Nancy Montgomery - Putnam County Legislator-Philipstown and Putnam Valley

05/30/2026

05/14/2026

This morning I read a line in the New York Times that stayed with me:

“The way we care for dogs might inspire us to care more about other humans.”

And this part especially hit home:

“You know how sometimes you’ll go into a store and they’ll have a little jar that has dog treats for the dogs? I think that stores that have food should have food for people who can’t afford food. Like just some bread - bread for if you don’t have money. And I swear people will not take advantage of it.” Link to article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/podcasts/modern-love-lessons-from-ramy-youssefs-dog.html?unlocked_article_code=1.iVA.eyJY.pqYs9hWWDGny&smid=nytcore-ios-share

It made me think about how the community came together last night.

Thank you to everyone who came out to discuss food insecurity in Putnam County - our food pantries, nonprofits, volunteers, county departments, and community members doing the hard work every day to help neighbors in need.

What we heard was clear: food insecurity is affecting seniors, working families, children, and residents facing transportation and access barriers throughout our county. But we also saw something hopeful - people willing to come together, listen, collaborate, and care.

Maybe compassion and trust is actually simpler than we make it.

Thank you again to everyone who showed up last night with honesty, ideas, and heart. ❤️ Here’s a link to the Health committee important discussion that begins at 4:17:

https://www.youtube.com/live/G35QIet9q4o?si=pmnLGQG8L-pTBh1X

05/08/2026

What a beautiful morning at Graymoor celebrating community, fellowship, recovery, and the start of another softball season for the Brothers Christopher at St. Christopher’s Inn.

It was an honor to join the Friars, staff, alumni, community partners, and residents for a gathering that reflected the very best of Putnam County - compassion, connection, second chances, and support for one another.

For the Brothers Christopher, this field represents so much more than softball. Team sports help foster confidence, accountability, discipline, communication, and community - all essential parts of healing and recovery.

Thank you to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement for your continued commitment to serving individuals on their recovery journey and for welcoming all of us to be part of such a meaningful tradition. ⚾️

04/16/2026

The Putnam County Department of Planning is welcoming all those who live or work in Putnam County to join them for a virtual Lunch & Learn session on Tuesday, April 21st at 12:00pm!

This educational webinar will provide an overview of Putnam County's Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Plan (CCARP). Attendees will have the opportunity to:
1️⃣ Learn about Putnam County's current climate adaptation and resilience planning process.
2️⃣ Ask questions about the Plan and planning process.
3️⃣ Provide feedback on climate adaptation strategies.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/PutnamCCARPCommunity

Putnam County is partnering with the Hudson Valley Regional Council (HVRC) to develop the CCARP, fully funded by the NYS DEC Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Services Program. The Plan aims to support a safer, healthier, and more resilient future in Putnam County.

To learn more about the project and stay informed, please visit https://putnamcountyny.gov/ccarp.

03/24/2026

Putnam County residents who rely on private wells should know about a new program that provides FREE water testing for PFAS (“forever chemicals”) - along with financial help if treatment is needed.
Through the New York State Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program, homeowners can have their well water tested at no cost. If PFAS levels exceed New York State standards, eligible households may qualify for rebates of up to $5,000 for treatment systems or up to $10,000 to connect to public water.
This program is especially important for parts of Putnam County where private wells are common, including areas of Putnam Valley and Philipstown.
I want to thank New York State and the Putnam County Health Department for helping make this program available locally and for working to protect the health and safety of our residents.
If you have a private well, I strongly encourage you to check your eligibility and apply.
👉 TO APPLY FOR WELL TESTING:
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/privatewellspilot/
Please share this with neighbors and friends who may rely on well water. Programs like this only help if people know about them.

03/17/2026

📣 Join us on March 26 to support Brett Yarris for Putnam County Executive.

We’re here to help Brett build a strong campaign and flip this seat in November. If you care about balanced government, transparency, and responsible leadership in Putnam County, I hope you’ll join us.

📍 Hudson House River Inn
2 Main Street, Cold Spring, NY
🗓 Thursday, March 26
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Can’t attend but want to help? You can donate here:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/yarrismarch26

Every contribution helps Brett reach more voters and run the kind of campaign this district deserves.

Show your support with a contribution.

03/06/2026

This is an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of transportation in Putnam County.

