Hillsdale board sets fee for use of park

by LORNA CHEROT LITTLEWAY

HILLSDALE–The Town Board has voted unanimously to require a $100 processing fee from applicants seeking to stage free events in Roe Jan Park.

The processing fee and amount reportedly were suggested by the park’s event coordinator, who was not at the board’s regular monthly meeting, Tuesday, May 14. An audience member objected to the fee saying that facilitating and coordinating the necessary paperwork should be “part of the job,” and predicted that the fee would result in “fewer events.”

The town board also heard from Hillsdale businessman Steve Bluestone regarding efforts to use solar energy at his soon-to-open brewery/restaurant at 32 Anthony Street. Mr. Bluestone described the problem as an “historic building on a postage stamp lot,” adding that solar panels on roofs “are not historic.” Read more…

Livingston may hear more from XtraMart firm

by CARMEN HENRIQUEZ

LIVINGSTON—The Planning Board held its monthly meeting Wednesday May 1, before a standing-room-only crowd. And unlike the previous two Planning Board meetings in March and April, when the proposal for a new store and a gas station at the northeast corner of the intersection of US 9, and state Routes 9H, 23 and 82 was discussed, this time representatives from Global Partners, LP, the company that owns the XtraMart chain, were present.

In the months since the company had last addressed the Planning Board, the board’s chairman, Phillip Schmidt, recused himself and board member Robert Bellinger replaced him as presiding officer during discussions of the proposal.

The new store would have a 4,800-square-foot footprint, 16 gasoline-dispensing stations, two diesel-dispensing locations and a canopy for the gas pumps, 32 parking spaces and a diesel island queue. Also, the name will change to Alltown Fresh market. It will provide “fresh food and beverage options in an attractive new, modern setting,” according to Kim Keil, territory sales manager for Global Partners. Read more…

ReEntry program hears from regional colleagues

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON–Housing options for people leaving incarceration dominated the ReEntry Columbia Task Force meeting May 8. Transportation and jobs also received attention. ReEntry Columbia helps people adjust to life after incarceration.

Guest speakers included Scott Mendelson and Erica Gallagher of Community Housing Innovations (CHI), Jamel Massey of the Exodus Transitional Community, and Charles Figel of the state Department of Corrections.

Mr. Massey said that without housing, a released person is likely to go back to prison. Read more…

Valatie tests produce slight whiffs of trouble

by EMILIA TEASDALE

VALATIE–The results of sewer line smoke tests designed to look for cracks and leaks were discussed by the Village Board at their May 14 meeting.

The testing was conducted by New York Rural Water Association (NYRWA) May 7 and 8 on some of the pipes in the village. Mayor Diane Argyle said that through the testing some issues were found, though she said after the meeting that they all required only minor repairs that were the responsibility of the property owners.

The village did have to cap a sewer line in front of the Valatie Theatre, which is owned by the village. The problem there was also discovered through the smoke test. The mayor said the village will be doing more testing on other pipes soon. Read more…

Canaan gets news on Rte 22 repairs, drivers’ licenses

by PETER FLIERL

CANAAN–Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner came to the Town Board May 14 meeting with a presentation on compliance with federal identification requirements when securing a driver’s license in New York State.

Also last week the town received some good news May 17, when the state officially announced repairs on a 3.5-mile section of Route 22 from one-half mile south of state Route 295 to three miles north of Route 295 in the town.

At the meeting, Councilperson Brenda Adams brought the board and public up to date on the status of an upgrade for state Route 22 in Canaan and New Lebanon. The good news is that a project for repaving sections north and south of the state Route 295 intersection is being put out to bid. Securing the go-ahead was helped along by many local leaders, including Michael Tucker, president and CEO of the Columbia County Economic Development Corporation. Read more…