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Dear Hillsdale,
Spring has definitely sprung in Hillsdale with May bringing some big events. We hope you will join us for the Hillsdale Flea in our Hamlet Park on Saturday May 24 (we still have a few vendor slots open) and then on Monday May 26 for the Roe Jan Memorial Day Parade.
Also, in our continuing efforts to highlight Hamlet Park as a destination, we are sponsoring Shakespeare in the Hamlet Park on June 13. You'll find more information on all these events below.
Wishing everyone a happy spring!
Mike Dvorchak,
Hillsdale Town Supervisor
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It's Hillsdale’s turn to host the Roe Jan Memorial Day Parade, which rotates annually among the three towns of Ancram, Copake, and Hillsdale. We are working to make this the best Hillsdale parade ever, with floats, bands, marchers (human and canine!), vintage cars, our VFW heroes, fire companies, first responders, and a special commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the 1775 Revolutionary War Knox Expedition. Participant registration is now open. Here are just a few ways to join:
- Create or sponsor a float to promote your business, your organization, or upcoming event.
- Organize a group of marchers! There are some fun suggestions in the application form, and we’re open to your ideas!
- Leash your best four-legged friend and march with the Roe Jan Pup Patrol
- Drive your splendid vintage car along the parade route.
- Tune up your tractor and show us what a real farm vehicle looks like!
- Dress in Revolutionary garb to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Knox Expedition, which moved 60 tons of cannon -- a “noble train of artillery” -- from Fort Ticonderoga through North Hillsdale to Boston and drove the British out of the city.
- There will be marching bands, bluegrass bands, kids in costumes, and all the bells and whistles that make small town parades so charming.
- Or just come as a spectator and enjoy all that our Hamlet has to offer -- no application necessary!
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will lead a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Veteran’s Memorial on Route 23. The parade will culminate with a flag raising, commemoration, and a rifle salute at Hillsdale Fire Company #1, followed by free light refreshments.
You must register to participate:
Sign Up Here
Let’s celebrate and honor our heroes on Memorial Day together! Some of our local businesses will be having special holiday hours, so come to the Hamlet for Memorial Day.
For questions or more information, please contact deputyclerk@hillsdaleny.com
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HILLSDALE FLEA
The Hillsdale Flea returns to Hamlet Park on May 24, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (with Sunday, May 25 as the rain date). The flea market will start at 9 a.m. with a suggested admission of $10 for the first hour, which will benefit Hillsdale Fire Company #1. The Fire Company will also be on hand to make breakfast sandwiches and coffee for shoppers and vendors alike. Stay tuned for more food options to be announced soon.
Vendor spaces are going fast, so sign up today. You can download the application form by clicking below.
Spaces cost $50 for a 15' x 15' one or $30 for a 10' x 10' one. Thanks to Town Board member Joanna Virello for the great graphic!
Click here for an application!
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On Sunday April 19 Hillsdale held its annual Easter Egg Hunt in Hamlet Park. Some 50 children came out to celebrate. Each child found either candy or money inside the plastic eggs and 10 children won chocolate Easter bunnies. The Town would like to thank all the help it received with filling the eggs and spreading them out. Thanks to Emily Stalker, Robina Ward, Richard Briggs, Bart Ziegler, Joanna Virello, Christine Doctor and Mike Dvorchak. Special thanks to Richard Briggs for the donations of the money and chocolate bunnies and to the Hillsdale General Store for the grand prize! And a very special thanks to Paul Amash, Hillsdale's official Easter Bunny, and Marcy Feld for the great photos!
Photo credit: Marcy Feld
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Shakespeare in the Hamlet Park
Thanks to our Hamlet Committee for instigating the very first Shakespeare in the Hamlet Park. The Rooted Voyagers, a roving band of actors, will premier their version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM on Friday June 13 at 7 p.m.
Bring your friends and family, a blanket or lawn chair, and a picnic to the Hamlet Park and enjoy an evening of the Bard's most beloved comedy on a Hillsdale summer night.
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The May Town Board meeting will be Tuesday, May 20. The meeting will be held in person at Town Hall at 7 p.m. and will be available on Zoom. People participating via Zoom will be able to make comments during the designated Public Comment time at the beginning of the meeting.
May Town Board Zoom Link
Documents that will be referred to at the Town Board meeting will be posted on the Agendas & Minutes page of the town website a few days before the meeting. Links to the documents will also be included in the agenda. Among the documents linked to are the latest financial statements for the town. Minutes of previous Town Board meetings are posted on the Town Board page and the Agendas & Minutes page.
The Town Board is accepting letters of interest and resumes to fill a vacancy on the Town Board for an interim appointment ending 12/31/25.
