November 2024

Next Town Board Meeting

Thursday, December 12, 2024

7:00pm

Access to virtual meetings can be found on the homepage of the Town of Copake website at townofcopake.org

Table of Contents

From the Supervisor's Desk

Solar Update

Burn Ban in Effect

Help Wanted

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee

Thanksgiving Dinner

Knit Club Fundraiser

Holiday Open House at the Grange

Holiday Tree Dedications

Poinsettias

RJHS Winter Walk

Holiday Light Parade

Grange Events

Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market News

What's Happening at the Library

Memorial Bricks

Columbia County Health Center

From the Supervisor's Desk            

Now that the 2024 election season has ended, it is important that we all recommit to fostering the same unifying community spirit that was so evident throughout our Bicentennial Celebrations.

As you know, the Copake Town Board consists of three Democrats, a Republican, and a Conservative. To promote non-partisanship, I appointed the Conservative, Stosh Gansowski, to be my deputy. Regardless of our party labels, we all are focused on the same thing: doing whatever is best for Copake.

We have stood united in our opposition to Hecate’s proposed Shepherd’s Run solar factory. We have worked together to get a lot done, including: fast-tracking construction by the Highway Department of a walkway from the Church Street municipal parking lot to Empire Road, so it was ready to accommodate playgoers attending “Your Town” at Grange Hall in early April; speeding the construction of the new bandshell, so it was ready for the summer music concert series; we supported Picklemania, approving the Highway Department adding a shade gazebo, separation gates and a walkway from the parking lot to the pickleball courts; approved a Town Hall lighting project, which replaced old bulbs with LEDs; and authorized Town Attorney Jon Tingley to obtain easements for construction of the Main Street municipal parking lot.

On October 28^th, following a public hearing, the town board unanimously adopted Copake’s 2025 budget. We agreed on a budget that, without raising town taxes, will enable us to move forward with projects to improve the look and feel of our town. Funds are included in the budget to augment ARPA funds that will pay for construction of the Main Street parking lot in the spring. We agreed to complete long-overdue repairs to the tennis court and skateboard park. We all agreed that the 2025 budget would raise salaries for Highway Superintendent Bill Gregory (the best superintendent in the county) and his employees, for whom we negotiated a new 3-year contract with the Teamsters Union. We are providing salary increases for the town clerk, assessor, code enforcement officer, and bookkeeper/confidential assistant to the supervisor, and for all clerical employees.

As the holiday season fast approaches, let us all be thankful for the beautiful town we call home. And, if you have ideas for projects to make Copake an even more wonderful place, please let us know.

I think I can speak for my colleagues on the board by saying this: we all are united in our commitment to do whatever we can to improve the quality of life in Copake.

Richard Wolf

Town Supervisor

Solar Update

It’s been six months since Hecate Energy announced its intention to file a new application with New York State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) for a siting permit to construct a 42-megawatt solar factory on more than 200 acres of prime farmland in Craryville. No new application has been filed.

In earlier reports, I’ve speculated about this. Is Hecate waiting to learn whether it again will receive an incentive contract from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority? You will recall that for its 60-megawatt proposal, Hecate’s contract was worth $42 million. Or is Hecate’s contentious relationship with its 40% owner, giant Spanish oil company Repsol, contributing to the ongoing delay?

As we await Hecate’s next move, there is one development I can report upon. Last month, Copakeans Norma Ramos and Vicki Sander met with Hudson’s Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) to present concerns about Shepherd’s Run’s potential impact on the Taghkanic Creek Watershed and on Hudson’s drinking water. Thereafter, together with Bill Newcomb and Steve Futrell, they toured the proposed Shepherd’s Run site with several CAC members. The CAC then prevailed upon Hudson’s Common Council to adopt its Resolution No. 8, dated October 15, 2024, entitled “Opposition to Proposed Siting of the Shepherd’s Run Solar Project within the Taghkanic Creek Watershed.” The resolution urges ORES to deem Hecate Energy’s potential application incomplete “unless and until Hecate can provide evidence that the construction…and…the presence of Shepherd’s Run will not negatively impact the Taghkanic Creek Watershed, or the water quality in the City of Hudson or any Columbia County Town.” The resolution, signed by Hudson’s mayor, also urges the Columbia County Board of Supervisors to pass a similar resolution.

