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Town Board
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Art Baer, Town Supervisor
Ann Baldwin
Carmen Barbato
Peter Cipkowski
Augie Sena
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HillsdaleTown Hall
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518-325-5073
Monday 8:30-4pm
Tuesday 8:30-5pm
Wed 8:30-3pm
Thurs 8:30-4pm
Friday 8:30-4pm
Sat 10am-1pm
(M-F closed 12-1)
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Town Clerk
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Julie Kane
325-5073
townclerkhdale@fairpoint.net
Hunting and fishing licenses; dog licenses; registrar of births, deaths and marriages
Tuesday 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm
Evening hours, 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, 6:30-8:30 pm
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Court Clerk
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Jan Keefner
325-5073
hcourt@fairpoint.net
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8:30-Noon & 1:00-4:00
Wed 8:30-Noon & 1:00-3:00
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Town Justices
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Juliette Crill
Russ Immarigeon
Court convenes
Wednesday 6 pm
Town Hall
325-5073
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Building Inspector
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Glenn Smith
Tuesday,
Thursday 12:00-3:00 PM
Town Hall
Inspection tours Mon. Wed. Fri. 12:00-3:00PM and by appointment.
518-325-1702
bihdale@fairpoint.net
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Zoning Enforcement Officer
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Edward Ferratto
zeohdale@fairpoint.net
Monday 8:30-4:00
Tuesday 8:30-1:00
Thursday 8:30-4:00
Town Hall
518-325-5073
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Transfer Station
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Wednesday 7:30am-12noon
Saturday 7:30am-4:00pm
65
Holm Road
(518) 325-3844
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Highway Department
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Highway Superintendent
Richard Briggs
Town Garage, Old Town Road
hillsdalehighway@fairpoint.net
518-325-4744
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Tax Collector
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Joe Hanselman, Jr.
joejr@fairpoint.net
518-325-5537
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Assessor
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Pamela Cook
hillsdaleassessor@fairpoint.net
Friday 8:30-Noon
Town Hall
518-325-3636
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Planning Board
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Hank Henward, Chairman
Theresa Kisselbrack,
Secretary
Patti Rohrlich
Charles Gardner, III
Richard Freiman
Ellen Levy
Mark
Barbato
Deborah Bowen
meets second Monday
of the month
at 7:30pm
Town Hall
518-325-7991
Kisselbrack58@gmail.com
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Zoning Board of Appeals
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Craig Norton, Chairman
Dean Atwood,
Secretary
Juanita O'Rourke
Casey Kuhn
Rocco DeFronzo
Jeffery Sills
meets
first Tuesday of the month
at 7:30pm
Town Hall
Phone & fax:
Dean Atwood at 518-391-3141
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Comprehensive Plan Review Committees
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Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, Chair
Tom Carty
vancarty@gmail.com
325-5260
Affordable Housing
Ellen Levy
mandelevy@yahoo.com
325-5899
Hamlet
David Ruede
davidruede@gmail.com
718-290-4218
Natural Resources
Gretchen Stevens
gstevens1231@fairpoint.net
325-5925
Preservation
Alexia Lalli
lex.lalli@gmail.com
325-5738
Renewable Energy
Paul Solovay
solovay@fairpoint.net
325-7335
Janis Smythe
yayajanis@yahoo.com
325-3964
Scenic
Deborah Bowen
info@iagr.com
325-7248
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Board of Assessment
Review
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Craig Norton, Chairman
Mary Ann Foote
Frederick Laing
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Animal Control
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Animal Control Officer
Dan Reed
518-329-1409
cell #518-755-8868
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Summer Youth Program
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Sharon Foster
392-7750
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Volunteer in Hillsdale
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Help keep the flower barrels beautiful!
Lynda Brenner
lb2@taconic.net
325-7364
Roe Jan Community Library
Roe Jan Park
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Quick Links
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Town of Hillsdale
Roeliff Jansen Library
Roeliff Jansen Park
Columbia County
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Newsletter "staff"
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Tom Carty
Iona Lutey
hillsdalecalendar@gmail.com
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Greetings!
