Ancram deal: take a little off the top​

by DIANE VALDEN

ANCRAM—At its November 4 meeting, the Planning Board unanimously approved a controversial plan to remove 20,000 cubic yards of gravel from a farm field over a period of 15 months.

Fred Schneeberger’s May 5 application was initially listed as a site plan review for the excavation of 25,000 cubic yards of gravel for the purpose of removing a knoll to reduce the slope and make the terrain safer for the operation of farm machinery. The site is in a field on the east side of Route 22 just north of White House Crossing Road in the town’s Scenic Corridor Overlay Zone (SCOZ).

Mr. Schneeberger, owner/operator of G & S Excavating, Inc., in Ancramdale, acted on behalf of John Langdon, a Copake farmer who leases the 108 acres on which the knoll is located.

Anthony Palumbo is the landowner. He also owns the Palumbo Block Company, Inc., in Dover Plains, Dutchess County, which is a supplier of concrete products. The gravel removed from the field will be hauled by truck to Mr. Palumbo’s facility. Read more…

Hudson nears decision on new schools superintendent

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON—An opening on the school board, administrative changes, a thank-you, diversity, and Junior High updates dominated the Hudson City School District Board of Education meeting November 16.

Within two months, the district expects to get a new board president, a new superintendent, a new high school associate principal, and a new board clerk.

Current Board President Carrie Otty will resign with the January 18 meeting and her successor as president will almost certainly be someone already on the board and her departure will leave the board short a member. Anyone wishing to apply to become the board’s newest member should submit a letter of interest to the board clerk by December 16. Read more…

Honoring our veterans

by Parry Teasdale

Delgado visits local retired military work horse on Veterans Day U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (D-19) (pictured l of horse Tyler) visited the Equine Advocates Farm in Chatham, on November 11. Rep. The congressman toured the farm and met Tyler, a former military working horse with the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon. In this role, Tyler led caskets of service members who passed away or died in combat to their final resting places at Arlington National Cemetery. “It was great to visit the Equine Advocates Farm and meet Tyler,” said Rep. Delgado. “During his time with the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon, Tyler played an important role in ensuring our fallen soldiers were laid to rest with the honor and dignity they and their families deserve. Thanks to Equine Advocates, Tyler has found a permanent retirement home in our district.” Photo contributed

Canaan celebrates local veterans at memorial Gary Flaherty (r), director of Veterans Services for Columbia County, attended many events countywide on Veterans Day, including his presiding with Town Supervisor Brenda Adams (l) at a 2 p.m. event in Canaan at the Town Memorial. They were surrounded by family and friends of veterans who reminisced about veterans in their lives, moving tributes and gratitude all around. Photo by Peter Flierl

New Veterans Memorial Park unveiled in Copake

by DAVID LEE

New park at Copake course honors veterans. Frank Zacarolli (center) acted as the master of ceremonies for the Thursday, November 11 ribbon cutting event of the newly completed Veterans Memorial Park at the Copake Country Club. He and James McArthur are credited with being the primary captains of the project. Plaques commemorate the years of service of veterans either living or dead. The park is accessible to the public. Photo by David Lee

COPAKE – On Thursday, November 11, the ribbon was cut on the newly completed Veterans Memorial Park at the Copake Country Club. Dozens of veterans with their families and friends gathered in the hilltop in the center of the golf course. Vietnam veteran Frank Zacarolli acted as master of ceremonies welcoming the assembly, introducing the New York State VFW Commander Michael Hoag who attended with State Adjutant Bob Mitchell. Austin Urban cut the ribbon on behalf of club owners, the families of Jon Urban and Ross Mauri.

The memorial stands on a picturesque hilltop at the golf course with Copake Lake and the hills of Craryville visible all around. It consists of a wall installed with the names of veterans, surmounted with a sculpted eagle, wings spread. Opposite the wall is a large American Flag visible from the clubhouse and beyond.

Frank Zacarolli, who is a Copake Country Club member, is also the senior vice commander of the Hillsdale VFW Post 7552. He and Post 7552 Quartermaster James MacArthur spearheaded the project. Read more…

Copake set to OK pot sales, not places to smoke it

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—Many Copake residents think their town should not let its share of the money that can be made on the sale of marijuana go up in smoke.

At a public hearing just before the regular November 11 Town Board meeting, residents told the Town Board in-person, via Google Meet and by email why Copake should allow the sale of cannabis under the New York State Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.

“This is a great opportunity for tax revenue,” said Lindsay LeBrecht of Copake Lake. “Now everybody goes to Great Barrington. We should get our fair share and opt-in to cannabis.”

Ronnie McTiernan, who said she has a medical marijuana prescription, told the board she would love to shop locally and support Copake. Read more…