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Greetings from Copake
Copake Connection is an online newsletter brought to you by the Town of Copake. This newsletter will publicize community events throughout the Town of Copake and will be published once a month, on the 15th of the month. The editor is Roberta Roll. All submissions should be sent to [email protected] no later than the 10th of the month. The newsletter will be distributed to anyone who wishes to subscribe. Simply click the mailing list icon below.
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Table of Contents
From the Supervisor's Desk
Solar Update
Property Tax Exemption Deadline
Copake Grange
Town Boards Have Openings
Grange 120th Anniversary
Copake Hillsdale Farmer's Market
Grange Events
Copake History
What's Happening at the Library
Copake Outdoors
Memorial Bricks
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From the Supervisor's Desk
The tax levy in this town has remained unchanged since I took office and for many years before that. It is $1,129,856.
In the past year, however, the assessed value of the town has increased by almost 19 million dollars. There are new houses in Copake that were not here a year ago. Older houses have been remodeled and increased in value. The result is that while our tax levy has remained flat, our tax rate has decreased. Put differently, the amount that each tax payer pays per $1000 of value of their home is lower than it was in 2022.
So, it is worth noting that the careful fiscal policies of this town board, coupled with the significant economic growth in Copake, have benefited the individual taxpayer.
This is good news, but that message has to be tempered by the very real struggles that so many Copake residents are facing. With inflation, the cost of food and everyday needs has skyrocketed, and there is not much the town can do to address that.
There is an issue which the town can tackle. That issue is housing. The flip side of the increased value of housing in Copake is the increased cost of housing and the resulting housing crisis. This is not just a local crisis; there is a housing crisis in Columbia County, and in her recent State of the State address, New York Governor Hochul recognized this as a statewide crisis.
Between 2018 and 2021, the price of a home in Columbia County increased by 55%, while at the same time the inventory of available homes decreased by 59% and the median home price rose by 18%. Rents have increased as well, creating a situation in which a homeowner is spending closer to 50% of his or her income on housing, far in excess of the recommended 30%.
Columbia County has appointed a blue ribbon committee to tackle these issues. The county has also entered into a three year contract with Columbia Economic Development Corp. to address housing, and a housing coordinator has been hired. There is also a local three-town committee (Hillsdale, Ancram and Copake) which has been discussing strategies for making affordable housing more available in the Roe Jan area. Meredith Kane and Julie Cohen represent Copake on that committee. (Ms. Kane has also been appointed by Board of Supervisors Chair Matt Murell to the County Housing Task Force). Both the county and three-town committee are taking a "deep dive" into this huge issue to try to understand the complex causes and to find and suggest viable solutions.
I think that Copake can take a different but complementary approach. At the January meeting, I suggested that the town board appoint an ad hoc short-term working group to study our Zoning Code and come back to the board within two months to make suggestions as to amendments which would facilitate the creation of more moderately priced houses. The question to be answered: Are there fairly simple amendments which could be made to this end?
The board supports this approach and voted unanimously to appoint an ad hoc committee comprised of Meredith Kane, Bob Haight (Chair of Planning Board) and Dale Peterson (Deputy Chair of ZBA). Our land use attorney Ken Dow will also work with this group. This new group will not be a "think tank.” We are not asking them to engage in an in-depth study of the housing crisis - that work is being done elsewhere. This is a “swat team,” charged with working quickly but thoughtfully to recommend practical strategies to address the lack of housing.
The issue of housing has bedeviled this town for over a decade. We hope this team of qualified Copake residents can come up with some practical solutions which will make a difference.
Jeanne E. Mettler
Supervisor
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Solar Update
There have been several developments on two fronts in Hecate Energy’s ongoing attempt to site a utility-scale solar energy power plant on 255 acres of mostly prime farmland in Craryville.
First, regarding the pending appeal of a lawsuit in which Copake is lead petitioner (joined by 5 other upstate, rural towns and 7 non-profit organizations) challenging the regulations under which the Office of Renewable Energy Siting ORES operates — regulations written to favor renewable energy developers by an energy industry consultant (for which Hecate is a client): our attorneys filed a reply brief on Monday, countering arguments raised by NY State. The reply brief is clear, effective, and easy to read (even for non-lawyers). Reply Brief We now expect that the appeal will be heard in March by a panel of justices from the Third Judicial Department in Albany.