Welcome to the second edition of the Town of Hillsdale monthly e-newsletter! Please send us your suggestions and comments. We want to hear from you! You can e-mail them to hillsdalecalendar@gmail.com. And please forward this newsletter to anyone you think may be interested. We will only send this to people who have asked to be on the mailing list. Encourage your friends and neighbors to sign up! Art Baer, Town Supervisor Town Board: Ann Baldwin, Carmen Barbato, Peter Cipkowski, Augie Sena Note: Some e-mail programs cut off the bottom part of the newsletter and calendar. You don't want to miss anything, so make sure you see a signature from the Town of Hillsdale at the bottom. If you don't, look for a notice such as "message clipped" and a link to "view the entire message. |
Town Board Business: Quarterly Summary
Parks and Recreation Committee
· A successful clean-up day was held at the Town Garage on April 25th.
· The summer youth program begins on July 6. See the story "Hillsdale Youth Program Getting Underway" below.
· The renovation work to the recreation barn in the Roe Jan Park has been completed.
· The community garden has been planted at the Roe Jan Park.
· A fenced and shaded dog run is being developed for the park.
· The Town Board entered into a Cooperative Lease Agreement with the State of New York for the Roe Jan Park. It will be in effect for a period of 20 years. Under this contract both parties hav e a one-year termination right.
· On July 1 volunteers installed new playground equipment. The price, $13,760.00, was paid for from fundraising and money in the Parks and Recreation fund.
Sewer Committee
· All property owners in the sewer district were contacted to determine what final clean up projects were needed.
· The old septic tanks will need to be pumped dry and filled with sand or stone.
· The Town Board voted to retain Waste Water Technologies for sewer system maintenance for one year, and for monitoring service after the first year.
Highway Department
The highway crew has been busy all spring cleaning up from the December ice storm. Richard Briggs, Highway Superintendent, continues to receive approval for FEMA money.
Communication Committee
· A new website designer, Peter Wise, was hired to create a new town website. The necessary work has begun, and the Committee hopes it will be completed in late Fall.
· Iona Lutey has initiated a monthly community calendar through Constant Contact's emailing system. Those who wish to receive this calendar and/or the monthly newsletter which Tom Carty is editing can e-mail hillsdalecalendar@gmail.com. Soon people will be able to sign up directly from the Hillsdale town website, hillsdaleny.com. Many thanks to Iona and Tom!
· The Committee, with the help of other volunteers, will be publicizing the referendum for the acquisition of the library during the coming eight weeks. See the story "Library Referendum Scheduled for Friday, August 28th" below.
Other Business
· Richard Freiman was appointed to another 7 year term on the Planning Board.
· The Town Board resolved to extend the Charter Communication contract for cable service to the town for another 5 years. The Board also voted to accept Charter Communication's plan for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
· The Board resolved to spend $500.00 to power wash the town hall.
· A Public hearing on the proposed purchase of the Roeliff Jansen Library Building, to be used for a new town hall, was held on May 19. At the subsequent meeting The Board voted yes on the resolution to purchase the building.
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2009 Hillsdale Youth Program Is Underway
Starting July 6, the Roeliff Jansen Park will be filled with 50 children between the ages of 5 and 11 five days a week. Hillsdale's summer youth program runs through August 14. Thanks to a generous grant received from the Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation, one of the park's several barn structures has been freshened-up with a pretty new roof and an activity-ready interior.
Hillsdale's summer program will be different from other local programs. The beautiful and spacious setting in the Roeliff Jansen Park has inspired a program that will be grounded in the outdoors and greatly expanded - one that takes advantage of the trails, stream, fields and wide-open space.
Sharon Foster, a fif th grade teacher at Taconic Hills and an experienced outdoor educator, is this summer's Program Director. She will oversee a team of five talented counselors, a dozen volunteers and six busy weeks of on-site activities, as well as weekly field trips and Friday afternoon swimming lessons at Taconic Hills.
Sharon and her team will be supported by a number of local educators. Among them, outdoor educator, Fran Martino, who will join the program weekly to conduct a "stream detective" activity. Using nets, magnifying glasses, and collection containers, kids will be explore the Roeliff Jansen Kill Stream in its shallow areas for all kinds of interesting discoveries. On another day, Willa Horton, an experienced children's garden educator, will garden in park's new community garden. An entire section of the garden will be reserved just for the program. Campers will be gathering some pre-planted vegetables to eat and learn about as well as growing their own quick growing food (lettuces, radishes etc).
