Hudson students pursue more contact with peers

by JEANETTE WOLFBERG

HUDSON–A county-wide student council meeting, student and teacher recognition, getting out the budget vote, pool parties, and AVID teaching were among the topics addressed at the Hudson City School District (HCSD) Board of Education meeting January 14.

Student Representative Kyle Ublacker reported the success of the Columbia County Student Councils meeting January 9 at Columbia-Greene Community College. Student councils from the Germantown, Hudson, New Lebanon and Taconic Hills districts participated. Neil Howard, superintendent of the Taconic Hills district,” guided most of the meeting,” Kyle said. The students suggested holding a county-wide homecoming dance and having inter-district extracurricular clubs. They plan to meet again.

The New York State Sportswriters Association recognized junior Joshua Wallace and senior Spencer Goldstein for excellence on Hudson High’s football team and Athletic Director Derek Reardon presented the two athletes. They “had a great season,” he said. Read more…

New wage boosts Copake camp costs

by DIANE VALDEN

COPAKE—Bitter arctic cold is surging down from the north and a significant snowstorm is swooping up from the south.

What better time to think about summer camp… and how much it’s going to cost this year.

As part of Governor Cuomo’s incremental multi-year plan to raise the minimum wage, as of December 31, workers here now receive $11.10/hour. Read more…

Village awaits word from state

by EMILIA TEASDALE

CHATHAM–The Village Board held its first Monday night meeting on January 14. The board moved the regular monthly meeting from Thursdays to Mondays so that Village Attorney Ken Dow could attend. This was also the first board meeting after the state Comptroller’s Office and the state Department of Taxation and Finance, along with state police, seized computers and files from the village office Tuesday, January 8.

The state took the village’s files as part of an ongoing investigation after it was discovered that the village did not pay federal or state payroll taxes for a number of years.

About 35 residents attended this week’s meeting, asking questions about village accounting among other issues. Read more…

Bard celebrates life of maestro Harold Farberman

by DEBORA GILBERT

GERMANTOWN—On December 8 Bard College celebrated the life and musical career of Harold Farberman, conductor, composer, percussionist, author, and educator. The maestro died away November 24 in his 89th year. He and his wife, mezzo-soprano Corinne Curry, lived in Germantown. She survives him.

The program featured musical performances of works by his favorite composers, Mahler and Ives, and performances of two of Mr. Farberman’s own compositions for percussion instruments. Bard College President Leon Botstein, in his opening remarks, called Mr. Farberman “an enormously distinguished musician . . .and a wonderful conductor.”

Mr. Farberman conducted and recorded with orchestras all over the world. He held conducting positions with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Springs and Oakland Symphony Orchestras, and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta in Great Britain. His recordings received critical recognition and awards. Read more…

Town funds indoor plumbing for outdoor rec site

by EMILIA TEASDALE

CHATHAM – The Town Board passed a motion December 20 to borrow $225,000 for the design and construction work needed to finish the pavilion at Crellin Park. The board is still working on the details for the project, which would include adding a kitchen and bathrooms to the pavilion near the swimming area at the town park.

In 2013 the town demolished the previous pavilion near the pond. It had a snack bar, kitchen, bathrooms and changing rooms but could not be used because of problems with the foundation. The board at that time contracted to have a roof built and the board seasonally rents portable toilets for that part of the park. Board members have discussed rebuilding the pavilion for several years.

There is a pavilion with bathrooms in another area in the park that is used during the summer day camp program and for other park events. Read more…