There also have been several developments regarding the Shepherd’s Run proposal itself. In mid-December, Hecate asked to meet with the town for the first time in more than a year. The meeting was not productive, in the sense that Hecate offered nothing by way of negotiating. Rather, they asked for the town’s interpretations of various local laws Hecate is asking ORES to waive as being “unduly burdensome.” Hecate claimed it was having fruitful negotiations with the ad hoc Working Group. However, this characterization is, to put it kindly, overly optimistic. In any case, Hecate was reminded that no one is authorized to negotiate on behalf of Copake.
At the meeting, Hecate stated that they intend to file a response to ORES’ second Notice of Incomplete Application on January 27, one month later than when it was due. They previously had announced this to ORES on December 20, and when we saw that Hecate wasn’t even requesting an extension of the due date, we wrote to ORES and urged them not to allow Hecate to unilaterally extend the time. We suggested instead that ORES should issue another Notice of Incomplete Application. This suggestion was not adopted by ORES, which instead urged Hecate and Copake to “consult.” It seems reasonable to assume that this is why Hecate sought the meeting with us.
On January 9, a letter signed by Howard Blue, Copake’s Town Historian, was submitted to ORES. The letter, researched by Tom Goldsworthy and Mr. Blue, presents evidence that the proposed site of Shepherd’s Run, particularly the Rasweiller Angus Farm (formerly the Niver Farm) is on land that is a significant, well-documented historical and cultural site connected to the Stockbridge Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation. The letter refers specifically to the 1859 Mohican Occupation of Niver Farm and suggests that the history should be reviewed as ORES considers Hecate’s siting application, because the NYS Historic Preservation Act requires the state to review a proposed project’s impact on “historical or archeological resources.” The letter notes that similar evaluations are required by federal agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Hecate has not mentioned this letter to the town. In the meantime, we await responses from the letter’s various addressees, which include the Stockbridge-Musee Historic Preservation Office, the NYS Historic Preservation Office, the U.S. and NYS Offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and ORES.
Richard Wolf
Deputy Supervisor
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March 1 is Deadline for 2023 Property Tax Exemptions and Renewals
If you are renewing any property tax exemptions or applying for a new one you must apply by March 1.
STAR is the New York State School Tax Relief program that provides an exemption from school property taxes for owner-occupied residences. All new applicants must apply through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. To register, call 518 457-2036 or go to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website. (Link below)
Or call your local assessor for more information:
Lynn Hotaling, Assessor
230 Mountain View Rd., Copake, NY 12516
518-329-1234 Ext. #4
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Town Boards Have Openings
If you would like to get more involved with town government and town matters, Copake has many openings for you.
There are currently openings on the Ethics Board, Park Commission, and Zoning Board.
Information and job descriptions can be obtained from the Supervisor at (518)329-1234 ext. 1. Letters of interest and resumes should be mailed by February 6, 2023 to 230 Mountain View Road, Copake, NY 12516 Attention: Lynn Connolly, Town Clerk or email [email protected].
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Copake Grange Celebrates 120th Anniversary
Celebrate good times, come on!
The Copake Grange #935 commemorates 120 years in 2023 and is seeking Grange related photos, objects and memorabilia to be used in the celebration. Scour your homes, basements, attics, storage units and of course barns for any items related to Copake Grange #935 or Granger history. If you have any items you’d consider donating or returning; please contact [email protected], PO Box 33, Copake, NY 12516.
Watch for more news on how you can participate and enjoy this year’s festivities
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The Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market Had Another Successful Year
The Roe Jan area can be proud of the fact that the Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market keeps getting better each year and just might be the best in Columbia County! Here are some of the things that made the market so special this year:
* SNAP (food stamp) sales were 16x higher than 5 years ago, and 60% higher than last year. Word is spreading about CHFM's matching program that doubles SNAP users' dollars, making shopping from local farmers and vendors more accessible to them.
* Over 20,000 guests visited the market, some telling us that they travel up to an hour just to shop at the market, or choose CHFM over the market closest to them.
* 22 local musicians or groups were hired to perform. along with a traveling Shakespeare troupe.
* 11 local community organizations were welcomed to educate and inform the guests, giving them a way to reach hundreds of residents and neighbors.
