{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.}.

News From Town Hall

Dear Hillsdale,

Welcome to our February 2025 Newsletter. Continue reading to find out what is happening in our Town.

Wastewater Facility Update

During our January Town Board meeting, two representatives from CPL, our town engineers--Vice President Tim Moot and George Schmitt, Senior Engineering Project Manager--were invited to address both the Board and the public about the situation at our wastewater facility plant.

A problem was detected in late November by our sewer operator, Les Coon of H20 Innovation. Excess water and an odor were noted by the leach fields. Mr. Schmitt was contacted and began testing and spot excavation to explore the extent of the issue.

Unfortunately, Mr. Schmitt’s findings revealed that the issue is systemic, going back to the creation of the system more than 15 years ago. You can read his final report CPL report.

James Malcolm, our representative from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), was also contacted immediately to alert him of the situation. Mr. Malcolm has since proved to be a valuable ally in this process, offering his experience and advice.

So, what next?

We are fortunate to have two grants already in process with the New York State Dormitory Authority that are close to being finalized. Again, I must commend both Assemblymember Didi Barrett and State Senator Michelle Hinchey for understanding the unique challenges of operating a small sewer system.

The money from the grants (totaling $250,000) will go a long way toward rehabilitating the current system with upgraded parts, conducting further testing and surveying and paying for engineer fees to determine the next steps.

This is not the news any of us want to hear, but the Town Board is committed to solving these issues and moving forward.

I need to thank everyone involved, from the Town Board and Clerks Office, George and Tim at CPL, H20 Innovation and Les Coon, our Building Inspector Lee Heim, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, Mr. Malcolm and DEC, our Sewer Task Force Citizen Advisory Committee and County Engineer Ray Jurkowski for their sound advice and willingness to help.

I also want to mention and thank Larry Edelman, the owner of the land that surrounds the plant. We have been in constant contact throughout this process.

I am continuing talks with the offices of Assembly member Barrett, Sen. Hinchey and our member of Congress, Josh Riley, in addition to representatives from the offices of Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to explore funding for what lies next.

There will be monthly updates at the Town Board meetings and in this newsletter.

Mike Dvorchak

Hillsdale Town Supervisor

February Town Board Meeting

The February Town Board meeting will be on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The meeting will be held in person at Town Hall at 7 PM and will be available on Zoom.

February Town Board Meeting Link

Documents that will be referred to at the Town Board meeting will be linked to as part of the agenda. Minutes of previous Town Board meetings are posted on the Town Board page and the Agendas & Minutes page. Videos of the meetings are also available to watch.

Town Website

Agendas & Minutes

Town Board

Highway Department Work Plan for 2025

According to a partial 2025 agreement between Highway Superintendent Richard Briggs and the Town Board $225,000 will be spent on the 76.6 miles of town highways. This covers the purchase of gravel, stone, blacktop and oil for sealing roads, culvert pipes, etc. In addition, $413,243 from the New York State Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) will be set aside for improvements of town highways in 2025, including:

· A 2” blacktop overlay on Mitchell Street, starting at Route 23 and stopping at Holm Road.

Blacktop shim, oil, and stone on:

· Collins street starting at Route 22 and stopping at Route 23.

· Collins Street Extension, starting at Collins Street, and stopping at Route 22.

· Orchard Lane, starting at Route 22 and stopping at Hunt Road.

· Harlemville Road, starting at West End Road and stopping at Wolf Hill Road.

· Overlook Road, starting at Mitchell Street and stopping at Syre Lane.

Gravel, drainage, culvert replacement, and fabric on:

Ridge Lane, Springbrook Lane, Woodthrush Road, Farview Lane, White Hill Road, and Herrington Road.

Further projects are still under discussion with the Town Board and the Highway Superintendent. Public input is encouraged. To view the input from the January meeting, click on the video link: January 2025 Town Board Meeting

Discussions will continue at the February Town Board meeting.

To read press coverage of the issue please click here.

Appointments, Policies, and Fees Approved

at Organizational Meeting

The Hillsdale Town Board held its annual Organizational meeting on January 6th. For the Organizational Chart for the upcoming year, please click on the box below.

Organizational Meeting 2025

CAC Web Page

Town Still Looking to Hire Maintenance Manager

The town is seeking an experienced maintenance person to perform a variety of tasks at three locations in the town: Town Hall: painting and light carpentry, minimal handyperson duties. Roe Jan Park: grass cutting. Sewer Assistant: daily checking of numbers and monitoring of sewer plant. Plumbing and electrical knowledge is a plus.

The position is part time, 15-20 hours a week. The employee must hold a valid NYS driver’s license and reside in or near the town of Hillsdale.

