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 roberta.roll@gmail.com 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
Supervisor's Report
Solar Update
Climate Smart Task Force
Speed Reductions
Adult Education
Tests and Masks
Copake Outdoors
Copake History
From Bags to Tags
Grange Events
What's Happening at the Library
Prescriptions
Eco-tips
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From the Supervisor’s Desk
Resolutions for 2022
With the arrival of the New Year, it’s appropriate to take a look back, and a look forward. In the past two years since I took office, both the proposed solar project in Craryville and the pandemic have posed outsized challenges to Copake. Sometimes those challenges were so much in the forefront that other challenges and achievements got less notice than they deserved.
In past reports I have listed achievements of the Town Board, but the one achievement which I highlighted at our January town board meeting is that we are about to have new generators installed in both the Park Building and the Town Hall. This was achieved largely due to the persistence of Councilperson Stosh Gansowski. The generators being replaced were over 20 years old. They had to be started manually whenever the electricity went off. This was particularly worrisome, since both of these buildings are emergency facilities to be open to the public during bad storms and power outages. New propane tanks have been installed and we hope the generators will be installed in February. Our thanks to Stosh for the many hours he spent on this special project.
Looking ahead to 2022, the following are projects and goals which I want to achieve.
- Get a traffic light installed on Route 23 at the intersection with Center Hill Road. This was attempted a few years ago, and the Department of Transportation denied Copake’s request. Now that the Gulf station has opened, it is all the more critical that we have a traffic control device installed. At our January town board meeting I appointed Deputy Richard Wolf to lead this effort.
- Discuss ARPA funds and how to spend them. We will receive $348,000, which must be spent no later than December 31, 2024.
- Consider recommendations of the Zoning Advisory Committee. In December we opted out of allowing “on-site consumption of cannabis." At that time we set up a three-person committee to recommend what, if any, changes should be made to the Code if Copake decides to allow cannabis on-site consumption in the future.
- Continue to pursue projects as recommended by the Waterfront Revitalization Plan and assess grant opportunities to address both the flooding of the Bash Bish and also the building of the Copake Spur. We were disappointed that we did not win the CFA grant in 2021, but we need to improve our grant application and reapply.
- Advocate for the acceleration of the Copake Hamlet road reconstruction, so that it is completed prior to the Bicentennial of Copake.
- Launch the Bicentennial Committee.
- Hire an Administrative Assistant. Our 2022 budget includes a line for this position. I will be proposing a job description and asking for board support in creating this position.
- Acquire Gmail accounts for all town offices. Currently most of the offices have Fairpoint email addresses. Switching to Gmail accounts at the domain “townofCopake.org” will provide dependable service, assist in dealing with FOIL requests, and also provide better and more storage.
- Review and enhance the town’s cyber security policies.
- Continue to pursue Climate Smart status and improve systems in the town to be energy efficient and responsible.
- Create and install a new website. Under the leadership of Town Clerk Lynn Connolly we are interviewing companies qualified to create a new site. The current website is almost 10 years old and cannot be updated. We are looking forward to a state of the art municipal site.
As you might notice, I have not mentioned the Hecate project as a priority, even though it will continue to consume our time. We will continue to advocate the town’s position that the project is too large and poorly sited. We will continue to rely on Deputy Supervisor Wolf for his excellent leadership on this front. We will continue to keep the town apprised as we go forward in this process.
On a final note, it is worth talking about taxes. What’s important is that none of the projects listed above will require an increase in taxes. As the board has discussed, Copake has a very healthy fund balance, including substantial designated reserves. This board has been very prudent and fiscally responsible and always will be. Keeping that in mind, there are certain smart investments which would make our town government more modern, more efficient and more productive. In addition, there are certain improvements to town infrastructure which, through grant funds and proper budgeting, could benefit the lives of residents without increasing taxes.
We have high hopes for a busy, productive year.
Jeanne E. Mettler
Town Supervisor
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Solar Update
As reported in November, Hecate Energy was about to take the formal steps required by Section 94-c of the State Executive Law and regulations promulgated by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (“ORES”) to file an application to site its Shepherd’s Run utility-scale solar energy facility in Craryville.