* Numerous vendors have collaborated with each other; some examples are:
Jacuterie uses Roe Jan Brewing "Yonderview" beer in some of their salami;
Mei's Dumplings often uses produce from our market's farmers, and also schedules "pop ups" at Coopers Daughter Distillery;
Vine Gate's lavender is an ingredient in Roe Jan Brewing's "Emma" beer;
Little Apple Cidery serves Jacuterie products on their charcuterie board at the Orchard Bar;
Graylight Farm stocks hot sauce from Common Hands Farm on their table to accompany the breakfast sandwiches;
Taconic Trading Co uses bread from Berkshire Mountain Bakery for sampling their smoked salts; Coopers Daughter hosts Vine Gate Lavender for "paint & sip" events;
gift boxes from Potters Table include cutting boards from artisan vendor KHEM Studio.
Winter is upon us, which means the farmers have a little rest time, but it won’t be long
before they start planning next year’s season. Also, some of the vendors have winter crops or products that you can purchase through the winter. Go to copakehillsdalefarmersmarket.com and click on vendors for more info. Let’s give thanks for the many hard working farmers who grow nutritious and beautiful food for us.
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Grange Events
Saturday, Jan. 21 - Chili Cook-Off. Spice it up and stay warm with our chili cook-off night. Tastings, judges and prizes for best chili. All chili for sale. For more information about entries, go to our website at copakegrange.org/events
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Friday, Feb. 3, 7-9pm - Open Mic Night. LIVE and IN-PERSON! Live open mic is on and it’s great! The first Friday of every month. Come on down to the Grange and join us with your instruments, songs, poems, stories, skits, etc. Or just come to relax, have fun and be inspired. We have a piano. For more information, contact [email protected].
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Friday and Saturdays, Feb. 17, 18 & 24, 25 at 7:30pm, Sundays, Feb. 19, 26 at 3pm - The Lady and the Clarinet. The Two of Us Productions is back at the Grange for another great production. The Lady and the Clarinet, by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Michael Cristofer, is an exploration of aspects of love from a tantalizingly abstract perspective. Cristofer doesn’t provide any easy answers concerning questions of the heart but instead demonstrates love’s ability to manipulate human behavior. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. Please call for group rates. For advance reservations visit www.TheTwoOfUsProductions.org or call 518-329-6293.
The Grange is located at 628 Empire Rd.
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Copake History
A 183-Year-Old West Copake House and Famed Photographer Walker Evans
Several years ago, I came across a photo on the internet of "The Sower," taken in Copake in 1933 by famed Depression era photographer Walker Evans (1903–1975). Evans was best known for his work for FDR’s New Deal Farm Security Administration (FSA). In that capacity he documented the effects of the Great Depression. Little did I know that coming across that photo would lead me on a successful search to find Evans’ footsteps in Copake.
Evans, who once described himself as a failed writer, liked to photograph things like American gas pumps, movie posters, civic statues, rocking chairs, wood-burning stoves, and barbershops. The 1930s were a decade when the indigenous textures and folkways of small-town and rural America were being studied in WPA handbooks and evoked in fiction. Many of Evans’ works are in the permanent collections of museums and have been the subject of retrospectives at such institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Evans was one of a variety of prominent people including Babe Ruth, boxer Emile Griffith, artist Thomas Hart Benton and showman Liberace who have lived in or visited Copake over the years. “The Sower,” which depicts a farmer throwing seeds on a field, intrigued me. Who was he? What brought Evans to Copake? And where is that field?
A few years later, on the Internet, I found two other 1933 Evans photos of the interior of a house "near Copake." Both photos are featured in a book of Evans photos. I emailed the two photos of the house's interior, with a brief explanation, to retired architect Dale Peterson of Copake Falls. To my delight, a day or so later Dale sent me a digital version of a page from a biography of Walker Evans. It turns out that at Christmastime almost 90 years ago, in 1933, Evans came to Copake with a girlfriend who wanted to meet her brother's girlfriend, last name Nadelberg.
Searching for "Nadelberg Copake" I found an old posting by Amy Gross who lives in California, on the Copake History Facebook page. In it she mentioned that her grandparents, Philip and Sarah Nadelberg, had lived somewhere in Copake. I then queried about the Nadelbergs and soon learned from Steve Kaufman that they had lived in West Copake.
To pinpoint the house’s location, I emailed Amy a digital version of a map of West Copake and asked some questions about the house. In response Amy marked the spot where her grandparents had lived and explained that the property had a circular driveway and an old fashioned well pump in front of the house. Also, the house had a basement with an outside entry. Next, I forwarded Amy's email to my friend Paulette Bonanno of West Copake. "I think that's now Dr. Lutman’s house on Route 27A," Paula wrote back. I quickly found Lutman’s phone number and called him. I asked about the basement and the driveway. The answers were, “Yes, there’s a basement with an outside entry and there was a circular driveway, but they changed it." BINGO!