I will keep you advised of further developments.

Richard T. Wolf Town Supervisor

Extreme Fire Hazard - Burn Ban in Effect

A burn ban has been declared by New York State, and a state of emergency has been declared by Columbia County. These proclamations will be in effect until November 30.

Severe drought conditions, as well as high winds, have created a high hazard for fire. The burning of brush and debris, as well as the building of campfires and open fires for cooking are prohibited through November 30. Residents are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when engaging in activities that involve fire or sparks outdoors. In these dry conditions, fires can start extremely easily and become out of control in a very short time. Please be mindful and protect your fields, forests and homes.

Help Wanted

The Town Board of the Town of Copake will be accepting letters of interest and resumes for the following positions:



Park Commission Members

Planning Board Member

ZBA Member

Letters/resumes returnable by December 9, 2024, at 2:00pm, and may be sent to: Town Clerk, 230 Mountain View Road, Copake, NY 12516, or emailed to: copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org.

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee Meets

The Comprehensive Plan Committee met for the first time on November 11. Beginning in December, the newly formed committee will meet monthly on the second Monday of the month, at 5:00pm.

The committee is charged by the town board with reviewing the 2011 Comprehensive Plan and preparing an updated comprehensive plan for the consideration of the town board. The projected timeframe for the committee’s work is 18 months.

The board appointed the following as members of the committee: Brian Boom, Brendan Cranna, Julie Cohen, Peter Doty, Erin Dougherty, Benedict Gedaminski, Tom Goldsworthy, Catherine Mikic, Todd Proper, Stephanie Rabin, Terry Sullivan and Alden Warner. The board appointed Jeanne Mettler as chairperson; Supervisor Richard Wolf will be the town board liaison.

A comprehensive plan, often referred to as a roadmap or blueprint for a town, is meant to express the town’s aspirations and plans for the future.  All future zoning and land use decisions should comply with the comprehensive plan. The state law authorizing the creation of a comprehensive plan states, “Among the most important powers and duties granted by the legislature to a town government is the authority and responsibility to undertake town comprehensive planning and to regulate land use for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizens."



The town board has filed a grant application with NYS seeking $81,000 to fund the project. The town has committed $9000 in matching funds. This grant is typically announced in December or January.

The committee’s next meeting will be Monday, December 9 at 5:00pm in Copake Town Hall. The public may attend in person or virtually. The link for remote access will be published on the town website.

Holiday Tree Dedications

Once again the hamlet of Copake will be adorned with festive trees for the holidays. Dedications may be purchased in honor of a loved one and will be placed on the trees around the Clock.

Sponsored by the Copake Grange, with the help of the Copake Highway Department, the trees will be placed at local businesses and organizations sometime after Thanksgiving.

You may support this effort by purchasing a dedication in memory or or to honor a loved one for $30 (cash or check). Application forms will be available at Dad’s Diner, Copake General Store or the Town Clerk’s office. Checks should be made payable to Copake Grange #935. If you cannot get to these locations, or for more information, you can email Noel Fair at alnoelfair@gmail.com.

All are invited to string the trees with lights on December 7 at 2pm. Meet in the parking lot by the Copake General Store. Everyone is invited to the Grange’s Open House afterward, from 3-5pm.

Poinsettias for Holiday Cheer

The Copake Poinsettia Committee will deliver poinsettias to local people who are shut-ins or have recently lost a loved one, or are simply in need of holiday cheer.

The group is a committee of local not-for-profit Copake Community Service, Inc.

If you know of anyone who might be happy to receive a poinsettia, please call Vana Hotaling at (518)755-1196, no later than November 24, 2024.

Grange Events

Friday, Nov. 8, 15 & Saturday, Nov. 9,16, 7:30pm, Sunday, Nov. 10,17, 3pm. “Nunsense.” Presented by The Two of Us Productions, “Nunsense” is the hilarious musical comedy by Dan Goggin that is the second-longest-running Off-Broadway show in history. It involves nuns, Hoboken, New Jersey, the south of France, and death from tainted vichyssoise. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. For more information and tickets, go to www.TheTwoOfUsProductions.org or call 518-329-6293.

