Col. Cty. DSS

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Wednesday headlines and audio

October 5, 2011 in Athens, Cairo, Durham by Tom Roe | No comments

School officials want to turn Durham Elementary into a charter school
WGXC volunteer Anne Horst recorded the meeting Tue. Oct. 4 in the Cairo High School auditorium about the possibility of turning Durham Elementary into a charter school. School officials said they hoped the school board would vote on the issue at the Oct. 13 meeting. About 40 citizens turned out to hear why the change: Durham Elementary is half empty and costing taxpayers extra to run it half-empty. How would it pay for itself: part of the curriculum would be online, and attract students from around the state. There would be a lottery, first among Durham students, then throughout, and then outside the Cairo-Durham school district. Click here or below on PLAY CLIP to listen to the meeting audio via mp3.
Entire meeting about possible charter school. PLAY CLIP

Bigger burden falling on food pantries
W. T. Eckert reports in the Register-Star that food stamp use in Columbia County is up 11 percent in the past year, with 5,662 Columbia County residents, now receiving benefits. Last August, 5,109 folks in Columbia County needed help with food, according to Columbia County Department of Social Services Commissioner Paul Mossman. “Mossman said his department’s overall caseload is up 13 percent, due to a variety of issues, ranging from the increase in food prices, energy costs and housing costs to an increase in health insurance options and prescription medication,” Eckert wrote in the paper. “So people have less and less to spend on food items,” Mossman said, “and what money they do have left probably doesn’t stretch far enough, therefore we do see more people relying on food pantries.” Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Hunters wanted to help small game count
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) encourages hunters to participate in two surveys for popular game species during this fall’s hunting seasons. Rabbits hunters in Rensselaer, Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, or Westchester counties are asked to submit the heads of rabbits harvested to help determine the distribution of New England cottontails. Those interested in participating, or for more information, please contact DEC by phone at 518-402-8870 or by e-mail at fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please type “NE Cottontail” in the subject line). Hunters are also asked to keep logs about hunting ruffed grouse and American woodcock. Those interested in participating can download a hunting log from the DEC website. Detailed instructions can be found with the form. Survey forms can also be obtained by calling (518) 402-8886 or by e-mailing fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please type “Grouse Log” in the subject line).

State police seek missing Athens man, 71
The Daily Freeman reports that Joseph M. Platt, 71, of Athens, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, has been reported missing, according to state police. He was last seen Monday near Greenlake Road, wearing blue pants, a blue T-shirt and black shoes, and is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs around 220 pounds, accoridng to police, who ask anyone with information to call 518-622-8600. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

Occupy Wall Street protests gets labor rally
The Occupy Wall Street protests in Manhattan are joined by several labor groups and sympathy strikes on Wed., Oct. 5. Students at SUNY schools around the state say some will walk out at 1 p.m. Other protests are being held around the country. WGXC correspondent Kelly Benjamin will call in with a report live during the protests on the WGXC Afternoon Show live from the Catskill Community Center every Wednesday.

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Supes table Wal-Mart deal, look to 25 RR Ave.

August 11, 2011 in Greenport, Hudson by Tom Roe | No comments

W. T. Eckert reports in the Register-Star that Hudson city officials proposed at the last minute for the county to lease a building at 25 Railroad Ave. rather than buy the former Wal-Mart building in Greenport to house many county operations. The resolution to purchase the former Walmart Building was tabled at the Wed., Aug. 10. full Board of Supervisors meeting. Hudson Common Council President Don Moore said Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera proposed the plan, which would have the city buy the building for around $1 million. “The city wants to buy the existing DSS building 25 RR Ave and lease it to the county for $15000 a month versus $30000, until they get the court system in there,” Republican supervisor from Kinderhook Pat Grattan said. Eventually, the City of Hudson would move the city police station and court system into the building. Tthe plan will be discussed at the next Hudson City Council meeting 7 p.m Tuesday August 16 at City Hall. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

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Wednesday headlines

August 10, 2011 in Cairo, Catskill, Columbia County, Greenport, Hudson by Tom Roe | No comments