Evans was living in Poughkeepsie when he took these photos. About a month ago, at Dr. Lutman’s invitation, I visited his house where, among other things, I was pleased to see the well pump. Below, you will find a link to one of the photos that Evans took inside the house. It apparently was of a room in the attic.
Copake does indeed have some interesting houses — and residents — and visitors. Tell me about your house, especially if it’s an oldie. How old is it? Who do you know was an early owner? Did you find any interesting artifacts when you first moved in? RSVP [email protected].
Howard Blue
Town Historian
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What’s Happening at the Library?
Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Circle Time with Tia. Preschoolers and their families are invited to join Tia in a circle for stories, fun activities, laughs, and more!
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Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Homeschool Wednesdays. Tia, the Library’s Children’s & Youth Services Associate, will be sharing stories and activities for homeschooled kids in the Children’s Room every Wednesday.
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Thursday Afternoons.
Lego Club. Join us every Thursday for an afternoon filled with Legos and fun in our Children’s Room. Check with us on social media for our weekly themes!
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Thursdays, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Homework Help. Need a quiet place to get your homework done? Having trouble with an assignment? K-12 homework help is available at the library for English and Spanish speakers. Se habla español. Volunteer tutors are welcome to apply. Questions? Visit the library or call for more information.
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Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
English-Language Tutoring by Appointment. Free English-language tutoring will be available between 6:00 and 7:30pm by appointment on Thursday evenings. This tutoring program is intended primarily for adults. Instruction will be one-on-one or in small groups with Yvonne Acevedo and will be geared toward everyday conversational needs. Free childcare will be provided for children ages 3 and up. Please e-mail [email protected] or call 518-325-4101 to schedule an appointment.
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Saturdays,10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Storytime with Tia. Tia, the Library’s Children’s & Youth Services Associate, will share stories and related activities for kids in the Children's Room every Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. We hope to see you there!
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Wednesday, January 18, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. on Zoom
Genealogy Basics: How to Start, What to Look For, Where to Search. Are you interested in your family history beyond dates, delving into historical documents to discover relationships and who your relatives were?
Holly MacCammon, professional genealogist, provides an overview of the basics of genealogical research. This session is a good starting point for those who are new to researching family history or for those who have a bit of experience, but would like to learn more. Topics in the initial session to be covered will include:
· The first steps to take before beginning your research
· The best records to look for to advance your research
· Where to find records, both online and in repositories
Genealogy Basics will be a 2-part program. To attend the second presentation, you must have attended the first Zoom class. The second session will be in-person at the North Chatham Free Library, more free-form and informal. It will address submitted questions based upon the progress of each person’s research and Holly will answer questions. If the weather is bad for traveling it is possible that the meeting will be held via Zoom.
Holly MacCammon is a professional genealogist and archivist. She has a master’s degree in Library Science from St. John's University in Queens and a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University.
This presentation is provided by the Columbia County Libraries Association and the North Chatham Free Library and is supported in part by the Fund for Columbia County, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, and the Bank of Greene County Charitable Foundation.
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Thursday, January 19, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
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 January we are reading Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Aug. 2018, Knopf) by Max Tegmark, MIT Professor of Physics. Copies available through the Mid-Hudson Library System and on Libby.
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Saturday, January 21, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Animal Tracks. Join Jenifer, from the Columbia Land Conservancy, as she teaches us how to identify different animal tracks and signs. We will tour the property around the library as nature detectives. Email Tia to register for this in-person event at [email protected]
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Saturday, January 21, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Cookbook Club. Become a member of the Roe Jan Cookbook Club. This monthly gathering, held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, is organized by Library Associate Fran Colombo. For this meeting, we will choose a cookbook and then choose a recipe to prepare for the February meeting. Members will then cook/bake their chosen recipe and bring the dish to the February meeting where the group will discuss the book and share in a community meal. Bring copies of recipes to share with other foodies! Contact Fran Colombo at [email protected] or 518-325-4101 to sign up!
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Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Zoom
Figure Skating in the Gilded Age. Figure skating has changed dramatically in the last 100 years. The clothes, skates, ice surfaces, and various moves have become more acrobatic than 100 years ago. Figure skating was very popular among the wealthy women of the Gilded Age. Join Maria Reynolds, curator at Staatsburg State Park and an avid skater, to learn about the history of competitive skating, early indoor ice rinks, fashion, and maneuvers. This Zoom program is presented by the Columbia County Libraries Association. Email [email protected] to register.
