Hudson grants tenure but needs maintenance staff

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON—The big news from the Hudson City School District (HCSD) Board of Education meeting June 15 was the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Maria L. Suttmeier effective January 2, 2022 (see “Hudson’s Suttmeier announces retirement,” June 17 issue). But the meeting also included teacher recognition, facilities updates and preparations for the new school year.

The board last week announced tenure, effective in September, for nine faculty and staff: Laura Backlund, English as a New Language; Thomas Giosa, Music; Brian Hoolihan, Social Studies; Joanne Lanuto, psychologist; Anna Oleson-Wheeler, elementary teacher; Kyle Roberts, Health; Megan Sullivan, elementary teacher; Hope VanTassel, speech teacher; Nichole Wordon, elementary teacher.

Most of those granted tenure have been with the Hudson City School District four years.

“I’ve really enjoyed working here,” said Mr. Giosa, who added that he looks forward to more years.

“It’s been a pleasure, I’m really proud,” said Ms. Lanuto.

Mr. Roberts said the last few years “flew by. Every year has been enjoyable.” Read more…

Ancram finds funds for food

by DIANE VALDEN

ANCRAM—The Town Board has agreed to provide annual financial assistance to a local not-for-profit group of volunteers who help feed hungry people in this area.

At its June 17 meeting, the board approved a resolution to support the Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors Association’s (ANHNA) weekly food delivery program with $11,000 annually and the purchase of a vehicle costing about $40,000 that the group can use to pick up and deliver food.

According to meeting notes provided by Supervisor Art Bassin, the town expects to fund this assistance through Ancram’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation of $160,000 in 2021 and 2022, and through the town budget after 2022. “Because the timing of the availability of ARPA funds is not certain, this program may be funded initially with Town funds, which we expect, but are not certain, will be reimbursed by ARPA funds when they become available. Due to a shortage of vehicles suitable for use by ANHNA, we expect to acquire a vehicle for ANHNA in the spring of 2022,” Mr. Bassin wrote. Read more…

After fatality, village seeks action

by EMILIA TEASDALE, DIANE VALDEN and DAVID LEE

VALATIE— Well over 100 people came out on Sunday evening, June 20 for a candlelight vigil for Joan Archer, 77, a village resident and business owner who died after she was struck by an SUV in the crosswalk on Church Street June 14.

County sheriff deputies closed off Church Street for the event. Mourners filled the village street and the municipal parking lot adjacent Main Street.

About a dozen people spoke during the vigil. They included Kinderhook Town Supervisor Patsy Leader and Village of Valatie Mayor Frank Bevens, as well as members of Ms. Archer’s family, close friends and fellow village business owners. Several people mentioned the support they had received from Ms. Archer over the years. They talked about her humor, kindness and how involved she was in the village. Read more…

Still waving at 25

by DAVID LEE

The Flag Day Parade returned to Hudson on Saturday, June 12 for its 25th year. While the Flag Day Committee had been formulating plans for the event for many months, they only had three weeks between the time of the official go-ahead and Saturday’s step-off to prepare. The parade started at the 7th Street Park at 4 p.m. and concluded at the Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. Photos by David Lee

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Rec program eyes park site

by EMILIA TEASDALE

CHATHAM—The board of the Morris Memorial and the Town of Chatham now have an exploratory committee to research potential plans for the Morris’s programming to move to Crellin Park. That would mean the Morris would move out of its current home on Park Row in the village.

Currently though, as stated on the Morris’s Facebook page, “we are not under contract to sell our current building.” The Morris runs its after school and basketball program out of the 1910 building, and they rent space to the Family Resource Centers of Columbia County to host a playgroup on the second floor. Other groups use the gym for pickleball, or did before the pandemic. The Morris Facebook page also stresses that the Morris will continue to operate as it has in the past. They plan to offer an after school program in the fall (Covid permitting), and “we will not do anything to jeopardize our current programming until any alternative plans are firmly in place.” The Morris, a non-profit, also has a soccer program at Crellin Park.

Representatives from the Morris board have now met with the Chatham Town board twice and presented to members of Chatham village community at a Village Board meeting on very early plans to move or possibly upgrade their building. Read more…