2012 was another productive year for the Town. Here are some of the highlights, as listed by our Town Supervisor, Art Baer.

• Town tax increases were budgeted at less than 2 percent despite major increases in unfunded NY State mandates and legal fees. This was achieved through selected cost reductions and spending freezes.
• A new Town Board member, Steve Tiger, began his service in January, replacing Carmen Barbato, who served for more than 20 years and made incalculable contributions. 
• More than $20,000 was raised through private donations which were used to fund new fitness equipment at the Roe Jan Park and toddler playground equipment at the Hamlet Park.
• An additional $20,000 was raised through donations and a grant from the Rheinstrom Foundation for restoration of the Town Hall.
• A new economic development effort was launched this year for the Town; several new businesses opened including CrossRoads Food Shop and the Village Scoop.
• The first weddings were held at the Roe Jan Park attracting many additional visitors who took advantage of local services.
• Jeremy Dodds was appointed Town Historian replacing Jay Rohrlich.
• A mini park is being constructed east of the Town Hall and is being funded by private donations. 

Construction of the new park next to Town Hall is moving forward. Local stone mason Rick Burntitus got a chance to lay out  some of the bluestone surface before the recent snowfall and he will continue as weather permits. The obelisk that will be the park's centerpiece has arrived at Cantele Memorials, the company that will install it; we are waiting for a completed bluestone pedestal that the obelisk will rest on. The winter weather will delay the work, but all contractors will continue working as weather permits. The park is a project of the Hillsdale Hamlet Committee, which thanks all the residents and businesses that have contributed so generously to its construction. 

New York State recently awarded a $15,000 grant to help bring the Harlem Valley Rail Trail to Hillsdale. The award will be combined with matching funds raised through contributions from residents to the Copake Hillsdale Rail Trail Alliance and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association. The money will allow the two groups to open up the trail from Copake Falls to Hillsdale this coming spring, using the existing stone-and-dirt.

In the past few weeks crews from Taconic State Park cleared most of the corridor of weeds and overgrown branches to make way for walkers, runners and cyclists on mountain or hybrid bikes come warmer weather. This is a key milestone as the groups work toward a fully paved extension to Hillsdale, including a tunnel under Route 22.