{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.}.

Shop. Eat. Stay.

That is the message of a new, eye catching welcome to Hillsdale billboard inspired by the Economic Development Committee that greets visitors as they approach the Hamlet at the intersection of Route 23 and Collins Street. 

It made its debut just prior to the Memorial Day weekend to inspire both visitors and residents to shop locally and celebrate the beauty of our town. See article and picture below.

On Monday, Hillsdale hosted the annual Memorial Day parade. It was an honor and privilege to “march” in the parade with members of our Town Board in remembrance of those valiant members of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.

Let us also take a moment to mourn and reflect on the lives lost in Uvalde, Buffalo and too many other places, to the one million lives lost to the pandemic, and the valiant resistance of the citizens of Ukraine. These are troubling times, but I believe that our faithful commitment to goodness and justice will prevail.

Be well,

Chris Kersten

Town Supervisor

hillsdalenysupervisor@gmail.com

June Town Board Meeting In Person

The June Town Board meeting will be held in person at Town Hall on Tuesday June 14 at 7 pm.

Active COVID cases in Columbia County are falling. As of Tuesday May 31, there were 43 active cases, with 17 county residents hospitalized, one of them in the ICU. Since the start of the pandemic there have been 12,636 cases in the county and 144 deaths.

According to the new CDC COVID-19 Community Level tool, Columbia County's level is "high". Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.

For some time, without success, the Economic Development Committee has been searching for a place for a “Welcome to Hillsdale” sign on the eastern Rt. 23 entrance to the town, as they have on other roads leading into the Hamlet. They haven’t stopped looking but have come up with an alternative way to welcome people and promote Hillsdale. Last week the committee hung a vinyl “billboard” on the side of the former store at the corner of Rt. 23 and Collins Street headlined “Greetings from Hillsdale New York”.  Painted in the style of an old-fashioned postcard, it urges people to “Shop – Eat – Stay”. Building owners Ian Williams and Tess Blake gave permission to post the sign on the side of their 1820 building. 

No, those patches of paint on the side of the Hillsdale Supermarket aren't graffiti. They are test samples for repainting the building and for a wayfaring map to be painted on that wall. The map is another project of the Economic Development Committee. A bird's eye view of the Hamlet, the map will highlight key buildings and places in the Hamlet such as the Rail Trail and the Town Hall. Businesses in the Hamlet will be listed in a box on the map. Chuck and Sue Weldon, owners of the supermarket, have given permission for the map to be painted on the wall facing Anthony Street.  So far $2,500 of the $5,000 cost has been pledged. It is expected that funds will be raised through HECDC. (See "Good Works" article below.)

Hillsdale's popular flea market returns on Saturday July 2, from 8 AM to 3 PM, in the Hamlet Park. From 8 - 9 AM there is a $10 entry fee; after that entry is free. 

Organized by the Hamlet Committee, the market is expected to offer housewares, vintage furniture, clothing, antiques, crafts, toys, bric-a-brac and more. The committee says the flea market attracts many community members and is a fun way to spend an hour or two, as well as a smart way for sellers to offload unneeded things in an ecologically friendly way and make a bit of money at the same time.

Vendors can rent a 15' x 15' booth for $40 or a 10' x 10' booth for $25. Those renting the larger space will be able to park one vehicle by their booth. All others can unload by their booth but then must park in a designated area. Vendors must supply their own tables, chairs, tents, weights, etc. Click below for a vendor application form.

All proceeds will benefit the Hillsdale Hamlet Park Renovation Project.

This spring the Community Garden at the Roeliff Jansen Park has added eight new raised metal frame garden beds and two new corner plots for the purpose of growing organic produce for the Roe Jan Food Pantry that is located in Hillsdale. The town provided the funds for the project.

Using a combination of seeds and vegetable starts, four inaugural volunteer gardeners, Heidi Bock, Jane Capellaro, and Justin Pina of Hillsdale, and Sheryl Boris-Schacter of Copake Falls, are planting cabbages, green beans, acorn squash, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, herbs, zucchini, and sweet peppers.

“The pandemic has laid bare the degree of food insecurity in our community,” said Joanna Virello, the Town Board member with responsibility for the park, “and this garden space provides the unique opportunity to use an existing community resource to address a community need.” Victor Amendola and Bill Furner moved soil and rototilled, work pivotal to preparing the gardens.

In addition to the food pantry project, there are dedicated beds for a learning garden for the kids attending Hillsdale’s Summer Youth Program, and personal gardens for Roe Jan community residents. 

Last month the Hillsdale historians followed several generations of Lattings, from Europe to Long Island to Hillsdale, all in preparation to introducing us to Refine Latting. An enterprising businessman, Latting was Hillsdale's first tanner and a real estate investor who at one point owned about half of the Hamlet. In addition he "kept the first postoffice". In 1814, he built the Latting Tavern, still standing and known today as The Hillsdale House. Read this months blog for more about Latting and his family, and to learn more about tanning, “one of the smelliest and [most] physically demanding and dangerous professions a person could have in early America.” 