Hudson’s other bay emerges
While the rest of Hudson has been fighting about how much parkland, or how much industry should make up Hudson’s South Bay, the Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) has quietly been working on a proposal to transform Hudson’s North Bay into a massive public recreation area. The proposed trail network, announced Tue. Aug. 9, would stretch from the Hudson River to the City’s Charles Williams Park, through the 714-acre Greenport Conservation Area and northward on to Harrier Hill Park. And while this may ignite a whole new row of in-fighting and disputes among Hudson muckety-mucks, the CLC has a couple of key voices on board already. “I support CLC’s proposal for the North Bay Recreation and Natural Area,” said Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera in the CLC’s press release. “The Area will give the public better access to the North Bay, spectacular views of the Hudson River, and access to about 1,000 acres of conservation land, while creating important habitat.” Roy Brown, Chairman of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, agreed, saying, “This proposal spells out a wonderful vision and opportunity for the North Bay. It will provide a great amenity to the residents of the county, provide important ecological benefits and markedly enhance the City’s Hudson River waterfront.” A grant from the Hudson River Foundation’s Catskill-Olana Viewshed Mitigation Fund, which was established by the Athens Generating Company in conjunction with Scenic Hudson in the course of the regulatory approval process for the Athens Generating Plant, helped pay for a study that led to the proposal. The CLC proposal is in three phases over a nine-year period, and there are many regulatory and other hurdles sure to slow the process. Ownership of the property is divided among the County, the City and the City’s Industrial Development Agency, and the Hudson Fabrics Building property. The CLC mentions the idea was included in the 2002 City of Hudson Comprehensive Plan and the City’s draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) includes a similar plan. “It is now up to the City and the County to decide whether and how to act on the CLC proposal,” is how the group awkwardly closes their announcement. The CLC owns or manages 10 public conservation areas that are open year-round from dawn to dusk.

Supes to vote on Wal-Mart purchase
W. T. Eckert in the Register-Star reports that a resolution request for “Authorizing the Acquisition of the Wal-Mart Building” was made Mon., Aug. 8, at a Columbia County Public Works Committee meeting and that tonight, Wed., Aug. 10, the Finance Committee and Board of Supervisors will vote on that and two related proposals. Six of the seven Public Works committee members voted in favor of the request, all except Pat Grattan (R-Kinderhook). “I have concerns about the two percent tax cap,” Grattan said. “I think we are going to be well above it…. I can’t justify the taking of a building that’s attached to another building…. If Price Chopper and Fashion Bug move out, we’ll be attached to two more vacant buildings. Buildings aren’t maintained as well when they aren’t occupied.” The other two proposals, one authorizing a professional services agreement with Woodward Connor Gillis Seleman Architects; the other, a resolution requesting a negative declaration for purposes of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in connection with the purchase, finance and repurposing of the former Wal-Mart building in Greenport. Hudson stands to lose many jobs if the Department of Social Services (DSS) leaves for Greenport, but both Bart Delaney, R-Hudson5, and John Musall D-Hudson1, supported the proposals. “We have to get DSS out of 25 Railroad Ave.,” Delaney said. “It doesn’t have to be all done now; we could look at a five-year plan or a six-year plan.” “This would also be a good opportunity to establish a transit system that the whole county could benefit from,” committee member John Musall D-Hudson1 said, “not just DSS.” All three resolutions will go before both the Finance Committee at 7 p.m. and the full Board of Supervisors at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, Eckert reports. Read the compete story in the Register-Star.

Cuomo helps out farmer’s markets
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tue., Aug. 9 a “New York Fresh Connect Farmers’ Markets” program, to help farmer’s markets and also provide access to high-quality fruits and vegetables to folks with lower incomes. The program offers up to $15,000 in funding per new market and helps with marketing, and other administration. The state will also help each market redeeming Food Stamps and other nutrition incentives, such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Fruit & Vegetable Checks, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons, and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition coupons, providing markets $2 rebate checks for every $5 in food stamps spent at their market. “Farmers’ markets increase farm sales and revenue by bringing farm produce directly to the consumer,” Cuomo said in a press release. “These markets also help underserved communities by providing fresh produce, nutritional education, and local jobs.”

Big Brothers/Big Sisters shutting Catskill office
Doron Tyler Antrim in The Daily Mail reports that the Big Brothers/Big Sisters office on Main Street in Catskill, which serves Greene and Columbia counties, will close at the end of the month, because of budget cuts. “Due to a significant loss of funding, and the dire financial outlook for New York state and this area specifically, for the near future, we will no longer be able to maintain services in Greene and Columbia counties,” wrote Jennifer Osswald, the agency’s director of programs for the twin counties, in a letter to the Catskill Village Board of Trustees. Children from the twin counties will be served by staff in the agency’s Kingston office. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Cairo traffic report
There is no parking in the Cairo Town Hall parking lot through Labor Day due to construction of the new library, behind the Town Hall. Main Street in Cairo will be closed to parking and traffic from Wednesday, August 10 at 7 a.m. through Thursday, August 11 at 3:30 p.m. due to that construction.