Fran and Willa are just the tip of the iceberg - Sharon is designing an activity-filled program that will inspire kids and make the  days fly. Sharon has also applied for and received a generous grant of over $1,200 from Kids-In-Motion. This will fund a field trip to the Kinderhook-based educational center and organic farm, Katchkie Farm, and also recreational supplies that support nutritional and physical wellness.
This summer's Hillsdale program is sure to be great fun for our kids and make parents and the Town of Hillsdale very proud.
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 Hillsdale Boy Scouts Preserve Pill Hill Cemetery
Hillsdale Boy Scout Christopher Callino has always admired the old neglected cemetery on Pill Hill, north of the intersection off Route 22. The cemetery dates back to the late 1700s and includes the graves of veterans from the Revolutionary War and many Civil War veterans. Swallowed by the woods just up the hill on the left, most residents didn't even know it was there until Christopher took matters in his own hands.
After approaching the Town Board last year for permission to restore the old graveyard, Christopher and his crew of fellow Scouts from Troop 752 devoted countless hours after school and on weekends to clear brush and remove debris. Many impressive monuments have been revealed, including notable Hillsdale residents.
On July 1, Troop 752 held an open house at the cemetery to commemorate its restoration and honor the veterans who are buried there. Despite the wet weather, there was a good turnout and, thanks to the ever-reliable nature of scouting, a shelter from the rain with plenty of delicious refreshments.
Town Board member Peter Cipkowski presented a certificate to Christopher and Troop 752 on behalf of the Board that reads: "In recognition of your outstanding achievement and tireless effort in restoring the historic Pill Hill Cemetery. The Hillsdale Town Board is proud to congratulate you for all that you have accomplished and gratefully acknowledges your success."
All agree - be sure to stop by the old graveyard and pay your respects.
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Library Referendum Scheduled for Friday, August 28
Following a public hearing at which all present expressed enthusiastic support, the Hillsdale Town Board on May 19 unanimously approved a plan under which the old Roeliff Jansen Library would become the new Town Hall. The structure, built in 1924, is expected to become vacant next year upon completion of a new library building.
The Board resolved to extend an offer of its appraised value, $245,000, to purchase the building from the Library Committee. The Town Board believes that with its historic roots in the community, notable architecture, spacious central room and parking, and prominent visibility, the library building can become a viable town hall with relatively minimal r enovation. Though there are no plans to add additional square footage, the central room in the library will significantly increase the space currently available for public meetings. In addition, the ground level includes plenty of space for the construction of new offices. Preliminary renovation costs are estimated at $115,000 to $175,000.
The current town hall is inadequate in many ways - it has a cramped meeting room, limited parking, no storage for public records and a single bathroom. The Town Board believes the acquisition and preservation of the library building is a unique opportunity - one that will produce very positive benefits for current residents and future generations. Best of all, all of the money for the purchase is available now and will have no impact on taxes. That's because in 2003, a previous Town Board dreamed of a better structure and they established a Town Hall capital improvement reserve. This fund is expressly earmarked for Town Hall development.
Some may ask, "Why aren't the funds being used for a new building?"It's simple: the total costs of this project are significantly less than the cost of building an entirely new structure. Moreover, many agree, keeping the town hall in the center of town and preserving a beautiful, historic building is an opportunity that should not be missed.
As to the status of the current town hall once the library is purchased and renovated, there are several possibilities, including selling the building and returning it to the tax rolls. However, the Town Board believes that such a determination should only be made after input from Project for Public Spaces, the not-for-profit group that is charged with creating an overall plan for the downtown area.
While the Town Board has made an offer for the purchase of the library building, the final decision is up to the voters, since a Hillsdale resident has secured enough signatures to put the decision on the ballot.
The Town Board has scheduled a public referendum on August 28, from noon to 8 PM at the Hillsdale firehouse. All registered voters are eligible to participate. If not currently registered, Hillsdale residents must register through the County Board of Elections at least ten days before the scheduled election. The use of absentee ballots will not be applicable to the special election. If you are not registered to vote, please contact the Board of Elections for more information at 518-828-3115.
Remember to come out and vote "yes" on August 28 at the Hillsdale firehouse.
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Veterans Break Ground for the New Hillsdale Veteran's Memorial Garden
The work on the new Hillsdale Veteran's Memorial Garden is under way. It will be located at the site of the old Veteran's Memorial, next to Town Hall. The cement foundation is poured, the stone is ordered and work is almost complete on gathering names of veterans who lived in Hillsdale and served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War.