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Monday, January 30, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. on Zoom
Tech Lab: Photo Sharing and Archive Management. In need of some tech pointers? The Columbia County Libraries Association presents a series of six online labs designed for those seeking help managing basic to moderate functions like email, file sharing, navigation, storage, and more. All Tech Labs will be presented on Zoom.
In this session, we will learn how to store, synchronize, and share files, as well as create and edit documents. Tech Labs are free to all ages. Email [email protected] to register. To learn about upcoming Tech Labs, visit columbiacountylibraries.org.
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Wednesday, February 1, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Hot Topics in Healthy Aging – Clearing up Common Questions: Weight Management. The fifth in a series of interactive lectures by Dr. Paul Spector designed especially for seniors but of interest to all. This universal problem will be examined in the context of new research that helps explain why the old calories in – calories out model does not work and what does.
Paul Spector earned his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. After years of clinical experience Dr. Spector formed Pantheon and Meaningful Fitness (personalized health organizations designed to assist individuals in attaining their highest level of function). Over the past 15 years his focus has been on preventive health, behavioral change, motivation, aging, meaningful goal-setting and how to apply scientific advances to maximize both physical and psychological peak fitness.
This project has been supported by a grant from the Fund for Columbia County of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
The sixth and final installment of this series, "How to Interpret Health News and Tips on Choosing a Doctor," will take place on March 1, 2023.
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Saturday, February 4, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Back to Nature: Birding 101. Birding 101 covers the fundamentals of birding. In this seminar, Dr. Kathryn Schneider will explain how to choose the right birding binoculars and how today’s birders use field guides and phone apps to hone in on an ID. She will also show how computers have changed the way we bird. This talk will expand your birding horizons so that you can see more birds, grow your skills, and connect to the birding community.
Kathryn Schneider grew up in Claverack and attended Hudson High School. She then attended Cornell and Princeton University, where she completed a PhD. After teaching at the University of Richmond and later Hudson Valley Community College, she returned to Columbia County in 1986. As a consultant, she conducted bird surveys for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. She is the past president of the New York State Ornithological Association, a former member of the Columbia County Environmental Management Council, a Master Gardener volunteer, as well as a volunteer for the Columbia Land Conservancy. Dr. Schneider has authored an engaging site guide for bird enthusiasts of all levels called Birding the Hudson Valley.
This program, the first in a series of four Back to Nature programs, is sponsored in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.
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Monday, February 13, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Health Care Navigator appointments. A Navigator from the Healthcare Consortium will be available the second Monday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Navigators can assist individuals and families in Columbia and Greene Counties with shopping for, comparing, and enrolling in quality, affordable health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan, through the New York State of Health Official Health Plan Marketplace. Navigators can also assist with applying for financial assistance to help pay for coverage. Navigator services are free of charge. You can make an appointment by calling (518) 822-9600.
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Monday, February 13, 6:15 - 7:15 pm on Zoom
Tech Lab: Pam’s Secret Tips and Tricks for iPhone. Learn about little-known iPhone features and how to use your iPhone more effectively. Tech Labs are free to all ages. Email [email protected] to register. To learn about upcoming Tech Labs, visit columbiacountylibraries.org.
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Copake Outdoors
Copake Outdoors, the local group dedicated to having fun hiking, biking, kayaking and swimming in and around Copake, will have its next outing on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 9:30am.
For their previous outing, the group had walk at the Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area. The February outing will be at Guilder Pond at the Mt. Everett State Reservation in Mt. Washington, MA.
They will meet at 9:30am at the base of the road to Guilder Pond, just off East Street. There is a sign marking the entrance that says Mt. Everett State Reservation. It’s a fairly easy 30-40 minute hike around the pond, with a few narrow, rocky places, but not much elevation. The Appalachian Trail section has some moderately steep sections, depending on how far the group wants to go. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring poles if you need them.
For more information and maps, go to:
Please RSVP if you can. If you would like to be on the mailing list for Copake Outdoors, please contact Peggy Lewis at [email protected] or Roberta Roll at [email protected].
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If you wish to submit an article or notice regarding a community event taking place in the Town of Copake to the Copake Connection, please e-mail: [email protected]. All submissions should be received by us by noon on the 10th of the month.
For more and current information on Meetings in Copake and events throughout the Roe Jan area, go to the Copake Website.
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Contact
Copake Town Hall
230 Mountain View Road
Copake, NY 518-329-1234
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