This month is the fifth anniversary of the Historians of Hillsdale blog. Look back over their many blog posts and you'll learn a remarkable amount of Hillsdale history.

At the May meeting the Town Board approved the expenditure of $382,463.29 for permanent improvements to town roads this year:

• Blacktop Shim, Oil and Stone: West End Road, Craryville Road, Lockwood Road
• Gravel, Drainage, Culvert Replacement, and Fabric: Lockwood Road
• Double Seal Coat: Lockwood Road, Herford Hills Road, Marsh Hawk Road, Otter Lane
• White Hill Lane (By Herrington’s): Mill out sections of the road and place gravel base coat, replace/rebuild catch basins, repave with base coat and top coat
• Overlook Road: Reline 54” culvert near Syre Lane
• Whippoorwill Road: Widen intersection with Rt. 22 to make it safer

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has given a green light to the town of Hillsdale to launch a Community Solar Campaign. The initiative is designed to help Hillsdale residents who get electricity from NYSEG (New York State Electric & Gas) to receive $100 just for signing up and as much as a 10% reduction in their electric utility bill every month.

“There is no cost to subscribe, no solar panels to install,” said Community Solar Project Manager Howard Van Lenten. “If you pay a NYSEG bill, you’re eligible to receive part of your electricity from a clean, renewable resource and save money in the process.”

“The Community Solar Program is meant to make the benefits of solar available to anyone in Hillsdale. Not only will residents save up to 10% off their electric bill,” said Van Lenten, “but each new, approved participant will also receive a $100 check or a $100 Visa gift card, depending on which of two approved solar vendors the resident selects.”

The Town will receive a $50 donation for each new subscription and, once just 10 residents sign up, Hillsdale will be eligible for a $5,000 grant from the Department of Energy Conservation. This can be used to support other climate smart initiatives that Hillsdale may wish to pursue in the future.

Click below for more information on Community Solar and to sign up for the program. Have a copy of a recent NYSEG bill handy as you will be are asked to enter your account number. “The process is pretty simple,” said Van Lenten, “and there are toll free numbers to call for assistance in completing the subscription application if you need help.”

Town Hall hours are now 10 AM - 1 PM Monday through Friday and by appointment.

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From June 6 to 24 the shredding bins sponsored by the Columbia County Clerk's Office are back in Hillsdale Town Hall. They can be accessed from 10 am to 1 PM, Monday - Friday. Papers deposited in these secure bins will be destroyed by Certified Document Security LLC of North Chatham.

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Town Hall still has KN95 masks and COVID test kits available for free.

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A few gas cards worth $100 are still available to Hillsdale residents in need, thanks to an anonymous donation. To apply for one of the cards, send an email to gascard529@gmail.com and provide your name, address, phone number, email and a short description of your need for the card.  Only one card will be given to a household. If you do not have access to email, call Tom Carty at 518 325-5260 to request a card.

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Save the Date: The Car Show will return to Hamlet Park on Sunday September 18. Rain date is September 25. 

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At their May meeting the Town Board approved hiring accountant Bob Patterson through December of this year to do bookkeeping work for the town at a cost of $800 per month. The town had wanted to hire a part-time employee to do the work but the job search has been unsuccessful. The job search will continue with the goal of hiring someone to start in January.

After a two-year pandemic caused hiatus, the Safe at Home Committee relaunched their Coffee Hour programs in a new location, the Hillsdale House, with a May meeting. Wendy Garfield, a mobility and balance expert, spoke about the dangers of falls and how to avoid them to a good size and attentive audience.

“We are committed to providing information about resources, services and benefits that help seniors maintain themselves safely at home,” said committee chair Joyce Lapenn. “In addition, the committee recognizes the importance of socialization. We are thrilled that Carmen Barbato Jr. is opening his restaurant the last Tuesday of every month to host the Coffee Hours, and serving coffee, muffins and fruit prepared by Chef Rodney!”

The next meeting, on June 28, will feature a talk on how seniors are targets for scams and how to protect onerself from them.

The Hillsdale town website will soon be redesigned and the people in charge would like to hear from you, the people who use it. It's your chance to either complain or compliment. The goal is to make it better looking and easier to use. Click below to take a very short survey and let the redesign team know how you use it and what you'd like to change. They will be most pleased to get your input.

Whether it was because for the first time latex paint was accepted or because residents had been cleaning out during the pandemic, the county's Hazardous Waste Day held on May 7 was the busiest ever. As a result, the county has scheduled another one on Sunday, June 5, from 8 AM to 1 PM . The location has been changed to the Fire Training Center, 50 Grandinetti Road, in the Commerce Park in Ghent. Entry for the event will be from the Route 66 side only (Bender Blvd) and those participating will then exit on Route 9H.

Both latex and oil-based paint will be accepted but empty cans and cans of hardened paint will not be. Click below for a full list of what will and will not be accepted. 