The new memorial is made possible because of donations from both residents and veterans. John Tavlarios and family made a very special donation as did Matthew White and Thomas Schumacher. The Columbia County Disabled Veterans made a gift to the effort, and two local grant makers helped the veterans achieve their fundraising goal.
It is anticipated that the work on the new memorial will be completed in early fall and a dedication ceremony is planned for early November.
The veterans would like further assistance from local residents. If you, or anyone you know, lived in Hillsdale at the time they served in any of the above mentioned wars, please contact Joe LaPorta at 518-329-1258 to be sure the veteran's name is included on the plaques.
John and Linda Tavlarios and their sons (on the left) made a very generous donation to the Veteran's Memorial Garden during the Town Flea Market on Memorial Day weekend. With them are, left to right, veterans Hal Blenk (holding the check) and Paul Proper; Hamlet Committee member Matthew White and Town Board member Peter Cipkowski.
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Comprehensive Plan Review Committees
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Green Solutions Group
Our Own Oil Well! (In a Manner of Speaking)
Over the winter, Hillsdale's Green Solutions Group (GSG) has been collecting used cooking oil from the Catamount Ski Area lodge. Yes, we struck it rich. With the indispensable help of Richard Briggs and the Highway Department, a fifty five gallon drum was picked up every other week during the ski season and stored at the Town Garage. With summer here, (we hope), it's time to turn all that French fry "bath water" into usable fuel -- BIODESEL.
The folks at Hawthorne Valley Farm are supporting the project by providing the use of their biodiesel processor and providing members of the Greens Solutions Group with expert training. The farm's employees, Hillary Corsun and Josh Dowd are the trainers, and GDG members Bob Kessler, Jeff Paige, Paul Solovay and Amelia Sydlosky are the recipients of their knowledge. After a 4-session tutorial, the students expect to be donning rubber gloves, goggles and industrial aprons as they turn waste oil into the stuff that can run diesel engines and oil furnaces. This is a pilot project, and the hope is that it can eventually be scaled up to help defray some of the town's energy expenses. A special thanks to Catamount's Bill Gilbert and Kelli Nardin (of Boston Culinary Group) for their contribution and to our own Bob Kessler who coordinated the pick-ups.
And, while we are on the subject of energy savings, here is the Green Solutions Group's very first "energy tip" of the month:
Let your clothes dryer go on vacation this summer. Put up a clothes line and air dry your wash. You'll love the way your clothes smell and you'll love the savings on your electric or gas bill. (If only it would stop raining!)
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Hamlet Committee
Beautification
The barrels planted along the road in the hamlet center in early summer have thrived in all the rain and have really filled out. The "watering volunteers" have had a lucky break but are ready to water and tend the barrels as real summer weather approaches.
The beautification volunteers, headed by Lynda Brenner, weeded, mulched and planted some new plants around the two Hillsdale signs that are located on Rt 22 south of the Post Office and on Route 23 west of the Audubon Preserve. The other two signs, north on 2 2 and east on 23, have had a small area under the signs prepped and planted with climbing vines. As you drive into the hamlet, take a look at the improvement. The volunteers that performed all the gardening were Lynda, David Ruede, Jeremy Dodd, Ira Madris, Tom Carty and Howard Van Lenten.
Additional help was provided by a new volunteer. Rick Burntitus knew that we had sidewalks under all that soil and grass along the north side of Route 23 in the hamlet and took it upon himself to bring in his tractor and with the help of his son Ricky, scrapped off the sod and uncovered the existing walkway. The Highway Department pitched in and moved two piles of sod to an area where it can be put to use. The work looks great and is a great improvement for pedestrians of the hamlet. Many tha nks go to Brian and Roger for t heir hard work.
After the very successful fundraiser flea mark Memorial Day weekend, the Hamlet Committee continues its fundraising efforts in support of the hiring of Project for Public Spaces (www.pps.org) to help the Town with its efforts to plan for an improved hamlet that promotes thriving businesses in an environment that is pedestrian-friendly and attractive.
The goal is to develop a hamlet that provides current and new businesses with adequate parking, and an attractive downtown where residents and visitors can gather to shop and socialize. Such planning is important to prevent overdevelopment and at the same time create opportunities for successful businesses that will add to our tax base and serve our residents.