To apply, please send a letter of interest, including a brief bio and three references to the Town Clerk: townclerk@hillsdaleny.com or PO Box 305, Hillsdale, NY 12529

Please check out the entire listing of jobs or positions available by clicking the link below.

Job Postings

Hillsdale Fire Company

The Hillsdale Fire Company reports responding to 112 incidents in 2024, 3 less than last year. On average, response time was about 10 minutes, 6 members responded per call, 3 pieces of apparatus were deployed, and the incident duration was on average 52 minutes. Of the incidents, just 7 were building fires, 2 were brush or rubbish fires, and there were 2 unauthorized burning. False alarms, fire, smoke, or carbon monoxide detectors activating when there was no fire or carbon monoxide, accounted for 26 of the calls, down from 31 such calls in 2024. Downed power lines accounted for 5 calls.

In addition, the Fire Company responded to motor vehicle accidents and water problems and stood by for other fire companies or helicopter landings.

***** NOTES *****

2025 property tax payments were due by January 31. If taxes are paid on/after February 1 a penalty applies and it must be included with the payment;

Paid in February: 1% penalty
Paid in March: 2% penalty
Paid in April 3% penalty plus $2 Second Notice Fee
Paid in May: 4% penalty plus $2 Second Notice Fee

Payments received without the required penalty will be returned to the sender.

**********

As Supervisor of Hillsdale, Mike Dvorchak is also a member of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors. For 2025 he will serve on the Economic Development and Public Works Committees.

**********

At the January Town Board Meeting, a updated mowing schedule at the Roe Jan Park was passed to protect the nesting migratory birds while still allowing the farmer who leases the land to harvest hay. No mowing will happen from June 1st through August 15th. The schedule still allows for two harvests while protecting the majority of the nesting season. The Town Board would like to thank Gretchen Stevens who studied data obtained at the Park over the past year and made this recommendation to the Town Board. Supervisor Dvorchak also thanked the Berkshire Farms as well as the citizens who attended the Town Board meetings to advocate for the migratory birds.

Hillsdale Featured in International Magazine

Hillsdale resident Dan Levy's home of the future garnered international news coverage. The home known as "Bellwether on Main" is a duplex in the heart of Hillsdale, New York’s historic district and is Pre-certified as Phius Zero, the industry standard of net zero energy design. Click on the photo below to learn more.

Safe at Home Committee News

"Protecting Your Future"

Hillsdale Safe at Home Committee News

Coffee Hour on February 25, 2025, presentation will be “Protecting Your Future” by eldercare lawyer James Asquith.

The Safe at Home Coffee Hours meet the last Tuesday of each month at the Hillsdale House from 10-11:30. Coffee and snacks are free, and all are welcome to attend. We always anticipate both interesting and compelling conversations.

James Asquith was admitted to practice law in New York State in 2013 and in New Jersey in 2012. He graduated from New York Law School in 2012 and from Staffordshire University in England in 2000.

As we age, it is particularly important to think ahead and plan for our future with the knowledge of our legal rights and options. The practice of elder law affords us the opportunity to gain the information we need to make the best decision/choices about our future We are pleased that James Asquith, an attorney with Ettinger Law Firm, which specializes in elder law and estate planning, will be the guest speaker at our February coffee hour.

Throughout Mr. Asquith’s career, he has worked exclusively in the area of elder law. Based on these past experiences, he understands and appreciates the value of careful planning to avoid the strain of unnecessary court proceedings in the future. It is Mr. Asquith’s goal to assist clients in developing an effective elder law estate plan. In doing so, clients can plan for the possibility that they may need long term care in the future, so that they can protect their hard earned assets, and they can appoint persons of their own choosing (rather then the courts) to manage their affairs in the event they can no longer make decisions for themselves.

HAPPY 5th YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO THE ROE JAN BREWERY!

The Roe Jan Brewery is celebrating its 5th year as a Hillsdale destination on Wednesday, February 5th from 5PM - 9PM. The event will feature Brewery Tours, the debut of the new Barleywine Ale and drink specials. Congratulations to Steve and Kathy Bluestone and their entire team on this milestone!

UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

Adult Programs at the RJCL

Kids Programs at the RJCL

The Friends of the Roe Jan Library Book Shop will be open every Saturday from 10 AM -2 PM (weather permitting). The Friends will be accepting donations from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Appointments to donate are no longer required.

Upcoming Town Meetings

The Zoning Board will meet at Town Hall on Tuesday, February 4 at 6:30 PM.

Hearing(s) on docket:

Special Permit application by Scenic Sips LLC to hold a one day outdoor beer tasting festival event on August 9, 2025 on White Hill Lane, Hillsdale, NY.