Sugar Loaf visionaries upbeat at latest forum

Plans revive for sidewalks and other improvements, By Vicki Botta Sugar Loaf — It all started with a letter from a handicapped person. “I can’t get around in your village,” the writer complained. Visitors to Sugar Loaf know that even able-bodied people cannot easily negotiate the main thoroughfare, lined with charming arts and crafts stores just meant for window shopping. A few, often broken, bits of sidewalk are scattered here and there. Most pedestrians must take their chances on the road along with the cars and trucks. Nick Zungoli, a member of the Sugar Loaf Community Vision Committee, said county planner David Church had agreed with the letter writer that sidewalks and handicapped accessibility were needed. But he suggested looking at the bigger picture. The Vision Committee set out to look at a variety of ways to make the hamlet a safer, and more pleasant, place to spend time. Plans have been in the works for nearly four years now — but, on the ground, not much is different. That may be about to change. At least 65 people attended an upbeat public forum at the Lycian Theatre last Wednesday night to hear plans for Sugar Loaf. Three such forums were held in 2004 — but what set this one apart was the feeling of hope the new town supervisor, Steve Neuhaus, brings to the project. “Former Supervisor (William) Tully “had thumbs down on this from day one,” said Dorian DeHaan Rossi, a Vision Committee member. Neuhaus told the audience: “You now have a supervisor who isn’t afraid to sign for grant money.” Tully, who was not at the meeting, said that while he supports the planned improvements and applying for grant money, he would not accept a grant unless it could be demonstrated the money would be spent according to the purposes outlined in the application. “You have to do things legally,” he said. Special districts — like sidewalk districts and water and sewage districts — “have to be formulated before Sugar Loaf can even receive money from the town for things such as sidewalks or water and sewage,” Tully said. John Imbiano, representing IQ Landscape Architects, based in Westchester, gave a presentation highlighting Sugar Loaf’s histor, and the changes artists and artisans have brought to the hamlet. He talked about similar communities that have made changes to enhance their quality of life, safety, and beauty while maintaining their eclectic personality. Imbiano suggested installing filtration systems along the street as alternative to catch basins to eliminate street runoff seeping into and polluting waterways. He also suggested narrowing the street in some areas to encourage cars to slow down as they move through the village. What began as a senior drawing project by community planning students from the State University of New York at Albany has evolved into professional drawings showing improved parking and traffic flow, and ways to bring more water into the community to attract restaurants and other businesses. Zungoli said Sugar Loaf has been awarded a $200,000 grant to bring the project up to its present level, and that it has taken the time to do things right. Louis G. Marquet of Leyland Development advised the committee to consider doing an economic impact study of sales and other revenue in the hamlet. The committee plans also plans to approach private foundations such as the Gerry Foundation and Bethel Woods and Orange Tourism. “Sugar Loaf is always listed as the third-biggest tourist attraction in Orange County,” said resident Ellen Dolce. “There are dollars to be made here.”