The Community Improvement Team (CIT) has worked in the Town and Village of New Paltz on facade improvements, streetscapes, and special events community-wide since 2001. An outgrowth of the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce's Beautification and Clean Sweep Committees, CIT was inspired by the federal "Keep America Beautiful" program. CIT's membership and role has expanded from installing flags and summer flowers, to weed whacking, graffiti and litter removal, launching an anti-litter campaign, support for special clean up days, and painting projects.
OUR MISSION
The mission of CIT is enhancement of the quality of life in New Paltz through volunteer work by individuals and established organizations. This approach to community curb appeal in a small scale tourist town has proven to be effective, one which can be replicated anywhere concerned volunteers meet to discuss issues and agree on action through cooperation.
PUBLIC ENTITY/PRIVATE SECTOR COOPERATION
CIT creates opportunities for involvement for the entire local community: SUNY/New Paltz, Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz Foundation, NYS Dept. of Transportation, NYS Thruway Authority, AmeriCorps, New Paltz High School, Ulster County Alternative Sentencing program, Teen Seen program, New Paltz Garden Club, Village and Town of New Paltz, Chamber of Commerce, individual businesses, and enthusiastic private citizens. Funds come from the 2 municipalities, the Chamber, the Downtown Business Association, and private donations.
ACTIVE CITIZEN/MERCHANT PARTICIPATION
Although CIT's reach is community-wide, much of the work in 2003 was focused on Main Street. When a fence surrounding a downtown parking lot needed paint, participants from the New Paltz Teen Seen provided the labor, the landowner provided the paint and also contributed to the fund for expansion of the Teen Seen facility. When a local cafe was suffering from neglect and vandalism, CIT participants designed and executed a 'make-over' in 2003 which upgraded the appearance of an important part of downtown Main Street. These projects, and others like them in 2001 and 2002, provided work experience for local teenagers while improving the streetscape for residents and tourists alike. Similarly, use of Teen Seen workers and alternative sentencing program workers provided Main St. merchants with street cleaning services on weekends until the Village budget provides funds for public workers to take over.
ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY
New Paltz and its surroundings have many tourist attractions related to outdoor recreation, history, and the arts. However, the importance of community-wide curb appeal to attract visitors requires continuing articulation and creative implementation. More attractive and cleaner streetscapes achieved through volunteer action can only enhance economic benefits for local merchants and pride for residents.
PROJECTS TO ENHANCE OUR IMAGE
In 2003, CIT completed planning for a major project to be implemented in 2004. In the past, at the intersection of Thruway Exit 18 and Main St. (Rt.299), a welter of ugly private signs had been allowed to sprout. In 2003 CIT dealt with the important issue of the community's 'first impression,' meeting many times with NYS Transportation Dept. and Thruway Authority, as well as local officials, to remove the clutter of individual signs. Plans were made to move a Lions Club sign to adjacent private land. A large new "Welcome to New Paltz" sign and landscaping were designed and materials located, all by volunteer professionals, for installation by volunteers in the spring of 2004. The year of careful planning and follow through on details was critical in clearing the way for installation. It is a happy coincidence that in March, New Paltz was named one of only a dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, encouraging heritage tourism, and more traffic exiting the Thruway at the new "Welcome to New Paltz" sign created by CIT.
OUR GOAL
To maintain an active committee in New Paltz, made up of local leaders, business people and representatives of civic organizations to identify needs and beautification projects. Partnering with social/volunteer organizations, such as Americorps, New Paltz Youth Center and Ulster County Alternative Sentencing Program, CIT collaborates to accomplish community service projects such as litter clean up, graffiti removal, painting and planting of flowers.
CIT MEMBERS
CIT Chair:
Vici Danskin
CIT members:
Sharon Applegate
Ruth Elwell
Stewart Glenn
Richard Heyl de Ortiz
Walter Marquez
Sue Stegen
Joan Tenuto
John Tenuto
Erica Wagner
Marie Zapf
Town Board Liaison: Toni Hokanson
SUPPORT
Town of New Paltz
New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce
New Paltz Downtown Business Association
Private Donations
