Cold Spring Trustee Candidates Debate Butterfield Project

A proposed major development was the dominant discussion during a Cold Spring trustee candidate forum last week.

Philipstown.info hosted the debate between incumbent Trustee Charles Hustis who faced off against challengers Matt Francisco and Tom Rolston, who are both first-time candidates for the board.

The forum was moderated by Philipstown.info publisher Gordon Stewart.

The major topic of the forum was the proposed Butterfield project. Developer Paul Guillaro is proposing a 45-unit assisted living facility in an unoccupied building constructed in 1925 that would be renovated into four-story structure on Route 9D. The plan also calls for a senior park and a government building. For the project to be approved, the village board would need to re-zone the 7.5- acre property.

Francisco said the development could generate additional tax revenue “to help pay for infrastructure” in the village. But it is still early in the approval process, he said. If the Butterfield project is ultimately okayed by the village it must be something “we can all be comfortable with,” Francisco said.

During the process of reviewing Butterfield, the town needs to “make sure all the voices can be heard,” Francisco said.

Hustis said the empty building needed to be developed.

“Anything is better than the eyesore that is there right now,” Hustis said.

Rolston said he lives next door to the Butterfield property, which he believed should be developed.

“We need more rateables,” Rolston said.

Rolston said another attribute to the project is the developer’s offer to create a government building that could be used by Putnam County, Rolston said.

“We need it. The county needs it,” Rolston said.

Rolston also said the project should not create a burden on the village and local school district in terms of providing many more services.

“We want to keep the Butterfield project tax positive,” he said.

Francisco said he agreed that the project must not cost the school district and village more in services than it would generate in taxes.

During the process of reviewing the Butterfield plan, the village must utilize the services of various experts, Francisco said.

Hustis said Butterfield must be “consistent with the character of the community,” and that the village must, “make an informed decision,” on the proposed development.

Rolston said he had discussed the Butterfield project with developer Paul Guillaro, who has expressed some frustration with the approval process because he does not know what residents want for his planned development. Guillaro wants the village board to create a committee which would ask residents about what they want for Butterfield, Rolston said.

Resident Thomas Ambrose asked Rolston why he was speaking to the developer of the Butterfield project. Rolston replied that Guillaro asked him if he was willing to buy, rent or lease a portion of his property, but that no transaction has occurred.