On November 18, formal step #1 took place. Supervisor Mettler and Deputy Supervisor Wolf, accompanied by Copake’s solar attorney and environmental engineers, had the required “94-c meeting” with two Hecate officials and two Hecate attorneys. It was learned that the project footprint had not been reduced to 208 acres, as the town had previously been told, but was instead to be 220 acres. Hecate presented “visual simulations” purporting to show what the project would look like after five years. First, it showed photographs taken from four “viewpoints” near where Hecate intends to site solar arrays, inverters, other facility equipment, and access roads. Next, it superimposed solar arrays onto each photograph. Finally, it added “screening” — trees and shrubs. These simulations were from the following viewpoints: Connelly Road (looking northwest), County Route 7 (south of the row of houses on the west side of the road, looking northeast), Birch Hill Road (looking west from the intersection with County Route 7), and looking south from the northernmost ballfields at the Taconic Hills Central School.
The town voiced two major objections to Hecate’s simulations. First, Hecate failed to show what the visual impact of the project would be from several locations where solar panels will be very visible. For instance, there was no simulation offered from Birch Hill Road, west of County Route 7, looking north/northwest, nor was there a simulation taken directly from the homes on County Route 7 looking east. Second, the “screening” appeared to be woefully inadequate. Rather than planting mature trees and dense shrubs, Hecate showed only 6-8 foot trees, widely separated, so that the solar panels remain clearly visible. The town urged Hecate to screen with mature trees and to plant them in staggered rows to create a denser tree screen and to use deer fencing rather than the projected 7 miles of chain link fencing with which Hecate intends to enclose the facility. Hecate agreed to receive and consider our concerns about the simulations, and the town urged Hecate representatives to consider this meeting as part of an ongoing dialogue.
Two days before the 94-c meeting, Hecate had made a similar presentation to an expert “working group” assembled by Sensible Solar, together with Friends of Columbia Solar. Experts included representatives from Scenic Hudson, Columbia Land Conservancy, two Cornell University teams (from the Ag School and from the Department of City and Regional Planning), and two volunteer landscape architects. The working group is preparing a report with recommendations to improve the Shepherd’s Run proposal, and will presumably opine on screening, fencing, protecting forested areas (the proposal calls for the clearing of 40 acres of trees and shrubs), and other concerns. The town has asked Hecate to delay filing its siting application with ORES until it has received and considered the working group’s report, which is expected sometime in January. Here’s why: on November 30, Hecate held an “open house” for interested members of the community to ask questions, express opinions, and learn more about the project. Under the ORES regulations, this community meeting is the final step Hecate is required to complete; 60 days thereafter, it can file its siting application with ORES. Hecate has already indicated it intends to file as soon as it is allowed to do so. On November 23, it issued a “Notice of Intent to File an Application” on or about January 31, 2022.
The town has sent our concerns and suggestions to Hecate and is urging it to refrain from filing a siting application until it has a chance to consider and, it is hoped, implement the town’s and the working group’s proposed revisions. The town fears that once the application is filed, it will be almost impossible to modify it.
Lastly, Copake’s attorneys are preparing an appeal in the litigation challenging the ORES regulations under which this process is proceeding.
Richard Wolf
Deputy Town Supervisor
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Copake has a Climate Smart Task Force
You’ve seen the headlines. One hundred sixteen degrees in British Columbia. Thousand-year floods in Europe and China. Out of control wildfires from the Rockies to Siberia. If you’re ready to take action, Copake has a place for you.
Climate Smart Communities is a New York State program designed to help towns both adapt to and act in response to climate change. There are over 150 possible actions, with varying numbers of points awarded; 120 points gains a town “bronze” status. This can open doors to grant funding and also, of course, means the town has taken substantial steps towards addressing the climate crisis.
Last year, Copake’s Conservation Advisory Committee agreed to take on the work of becoming a Climate Smart Task Force. Dan Haas was appointed Coordinator, and to help move things forward, he applied for and gained a grant from the Local Champions program. This initiative of the New World Foundation organizes a “cohort” group from six Hudson Valley towns and provides them with invaluable training and contacts to help navigate the complexities of Climate Smart. This has provided Copake’s task force with a network of state and local leaders who can provide advice and assistance. The task force has also met with the town board and was gratified to see their level of interest and support.
