Two incumbent Democratic trustees will likely be for up re-election next year – John Meehan and Andrew Haggerty.

Last year, a mayoral election year, the Democratic ticket ran unopposed.

Does one-party government work well enough for Suffern? Are there issues on which the incumbents – the entire village board and mayor – could be challenged? Have the [...]

The town of Ramapo is negotiating with the privately owned Ramapo Land Co. for the purchase of property that includes a hamlet.

The hamlet, known as Ramapo, is tucked between Route 17, the New York State Thruway and Torne Valley Road. It includes 16 houses that are now owned by the Ramapo Land Co.

Christopher St. Lawrence, [...]

Do you think Suffern needs a full-time mayor? The only other Ramapo village with a full-time mayor is Spring Valley.

Both are "full-service" villages with their own police and highway departments. Suffern also has its own water and sewer facilities.

Spring Valley Mayor George Darden is paid about $102,000 annually. Suffern Mayor John Keegan, who is part-time, [...]

Suffern's village board will have a public hearing on Wednesday – 7:30 p.m., May 7, Village Hall, 61 Washington Ave. – on a planned 12.7 percent increase in water rates.

The idea is to reduce a deficit that grew to $631,000 since 2006. There was no deficit in 2005.

Village officials have blamed decreasing water use and [...]

Hillburn and the county are at odds over rebates that would be paid to Hillburn residents annually for 30 years. Hillburn Mayor Brian Miele said the village residents were to get the rebates – currently worth $80 per household – in return for allowing the county to build a sewage treatment plant in the village.

County [...]

I'm preparing an article about Israel's 60th anniversary. I'm looking for people who would be interested in being interviewed, particularly folks who were either there at the beginning, or have lived there for some time in their lives.

You can reach me at 845-578-2445 or jawalsh@lohud.com.

While preparing its upcoming budget, the village will consider imposing larger water rate increases for commercial users than residential ones. The aim would be to reduce a $631,000 Water Department deficit, which has been blamed on increasing costs and decreasing consumption.

As it is now, all users pay the same rates.

Do you think there should be [...]

Just wondering how folks around Ramapo feel about a street clock that the town paid to install in Suffern, one of seven installations that Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence said were part of a beautification campaign.

Suffern Mayor John Keegan thinks the town ought to remove the recorded greeting: "This is Ramapo Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence [...]

The Watcher is interested in knowing if there are potholes in your neighborhood that you've reported to the municipal highway department, and that have gone unfixed.

The Planning Board on Tuesday, Feb. 5, will be looking at a revamped plan for active-senior housing off Highview and Carlton roads.

In all, 102 units are proposed, down from 132 the developer wanted last year.

The catch is that it needs a zone change because the 11 acres can only accommodate about 14 houses under the [...]

It's never too early to plan for your Fourth of July festivities, or, as they're referred to in Ramapo, the Celebration of Liberty and Pride Event.

So, the Town Board on Jan. 23 made its musical pick for the occasion, a program regularly held at Rockland Community College.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes got the nod [...]

Three weeks after the Preserve Ramapo slate was swamped by the incumbent Democrats and their lock on the Monsey area bloc vote, plans are being made to seek criminal prosecution against those who tampered with the challengers' election signs.

Preserve Ramapo activist Michael Castelluccio said the Rockland District Attorney's Office and the state Board of Elections [...]

The Suffern Village Clerk's Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. The office normally closes at 4 p.m.

Is there a demand for this in other communities? What about other offices as well? Should more government offices have expanded hours?

Over the past few years, Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence directed his clout Suffern's way on numerous occasions, for what would seem to be the benefit of residents.

He worked to get Avon Products to keep its research and development operation going in the village. He arranged to acquire the Tilcon quarry as a way to [...]

The Ramapo Democrats appear to be an efficient bunch. In less than 24 hours after their convention on Wednesday night, campaign signs were seen on roadsides touting their full Town Board slate.

The convention was held to pick a candidate to replace the late Harry Reiss on the board, and Itamar Yeger, a New Hempstead village [...]

I was surprised today to get in the mail my business card folder that I must have dropped on a sidewalk somewhere in Hillburn.

A Rockland Avenue resident – there was no name on the envelope or on a note inside – was kind enough to mail it to me.

Thanks a lot, whomever you are.

The Route 306 corridor from Monsey to Route 202 has been drawing quite a bit of attention from developers lately.

A 700-plus student yeshiva is planned at the Grandview Avenue intersection, about a quarter mile north of a proposed 78-apartment adult student housing project connected with a yeshiva.

Near that site is a proposed 162-unit senior citizen [...]

The Watcher's looking into a complaint about potholes on a Spring Valley street.
Are there others out there that are both annoying and put motorists at risk?
I'm not talking about little potholes, but those larger ones that appear year after year, and never get more than a patching that works loose.

The village board has voted to initiate study into whether a section of Orange Avenue could qualify for an urban renewal project – condominiums – that could be constructed by the Ginsburg Development Companies.
The section being studied is roughly between 120 Orange Ave. and Maple Avenue.
If the area, or part of it, is designated as [...]

This year promises to bring drastic changes to the village's downtown, with the construction of new stores, apartments and townhouses.
Village officials also speak of declining crime rates, and how a "24-hour community" will make for a safer place.
What's needed to bring more consumers into Spring Valley? What kinds of stores and restaurants would be draw? [...]

Airmont Road and Route 59 in Ramapo is one of the most heavily traveled intersections in the county.
It seems that a change in the traffic light intervals has improved the flow of traffic.
Have you noticed that? And what other intersections in the county do you see as troublesome, either because of congestion or other issues?

A 132-unit active adult development is proposed off Highview Road. Comments anyone?
A couple of details: the development would be taxed, and the builder cites amenities including a five-acre park, pool and walking trails.
Where should such a development be built in the town, or should it be allowed at all? Should any single-family housing zones be [...]