Strong Roots and a Clear Vision

A special place paying homage to its rich history and welcoming a vibrant future

Nestled in the scenic Hudson River Valley, the Town of Wappinger was named after the Wappinger people, an Indigenous nation who originally inhabited the area. Established  over 150 years ago, this thriving town has grown into a vibrant rural-suburban community, known for its rich history, strong sense of place, and exceptional quality of life. “The Town of Wappinger is truly a special place,” boasts Town Supervisor Joseph Cavaccini. “Our close proximity to New York City in the beautiful Hudson River Valley really sets us apart.”

The town is made up of a mosaic of neighborhoods, an incorporated village, and six distinct hamlets. From mid-century subdivisions to newly built developments, Wappinger balances heritage and growth with ease. “We are the second most densely populated town in Dutchess County, one of the largest in the region, and yet we still maintain that small town feel. When you go into the local restaurants, or the local deli or the store, you know your neighbors, they know your name. It’s a close knit community,” he describes.

Smart Growth and Sustainable Development

With over 1,000 acres of preserved parkland and open space, the town carefully protects its green assets and is instead transforming underutilized and even contaminated areas into thriving community assets. “We’ve been able to focus on redeveloping sites across this town that were previously developed and reimagine them,” Cavaccini explains. “We’re fostering development to the tune of $100 million. That is innovative, that is not clear-cutting open space. That is reimagining former contaminated sites, former developed sites.”

The town’s development strategy is about creating a functional, livable community, by investing in critical infrastructure like water and sewer that will carry Wappinger well into the future. “The reason why people want to live here is very important to us,” notes Cavaccini.

“We’re not really big on pushing housing and high density residential as we really have our fair share. Being the second most densely populated town in this county, we’re also the smallest geographical town.”  Reporting that Wappinger’s housing stock consists of 60% single family and 40% multi family, he stresses,  “We take a different approach. We’re trying to sustain what we have for the residents who live here and preserve what makes Wappinger so attractive.”

When it comes to fiber, Cavaccini says the town took a proactive approach in the early 2000s, bringing in two providers, Optimum and Verizon. “That ‘competition’,  that free enterprise capitalism allowed for the town of Wappinger to get the best fiber optic and high 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 that we have there. So, working with folks like Sky Harbor would be a solid investment for the town.”

The development of a multimillion-dollar sports complex  is also in the works, exemplifying Wappinger’s innovative approach and commitment to the community. Currently under review by the planning board, the proposed complex will transform a formerly contaminated scrap metal collection site into a thriving recreational space with turf fields and an array of indoor amenities. Cavaccini recounts, “We are going to take that and turn it into something positive. He adds that the vision for the complex is grounded in both practicality and passion. “The Town of Wappinger is also home to my good friend Tyler Adams, who’s the United States Soccer captain for the World Cup,” he shares. “Focusing on our sports connection is a natural fit. It’s not residential, it’s innovative. It’s filling the site.”

Cavaccini says he and his team have been highly intentional about the kinds of proposals they support. “It’s our marketing strategy that’s really attracting folks. We are offering something that a small town has to offer, face to face conversation, face to face interactions,” he touts. “And we are trying to really streamline the planning process. We have a great planning board  made up of very qualified people of all different backgrounds, and bringing their diverse perspectives really helps projects as well.”

Attractions That Inspire

From natural beauty to cultural richness, Wappinger offers plenty for residents and visitors to enjoy. “We’re right on the Hudson line of Metro North, an hour 15 minute train ride from New York City, from Manhattan. People are coming up to us to take in natural sites,” Cavaccini acknowledges. The town’s expansive parkland includes features like the picturesque Carnwath Farms Historic Site, a 99.7 acre former estate, turned park on the Hudson River.

“We as a town are investing significant funds into reclaiming that site. It has sat vacant for 25 years, and we’re going to be doing event spaces and community spaces there for  everyone to enjoy,” outlines Cavaccini. The Reese Park Nature Preserve, a 40 acre green area adjacent to Wappinger Creek, is another community gem. The town is also investing in the Chelsea waterfront with a rebuilt boat launch and plans for a kayak trail connecting to the Wappinger Creek estuary.

The community is home to an array of cultural attractions, including the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (COSM), a world renowned art sanctuary created by visionary artists Alex and Allyson Grey that draws tens of thousands of visitors annually. “That is a huge destination within the town of Wappinger,” Cavaccini remarks.

The town also boasts an exceptional dining scene, bolstered by its proximity to the Culinary Institute of America. “That allows for us to have many CIA trained, educated and graduate chefs working in our restaurants, and we have many award winning restaurants in and of themselves,” he details. “We have actors and actresses coming in to film movies in the town, they’re often at Heritage Food and Drink, or they’re hopping around visiting different places, which is huge.”

The vibrancy of the community is further evidenced by the charming mom and pop restaurants and retail offerings, as well as entertainment options like the community theatre, galleries, and museums. “We’re home to Unshattered, which is a non profit enterprise, founded by a local woman who’s done a fantastic job making connections,” highlights Cavaccini. “They’ve got huge investors like the Koch Brothers to do a multi million dollar facility for their mission, which is employing battered and formally drug addicted women to create upcycled products like purses and handbags and giving these women a second chance.”

The Future is Thriving

As Wappinger marks its 150th anniversary, Cavaccini says his focus is on delivering capital improvements while keeping taxes low. He summarizes, “As a town government, we are investing millions of dollars in capital infrastructure, from park improvements to facility enhancements for our residents to enjoy. We will continue to make those investments, so taxpayers continue to get what they pay for, while we continue to keep the town of Wappinger the most affordable town in this county.”

Looking ahead, Wappinger is moving forward with intention, demonstrating that progress and preservation can go hand in hand.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Wappinger, NY

What: A charming and progressive town in New York’s Hudson Valley region

Where: Dutchess County, NY

Website: www.townofwappingerny.gov