In 2009, Copake passed a resolution declaring the intention to become Climate Smart. Since then, several actions have been taken, many of which simply need to be documented. One example: the solar panels atop the Town Hall. But there is a basket full of further actions for which the Climate Smart Task Force will need help. Here are examples:
* Establish public recycling bins
* Document and advance Copake’s bike infrastructure efforts
* Create a Greenhouse Gas Inventory for town buildings
* Help set up a town meeting to introduce and discuss Climate Smart
* Help create a web / social media presence for our efforts
* Help complete a Natural Resource Inventory
There are more!
If you are interested in joining this effort, contact Dan Haas at: dan.haas1957@gmail.com or (518) 929 - 7082.
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Speed Reduction Requests Give Mixed Results
Starting in August 2020 and continuing through September 2021, the Copake Town Board passed seven resolutions requesting reductions of speed on various county and town roads.
Resolutions, once passed, are sent to the Columbia County Department of Public Works where they are reviewed. The resolutions are then sent by the County DPW to the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT). It is DOT which makes the final decision on the requests. Of the seven requests made by the Town of Copake, one was granted in full, one was granted in part, and the other five were denied in their entirety.
The one request which was granted was the request to lower the speed limit on Valley View Road in Copake Falls to 30 mph. The request to lower the speed limit on Birch Hill Road was granted in part - the town requested lowering the speed to 30 mph; the state agreed to lower a portion of the road to 40 mph.
All the other requests were denied; DOT stated that their review “revealed conditions that do not support a speed limit lower than the existing… speed limit.” The requests which were denied were for Underhill Road (Anthony Street to Deer Track Lane), Anthony Street and Maple Street, County Route 7, from the Hamlet of West Copake to the Ancram line, County Route 7A (Center Hill Road) from the transfer station to the intersection of County Route 7 and County Route 7A, and County Route 7 from the Hamlet of Copake to the Hamlet of West Copake.
In denying the speed reductions, DOT commented that the roads could be reviewed by the county and towns to determine if “certain conditions may require the posting of additional warning signs.” Should any person desire more or different signage, those requests can be made by the individual, or with the assistance of the town.
The town has ordered radar speed signs, which have not yet been delivered. These will be portable devices which can be moved by the Highway Department from location to location as needed.
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Adult Education at Taconic Hills
Did you know that there are all sorts of interesting offerings to expand your knowledge and skills right here at Taconic Hills School?
The mission of the continuing education program at the Taconic Hills Central School District is to provide community members with a range of academic, athletic, artistic, business, hobby and recreational workshops at the district’s K-Life Learning Center campus. The continuing education program reflects their increased focus on lifelong learning. Courses offered include Financial Literacy, American Red Cross CPR & AED, Volleyball and Yoga. For the full description of courses, go to https://www.taconichills.k12.ny.us/page/course-catalog
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Tests and Masks to be Available in Copake
Matt Murell, the Chair of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, has announced that the county has ordered KN95 masks and they will be delivered throughout the county during the week of January 17.
Additionally, the state has advised the county that COVID-19 home tests will be delivered to the county on a weekly basis, starting the week of January 17. The tests and masks will be delivered to the towns, villages and City of Hudson in proportion to population.
In late December, the Town of Copake received 1200 masks, which were distributed throughout the town to businesses, churches, the Copake Grange, the library and so forth. In early January, the town received 151 masks, which were made available through the Town Clerk's office.
To learn details about the availability of masks and tests, check the town website and also the Copake Facebook page. Or you may call the clerk's office at 518-329-1234 Ext 2.
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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 organize some winter outings.
The group had planned to go to Harvey Mountain on Jan. 2, but the weather did not cooperate. Usually, outings are held on the first Sunday of each month. However, the schedule will be a little more fluid this winter to accommodate the weather. We will send out emails announcing hikes and other activities. The next “official” outing will be Sunday, Feb. 6, but impromptu hikes may be announced as well. If you would like to be on the mailing list, please contact Peggy Lewis at plewispok@gmail.com or Roberta Roll at roberta.roll@gmail.com.
