government saves money and improves services. If Clarkstown can do it, perhaps we can, with the new county executive’s assistance, form an inter-municipal task force that looks at government consolidation of services across municipal lines. It means that some of us may have to give up parochial concerns; but I believe the benefit of consolidation would far outweigh those concerns. Efficiency and savings, what a novel idea. We have done it in Clarkstown; let’s do it together with Rockland County.” 

Gromack said the Hudson River was an under utilized opportunity to bring tourism to the county’s shoreline. He plans to pursue a redistribution of the county sales tax revenue in discussions with County Executive Ed Day. With two regional malls located in Clarkstown, Gromack said, the town provides them with essential services for which it is not equitably reimbursed. He said the anticipated $15 million in sales tax revenue from the Shops At Nanuet and $40 to $50 million from the Palisades Center should be shared in a different way that provides more economic benefit for the town.

He spoke about Clarkstown’s economic growth, revitalization of its hamlet centers, open space program and drainage projects. He talked about the town’s comprehensive plan and its commitment to development that is legal and safe and compatible with the existing community.

“The value of our homes are impacted by the homes that surround us,” he said. “None of us want to see that value reduced as a result of illegal or unrestricted residential development. Laws and regulations do matter in Clarkstown.”

His address was part of the town’s annual reorganization meeting and he was one of several town officials to get sworn in for a new term in office. Councilman George Hoehmann, Councilwoman Stephanie Hausner, Town Clerk Justin Sweet, Town Justice Scott Ugell, Town Justice Craig Johns and Superintendent of Highways Wayne Ballard also took the oath of office.

Editor’s Note:  The complete text of Supervisor Alex Gromack’s State of the Town address can be found in this link. To watch a video of the supervisor's remarks, go here.