Sunday, Nov. 24 and Dec. 15, 4:00-5:30pm. Jammin’ at the Grange. Come on down to the Grange with your instruments and have a great time jamming with your musician friends and neighbors. Free.

Friday, Dec. 6, 7:00-9:00pm. Open Mic Night. All are welcome to perform - music, stories, skits, readings, poetry, dance, songs, and more. Bring your instruments; we have a piano. Or you can just come to relax and be entertained. This is a great venue for both beginning and veteran performers. Free.

Saturday, Dec. 7, 3:00-5:00pm. Holiday Open House. Come join us for holiday cheer. See your friends and neighbors and meet new people. Hot chocolate, cider, holiday treats, music, help decorate the tree. And...CookieFest - bake some cookies, eat some, and take some home! We will also be accepting donations for the Food Pantry, Taconic Hills Supply Closet and Dollars for Scholars, as well as donations for gifts for children in conjunction with St. John in the Wilderness. Go to copake.org/events for specific details on how to contribute and about our CookieFest!

Saturday, Jan. 18, 7-9pm. Dance Party. Banish the winter blues and come inside where the music is happening! Great music, refreshments, dance to your heart’s content. More details to follow.

Sunday, Jan. 19, 3:30pm. Movie and Soup Night. Our Classic Film Series continues. Movie to be announced. Stay afterward for good conversation and delicious soup, salad, bread and dessert. Movie by donation. Supper $10. Save the date!

Saturday, Jan. 25, 5:00-7:00pm. Chili Cook-Off. Hot fun on a winter night! Spice up your evening with chili of all kinds. Sample them, vote on your favorite chili and see who wins the prizes. Eat in or take-out. Details on our website copake.org/events.

Saturdays, 11am - 1:45pm. African Drum and Dance Classes with Assane Badji Sylla. Traditional African drumming and dances from a variety of regions. A high energy workout in a safe, fun environment. See poster below for more details. Held most Saturdays - text 518-965-2447 to confirm.

For more information about the Grange and events or to join, go to copakegrange.org. The Copake Grange is located at 628 Empire Rd., Copake, NY 12516. Parking for Grange events is limited - please park at the Municipal Lot on Church St. if the Grange parking area is full.

Farmers Market Still Going Strong

The Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market, which has already had a record number of visitors this year, is still open every Saturday through November 23, from 9am to 1pm at the Roe Jan Park, so visitors can shop for items for Thanksgiving dinner. 

For sale will be vegetables, including those that can be stored, such as potatoes, onions and squash, as well as frozen meats, cheeses, charcuterie, apple cider, sunflower seeds, salt, bread, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, preserves, and and other goods that can be eaten over the winter. There are also plenty of fresh salad greens and dark leafy greens, broccoli, and fresh herbs

The market accepts SNAP/EBT cards and doubles SNAP benefits.

What’s Happening at the Library?

On Display Now at the Library

"Clair de Lune" - Traditional Ink on Paper Drawings by Edwing Gomez Flores. Artist's Statement: Black because it creates depth, contrast, and blends absence with presence. White because it enhances visibility, transition, and gives a sense of hope. Red because it emphasizes energy, passion, and yearns for attention. Gold because it embraces wisdom, good fortune, and is viewed as absolute.

Edwing Gomez Flores was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and currently resides in upstate New York. Having no formal education in the visual arts, this sub-discipline has and continues to bring Edwing fulfillment through its concepts and processes to express emotion, point of view, and critical thinking. Many of his creations reflect fond memories, dreams, and stories shared by others. When words become meaningless, it is through the visual arts that Edwing can showcase his perception of the world.

Saturday, November 16, 2:00 p.m.

Cookbook Club. Led by Outreach Library Associate Fran Colombo, our Cookbook Club meets on the third Saturday of each month. Members select a recipe, prepare the dish, and bring it to the next meeting, where we’ll discuss the cookbook and enjoy a shared meal. Don’t forget to bring copies of your recipe to share with fellow food enthusiasts! This November, we are not cooking from a cookbook. Instead, participants are invited to cook an international dish of their choosing to celebrate an early Thanksgiving gathering! Everyone is welcome—more members mean more delicious dishes! For more information, please contact Fran at outreach@roejanlibrary.org.