If you are interested in being considered, please contact townclerk@hillsdaleny.com
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PROPERTY ASSESSMENT GRIEVANCE DAY
Monday, June 2
Pursuant to Sections 506 and 526 of the Real Property Tax Law:
Notice is hereby given that the Tentative Assessment Roll for the Town of Hillsdale, NY is completed, and a copy thereof may be seen at the Hillsdale Town Hall located at 2609 State Route 23 Hillsdale, NY. until June 2, 2025.
Notice is hereby given that the Assessor will be available for the Tentative Roll from May 1 to May 28 on Tuesdays from 9AM-12 noon and by email assessor@hillsdaleny.com.
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Assessment Review for the Town of Hillsdale, NY will meet to hear and examine all properly filed complaints in relation to assessments of Real Property located at 2609 State Route 23 Hillsdale, NY 12529 on June 2, 2025, during the hours of 4:00-8:00PM.
A publication containing procedures for contesting an assessment is available at the
Assessor’s Office or the Columbia County Real Property Tax Office as well as online at:
http://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/orpts/grievancebooklet.pdf
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UPDATE FROM THE DOT ON CONSTRUCTION ON ROUTE 23
As part of this project, DOT contractors are continuing site work for the installation of the new precast box culvert concrete drainage structure to replace the culvert that carries the Roeliff Jansen Kill Tributary under State Route 23. In the last few weeks, we have completed the removal of the box culvert structure, installed the new culvert wingwalls on the South side and are preparing the excavated surface for installation of the new drainage structure. State Route 23 will remain closed to traffic, except for local traffic & businesses, from the NY 23/22 intersection and old Town Road for the duration of our work. Currently, if the weather cooperates, we plan to have State Route 23 reopened to traffic in early to mid-June 2025.
Here are photos of the site taken recently:
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Town Clerk's Corner
In this month's clerk corner we're going to discuss Town Board meeting minutes. Town Board meeting minutes must consist of any resolutions the board passed, local laws that were discussed and/or passed, and anything else that requires a vote.
In New York State, the town clerk is legally responsible for attending all town board meetings, acting as the clerk and keeping accurate records of the proceedings, including motions, proposals, resolutions, and votes.
These minutes must be kept permanently.
As per "NYS TOWN LAW, §§30, 63, 64(11-b); PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW, §106; GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW, §35: Although the town clerk is required to record in the minutes of a town board meeting the name of each member of the board who is present, the clerk is under no statutory duty to record the names of other persons attending the meeting."
Robina Ward
Hillsdale Town Clerk
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Thank You from Hillsdale Fire Company
The Hillsdale Fire Company wants to thank everyone who attended or otherwise supported us at our annual Palm Sunday brunch. We also want to thank all of our volunteers, who came out night after night after they got done with their day jobs to clean and otherwise get the firehouse ready for the brunch. It takes teamwork and dedication to put on this important fundraising event every year.
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NYS Burn Ban
The annual New York State outdoor burn ban is in effect from March 16 to May 14. However there maybe alerts for NO BURNING at all, so please look for local alerts on social media as well as on our town website. During a burn ban you can still have small campfires, small cooking fires, or any other outdoor fire less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width, or diameter.
For more information please visit NYS DEC Open Burning Page
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TOWN CLEANUP DAY
Saturday, May 10
8 a.m. to Noon
Town Highway Garage, Old Town Road
What is accepted/not accepted?
NO tires, TVs, computers, or computer screens, and NO chemicals or paint. A charge of $30 will be levied for mattresses and box springs. There will be a scrap metal pile.
The event is for Hillsdale residents only.
Do people have to empty their own vehicles? Yes, but Highway Department employees will be there to assist.
The Columbia County Hazardous Waste Day will be September 13 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 50 Grandinetti Drive in Ghent.
For more information, please visit:
Columbia County Hazardous Waste
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Hillsdale Historians
The Hillsdale Historians report that after 20 years of effort, there was a win for Native Americans, historians and archeologists: New York passed legislation to protect historic Unmarked Burial Sites. The Hillsdale Historians explain what the new law means.
Here is the link: https://wp.me/p8Girw-1nd
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Housing Committee
The Roe Jan Housing Task Force, on behalf of the towns of Hillsdale, Copake and Ancram, will host a Housing Workshop for Homeowners and Renters at the Hillsdale Firehouse, 9387 State Rte.22, on Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The workshop will feature speakers and display tables offering information about services and opportunities for first-time homebuyers; rental assistance programs; help with home repairs; Habitat for Humanity programs; and more. Recent cutbacks and changes in government programs will have an impact on many in our community. Our goal is to provide information and assistance to our neighbors in these changing times.
Featured speakers are:
Chris Brown, Housing Development Coordinator, Columbia Economic Development Corporation, who will give an overview of the housing situation in the county and discuss affordability issues for renters, homeowners and prospective homeowners.
