Last week Senator James Skoufis announced $54,000 in new grant funding for the full cost of the purchase of a patrol SUV for the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department. Skoufis acknowledged Chief Steven Dixon’s commitment to seeking funding opportunities and resources for his department, and thanked him for the responsiveness that allowed the funding to be awarded quickly, getting the patrol SUV on the road and in use.

“I am thrilled to provide this state funding to Chief Dixon and his team,” Skoufis said. “One of my primary responsibilities as an elected official is to ensure taxpayer dollars come right back home to make a difference in our community, and investing in our police department and public safety is doing exactly that. I’m grateful to Chief Dixon for his law enforcement leadership and am happy for the many opportunities I get to partner with local police departments. They are excellent partners and I look forward to additional grant opportunities in the future.”

The state investing in the small community is appreciated, Mayor James A. Gagliano said.

“Our COHPD automotive fleet is undeniably aging and coupled with supply chain issues and inflation at record levels, this grant award serves to help us continue to focus on public safety for our community while avoiding hitting the taxpayers in their wallets,” Gagliano said. “A total win-win for Cornwall-on-Hudson.”

Trustee Bill Braine agreed, thanking both Dixon and Skoufis: “I am grateful for the creative thinking by Chief Dixon and the assistance of Senator Skoufis and his team in shepherding this grant. Keeping our department’s equipment up-to-date in a fiscally prudent way is vital.”

The grant was from the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology Program (CREST), which is a capital grant program administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the mayor said. Gagliano said Village Clerk Doris Wickiser worked with Chief Dixon in the grant application process.