​MICHAEL COZZOLINO APPOINTED CLAVERACK TOWN JUSTICE
Former Columbia County Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Cozzolino has been appointed Claverack Town Justice. Cozzolino fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Charles Hoag, who has served in the position since 2005. The appointment was made by unanimous vote at the May meeting of the Claverack Town Board.
 
Cozzolino, a life-long resident of Claverack, is a graduate of Columbia-Greene Community College, Marist College in Poughkeepie, and Albany Law School. He began his career in 1987 as a Columbia County Deputy Sheriff. After graduating from law school in 1996 Cum Laude, Cozzolino worked for 15 years as an Assistant District Attorney, including eight years as Chief Assistant District Attorney, at the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office. In 2011, Cozzolino left the District Attorney’s Office to pursue a career in private practice, specializing in criminal defense and Family Court matters.
 
Cozzolino resides in Claverack with his wife Robin and two children Gabriella and Anthony. He joins Claverack Town Justice Michael Brandon, serving in the busiest town court in Columbia County.
 
 
SHAW BRIDGE HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION
Residents are invited to join the Claverack Historical Society, the Claverack Historical Preservation Advisory Committee, and the Claverack Town Board for a dedication ceremony of the newly installed historical marker for the Shaw Bridge on Van Wyck Lane. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 28, 3:30 PM (rain date Sunday, May 29) at the north-end of the bridge (where Van Wyck Ln meets Shaw Bridge Rd).
 
A narration of the history of the bridge, classical guitar/flute ensemble (period music, c1870), and light refreshments are planned.
 
The historical marker was obtained through a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation “Historical Roadside Marker Program.” For additional information, contact [email protected]. 
 
 
OTHER NEWS FROM AROUND TOWN
The new bridge on Millbrook Road is nearly complete.  Crews will begin paving operations very soon and then reopen the bridge when that is complete.

​The closure of the Route 9H/23 bridge at the Claverack/Greenport town line was pushed back a week to May 25th. That bridge is expected to remain closed until November.
 
Work continues to bring a shuttle bus service to Philmont. Formal requests have been made to the county and state and we are awaiting the State’s approval.
 
At the April meeting of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, I was honored to present the family of former Claverack Town Supervisor and long-time Civil Service Commissioner Stan Card with a proclamation on behalf of the Board, honoring Stan’s life and service to our residents.  See video here.
 
The Board of Supervisors recently received an update from ECC Technologies, the firm contracted to draft a plan for the County to expand broadband telecommunication services, on their preliminary findings and recommendations. View the presentation to the Board here. There update may be downloaded here.

PROGRESS ON MILLBROOK RD BRIDGE
Work continues on the Millbrook Road bridge replacement project. You may recall that this bridge was closed in 2010 due to extreme deterioration and has remained closed since. Emergency services have been forced to use alternate routes as they respond to calls for service in the area. We made resolving the Millbrook Road bridge issue a top priority and are happy to report that we’ve made significant progress. The replacement project is well underway and significantly under original estimates thanks to strict oversight and effective use of town resources to keep costs low. The new bridge will be completed in the fall of 2016.
 
SUMMER YOUTH PLAYGROUND PROGRAM
Once again this year, the Town of Claverack will sponsor a “Summer Youth Playground Program” at the Town Park on Church Street.  The program runs for six weeks, beginning July 5, 2016 and ending August 12, 2016, and is offered free-of-charge to school-aged children (up to age 16) that live in the Town of Claverack. Transportation is also available for a small fee. For more information and sign-up instructions, check out the Town Website.
 
ROUTE 9H BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
As a reminder, the bridge carrying Route 9H/23 over the Taghkanic Creek at the Claverack/Greenport town line will be under construction from May 18th through November 14, 2016. A signed detour will be in place. Please plan your travel accordingly and use alternate routes. For additional information, visit www.dot.ny.gov/projects (search Contract No. D900030) or call 866-553-3090.
 
PHILMONT MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
The Philmont Memorial Day Parade steps off at 9:00 AM on Monday, May 30th. Marchers will parade down Main Street to the Memorial Park at the corner of Main Street and Elm Street where ceremonies will be held.  The Philmont Library will offer light breakfast items (egg sandwiches, etc) at the Library from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.  The Memorial Day parade is a time-honored tradition in Philmont. Please plan to join us!
 
OTHER NEWS
A committee was recently established to begin looking at the space needs of the Town Hall and Town Court, and to investigate whether it is feasible and prudent to keep the existing building or if it would make more sense to relocate the Town Hall and Town Court to a new space.  The committee, comprised of town officials and volunteers from the community, has held its first meeting and conducted one site visit to another nearby municipal building. Their work and analysis continues. Stay tuned!
 
Responding to concerns from area residents, we have begun preliminary work to review the town lighting districts to ensure those paying for public lighting are actually receiving it, and to consider where additional lighting may be desired and warranted. Town Board member Maryanne Lee is taking the lead on this project for us.