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Leaked email outlines DSS at Wal-Mart plan

July 6, 2011 in Upstate New York by Philip Grant | No comments

Jamie Larson in the Register-Star says that “a high ranking senior official” gave him an email sent this past Saturday, July 2, sent by Supervisor Art Bassin, D-Ancram, to other supervisors and county officials outlining how fast they want to move the Department of Social Services out of Hudson and into the no-abandoned Wal-Mart building in Greenport. Bassin wrote in the message, “we could get DSS into the Town Plaza (Wal-Mart) space by the end of 2011 if we focused primarily on DSS, and were willing to defer the detailed programing and design process on the rest of the potential moves until after the DSS move was done.” The board would have to wait to replace the building’s roof and install the HVAC air quality system until after DSS is occupying the front left 30,000 square foot section of the building. “None of the firms we talked to felt this was a problem,” Bassin wrote, “in fact they pointed out roofs and HVAC systems were replaced in occupied space all the time. We will also defer any cosmetic changes to the building’s exterior, and use the current Walmart entrance for DSS.” Previously, Hudson supervisors have suggested the move will cost too much or county voters should decide on the proposal. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

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Wednesday headlines and audio

June 15, 2011 in Albany, Catskill, Coeymans, Columbia County, Greene County, Greenport, Hudson, New Baltimore, New Lebanon by Tom Roe | No comments

McDonald is 31st vote for same-sex marriage
Jimmy Vielkind in Capitol Confidential reports that Tuesday New York State Senator Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, told the Times Union that he will vote for a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state, becoming the 31st senator to say they will vote for the bill. It needs 32 votes to pass. “I’m trying to do the right thing,” he said. “Rather than wait I worked with the governor…I’m not out to alienate anybody…. It’s my own evolution…. I think there’s going to be a vote on Friday.” He voted against the bill in the Senate in 2009 and in the Assembly in 2007. The Conservative Party says it will pull its endorsement from any senator that votes to legalize same-sex marriage. McDonald has run on the party’s line in the past. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential, the Times-Union’s political blog.

A Resolution to Oppose
Carole Osterink reports in The Gossips of Rivertown from Monday’s Hudson Common Council meeting, and captures the the essence of the discussion about a proposed resolution opposing Columbia County’s efforts to moving many social services to the former Wal-Mart building in Greenport. She reports:
• Fourth Ward Supervisor Bill Hughes alleged that the county is “in a feverish rush and cutting corners” because “they didn’t notify Concra that they wanted to extend the lease” on 25 Railroad Avenue and are now desperate to relocate the Department of Social Services as soon as possible and that the building, “has a fifteen-year life expectancy, and it’s now seventeen years old.” He also said that the $16 million cost to buy the building and convert it represents a 1.7 percent increase in the tax levy and if the proposed two percent tax cap goes into effect, it would leave only an additional .3 percent to meet the county’s rising costs.
• First Ward Alderman Geeta Cheddie said the move would, “free up some pretty nice buildings in Hudson.”
• Third Ward Alderman Ellen Thurston said that the current lack of adequate transportation to the site was a weak argument against the move because “it can be corrected.”
• Fifth Ward Alderman Robert “Doc” Donahue said, “We’re all going to vote yes, so why all this rhetoric?”
The council will vote on the resolution Tuesday, June 21, and the Walmart purchase comes before the Columbia County Board of Supervisors on July 11. Read the entire story in The Gossips of Rivertown.

Power line clears another NY hurdle
Jim Planck in The Daily Mail reports that the proposed 330-mile power line “Champlain-Hudson Power Express” from Canada to New York City, much of it in the Hudson River, was approved by the Department of State. Many other agencies must also sign off on the project, but the DOS ruled the project is consistent with the state’s coastal policies. DOS did mandate several changes, Planck reports, including the depth the cables are buried in the riverbed, how the line enters or leaves the water, the path in the river, and when the construction seasons will be performed, if Transmission Developers, Inc. updates all the project’s federal permit filings by July 8. The proposed line will re-enter the water three miles north of Coeymans, with the project’s original routing showing it near the middle of the river until just north of Coeymans, where it runs along the east shore until past New Baltimore. It then moves closer to the western shore past Catskill, except for a to get around Rattlesnake and Coxsackie islands. Just before Smith’s Landing in Catskill, it moves back to mid-river and stays there until well past the southern end of Columbia County. Read the entire story in The Daily Mail.

Empire State Baseball League results
14U Coxsackie Owlz 8 – Bethlehem Bosox 7
14U Coxsackie Owlz 11 – Bethlehem Bosox 3
In the first game of a doubleheader sweep for the 14U Coxsackie Owlz (4-4), the Owlz open up a 7-0 lead and hold on for an 8-7 victory over the Bethlehem Bosox. Leading the way for the Owlz was Brian Ellis going 1-4 with a double and 2 RBI’s. Also Elliott Palmateer and Dylan Donovan each were 1-3 with an RBI. Sam Palmateer 1-1 and Zach Muller 1-4. Taylor LeClair gave up 3 hits and struck out five over 5 innings to earn the win. Muller got the final six outs to pick up a save. In the second game the Owlz pounded out 11 hits while beating the Bosox 11-3. Ben Palmateer lead the way this time going 3-3 with a double. Kyle Roberts 1-2 with a 2-run double. Matt McDonald 1-3 with 2 RBI’s. Seaver Martin 1-4 with an RBI double. Sean O’Connor 1-1 with an RBI. LeClair 2-3. Donovan was 1-2 with an RBI and Sam Palmateer 1-4 with an RBI. Zach Girvin went 6 innings to get the win giving up 6 hits with 3 strike outs. Muller closed out the final inning giving up 1 hit with 1 strike out.