John Parsons, Director of Housing Operations, Galvan Housing Resources, who will discuss rental housing counseling, home improvement and rehab assistance and a mobile home replacement program.
Al Bellenchia, Executive Director/CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Columbia County, who will speak about Habitat’s homeowner program and the Helping Hands small repair program for income eligible owners and renters.
The speakers’ organizations will have information tables with literature and contact information for their programs. Additional information tables will feature Catholic Charities, the Columbia County Department of Health, the Columbia County Department of Social Services, and others. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided.
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Roe Jan Park Made Two Top 5 lists!
The Roeliff Jansen Park Steering Committee is proud to announce that Roeliff Jansen Park made the Top 5 List for the Best Vista Views and the Best Picnic Places in the Columbia Land Conservancy's new GoCoCo website.
For the first time, users of letsgococo.org will be able to filter all the county’s public outdoor spaces by their favorite activities like fishing, hiking, hunting, or swimming or by amenities like ADA-accessible trails, picnic tables, and bathrooms. In addition to the handy search features, the site also includes a blog with useful updates about outdoor recreation in every season, tips for enjoying nature safely and respectfully, and information about volunteering.
On May 3, the Columbia Land Conservancy will be distributing GoCoCo brochures at the Hudson Children’s Book Festival at Columbia-Greene Community College and with Hillsdale’s Conservation Advisory Council at Volunteer Day at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library. After May 3, GoCoCo brochures can be found at library branches in Columbia County.
Here are some helpful links:
Columbia Land Conservancy
GoCoCo Launch Party
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Hillsdale
Community Solar
Area residents can sign up for Hillsdale’s Community Solar program and save up to 10% on their NYSEG bills each month. For more information please visit:
Hillsdale Solar
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Nico Hernandez, landscape professional, will be the featured speaker at the Safe at Home (SAH) Coffee Hour on Tuesday May 27 from 10 to 11:30 am at The Hillsdale House.
He will answer some of the most frequently asked questions he hears from his Hillsdale neighbors: How to create low- maintenance gardens? How to manage common weeds and pests? Which is the best mulch? When is the best time to prune? What are some great plants that the deer won’t eat?
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Nico discovered his love of nature growing up gardening with his mother and grandmother in Hillsdale. After completing a master’s degree in Conservation, he and his brother started a gardening service that has evolved and expanded. He has extensive experience renovating and planting new gardens, doing stonework, and controlling invasive species.
While not available for hire at this time, he is excited to share tips and tricks of the trade, and invites those at the Coffee Hour to bring their questions.
The SAH Coffee Hour is held at Hillsdale House on the last Tuesday of every month and is open to all. Refreshments are served and a warm atmosphere encourages interesting conversations.
The SAH Committee has resumed Wednesday Walks, weather permitting. All are welcome. The group meets Wednesday at 9:30 am at the Harlem Valley Rail Trail parking kiosk, which is across from Herrington’s on White Hill Lane. The Harlem Valley Rail Trail is a paved walkway, flat and shady, with benches along the Trail. Everyone walks at his/her own pace and the group spirit is warm and friendly.
For questions about the Coffee Hour, Wednesday Walks, or other information about the SAH Committee, please contact:
hillsdalesafeathome@gmail.com or call Natalie at (518) 265 2113.
Safe at Home Email
| | *** UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY *** | |
Summer Youth Program
The summer youth program will run from July 7 through August 15 at the Roe Jan Park.
Hours are still 9 a.m. - 3 p.m . (Monday - Friday)
Campers must have completed kindergarten and be 5 years old to 13 years old.
**Campers who are 13 years old must be a previous camper and director-approved**
Open Registration is April 1 - May 1 with Hillsdale residents and former campers given first priority.
Forms can be found online and at the Hillsdale Town Hall.
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All forms can be dropped off at town hall or mailed to P.O Box 305, Hillsdale, 12529. There is a mailbox by the back door where you can also leave the application.
- Please remember you MUST turn in everything to participate in park. Registration, immunization records, fee, etc.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at towninfo@hillsdaleny.com
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Looking for Summer Employment?
Are you 16 years old or older and like the outdoors? Looking for a summer job?
We are hiring 1-2 counselors for the Roe Jan Park Summer Youth Program.
Employment Applications are at the Town Hall and on the Town of Hillsdale’s website.
Please attach a letter of reference and immunization records with your Employee Application.
2025 Summer Employee Application for Youth Program
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CALLING ALL VENDORS
Hillsdale ArtsWalk is seeking vendors for its August 9 event. ArtsWalk is an annual event celebrating the talented artists and artisans in our area. This non-profit, volunteer-run organization provides a showcase for local artists to share their work with a large and diverse audience. Applications are welcome from makers of everything from oil paintings, photography, watercolors, collage, ceramics to jewelry, pottery, woodcraft and more.