Transportation has long been a challenge in Putnam County - especially here in Philipstown and Putnam Valley.
As part of ongoing efforts to bring more services and greater affordability to our communities, Putnam County is undertaking a comprehensive, countywide public transit study, and public input is critical.
This study will evaluate our current transit system, including PART buses, ADA paratransit, and the Putnam On-Demand microtransit pilot, and help identify ways to improve routes, service frequency, coverage, and rider amenities.
As a County Legislator, I want to make sure the voices of Philipstown and Putnam Valley residents are part of this process.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your experience.
🚌 Take the survey here:
https://bit.ly/putnamtransitsurvey

03/05/2026

🐝 Buzz, buzz! Look what’s happening in Putnam Valley! 🐝
One of the things I truly love about serving on the Putnam County Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board is discovering wonderful events like this and meeting the incredible people who make them happen.
Right here in our own backyard, the Putnam Valley Grange is hosting Beekeeping 101 — a hands-on introduction for anyone who has ever thought about starting their own hive.
The Grange has been a quiet but powerful force supporting local agriculture for generations. Their mission is simple and important:
🌱 promote sustainable farming practices
🍎 strengthen local food security
🤝 bring the community together through education and shared knowledge
And this workshop is a perfect example of that spirit in action.
You’ll learn from Cornell-certified Master Beekeeper Colleen Quinn about how to start a hive, care for bees, and become part of the growing network of Hudson Valley beekeepers.
If you’ve ever been curious about beekeeping — or just want to support a great local organization — this looks like a fantastic way to spend a Saturday morning.
📍 Putnam Valley Grange
📅 Saturday, March 7 | 10 AM – 1 PM
💲 $25 (space is limited)
More info and registration here:
https://putnamvalleygrange.org/48-2/
Our local farmers, gardeners, and beekeepers are such an important part of the fabric of Putnam County. Events like this remind me how lucky we are to have organizations like the Putnam Valley Grange keeping those traditions — and that knowledge — alive.
🐝 Hope to see some new beekeepers buzzing around soon!

02/14/2026

I was pleased to revive the Fair Street sidewalk TAP grant opportunity for Putnam County after it appeared earlier this year that incorrect information was given to Supervisor VanTassel that might have prevented the County from participating.

As reported in this article by Supervisor Van Tassel, “the County” could not guarantee the required 80 percent share because such action would require approval of the full Legislature, and there was no time in the legislative calendar to do so. That was not true.

I was initially surprised to see the Jan. 11 reporting refer broadly to “the county,” particularly because the Legislature — which holds the power of the purse — had not been consulted regarding the timing question. Upon review of the legislative calendar, it became clear there remained ample opportunity for legislative consideration. In fact, there are 12 meetings scheduled within the timeframe Supervisor VanTassel referenced in the article: “Somewhere between Jan. 15 and March 15, we need to have the money secured, or another route to finance the two sidewalks.” That is why I moved quickly to help keep the project viable.

Once I became aware of the issue, I immediately reached out to the Supervisor to clarify the Legislature’s role and the necessary documentation and to ensure this important opportunity moved forward. I also spoke directly with the County Executive on February 3 to confirm my intention to advance the initiative through the Legislature within the available timeframe.

I am proud that the county — together with the administration and the Legislature — can now shift focus, become the project’s sponsor, and bring this opportunity back into active consideration. It’s a wonderful renewal of collaboration between municipal and community partners.

This project addresses long-standing pedestrian safety concerns connecting the Village of Cold Spring, Little Stony Point, and the Washburn Trailhead — needs identified in adopted planning documents for many years. With our community partner, the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, generously committing the 20 percent local match, this is exactly the kind of smart public-private partnership that helps Putnam County deliver meaningful infrastructure improvements.

I encourage residents and stakeholders to follow this item and to participate in the upcoming February 19 Audit Committee meeting, where this important initiative will be discussed.

My focus remains where it has always been: advancing documented safety improvements, protecting taxpayer resources, and working collaboratively to deliver results for the communities we serve.

Upfront costs pose a challenge

01/27/2026

Just when we thought care for our seniors was finally getting the attention it deserves, this reversal sends a devastating signal that profit and deregulation are being prioritized over people.

Executives who donated to the president’s super PAC met privately with him and urged a repeal of the rule, which was intended to prevent neglect of patients.