Morning scores
New York Mets 4
Atlanta Braves 3

Texas Rangers 4
New York Yankees 12

Boston Red Sox 0
Tampa Bay Rays 4

Wednesday audio clips
Click on the top line of each to play mp3 interview.

• Suhrawardi Gebel interview about Summer Meditation Camp at Abode of the Message in New Lebanon.
Interview by Richard Roth, Ann Forbes Cooper, and Tom Roe on WGXC Afternoon Show. Abode of the Message is a residential commune of the Sufi Order International.

• David Paulson interview about art show “7 New York Painters” at BRIK Gallery.
Interview by Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth on WGXC Afternoon Show. The art show Paulson put together opens at BRIK Gallery in Catskill Sat. June 18 at 6 p.m.

• Dina Bursztyn from The Open Studio Catskill talks about her new children’s book “The Land of Lost Things.”
Interview by Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth. Interview of Argentinian artist who now lives in Catskill. Her book is in both Spanish and English.

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County move to Wal-Mart space to be studied

January 27, 2011 in Columbia County, Greenport, Hudson by Paul Smart | No comments

Plans for Greenport Wal-Mart conversion to Columbia County offices as seen on The Gossips of Rivertown website.

The future of Columbia County offices, and where they’ll end up, is the subject of two blog stories online today that focus on a new Request for Proposals to study the issue that’s gone out from county administrators in the past week. Matthew Frederick of Hudson Urbanism reports how, “Two months ago, the Department of Social Services floated a proposal to move most of its operations, currently housed in four separate buildings in Hudson, to an empty Wal-Mart building on Fairview Avenue. The proposal was widely criticized, although perhaps not as much as an earlier proposal to move social services to the Ockawamick School in Claverack. More recently, the county issued a Request for Proposals to attract a qualified firm to formally study its spatial needs and recommend how and where county offices (save for those legally mandated to remain in Hudson) ultimately ought to live.” Carole Osterink also reports, in her Gossips of Rivertown, how the Columbia County Capital Resource Corporation (CRC) recently issued a Request for Proposals for “Space Needs Assessment, Programming and Design Criteria Services.” “This latest move doesn’t mean the Wal-Mart plan is off the table,” Osterink writes, quoting the RFP’s statement that “The CRC has been investigating one such proposal of purchasing a vacant Wal-Mart store located in the Town of Greenport for a location for consolidated offices. It is expected that this would be an alternative that would be part of this project.”

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Columbia considers Ockawamick use again

January 24, 2011 in Columbia County, Ghent, Hudson, Kinderhook, Philmont, Philmont, Upstate New York, Valatie by Paul Smart | No comments

Pine Haven Care Center

The Ockawamick School building that Columbia County bought in Philmont for county offices, then instead used for storage in the face of a Department of Social Services move out of Hudson, is now being discussed as a potential Pine Haven Nursing Home extension. A story in the Register-Star reports how the county is considering opening mental health office satellites in Valatie and at John L. Edwards primary school in Hudson, and is on the verge of hiring a consultant to evaluate the financial feasibility of home health care services, and the architectural firm overseeing the plans for a new Pine Haven is going to consider the Ockawamick School on Route 217 in Philmont as a potential location. The first Health and Medical Services Committee meeting, chaired by Ghent Supervisor Larry Andrews (R), was held last week consolidating the Public and Mental Health departments and the Pine Haven Nursing Home for the County Board of Supervisors’ purview. The Ockawamick plan would see the site opened on a trial basis for a day or two a week, if approved. Cost considerations will be the major concern, according to county supervisors.

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A new look for Hudson?

January 1, 2011 in Hudson by Tom Roe | 1 comment

Frederick's blog points out several blocks in Hudson that may be remade in the next few years.

Hudson-based architect and urban designer Matthew Frederick notes on his blog “Hudson Urbanism” that his city will radically change in a few years time if a number of projects currently planned or somewhere in the planning process get built: “a Hudson Senior Center

Proposal for Hudson Senior Center, from The Gossips of Rivertown blog.

