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Newark Valley is a small town in Northern Tioga County. The impact REAP
has had on the Town is a rather subjective one. The first local meeting
to revitalize the REAP program in the county held in Newark Valley was
very successful. Many ideas were brought forth by the Townspeople and
have been acted on. At the Town level, a Town newsletter was developed by the Supervisor
and his staff.
This has proved to be of immense interest to the
residents, and very helpful.
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REAP was involved with the low income
housing units located on Golden Lane. The REAP program has provided
business leader and other community leaders an opportunity to network
with other like-minded individuals in the County to exchange ideas and
plans.
Newark Valley wishes to remain a rural, quiet town. Its school system
serves the three Northern Tioga Towns, Richford, Berkshire and Newark
Valley, as well as portions of several other counties. The High school
is located in the Town, the Middle School and the Elementary are in the
Village. REAP has been helpful in getting grants for the Newark Valley
Historical Society.
Newark Valley displays history as well as beauty
By Wendy Post
Upon entrance into Newark Valley, residents and visitors are welcomed
by the beauty that many hours of labor and love provided. Thanks to the
Tillers and Toilers Garden Club, as well as the Main Street
Revitalization and Historic Preservation committees, this entryway is
now decorated with natural foliage, a decorated gazebo, and the
remaining historic structures that serve as municipalities. Throughout
Newark Valley, residents are helping to preserve their historic
landmarks by hosting activities as well as researching for grants and
funding.
Forming in 2001, following leadership and economic revitalization
training that was provided by Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP),
the Tillers and Toilers worked to identify areas for beautification.
The Tillers and Toilers Garden Club of Newark Valley has adopted the
Newark Valley Village Green as one of their projects. Over the past
several years they have beautified the area by designing the
landscaping, hosting fund-raising activities, purchasing and planting
bushes and flowers, and maintaining the plantings throughout the
growing season. The Club also decorates the gazebo in the Village Green
each year. The decorations are made by members of the Club and other
volunteers who gather for one or two days to create them for hanging in
the gazebo along with holiday lights.
Another group that is working to revitalize the downtown area is the
Main Street Revitalization Committee. This committee works with the
Historic Preservation committee as they strive to meet common goals.
According to Betty Thompson from the Town of Newark Valley, "the
Village has done well." Betty would like to see this work extend as far
as the Bement Billings Homestead located on Route 38. In major
activity, the Main Street Revitalization group has assumed the planning
of the annual Newark Valley Days. This annual event welcomes guests to
the Village in celebration. Betty also noted the low income housing
that was developed thanks to it's being in a REAP Zone. This zoning
earned priority points for the project. Other recent activity noted by
Betty is the receipt of grants that will be utilized to restore the old
train depot. The Town will also be looking into a program that assists
with rehabilitation to area Main Streets. According to Betty, REAP will
be assisting with this as well. For more information about Main Street
Revitalization you can contact Betty Thompson at 607-642-8930 or Linda
Espe at 607-642-5253.
In other activity, the Historic Preservation group is working to
maintain Newark Valley's historic resources. According to Ginnie Wood,
committee member, the group recently formed to get the Municipal
Building listed in the Historic Registry. "This was the thrust of
Historic Preservation," said Wood. The group will also be working to
place the library on the Historic Registry as well. For more
information about Historic Preservation you can contact Ginnie Wood at
607-642-9974.
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