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Copake History
Two Circus Musicians Killed in Craryville: Oct. 1871
This is an account of events that transpired in Craryville during Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency. One of the people it touches on was Seth B. Howe of Brewster, whom one source called the father of the circus. Howe was acquainted with the better known PT Barnum, who initially owned a large museum in New York City which was actually part lecture hall, part freak show and part half-dozen other things. Howe convinced Barnum to back him in creating a traveling show - Howe’s European Circus, which would then serve as a wonderful means of advertising Barnum’s Museum.
And so it was that on Tuesday, October 30, 1871, Howe’s circus was in the process of traveling from Craryville (then known as Bain’s Corners) to Millerton, where it was to have another run. Most of the circus’ members traveled by rail. However, a team of eight horses was to pull the bandwagon on the roads. Just before daylight, the wagon set forth on present day Route 7, headed toward Millerton. Unfortunately, the driver, though an experienced man, did not know this particular road, particularly "William's Hill," one of its steep sections.
The morning being dark, the wagon came upon the hill before the driver was aware of its hazards. He attempted to gather up his reins to put on his brake. However, he was not quick enough and the eight-in-hand got the best of him and dashed down the hill at a frightful speed. Suddenly one of the wheel-horses fell. The horse, with the chariot, was then dragged to the side of the road by its now frantic mates, where the chariot tumbled down a precipice.
On top were five musicians, including J. A. Emidy, Jr., and William Fetzer, both steady, reliable men. The chariot made two complete somersaults, the first throwing off the musicians. Then, in turning the second time, the chariot fell on two of them, poor Emidy and Fetzer, killing them instantly. The other three and the driver escaped as if by a miracle. Emidy’s and Fetzer’s remains were taken to Millerton. As is said in show business, “the show must go on.” So, the company gave its next performance, after which it went into winter quarters.
Please keep this story in mind, and be careful on the hills of Route 7!
Photo for illustrative purposes only.
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From Bags to Tags
Columbia County Solid Waste is changing from a bag system to a tag system for garbage disposal.
Over the past few months, the Columbia County Solid Waste Department has been experiencing issues with restocking their inventory of county garbage bags. Their vendor, who has been servicing the county for over twenty years, has been unable to secure resin, ink and employees; therefore they have opted out of their contract with the county. Since the county had little success with other vendors who have bid in previous years, they made the decision to switch over to a “tag system.” This system had been discussed in the past, so they felt it was the perfect time to implement.
The county will start distributing tags as their inventory of remaining bags runs out. The new tag system will consist of three different colored tags. Eventually they will no longer offer options for five different-sized bags, as this will simplify the program and the paperwork.
The SMALL tags are $1.00 each, and they will cover bags up to 10 gallons.
The MEDIM tags are $3.00 each, and they will cover bags up to 30 gallons.
The LARGE tags are $5.00 each, and they will cover bags up to 55 gallons.
See you at the transfer station!
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Grange Events
The Grange is taking a little break in January for some renovations in the theatre but will resume with some great programs in February, including the following:
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 7:00-8:00pm - Speaker Series. Dollars for Scholars. An online event. One or two scholarship winners will talk about the experience of winning a scholarship from Dollars for Scholars and how it enhanced their lives. Also, a member of the board of DFS will speak about the huge benefit to young adults and ways community members can be involved. For more information and to participate, go to copakegrange.org/events.
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Friday, Feb. 7, 7:00-9:00pm - Open Mic Night. LIVE and IN-PERSON! Live open mic is on and it’s great! Come on down to the Grange and join us with your instruments, songs, poems, stories, skits, etc. We have a piano. Masks are required except when performing. For more information, contact copakegrange@gmail.com.
The Grange is located at 628 Empire Rd.
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What’s Happening at the Library?
Thursdays, 9:00-10:00am
Senior Balance and Strength Class. Dr. Paul Spector is leading his popular Balance and Strength Class on Zoom. These classes introduce exercises that improve postural stability, core strength, spatial body awareness,
sensory integration, agility and coordination. For more details, including login
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Mondays & Thursdays, 9:00-10:30am
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Satudays, 10:30am
Storytime With Tia. Tia, the library's Children's & Youth Services Asscociate, will be sharing stories and related activities for kids in the Children's Room every Saturday starting at 10:30am. Check our Facebook page for weekly themes. We hope to see you there!