(to be built as an addition to the Youth Center), a city police station, a city court, a consolidated headquarters for the Columbia County Department of Social Services (if the department stays in the city, as it should), a new parking garage (to serve social services and the general public), a new housing development to replace Bliss Tower, a new restaurant on the waterfront, and the restoration of Washington Hose.” He notes, “five of these projects–the police station, courthouse, social services, parking garage, and Bliss II–will be built within a several-block area between Columbia and State Sts., from around First St. to just above Fourth.” He advocates a coordinated approach to re-make the city instead of each project happening independently with a resulting hodge-podge look.

A proposal is being discussed to move many of Hudson's county services into the vacant Wal-Mart store on Fairview Ave. in Greenport. Photo by Tom Roe.


Washington Hose, in this photo from The Gossips of Rivertown, is being restored and will be offices for the Hudson Development Corporation and the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

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No progress on vacant Walmart for county offices

December 17, 2010 in Greenport, Hudson by Tom Roe | No comments

Kaz is selling their property and losing their tax break. Photo by Tom Roe.

Carole Osterink in The Gossips of Rivertown reports what happened at this morning’s meetings of the Columbia County Capital Resource Corporation and the Columbia County IDA, both at their Route 9 office in Hudson. The CRC meeting began in executive session, and then they announced they would take no action today on the purchase of the old Walmart building and said further discussion was required. The CRC may purchase the building for the county to move in much of its services in the enormous space. After that, the Columbia County IDA approved the termination of the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) on the Kaz building on Route 9, in Greenport. “Kaz — not the building but the business — has been sold to a company called Helen of Troy, which makes hair dryers and other kinds of salon and spa appliances. The building in Greenport is not part of the sale. Kaz will keep it and continue to try to sell it. In the meantime, the PILOT on the building will terminate at the end of 2010, and the building will go on the tax rolls at full assessment at the beginning of the new year,” Osterink reports.

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Audio of public meeting on Col. County using vacant Walmart for ‘operations center’

December 9, 2010 in Columbia County, Greenport, Hudson by Tom Roe | No comments

Audience at CRC meeting about Columbia County using vacant Walmart in Greenport for a variety of uses. Photo by Victor Mendolia.


Ken Flood, the CEO of Capital Resource Corporation (CRC) (who is also Columbia County Planning/Economic Development Commissioner), led a discussion Wednesday evening about turning the vacant Wal-Mart store on Fairview Ave. in Greenport into an operations center for Columbia County government. This might mean moving all of the Department of Social Service operations out of Hudson to Greenport. The CRC’s Public Information Session was packed with locals who wanted questions answered or had opinions to share. Listen to an mp3 audio recording Victor Mendolia recorded here, or copy and paste the following url into your computer’s media player to listen to the meeting:

http://archive.free103point9.org/2010/12/PublicMeetingaboutColCountyusingvacantWalmart_HudsonElksClub_120810.mp3

In addition to moving all DSS operations from 25 Railroad Ave, they current proposal moves the following depts/agencies:

From 325 Columbia
Environmental Health/ Health Dept
Mental Health
Healcare Consortium
Office for the Aging

From 401 State St
Planning
Tourism
Youth Bureau
Stop DWI
Central Services (with Storage Facilities)
DPW/Facilities

From 610 State St
Probation
Public Defender
County Historian
Backup 911

From 4303 Rt 9
Col Cty Economic Development Corp

Following these moves, the Board of Supervisors offices and boardroom, Human Resources, Civil Service, Accounts Payable, Payroll, County Attorney, Budget Officer, and Board of Elections are proposed to move to 325 Columbia Street joining the District Attorney’s office which is already there. Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera suggested recently that the homeless who are put up at great expense in local motels could be housed at this location with job services. Mr. Flood was also soliciting other ways the building could be used.

Ken Flood of CRC led a presentation about how Columbia County might use the vacant Walmart in Greenport. Meeting held at Hudson Elks Club_120810. Photo by Victor Mendolia

Carole Osterink in The Gossips of Rivertown reports the next meeting is:

“A special meeting of the CRC, at which they may make the first (nonbinding) decision of a series of decisions about this acquisition, has been scheduled for Friday, December 17, at 8 a.m. at Columbia Economic Development Corporation office, 4303 Route 9 (the Holcim building).”

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Columbia County wants to use old Greenport Wal-Mart building for almost everything

December 1, 2010 in Columbia County, Greenport, Hudson by Tom Roe | No comments

This Greenport Wal-Mart is empty since the new larger store opened down the street last year. Photo by Tom Roe.