Thursday, November 21, 10:30 a.m.

STEM Bugs! Join us for a fun STEM project about BUGS! We will read The Backyard Bug Book by Lauren Davidson and then search for bugs in an edible sensory bin. Children will get to search through edible dirt for gummy worms and other edible insects. We will encourage them to identify each creature. They will also practice counting each insect before devouring them. For kids of all ages!

Thursday, November 21, 1:00 pm.

Book Marks! Book Club. Join our nonfiction book club, Book Marks!, led by Circulation Librarian Robin Gottlieb. Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month. For our November meeting we are reading Animal, Vegetable, Junk by Mark Bittman. Copies are available through the Mid-Hudson Library System and Libby. Email circulation@roejanlibrary.org for more information.

Thursday, November 21, 2:30 p.m.

Tea Time at the Library. Plan to visit the library on the fourth Thursday of each month at 2:30 p.m. to discuss fun and informative topics. Each month’s gathering will have a different theme; listen, discuss, and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee if that’s your preference!), and sometimes a fun activity. There will also be plenty of time to chat, get to know your neighbors, and wind down.



For our November meeting, we will be joined by Qigong & Tai Chi teacher, David Haines. Come join in and enjoy a cup of Harney's Tea (or coffee) and some fresh baked goods on the house. Please note Tea Time will take place on the third Thursday (Nov 21st) this month due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Saturday, November 23, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Season of Light & Hope Family Concert. Join local musicians John and Ann Marie Farrell in a joyful music program for families and people of all ages. This program includes original and familiar songs and is filled with audience participation. Be prepared to sing, laugh, and learn as we celebrate this Season of Light and Hope. For over 25 years, John has traveled the world, visiting schools to sing and write songs that promote peace and understanding. Ann Marie Farrell is a retired elementary school teacher and has sung on all of John’s CDs. The duo perform at schools, community concerts, and educational conferences. All ages welcome.

Monday, November 25, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Zoom Around the World Book Club. Join our new online book club, sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association! This club will meet via Zoom on the fourth Monday of each month to read and discuss books by international authors. The third book up for discussion is Irish writer Sally Rooney’s Normal People. To join, email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.com.

Saturday, November 30, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Family Film Screening. Join us the Saturday after Thanksgiving for a free family movie! We will be showing Paddington (2014) in the Community Room. Free popcorn and refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, December 4, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

STEM Snow--for Kids of All Ages. Join us for a fun STEM project on SNOW! We will read Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and then create our own snow. Children will learn all about precipitation and the water cycle. They'll also get to create and play with their own fake snow. Kids of all ages welcome.

Saturday, December 7, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

The Last Dragon: A Marionette Performance by the Puppet People. Are all princesses helpless? Are all knights brave and strong? Are all dragons evil? Find out in this whimsical retelling of the fairy tale by E. Nesbitt. Join us for a spectacular marionette performance presented by the Puppet People, which explores the issues of stereotypes, discrimination, self-esteem, greed, and friendship. All ages welcome!

Wednesday, December 11, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Adventure Wednesday. For homeschool groups and daytime learners! Adventure Wednesdays promise to bring a sense of excitement and discovery as embark on monthly field trips around the area. In December, we will meet up at Camphill Village in Copake, NY for a special tour! For more information, email director@roejanlibrary.org.

Wednesdays, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Digital Navigator Office Hours. So many things happen online! If you can’t connect to the internet easily, it can be hard to find a job, housing, pay your bills, schedule appointments, and more. Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley can help you get online at the library or help you use your personal device to get things done. Digital navigators are trusted guides that can help you with your tech questions for free.

Our communications manager, Kate, is a newly trained Digital Navigator of the Hudson Valley! Kate holds open office hours on Wednesdays from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. for general tech help and digital guidance. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are appreciated. Email communications@roejanlibrary.org or call the Library at 518-325-4101 to reserve a time with Kate.