April 2021 Newsletter

There is a lot of news in this issue. To be sure you see it all, click here to view the newsletter as a web page..

News from Town Hall

Greetings!

Your Town government has been active on many fronts since the last Newsletter. Briefly, Town Hall has a new server and fiber optic connectivity that will substantially increase our operations. Efforts are continuing to move forward on our failing West End Road bridge, Hamlet Park planning and funding initiatives, and the Whippoorwill Road intersection with Route 22. These and other projects in the pipeline are all significant. They will require time to implement, and I want to thank Robina, Tom, Jill and Steve and our committees for the care and dedication they give each day to ensure that we continue to plan, seek funding for and implement these projects.

It’s a great pleasure to report to you that, since the arrival of the pandemic over a year ago, the Hillsdale Economic and Community Development Corporation (HECDC) has secured donations from generous and caring benefactors, and has awarded grants totaling $37,974 to 129 persons and organizations in need. We hope that these grants helped those in our community whose lives have been severely impacted by the pandemic, and all those who participated in this program.

Planning is underway for this year’s Summer Camp program, along with guidance from the County Department of Public Health. The HECDC is inviting those who might like to make a contribution for scholarships that will assist families to send their kids to camp by sending a check payable to “HECDC” to my attention at Hillsdale Town Hall, P.O. Box 305, Hillsdale, NY 12529.

In other good news, we, along with cities and towns across the State, were advised by Senator Schumer that Hillsdale will receive $200,000 through the American Rescue Plan. Beyond the details noted in the article below, we have not yet had further word about this grant. Once received, the Town Board will carefully evaluate our options according to the stated guidelines and make investments as appropriate.

And finally, in response to the current pandemic and also to guide safety precautions in future crises that we hope will never come, the Town Board adopted the Employer Health Emergency Plan for the Town of Hillsdale to protect our employees in compliance with legislation signed by the Governor (S8617B/A10832). We were able to meet the April 1^st deadline with the guidance of the County HR Department and the towns of Ancram and Copake who provided templates from which our Plan was written. I hope that we will have many more occasions to collaborate with these and other neighboring towns on projects of mutual interest. We are grateful for their help, and for the endorsement of Teamsters Union Local 294. The approved Plan was shared with each Town employee and is being posted as required by law.

Please stay safe and continue to observe health precautions.

Chris Kersten

Town Supervisor

[email protected]

Supervisor Chris Kersten, Permit Engineer for the NYS Department of Transportation Tina J Reilly, and Highway Superintendent Richard Briggs met on March 29 to discuss options for improving the dangerous Whippoorwill Road/Route 22 intersection.

Join the April Town Board Meeting on Zoom

Topic: Town of Hillsdale April Town Board Meeting

Time: Tuesday April 13, 7:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89761256359

Dial in: 646 558-8656 Meeting ID: 897 6125 6359

See the last item in this newsletter for Zoom links to other April board and committee meetings.

COVID Update

With 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 as of midday Wednesday, Columbia County's active cases dropped to 72. Of these, five individuals were hospitalized, and two were in the ICU. Since the start of the pandemic Columbia County has had 3,858 cases and 90 deaths.

According to Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Maab, as of Tuesday the outbreak at Brookwood Secure Center in Claverack accounted for 36 of the current cases in the county. Of the cases there, 15 were the residents of Brookwood.

As of March 30 all New Yorkers 30 years of age and older became eligible to receive the vaccine. Beginning April 6, universal eligibility goes into effect and all New Yorkers 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

The Columbia County Department of Health regularly updates their site with information about scheduled vaccinations. Use the link below and at the DOH site click in the pop-up box to get "up-to-date information". As is noted on the site, when vaccine supply is received, new POD (point of distribution) appointment registration links will be posted each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening between 5 pM and 6 PM.

As of Monday, March 29, the county Department of Health has administered 6,282 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses administered numbered 3,324. The vaccine is either Pfizer or Moderna. Currently, 33.1% of Columbia County residents have received at least a first shot, according to New York State

data.

NYS Vaccine Info

Columbia County Dept. of Health

Time to Register for Hillsdale’s

Summer Youth Program in Roe Jan Park

Plans are underway for Hillsdale’s popular Summer Youth Program to return to the Roe Jan Park this year. The town is awaiting guidance in regards to COVID from the county and the state but is planning for the program to operate from July 12 through August 20, Mondays through Fridays from 9 AM to 3 PM. The program is limited to 65 campers.

As always, the popular program will take advantage of its unique location in the park. Focused on nature and outdoor activities, it makes use of the park’s trails, fields, wetlands, two large open barns, and working community garden. Joe Raco is returning as director.