Carole Osterink in The Gossips of Rivertown reports:
“This afternoon [Tuesday, Nov. 30], Columbia County Planning/Economic Development Commissioner Ken Flood, the CEO of CRC [Capital Resource Corporation], presented the proposal to the Board of Supervisors Space Utilization Subcommittee, and what’s being proposed is that all county offices — 300 county employees — be consolidated in the old Wal-mart building. Only the agencies and offices that are required by law to be located in the county seat would remain in Hudson, and those offices would be moved to 325 Columbia Street, putting 401 State, 610 State, as well as 25 Railroad Avenue ‘out of commission.’ The proposal also involves leasing the leftover space in the vast old Walmart building to not-for-profits and start-up companies that cannot afford to lease commercial space, to create a business incubator or, as Flood called it, a ‘job growth center.’ Flood talked about the ‘synergies’ created by having all county offices under one roof. Responding to this talk of synergy, Fourth Ward Supervisor Bill Hughes asked ‘Why not put DSS [Department of Social Services] with a homeless shelter?’ and made the point that this seemed to be an obvious synergy. When the meeting had been adjourned, Mayor Rick Scalera reiterated the idea that combining DSS with a homeless shelter in the building seemed obvious and would solve a lot of problems. Social Services Commissioner Paul Mossman responded, ‘You expect the county to own and operate that?’ Why not? It makes more sense than the way the concept of “congregate housing” is now being implemented. A meeting to solicit public comments about the proposal will be held next Wednesday, December 8, at 5 p.m. at the Elks Club. More details of the proposal are provided in the Register-Star article: ‘County mulls new home for DSS.’”

Read the entire item in The Gossips of Rivertown.

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Next DSS meeting is Thursday at 4:15 p.m.

April 29, 2010 in Claverack, Germantown, Hillsdale, Hudson by Tom Roe | No comments

Franceseca Olsen in the Register-Star reports that Columbia County Board of Supervisors’ Space Utilization Subcommittee, which is trying to find a location for Department of Social Services within 60 to 90 days, meets today at 4:15 p.m. at 325 Columbia St., Hudson. Olsen reports that at a Columbia Economic Development Corporation meeting this week, BOS Chairman Roy Brown, R-Germantown, and Supervisor (and county budget/corporate compliance officer) Art Baer, R-Hillsdale, “vocally opposed the CEDC’s plan to use $14,000 to fund a study of the economic impact on moving DSS out of Hudson.” The CEDC will pay Camion and Associates from New York City, “for the purpose of conducting a study on the economic impacts derived from the location of … DSS.” Read the entire story in the Register-Star.

UPDATE: Register-Star’s Olsen attended meeting and says, “the Board of Supervisors’ Space Utilization Subcommittee Thursday evening… voted unanimously to, ‘limit site selection to only within the city of Hudson without documenting the need for DSS to remain within the city limits.’”

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DSS back to Ockawamick?

February 3, 2010 in Claverack, Germantown, Hudson by Tom Roe | No comments

After months of protests, accusations, anonymous internet slander, and controversy, Columbia County’s Board of Supervisors chairman Art Baer held a love-in press conference last July announcing the county was bidding on One City Centre, on the corner of Green and State streets in Hudson, to use the building for county office space and make room at two other county office buildings (401 and 610 State St.) for the Department of Social Services, allowing DSS to remain in Hudson after the county’s lease on DSS’s home at 25 Railroad Ave. ends in 2011. Now we are back where we started, as the county’s bid of $2.6 million was significantly lower than three other bids. “I guess the question of what happens with DSS goes back to the (county space utilization) subcommittee for further review and research,” new BOS Chairman Roy Brown (Germantown) told The Daily Mail today. Which means several supervisors will be trying to move DSS to the Ockawamick property several miles outside Hudson, which caused all the initial controversy. Brown recently would not rule out such a move in an interview with The Register-Star.

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Brown speaks to Register-Star

January 26, 2010 in Claverack, Columbia County, Germantown, Greenport by Tom Roe | No comments

Francesca Olson holds the Register-Star’s annual interview with the current Board of Supervisors chairman, now Roy Brown R-Germantown. Brown wants Kohl’s to get their PILOT tax break to move into Greenport; is against hiring new workers to handle the increased workload at the Department of Social Services; will not rule out moving DSS to Ockawamick; and does not have enough money budgeted to bring the county courthouse in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

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Today's local headlines

August 24, 2009 in Claverack, Copake, Gallatin, Germantown, Hillsdale, Hudson, Valatie by Tom Roe | No comments

Brown replaces Scheer as deputy on county board
From Parry Teasdale in The Columbia Paper

HUDSON — Chairman of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors Art Baer (R-Hillsdale) shuffled the leadership of the board, with Germantown Supervisor Roy Brown (R) replacing Gallatin Supervisor Lynda Scheer, as a deputy chairman of the board. Baer’s announcement of the move Friday said that Ms. Scheer resigned from the post “for personal reasons.” Brown stood with Baer on his controversial plan to buy the Ockawamick School building on Route 217 in Claverack and, initially, move much of the Department of Social Services there from Hudson. The change takes effect September 1.

