speed internet,” he expands. “They were constantly competing with each other, both companies were consistently upgrading their fiber optic and all of their lines. We are in great shape when it comes to high speed internet.” Wappinger is also embracing “small-scale cellular” solutions such as installing devices on utility poles instead of constructing tall cell towers. Cavaccini stresses,“We’re in the Hudson Valley. We’re trying to protect those viewsheds. It’s striking that balance. Residents don’t want to have the cell tower in the backyard, but they want cell service.” VISIONARY PROJECTS Just a year ago, Wappinger’s village center was dotted with vacant storefronts. Now, it’s undergoing a dramatic transformation. “Folks want a walkable town center and that’s what we’re giving them. By working with property owners and landlords we’ve been able to curate the types of businesses that we’d like to see in that village downtown center,” Cavaccini depicts. “We have a boutique candy shop, boutique clothing stores, toy stores, and bookstores. We have well over 40 different eateries and bars and restaurants within the town of Wappinger.” In addition, initiatives like “First Saturday Wappinger,” a monthly event series supporting local businesses, is helping to reinvigorate the community. Wappingers Route 9 corridor, lined with big box retail establishments is another area of focus.“We’re reinvesting in that, not to build any more strip malls, but to fill the empty ones, and to bring in strategic development ,” says Cavaccini. Another exciting project is the redevelopment of the Hudson Valley Regional Airport in partnership with Sky Harbor. “It’s the first time since 1937 that the town will be receiving tax revenue from this public-private partnership,” Cavaccini says. “We are taking something that is taxpayer owned and bringing in a private entity to make this multi million dollar investment out there to make it into an executive style airport. We don’t want to over populate the airport but rather change the clientele 52 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05
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