Putnam County Government

Putnam County Officials are monitoring a large and potentially dangerous winter storm that is predicted to move into our area Wednesday afternoon, 12/16/20, increase in intensity overnight and end Thursday afternoon.

Putnam County Clerk Michael C. Bartolotti hosted a Naturalization Ceremony on Wednesday, December 10, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Putnam County Historic Courthouse, Carmel, New York. Clerk Bartolotti administered the Oath of Allegiance to 15 new citizens from 10 different countries.

Recently, the Putnam County Historian’s Office hosted a virtual Historians’ Roundtable where members of local historical societies and museums discussed the interesting and increasing trend of donating ephemera and artifacts during the past eight pandemic-riddled months, all while local and former Putnam County residents have been staying home to curb exposure to COVID-19.

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced that local movie theaters will be among those allowed to reopen on Friday, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s lifted restrictions in most of the state. Restaurants, gyms and other businesses that cater to the public are open, so it didn’t make sense to keep movie theaters closed. We need to help businesses come back, not stand in their way. Plus, people are feeling Covid fatigue. We have to give them options and trust they will make the right decisions to stay safe.

Series 100 in the Putnam County Archives, Stallion Records, includes the County Clerk filings for their registry via public notice. These interesting records range from 1887-1906, and include one from 1909. They come printed in the form of newspaper notices or handbills and typically advertise the horse’s pedigree, farm and former and present owners, physical description, and may include availability for stud along with its record of notable ancestors and offspring as featured in this notice for the blue ribbon winning, Doctor Travis of Tompkins Corners (Putnam Valley, NY).

A week prior to Thanksgiving and the start of the winter holiday season, leaders from Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Ulster counties gathered virtually today to ask residents to remain vigilant in the coming weeks and curtail small social gatherings. Such parties or hangouts, even among friends and family members, have led to a recent increase in local COVID-19 cases, raising the Mid-Hudson region’s positivity rate, affecting the ability of schools and businesses to remain open and further stressing the region’s healthcare resources.

Thank you, Putnam County. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, you have helped neighbors in need, supported food banks and food drives, delivered meals for seniors, made and donated masks and, of course, adapted to wearing masks in public and practicing safe social distancing measures. Because of your vigilance, our communities have been able to reopen safely.

In 2013, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell introduced the Putnam Invests in Young Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) program in conjunction with the county legislature. As this year’s chapter comes to an end, interns are using their newly gained skills to help pave the way for their future. The county is now looking back at interns of prior years to shine a light on the impact of the program.

Turning this 126-year-old bridge into a pedestrian and bicycle path is a great step forward. It will help make our communities more walkable, provide healthy recreation opportunities and bring people to village parks, the Metro-North train station and Brewster’s Main Street shopping district.