Copake board finds ways to agree except on the deficit
From Diana Valden in The Columbia Paper

COPAKE – This is the sort of amazing story about local town meetings that is almost never written ’round these parts. Instead of deciding one of the night’s actions constituted a story and the rest did not, Valden bullet points 10 items that the usually contentious-across-party-lines town board agreed on last week. Then she writes how Councilman Bob Sacks, who has advocated cutting the town’s police force to cover the recently discovered large deficit, reported he was told by the Sheriff’s Office that patrols from that office cover Copake and all of Columbia County 24/7. Sacks also quoted the supervisors of other towns saying they could not afford their own police force and had no need for one because of coverage by the Sheriff’s Office and State Police. Copake Town Police Commissioner Jeff Nayer, then shouted, “Other towns don’t set what we do!” Mr. Nayer said that the Police Department had offered to cut 17 percent of its budget to help the town deal with the deficit, while other departments offered nothing.

New parties make ballot for November
From Jim Planck in The Daily Mail

Have A Voice candidates Karen Deyo, Keith Valentine, Linda Overbaugh, and Joseph Izzo will appear on the November ballot, as will Grassroots of Durham candidate Les Armstrong. The Have a Voice folks are Republicans, joining fellow GOPer Overbaugh in this bid to stay on the ballot for the four Catskill Greene County Legislature seats, after errors in her previous petitions kept her off the Republican line. Likewise with Armstrong, a Republican attempting to primary against Elsie Allan but now facing Allan and Democrat Sean Frey for the Durham seat on the legislature. Overbaugh and Armstrong’s third-party bids went unchallenged by opponents.

State parks in Columbia County fare better than most
From Mike McCagg in ccScoop

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation shows attendance at parks in the Taconic Region of the state park system, which includes Columbia County, is down 3.7 percent in the period from July 2008 through July 2009. Across New York, park attendance is down 4.5 percent, to 27.2 million visitors. Attendance dropped at the Clermont State Historic Site 18.5 percent to 43,456 visitors, at the Clermont State Historic Site 4.1 percent to 61,896 visitors, at the Olana State Historic Site 14.1 to 61,896 visitors, and at Lake Taghkanic State Park, 5.2 percent, to 95,862. At Taconic State Park in Copake attendance was up 12.9 percent to 13,313, and in Copake Falls attendance rose 5 percent to 73,066 visitors.

Farmland Protection on the way
From Francesca Olsen in The Register-Star

Last Tuesday the Planning and Economic Development Committee passed a resolution to apply for state grant funding for developing a Farmland Protection Plan, with matching funds to be provided by the Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), as Columbia County is one of the few in the state without such a plan. The Columbia County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board submitted drafts of a plan to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, but was not approved.

Mario’s moves forward with new warehouse
From Paul Crossman in The Register-Star

VALATIE — Mario’s True Value Home Center is planning a new 20,000-square-foot lumber supply warehouse, and hopes to have closed on the new location by sometime in early September, with winter construction.

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Today's local headlines

July 22, 2009 in Albany, Catskill, Columbia County, Copake, Hillsdale, Hudson by Tom Roe | No comments

Proposal leaves DSS in Hudson
From The Register-Star

HUDSON – Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Baer (R-Hillsdale) and Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera stood together at a press conference Tuesday and announced a new proposal that would keep the Department of Social Services in Hudson. The county would buy the One City Centre building on the corner of State and Green streets in Hudson; departments currently in the County Office Buildings at 401 and 610 State Street would move to City Centre. The total square footage of 401 and 610 State Street is 36,000 square feet, 24,000 at 401 and 12,000 at 610 State Street. DSS would stay in its current building on Railroad Avenue for the duration of its lease, which ends in 2011; and then move to One City Centre. Baer called the proposal “a great solution for a difficult problem” and said “I’m looking forward to implementing it.” “The logistics of the planning — there’s a lot to discuss,” said Scalera. “The commitment to keep DSS in the city of Hudson is what we’ve been working for.” Baer previously opposed such a plan, but switched positions because of falling real estate values. The Register-Star says One City Centre was going for $5 million last year, but now is selling for $2 million. “This is not a done deal,” Baer said. “We are only in discussion with the bank. There are still many pieces that have to be put together in the puzzle.”

Copake Green project set to sprout again
From CCScoop

COPAKE – Large developers bring big projects to small towns in this area, and often get special treatment. Like in Copake last week, where Housing Resources Executive Director Kevin O’Neill got to re-introduce his 139-unit Copake Green project to a Copake Planning Board meeting even though he was not on the agenda. From the CCscoop story:
“Although O’Neill did not request to be put on the agenda ten days in advance of the meeting — the Planning Board requirement — [Planning Board Chairman Marcia] Becker explained that, because there was a light agenda in July and because Housing Resources owns land in the town, she believed allowing O’Neill to make his twenty-minute presentation was the right thing to do.’It caused an uproar that we let him speak. . . . So from now on we are adhering to the ten-day rule,’ Becker said.”

