By Warwick Town Supervisor Jesse Dwyer
Over the past year, our focus has remained steady: invest wisely, plan responsibly, and build a stronger, safer, and more resilient Town of Warwick—without losing sight of the fact that every dollar we spend is a taxpayer dollar.
Infrastructure Investment
Infrastructure is not always the most visible work a town does, but it is among the most important. This year, we made historic investments that will serve our community for generations.
We officially kicked off the Jayne Street Bridge project, entering the bridge design phase for a long-awaited improvement to a critical piece of town infrastructure. At Mountain Lake Park, we completed a major water infiltration project to preserve park infrastructure and prevent long-term damage.
In partnership with New York State, a $30 million NYSDOT project to repave the Route 94 corridor began in 2025—an investment that improves safety, commerce, and quality of life throughout our town.
We also changed how we approach road paving by implementing PMG software to assess road conditions using objective, data-driven analysis. This removed any perception of favoritism and ensures that paving decisions are based solely on need and effectiveness. As a result, we invested nearly $1 million to pave more than six linear miles of town roads.
We strengthened our Department of Public Works by taking delivery of a new 4×4 plow truck and a tractor-mounted road mower, improving our ability to maintain roads safely and efficiently year-round.
Protecting our water resources remained a top priority. We joined a class action lawsuit to advocate for safer drinking water and drafted legislation—passed by the New York State Senate—to improve water quality right here in Warwick.
We also completed a nearly $7 million FEMA-funded project to reconstruct four large-scale culverts and one retaining wall, significantly improving drainage and flood mitigation across key areas of town.
Looking forward, we began a town-wide composting feasibility study that could reduce costs and overall waste by town residents. We also entered into a Community Solar Program—saving the Town thousands of dollars annually on utility costs without investing a single taxpayer dollar.
Supporting Our Public Parks & Open Space
Warwick’s character is defined by its open spaces, parks, and working farms—and we took major steps this year to protect and enhance them.
We signed a contract to preserve more than 70 acres of active farmland, reinforcing our commitment to smart growth and land preservation. As part of a tributary restoration project, more than 100 trees were planted to strengthen our natural environment.
We completed full construction of a brand-new playground at Airport Park and began construction on a new children’s pool at Mountain Lake Park. We also completed the Longhouse Creek Trail—a new two-mile hiking trail that expands recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
At Pine Island Park, tennis and pickle ball courts were resurfaced, along with two basketball courts elsewhere in town. AEDs were installed at every public park, ensuring lifesaving equipment is readily available where families gather.
We also signed a three-year rental contract for a summer retreat at Mountain Lake Park, generating more than $500,000 in revenue to directly support park operations.
Most importantly, through a partnership with ALAMO and the Farmworkers Community Center, more than 100 local children were given a free opportunity to learn to swim at our public pool—an investment in safety, equity, and opportunity.
Creating Greater Transparency
Good government requires transparency and access.
This year, we implemented Municollab software in our Planning Department, giving residents full online access to every Planning Board application under review. This not only increased transparency but streamlined processes and reduced internal costs.
We also expanded the televising of public meetings across Facebook Live, YouTube, and Channel 21 to include Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings—ensuring residents can stay informed and engaged in local decision-making.
Partnering With Our Villages
Strong towns are built on strong partnerships.
This year, we began revenue sharing of cannabis excise tax proceeds with our villages. This is not required by state law, but something the Town Board feels is essential in supporting our Villages. We began a joint effort with the Village of Warwick on a multi-use recreation trail connecting downtown Warwick to the Route 94 commercial corridor. Together with all three villages, we kicked off a town-wide Transportation Safety Action Plan—working collaboratively to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
Grant Funding Secured
One of our proudest accomplishments is our success in securing outside funding—reducing the burden on local taxpayers.
This year, we secured:
- $450,000 to upgrade and modernize our police department facilities
- $50,000 for our senior center
- $750,000 for a new arboretum and amphitheater at Wickham Woodlands Park
- Over $8 million for the Wickham Wastewater Reconstruction Project, along with interest-free financing valued at more than $4 million in savings through a highly technical and successful income survey
We are also deeply grateful to Senator James Skoufis for allocating more than $1.2 million in grant funding to support critical Warwick projects in 2025 alone.
Between 2024 and 2025, the Town of Warwick secured nearly $15 million in grant funding—a testament to careful planning, persistence, and strong advocacy.
Conclusion
Taken together, these accomplishments reflect a town that is planning ahead, investing wisely, and refusing to settle for short-term fixes when long-term solutions are needed. From infrastructure and environmental protection to transparency, recreation, and public safety, every decision was guided by a single question: Does this serve the residents of the Town of Warwick?
The year was not without its trials and tribulations. We continue to face new unfunded mandates and growing costs imposed from outside our control. Running a town is not easy, and we make difficult decisions every single day. But our priorities are clear. Property taxes support the vast majority of our operations, and it is our obligation to spend those dollars ethically, responsibly, and intelligently. Balancing effective infrastructure investment with fiscal discipline requires creativity and commitment—and this year, working together, we met that challenge. As a result, we delivered all of these projects while adopting a 2026 budget that remains under the New York State tax cap.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we look ahead to 2026, we do so at a truly historic moment—the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation. Warwick has a unique and proud place in that history, and as we commemorate this milestone, we are reminded that our responsibility is not just to honor the past, but to thoughtfully shape the future. In the coming year, we will continue advancing major infrastructure projects already underway, including the Jayne Street Bridge, the Wickham Wastewater reconstruction, and critical road and drainage improvements. We are also moving forward with more than 400 acres of parks and open space projects currently in process across the town, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to conservation, recreation, and improving the quality of life for all residents. This year we are completing a full update of our Parks Master Plan, and I am pleased to share that the public survey for that effort was released today—ensuring that residents have a direct voice in shaping the future of our parks. As we enter 2026, we will continue to prioritize transparency, collaboration with our villages, and data-driven decision-making, while leveraging grant funding to reduce the burden on taxpayers and investing wisely in a town that honors its history and prepares confidently for the next generation.
None of this would be possible without our incredible town staff—dedicated professionals who genuinely care about our residents and our mission. This is a true partnership, supported by a committed and forward-thinking Town Board and strengthened by collaboration across departments. We are also fortunate to live in a town with three vibrant villages, proactive local leadership, volunteer community organizations, and of course, our engaged residents.
Together, we are building a brighter future. And together—through teamwork, service, and shared purpose—we will continue moving the Town of Warwick forward.