There is no charge for county residents but proof of residency is required. 

The Copake -Hillsdale Farmers Market is committed to attracting and supporting customers who use SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. The purchasing power for SNAP users is doubled at the market for all eligible food products. This is made possible in large part by the generosity of Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, as well as individual donors, and a program called Double Up Food Bucks. This support allows SNAP users greater access to nutritious and local food products, which are key to a healthy community. 

If you have questions about using SNAP, stop by the manager’s table at the market, Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, or contact the market at copakehillsdalefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

After being on hiatus for two years due to the pandemic, the Roeliff Jansen Community Library’s Gala returns this year from 5 pm to 7 pm on Saturday, June 25, in a new location, the Catamount Lodge at Catamount Mountain Resort, 78 Catamount Road in Hillsdale.

“To welcome back our loyal supporters and the many new fans of the library, we’ve planned a Gala that combines new elements with favorites from previous Galas,” said Pat Placona, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees. “We are all excited to be able to party in person again.”

Food trucks will serve a selection of wood-fired pizzas, Korean-style tacos, savory rice balls, gelato and espresso. Attendees will enjoy wine and local craft beer, and those so inclined can dance to live music from local favorites, the Bash Bish Bluegrass Band. They all will be helping to ensure that the library can continue providing materials and services to the Roe Jan community. The Gala raises a substantial portion of the library’s annual operating budget each year.

Gala committee members are soliciting unique and interesting items and services for the popular live and silent auctions that are part of the Gala. Among the items to be auctioned this year are a $1,000 gift certificate from Express, the popular clothing store for women and men, along with a virtual wardrobe consultation with their Senior VP of Merchandising; a haircut by celebrity stylist Tommy Bucket; a half day of fly fishing on the Housatonic with fly-fishing expert Brian Green; NY Mets Baseball tickets; a Catamount season pass; and gift certificates from local restaurants.

Added to the Gala celebration this year is an Online Auction, which is live as of June 1 and closes on June 24 and is open to everyone, not just those attending the Gala. The Online Auction can be accessed through the library’s web site, roejanlibrary.org.

Gala tickets may be purchased for $125 online at roejanlibrary.org, or by check or cash at the library. Host tickets are available for $275. Hosts will be listed in the Gala program.

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Adult programs at the Roe Jan Community Library in June include a reading and discussion group on growing and aging, a program on composting and a classical music concert in the Hilltop Barn at the Roe Jan Park.  Balance and Strength classes will be on Zoom. For kids there will be a summer reading kick off event with a visit from Mad Science, story time at the Farmers Market, Homeschool Wednesdays, and Lego Thursdays, The library is located at 9091 Rt. 22.

The Roe Jan Library Friends Bookshop will be open every Saturday this summer from 10 AM to 2 PM. Thousands of gently used books, CD’s and DVD’s will be for sale. Masks are required. To donate books, email Celia Kahn at caskahn@gmail.com. The bookshop is located on the lower level of the library at 9091 Rt. 22.

The Hillsdale Economic and Community Development Corporation (HECDC) promotes and supports important town projects, and your tax-deductible donation can go directly to the good works of your choice. Ongoing fundraisers include:

• Roe Jan Park maintenance and improvements
• A new Town Hall flagpole
• Winter lamp post banners

Details and opportunities to donate are on the Hillsdale Civic Pride webpage. Click below or on the "Support Our Projects" button on the Hillsdale web site home page.

Upcoming Town Meetings



The Planning Board will meet on Monday June 13 , at 7 PM at the Town Hall. The meeting opens with a public hearing to hear comments on a proposed three lot subdivision at 67 Taconic Creek Road. In addition the board will review the following site plans:

• Michael Chen, Schmeichel Road
• Dan Levy, State Route 23
• Robert & Jill Bernstein, 171 White Hill Lane
• Wolf Knapp, 620 Whippoorwill
• Joanna & Maria Kosmidis, 79 Rockview Road

Agenda subject to change. Final agenda will be posted in the Events section on the home page of the Hillsdale website about a week before the meeting.

Open Space Project

Time: Thursday June 9, 7 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82354800391?pwd=Z2trSEhNTW8yc2pKbjd2eG9yMVhSZz09

Passcode: 702568

Dial in: 646 558-8656 Meeting ID: 823 5480 0391

Hamlet Committee

Time: Monday June 13, 6 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87573345181?pwd=T1dmbE1XajM4anB3b2VJRml4VG9SQT09

Passcode: 999197

Dial in: 646 558-8656 Meeting ID: 895 7333 8591

Safe at Home Committee

Time: Tuesday, June 14, 1 PM

In person: 25 Schmeichel Road.

Conservation Advisory Council

Time: Thursday June 23, 7 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82103036051?pwd=ZjIwelE4UE04dmlZck81WWJ4TXY0UT09

Passcode: 278377

Dial in: 646 558-8656 Meeting ID: 875 7334 5181