Medical center, bank storage get green light
From The Daily Mail

CATSKILL – The Catskill Planning Board approved site plans for the 3,000 square-foot Urgent Care facility proposed for Grandview Avenue and for a Bank of Greene County storage facility on Windsor Street after hearing brief presentations on each proposal. The medical facility used Architect Josh Pulver, a relative of planning board member Michelle Pulver. She recused herself when it came to the vote, but as an anonymous reader commented on the story, “Nothing assures the approval of a project better than hiring the relative of a judge and town planner as your architect, and paying him astronomical fees.”

Copake opts for outside budget review
From The Columbia Paper

COPAKE–The Copake Town Board hired a second accountant to make sure the first accountant’s figures of a estimated $175,000 budget shortfall are correct. “We all agree that our first course of action should be an independent audit to verify the numbers or find out if they are not correct. We have to know where we are,” Town Supervisor Reggie Crowley told the audience at the Town Board’s regular monthly meeting July 9.

Court Sides With GOP On Ravitch, Paterson Vows To Appeal
From The Daily News’ The Daily Politics

ALBANY – State Supreme Court Justice William R. LaMarca granted the Republican Party’s motion for a preliminary injunction that prevents just-appointed Lt. Govenor Richard Ravitch from “exercising any of the powers” of the LG’s office, pending a final judgment, noting there is no provision in the Constitution that allows the governor to appoint a replacement LG when a vacancy occurs in that office.

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July 21, 2009 in Columbia County, Hudson, Stockport by Tom Roe | No comments

New Department of Social Services proposal?
From The Register-Star

“There will be a press conference at 4:30 p.m. today in the Supervisors’ Chambers at the county office building on 401 State St., Hudson, on the future placement of the county Department of Social Services. Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Baer, the Board of Supervisors, the Hudson Common Council, and Mayor Richard Scalera will discuss the future of a new home for the DSS staff and facilities.”

Nonprofit’s report cites lack of slaughterhouses in New York
From The Register-Star

Andrew Amelinckx writes an excellent story based on a report by Washington D.C. based consumer watchdog group Food and Water Watch that finds not enough slaughterhouses in New York state and blames federal policies that, it says, favors larger operations. There are two USDA certified slaughterhouses in Columbia County, Van Wie in Stockport and Hilltown Pork, Inc. Robert Beckwith of Hilltown Pork says he is backed up with animals until 2010. “People want to know where their meat is coming from,” he said. “There aren’t enough USDA facilities to meet the demand.”

Murphy plans steps to help dairy farmers
From The Columbia Paper

With milk prices falling to 1979 levels and New York dairy farmers expected to lose $650 million this year, new U.S. Rep. Scott Murphy plans to introduce legislation to help. The proposed legislation would further subsidize dairy farmers, and create a herd retirement program meant to curtail supply. “This proposal works two-fold, by providing immediate relief to our struggling dairy farmers today, and stabilizing the dairy industry for tomorrow. Before more small farmers are forced out of business, we need to bring fast relief and stability to the industry.”

Lates poll: Maloney 33% Gillibrand 27%
From Rasmussen Reports

In a very early poll, New York City congresswoman Carolyn Maloney leads appointed Senator Kristen Gillibrand with 33 percent of the vote to 27 percent and nine percent preferring some other candidate. Thirty percent are undecided.

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Today's local headlines

June 21, 2009 in Austerlitz, Catskill, Columbia County, Durham, Hillsdale, Hudson, Kinderhook, Philmont by Tom Roe | No comments

Art Baer, the chairman of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, sat down with The Register-Star after taking a lot of heat in that paper the last few months without much comment. Baer, R-Hillsdale, generally continued his fight with politicians in Hudson in the 90-minute interview, blaming the criticism on meetings being held in that city, and saying that Hudson officials think only of themselves. Baer has been criticized for proposing the county move the Department of Social Services from Hudson to Ockawamick and close and relocate the Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center from Philmont. Just this week he stirred up another storm by advocating moving homeless people into the 139-year-old St. Charles Hotel in Hudson. “His major frustration has been his inability to communicate with the public,” The Register-Star wrote. “We don’t have media, we don’t have coverage,” Baer said to the media…..The Daily Mail reports that Catskill’s revised subdivision law will be available for public review next week, with a public hearing soon after….The Austerlitz Town Board adopted a zoning law Thursday, according to The Register-Star. Town Supervisor George P. Jahn also said that the Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Philmont should not be moved to Kinderhook at the town’s meeting….The Town of Durham wants to put a cell phone antenna at 44 McAfferty Road, according to The Daily Mail. Some residents, who probably put cell phones next to their brains occasionally, say the 90-foot-high tower will give them cancer. The town kept the public hearing open until June 30.

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