We have raised over half of the money needed to hire PPS. We are planning for future, small fundraising gatherings and are looking forward to meeting town residents who will help us reach our fundraising goal.
We hope you all will join us in our fundraising efforts and participate in the planning efforts so that we create a thriving hamlet. For detailed information contact Hamlet Committee chairman David Ruede at 1-718-290-4218 or davidruede@gmail.com.
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Historic Preservation Committee
Historic Hillsdale Hamlet
Hillsdale is an historic place and it has the buildings to prove it! Over 80 structures, commercial buildings, the Library and others were identified as having historic and architectural significance when a survey was completed last winter with the support of the Preservation League of New York State. Many owners were surprised and pleased to learn about the significance of their buildings and many attended a meeting last January when the results of the survey were presented along with ideas for next steps.
Now, as an exciting follow up to the survey, and with many positive benefits, a portion of the Hillsdale Hamlet is being nominated for designation as a Historic District that will be part of the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
Funds from the J.M.Kaplan Fund and local fundraising efforts, enabled the Preservation Committee to hire consultants to complete the nomination forms which will be submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO is part of the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation).
A letter from SHPO will be sent to property owners in the proposed historic district in July and a town meeting will be held in September under their auspices. Prior to receiving the letter from SHPO, residents in the proposed district will receive detailed information from the members of the local Preservation Committee on the benefits of the designation.
In brief, the Historic Designation protects the historic character of the district in the event that the state or federal government wants to make major infrastructure changes to the area. It gives new businesses both federal and state financial incentives to locate in the Hamlet and also gives existing businesses financial incentives to renovate or otherwise improve their buildings. An added benefit is that foundations and other grant makers give higher priority to localities with a historic district, thus making it easier for the Town to get money for needed improvements.
Homeowners need not worry that they will have to conform to new regulations when they make improvements to their property. Historic designation does not impose any restrictions whatsoever on the homeowners' ability to sell their properties or to make whatever kinds of renovations they choose.
For further information, contact Tom Carty at 325-5260 or Robina Ward at 325-7849.
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Hillsdale Historic House Tour & Picnic
To Benefit the Hillsdale Historic Preservation Committee
The Historic Preservation Committee will be holding its first annual Historic House Tour & Picnic on August 22, 2009. Proceeds will go to continue the committee's work to protect the historic character of the Hamlet.
The tour will include three historic houses a local church ~
A distinctive, intact 1865 example of the picturesque Italianate style
An 1855 house that reflects both the Greek Revival and Italianate styles
A 1917 Craftsman that is being restored based on the original blueprints, and
A church that exemplifies rural religious architecture in the Greek Revival style.
In addition to the tour, a special exhibition on the History of Hillsdale will be on view in the former Aubergine restaurant.
The event begins promptly at noon with a box lunch by Verdigris Tea of Hudson. The "Country Picnic" will be accompanied by live music in a private garden before the tour begins. All locations are in close proximity so guests may walk easily from one place to the next. Parking will be available.
· $35 per person will allow access to the picnic, house tour and special exhibition.
· $100 per person includes all of the above, plus an invitation to a festive Patron's Party in an elegant private home on Sunday, August 23rd.
· $150 per person (or business) includes both of the above, plus your name and/or business in all printed material at the event.
Payment must be received by August 12 in order to attend. No tickets will be sold the day of the event. Tickets are on sale NOW at B&G Wine and Pasiflora. For more information, please call 518-325-1498.
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Housing Committee
Working to Keep Housing Within Reach
The Housing Committee is still seeking a final $1,000 so that it can begin its study of the housing needs of Hillsdale residents, particularly seniors and those with low or moderate incomes. The committee has submitted grant requests to two organizations in the hope that we can obtain this remaining $1,000 quickly. When we have the money in hand, our selected partner, the Housing Action Council -- a not-for-profit organization that specializes in below market rate housing, will begin its study. The study will look into the housing needs of the target population, definitions of below-market housing for legal and zoning purposes, and strategies and solutions that the town might adopt to respond to its housing needs.
Anyone interested in working with the group or contributing should contact Ellen Levy at 325-5899 (mandelevy@yahoo.com) or Tom Carty, Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, at 325-5260 (vancarty@gmail.com).
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