Changes Ahead for Palisades?
Talk of change within our community is swirling around these days. This is what we have discovered.
Palisades Free Library
Maria
Gagliardi, Director of the Palisades
Library, reports, "2011 marks the
120th anniversary of the Palisades
Library. At this time there are no plans
to combine with other South
Orangetown libraries. Over the summer the
library began a series of interior and
exterior improvements. The upgrades
will continue through 2012 adding to the functional
space and energy efficiency of the building while
retaining the library's warmth and historic charm. New
lighting and redesign of the central air conditioning system
have already made a significant impact on the library's
energy usage. Carpet replacement and new seating
continues on the interior and two new parking spaces
begin the exterior improvements."
Palisades Post Office
Mary Whately, our local Post
Master tells us, "I have heard the rumors that Palisades
Post Office is slated to close. As of this date I have
received no notice to that effect. If we do receive
notice, regulations mandate we must post the notice on
the Post Office bulletin board thirty to sixty days before
closure to allow residents to protest by contacting their
elected official."
IBM
It has been confirmed that the IBM property on
Rte. 9W is for sale. Dolce, the company that manages
the property, has relocated many of its employees to
other properties. While we have heard that IBM is in
the process of completing a sale to Citicorp with the
closing in January 2012, we have not been able to
confirm this information.
Weleda
Weleda, a Swiss
owned company, has its U.S.
headquarters here in Palisades
with 30 to 35 employees. In 2005
Weleda rented the small Greek
structure on Closter Road and
Rte. 9W where, in addition to a
retail store and spa facility,
marketing, advertising and
administrative services are located.
Carrie Ruehlman, Weleda's
public relations representative, has
told us, "We have outgrown the space but, to date,
nothing has been confirmed regarding a move. We love
it here in Palisades - the community is good to us."
Hopefully, the store and spa will remain here with
another location secured for the remaining business.
Palisades Presbyterian Church Manse
At a November 13 meeting, the church membership
voted to sell the Manse located across the street from
the church on Washington Spring Road. Reverend
Angela Maddalone, the church's pastor, says, “We no
longer find owning it to be in the best interest of our
church since for financial reasons the pastor cannot
reside there. Our only option at this time is renting and
we do not feel God is calling us to be landlords. We are
hoping that by letting go of the Manse we are making
room for new ministries for our congregation by
focusing our time, energy and money elsewhere. The
Presbytery of Hudson River, of which we are a part,
has strict guidelines for how the money from the sale
can be used. The principle must be invested; the
interest can only be used toward housing the pastor, in
our case, a housing allowance for the current minister.”