Hillsdale ArtsWalk is organized by a private group of residents and local business owners. ArtWalk combines both outdoors and indoors exhibits and takes place in the historic Hamlet along Route 23 and Anthony Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 9 (no rain date). Live music by local musicians will entertain the guests.
Email Hillsdale Arts Walk to request the vendor guidelines and an application.
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SAVE THE DATE
Roe Jan SummerFest is a new and exciting event in Hillsdale that will celebrate the best drink, food and fun that the area has to offer. This indoor/outdoor event will feature beverages from the bounty of wine, beer, spirits and cider producers in Columbia County and beyond. Food will be abundant as well, with food trucks on site and fare from Roe Jan Brewing Co. and Twisted Sisters Coffee House on offer.
The fun is happening on Saturday August 9 from 4 to 9 p.m on White Hill Lane adjacent to the Roe Jan Brewery Co. and Twisted Sisters Coffee House. Adults may sample from dozens of beverages on hand while enjoying live music and browsing through the craft vendors. Like what you sampled? Buy a pint or a shot, and sip it as you walk around the secure are or buy a six-pack or a bottle to enjoy at home? That will be available, too.
Activities will be planned for adults and children alike, making this a great family day. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Tickets will be available well before the event (stay tuned for more information soon). Pricing options will include full adult admission that allows for alcohol consumption, free entry for kids under 12, and a "teetotaler" option for those who want to join in the fun but not drink.
The proceeds after expenses from this first-time event will be earmarked for three deserving organizations: the Harlem Valley Rail Trail (which runs right by the area where SummerFest will take place); the Hillsdale Blessing Box, a privately-run food pantry; and the Hillsdale Fire Company #1.
Visit Facebook and Instagram for updates and more information. Anyone interested in volunteering with the planning can write to scenicsipsfestccny@gmail.com.
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Town Boards of Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale
Pass Resolutions Supporting Roe Jan Library
| | Hillsdale Supervisor Michael Dvorchak, Roe Jan Library Board President Patricia Placona, Library Director Tamara Gaskell, Ancram Supervisor Jim MacArthur, and Copake Supervisor Richard Wolf pose with the resolutions each town passed expressing support for the library after the Trump Administration eliminated the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The resolutions urge the U.S. Congress, including Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Josh Riley, to take immediate action to protect the funding guarantees of the Museum and Library Services Act. | | | Upcoming Programs at the Roe Jan Library | | The Friends of the Roe Jan Library Book Shop will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (weather permitting). The Friends will be accepting donations from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | | Looking to get rid of used needles? These are the dropoff locations where you can safely dispose of them. | | Looking to get rid of unwanted medications? You can drop them off at multiple locations, including the Sheriff's substation at 2609 State Route 23. | | |
Hamlet Committee
Time: Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m.
At Town Hall and via Teams: https://tinyurl.com/HAMLETCOMMITTEE
Historic Hillsdale
Time: Saturday, May 3 at Noon
At Town Hall and via Teams: https://tinyurl.com/HistoricHDale
Roe Jan Park Steering Committee
Time: Monday May 5, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Zoning Board
Time: Tuesday May 6, 6:30pm
Sewer Task Force
Time: Thursday May 8, 12 p.m.
At Town Hall and on video: https://tinyurl.com/SEWERINFRA
Infrastructure Committee
Time: Thursday, May, 12:45 p.m.
At Town Hall and on video: https://tinyurl.com/SEWERINFRA
Planning Board
Time: Monday May 12, 7 p.m.
Conservation Advisory Council
Time: Thursday May 15, 7 p.m.
Town Hall
| | The PFC Dwyer Peer-to-Peer Program exists to support veterans facing the challenges of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury and depression. Funding in the amount of $100,000 has been awarded to the Columbia County Veteran's Service Agency to assist with the construction of the PFC Dwyer Family Room and for the Peer-to-Peer program. | | |
In Columbia County, we are fortunate to have a highly active Veterans Services Agency, led by Director Rachel Hamilton, an Iraq Combat Veteran who served in the Army National Guard, and Deputy Director Aneli Poland, a Navy veteran. The agency currently serves 5,900 veterans, assisting with issues ranging from compensation claims to veterans’ ID cards that can be used to take advantage of discounts from county businesses.
Columbia County Veterans Service Agency
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And finally, a big thanks to our Hamlet Committee
for the fundraising and bulb planting at Town Hall!
HAPPY SPRING!
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Check out the Hillsdale Business Directory. From plumbers to galleries, restaurants to landscapers, businesses have a lot to offer in Hillsdale.
If you have a business located in Hillsdale you can add or edit your listing online.
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2609 State Route 23/Main Street
Hillsdale NY 12529
518 325-5073
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