Application forms are now available on the town website. Applications will be accepted from today through May 1. Hillsdale residents and previous campers will be given priority as long as their application is submitted by May 1. After May 1 you can contact town hall to find out if space is still available.

This program is open to students ages five to 13. Five-year olds must have finished a year of kindergarten and campers must be no older than 13 on 07/01/21 unless they have previously been a camper in this program and the director approves. Updated immunization records must accompany all registrations.

If there are openings for counselors, an application will be posted on the website.

Summer Youth Program Registration

Town to Receive American Rescue Plan Funds

As part of the funding to state and local governments in the recently signed American Rescue Plan, the Town of Hillsdale is projected to receive approximately $200,000. Every town, city and county in the state is receiving funds. Columbia County’s share is projected to be approximately $11.53 million

"We eagerly await further word about this important grant", said Supervisor Kersten, "and I look forward to discussions with the Town Board to determine the best allocation of these funds consistent with the guidelines."

The Plan set restrictions on how state and local governments can use the funds:

• Costs associated with responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts, including but not limited to, assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality.

• To support workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform essential work.

• To cover revenue losses caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

• Funds may NOT be used by states or localities to cover the costs of pension funds. States may NOT use funds to offset a reduction in taxes.

New York State will also receive $358 million from the state and local fund for building out broadband infrastructure.

Of Note.....

Town Hall technology has gotten major upgrades. In addition to a new server, fiber optic has been installed and the phone system was upgraded. Public Wi-Fi, which is available without password both inside and outside of the building, is now called Hillsdale Public .

The Board agreed to start charging for use of the Electric Vehicle Charging Station in the Town Hall parking lot and set a price of $.35/kwh. A start date for charging will be announced and notice will be provided on the charging station.

The Farmers Market lease has been renewed, with three extra market days. The market will run from May 22 to November 20 this year.

The Highway Department is tentatively planing to hold Spring Cleanup, subject to COVID restrictions. Details will be announced in a future newsletter.

Ice House, Coffee Shop, Chinese Restaurant ...

Over the past two centuries many structures in Hillsdale have been added to, renovated, or reconfigured for modern use, yet retain elements of their original selves. Hillsdale's Historians are always on the lookout for newer looking buildings that are actually old, then finding out their history and tracking the owners and uses. There are a few gaps in what they learned about the building that now houses Passiflora but in the process they did learn some fascinating stories related to the building.

Hillsdale Historians' Blog

Community Forum Area to be

Available at Farmers Market

Again this year, the Town, in coordination with the Farmers Market, will have a “community forum” space available each Saturday at the market starting in July. The space, next to the silo, can be used by an area non-profit organization to build community awareness and distribute information about their organization and goals. One group per Saturday will be allowed. Space will not be available in May and June due to COVID restrictions. Organizations must apply to Town Hall for use of the space. Contact Town Clerk Kathi Doolan at 518.325-5073 x 5.

Guidelines, including how to request use of the space, will be available shortly from the town. The organizations will be required to provide certificate of insurance to the town.

Town Approves Changes to Sewer Law

In order to have billing for the town sewer system more accurately reflect usage, at a public hearing on March 9 the Town Board approved Local Law #1 2021 which amends the local sewer law passed in 2007 .

Sewer usage charges are based on Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU’s). The rate, $50/month/EDU, was not changed but types of usage categories, such as studio apartments, mini-marts, spas, etc. were added. The Sewer Committee reviewed county assessment records to determine occupancy and new categories to add.

Restaurants that have grease traps, which the town has to clean twice a year, will now be charged an additional 1.5 EDU/month to cover the cost.

Of the 62 properties in the sewer district 21 are affected by the changes.

Local Law # 1 2021

Check Out Hillsdale's Official Facebook Page

You now have three online options for keeping up with what's going on Hillsdale. A new Facebook page has joined the new website and new Instagram page as part of the town's initiative to better communicate with residents and visitors. The Facebook page is mainly a conduit for republishing website updates for meetings and notices, but will also republish content from the Instagram feed.

Hillsdale's Facebook Page

Residential Brush Burning

Prohibited Through May 14

New York State’s annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning runs through May 14 this year. Every spring the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) bans burning for two months in the spring, which is when risks increase and most wildfires occur.

The Fire Danger Map on DEC’s website shows the current fire risk.

Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures are warmer and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation.

New York regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round.

Violators of the State's open burning regulation are subject to criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332), or report online on DEC's website.