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Wednesdays, 12:30 - 1:30pm Homeschool Wednesdays. Homeschooled children and their families are welcome to join us in our Children's Room for Homeschool Wednesday. We will read a book and work on a different activity every week.
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Wednesday, January 19, 6:00 - 7:15pm. History Webinar: Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The New-York Historical Society honored the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG)—the trailblazing Supreme Court justice and cultural icon—with a special exhibition and virtual presentation in fall 2021, based on the popular Tumblr and bestselling book of the same name. A traveling exhibition organized by the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg takes an expansive and engaging look at the justice’s life and work, highlighting her ceaseless efforts to protect civil rights and foster equal opportunity for all Americans.
This program is presented by the New-York Historical Society and sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association. Email director@roejanlibrary.org to register.
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Saturday, January 22, 1:00 - 2:00pm. Storytelling with Emily Arnold McCully. Join us for a special story time with Caldecott Award winning author and illustrator Emily Arnold McCully. She will share how illustrations tell a story. Using an easel for all to see, she will draw as she creates a story with the children's input. McCully will also read from one of her newer picture books. For kids 4-8 years old. To register email youth@roejanlibrary.org
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Monday, January 31, 5:45 - 7:00pm. Tech Lab: Google Drive. Learn how to store, access, and manage files using Google Drive with Roe Jan Library's tech guru, Pam Doran. Email director@roejanlibrary.org for the Zoom login information. This program is sponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, Hudson Area Library, Claverack Free Library, and Philmont Public Library.
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Monday, February 7, 5:45 - 7:00pm. Tech Lab: Google Docs. Take a deeper dive into Google Docs with Roe Jan Library's tech guru, Pam Doran, and learn how to create, edit, and share documents. Google Docs is similar to Word, with a few different different features, including the ability to share and edit collaboratively. Email director@roejanlibrary.org for the Zoom login information. This program is sponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, Hudson Area Library, Claverack Free Library, and Philmont Public Library.
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Wednesday, February 15, 6:00 - 7:15pm. History Webinar: Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow. Based on the New-York Historical Society's 2018-19 exhibition, this virtual presentation explores Black Americans' struggle for equality under the law from 1865 through World War I. Learn about both Southern and Northern roles in this dark chapter of our history as well as Black New Yorkers ’organizing and community-building in the face of discrimination. Email director@roejanlibrary.org to register.
This program is presented by the New-York Historical Society and sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association.
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Wednesday, February 23, 6:00 - 7:00pm. The Importance of Focus--For Getting More of What You Want in Life. Do you want more out of life? Do you find yourself distracted? Do you wish you could be more focused and achieve more? Former illusionist Greg Dwyer will show you how to create real magic in your life to get more of what you desire. Greg has worked backstage for Doug Henning’s The Magic Show and was seen by over six million people on CBS on The Late Show with David Letterman. Greg knows how to make the impossible possible, and has traveled the world sharing his insights with others. If you want more out of life and would like to focus on making it happen, this interactive 60 minute online workshop is for you.
This program is cosponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, Hudson Area Library, Claverack Free Library, and Philmont Public Library.
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Eco Tips for Healthy Living
Winter brings cold weather, wind and snow. While the snow may bring good opportunities for winter outdoor recreation, it’s also a good time to focus on greening the inside of your home. By changing a few habits you can start to make progress on saving energy. Here are some tips to get started:
Use an electric snow blower to clear your walkways and driveways this winter. Or better yet, shovel when possible. You will get some exercise and help the environment. Of course, keep your health in mind and clear snow safely.
Increase your energy efficiency by using a timer or a scheduler on your thermostat -- set the temperature lower if you'll be gone for four or more hours. The air is dry this time of year but by air drying your clothing, you can add moisture back into the air to help humidify your home and save energy. If you're in the market for new appliances, look for ones with Energy Star® certification.
Dress more warmly inside so you don’t have to turn the thermostat up as high.
Keep composting. Your compost pile will slow down in the cold temperatures, but in the spring, it will be ready to percolate again.
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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: thecopakeconnection@gmail.com. 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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