Hobart’s Future in Focus: Planning Board Updates Comprehensive Plan

Main Street, Hobart. The Village Board and the Planning Board have announced plans to update Hobart’s Comprehensive Plan, a foundational document that has not seen a major revision since 2004. Photo in PD.

HOBART—In the village of Hobart, a new chapter is beginning to unfold—one that looks toward the next twenty years by revisiting the lessons of the last twenty. The Village Board and the Planning Board have announced plans to update Hobart’s Comprehensive Plan, a foundational document that has not seen a major revision since 2004.   

For many in Hobart, this update is a watershed moment. A Comprehensive Plan is more than just a set of rules; it is a community’s "vision for its future". It establishes a roadmap for growth, prioritizes specific actions for revitalization, and assigns responsibility for achieving those goals. In Hobart’s case, this revision is directly tied to critical initiatives like the Main Street Revitalization effort and the pursuit of state grants to beautify the village and restore its historic anchors.

The urgency of this planning has been underscored by recent challenges, most notably the emergency closure of the historic Hobart Inn. The "shock and outrage" surrounding the building’s deterioration underscored to officials and residents that a clear, updated plan is essential to preventing future losses and attracting the investment needed to save the village's historic character.   

How Residents Can Participate

The update process is designed to be a collaborative effort between village officials and the community. Residents can participate in several ways:

• Attend Village and Planning Board Meetings: The Planning Board, currently consisting of four members, John Whritner, Chairman; Joel Kaufman; Nancy Beisler; and Barbara Balliet, has begun meeting to lead the update. County Planning Board member Kent Manuel also attends the meetings. The Village Board typically meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Hobart Community Center (80 Cornell Avenue) or at an alternative time that is posted beforehand at .   
• Join the Hobart Community Alliance (HCA): The HCA has become a central hub for residents wishing to influence the village’s future. They meet on the fourth Thursday of each month from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Community Center.   According to HCA Coordinator Julie Rockefeller, “The Hobart Community Alliance looks forward to working with the Village of Hobart and the Planning Board when the time comes to begin work. Most people currently active in the HCA were not involved in the creation of the 2004 Comprehensive Plan. As a group, we have a lot to learn about both the purpose and the process.”
• Review the Existing Plan: To help residents prepare, the HCA has made PDF copies of the original 2004 Comprehensive Plan available. Familiarizing yourself with the old plan is the first step in helping shape the new one.   
• Participate in Work Groups: The HCA has formed specific work groups focused on different aspects of village improvement—such as Main Street grants, traffic safety, and lighting—which feed directly into the broader planning goals.   

By joining these conversations, residents are not just witnessing the story of Hobart—they are writing its next chapter.   

Hobart, New York, is a small village located in the town of Stamford within Delaware County. Known today as the "Book Village of the Catskills," it has a rich history tied to early American industry and agriculture.   

History

The village was settled around 1784 by European-descended settlers, many of whom were Episcopalians from New England.  It was originally named Waterville due to its location on the West Branch of the Delaware River, which provided water power for mills.  In 1828, the U.S. Postal Service requested a name change to avoid confusion with another Waterville in New York. The name Hobart was chosen to honor John Henry Hobart, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.   

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Hobart was a bustling manufacturing and dairy center. It was home to several dams, sawmills, and the Sheffield Farms creamery.  After a period of economic decline in the late 20th century, the village reinvented itself starting in 2005. Inspired by the "book town" model of Hay-on-Wye in Wales, Hobart now hosts multiple independent bookstores, drawing tourists and bibliophiles to the area.   

Hobart is nestled in the Catskill Mountains, characterized by rolling hills, farmsteads, and the West Branch of the Delaware River. The village is a key point along the Catskill Scenic Trail, a 19-mile multi-use rail trail that follows the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad right-of-way. The landscape remains largely rural and mountainous, with historic buildings and barns integrated into the natural topography of the region.   

Historically, Hobart's economy was driven by agriculture (specifically dairy farming) and milling. Today, the principal industry has shifted toward tourism and specialized retail, centered on its identity as a Book Village. Despite its small size, the village has a history with the pharmaceutical industry; a major plant currently owned by Mallinckrodt (formerly owned by Dean M. Graham) has been a significant local employer for decades.

Population

Hobart is a very small, close-knit community with a slowly declining population.  As of 2026, the population is estimated to be approximately 381 residents (World Population Review).