The holidays are coming and our local small businesses here in Claverack and beyond are counting on our support. Shopping local helps to support our local economy. Our local small business owners donate more to local non-profits and community organizations than the big retailers. Supporting local businesses helps the entire community! This Christmas, make an effort to shop local.. Need a gift certificate for a great meal and night out... how about High Falls Pizzeria & Tap House in Philmont? How about an updated family portrait by Photo-Art by Ken Bovat? Need some light catering for a meal or holiday party... how about Mcnan's Variety Foods in Philmont (they're great!)? Looking for a great gift for the gardener in your family? Visit AgwayNY in the hamlet. Planning an evening out with a group? Let Michael S Johnston LLC's party bus transport you in style. Choose Claverack Package Store / Wine and Spirits or Olde York Farm: Distillery & Cooperage for that perfect bottle of cheer! Engraved gifts available from Next Gen Signs Inc and beautiful pieces of custom made furniture from KyTa Custom Furniture. Let Ginsberg's Foods help with delicious food for your holiday get together. This is just a sampling of the small businesses out there. There's lots here in Claverack and beyond. SHOP LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON!
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Claverack property owners wishing to pay their 2018 taxes early, pursuant to NYS Executive Order 172, may do so in person at the Town Office on Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or by mail – postmarked no later than December 31, 2017.
For additional information, contact the Town Office at 518-672-7911, Ext 100. To view/download your 2018 tax bill, visit the town website: www.townofclaverack.com CLAVERACK CONTINUES TO FIND EFFICIENCY IN CONSOLIDATION
We continue to consolidate and streamline town operations, the latest being in the town's Building Department. In the past, Claverack – like many other towns, has maintained separate Building Inspector and town Code Enforcement Officer positions. This year however, recognizing the opportunity to improve efficiency and bring down costs, we've consolidated those two positions into one single position, and named James "Jay" Trapp to the new Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer position. The consolidation will save approximately 30 hours per week in salary costs. Read More. LINDA LAVIN OF 'ALICE' AND ACTOR-HUSBAND TO OPEN RESTAURANT IN CLAVERACK In the 1970s and 1980s, actress Linda Lavin played a diner waitress in the popular sitcom “Alice.” Today, she plans to open a restaurant in Claverack with her husband. Read More. CLAVERACK REPUBLICANS PLAN ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT The Claverack Republican Club will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 15 at the Claverack Town Park, off Church Street, Mellenville. The grounds will open at 10 a.m. with the hunts getting underway at 11 a.m., rain, snow or sun. Admission is free. Read More. BROADBAND UPDATE - MAPS RELEASED We continue to stay engaged in the effort to expand and improve broadband coverage, and to keep you informed on the progress being made. Recently, the County Broadband Committee posted coverage maps for each municipality in the county. For all the latest information related to broadband, including the new maps for Claverack, click here. ATTENTION CLAVERACK VETERANS - SPORTSMEN'S CLUB PLANS APPRECIATION EVENT In appreciation for their service, Veterans are invited to attend a fun filled day at the range for no charge. Read More. Claverack Town Supervisor Kippy Weigelt has announced plans for a new and improved website for residents of the Town of Claverack. The website will include new features such as an expandable calendar of town meetings and community events, an area for prominent display of information related to emergencies and public safety bulletins, and a directory of town businesses. Users will be able to easily view and access important documents and information on the site, such as meeting minutes, local codes and laws, assessment rolls, and public notices from any computer or mobile device, including smartphones and tablets. The site will also include access to the Columbia County Special Needs Registry; a program designed to aide emergency responders in identifying, locating, and assisting senior citizens and residents with special needs who may have a life or safety concern in the event of a mass power outage, natural disaster, or other large-scale emergency. “The new website will improve access to town information and services for all residents, including our senior citizens,” said Supervisor Kippy Weigelt. “We put the project out to bid and were able to lower the cost significantly from original estimates,” Weigelt added. The project will be overseen by Town Clerk Mary Jeanne Hoose, with Deputy Town Supervisor Stephen Hook assisting with collection of information from town departments for the new website. Town Councilman Brian Keeler will facilitate development of the Emergency Services section of the website, including acting as liaison to the Columbia County Special Needs Registry. The new website is expected to be available online by May. The Claverack Town Board recently recognized William "Bill" Blaauw with a community service award. Bill has been a big part of the Claverack and Philmont communities for 60 years. He joined the Philmont Fire Company in 1963, rising to the rank of Chief, and serving in the department still today. In addition to multiple terms on the Philmont Village Board of Trustees and the Claverack Town Board, Bill served many years as the Claverack Town Highway Superintendent. After retiring from the highway department, he was re-elected to the Town Board and appointed Deputy Town Supervisor. As a town official, Bill set a high bar. His common sense approach to decision making and his concern for all issues and residents earned him much respect. We thank him for his many years of service and friendship. The Town of Claverack Water Department will be flushing hydrants in the Hamlet Water District beginning Wednesday, January 11th and continuing through Friday, January 13th. Residents that are hooked up to the water system may notice slight discoloration during this period. This is due to work being performed by the Town of Greenport, who supplies water to the Claverack Hamlet. If you experience discoloration of your water, it is recommended that you clear the pipes in your home by running all water faucets for a few minutes. We regret any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. (NOTE: This is the Claverack Hamlet Water District, NOT the Village of Philmont) ANOTHER TAX-CAP COMPLIANT BUDGET
I’m happy to report the passage of another on-time budget that is in full compliance with the State Tax Cap. This means property tax rebates for Claverack homeowners once again! Since taking office in 2014, we’ve worked hard each and every year to ensure budgets are kept tight and that all reasonable measures are employed to keep costs down. This year, we worked together with Town Highway Superintendent Lou Lamont to create a capital equipment plan. The first phase of this plan has been implemented in the 2017 budget. The plan permits the highway department to purchase and bond for needed equipment through a combination of cost savings and expiring debt. This capital plan will allow for the cost of these assets to be paid for over their respective lives and take advantage of low interest rates. We also negotiated a cell tower rental agreement on the water tower off Old Lane, which has enabled the Town to generate some revenues to help off-set steep increases by the Town of Greenport for the water district. TOWN BUILDING INSPECTOR / CODE ENFORCEMENT CONSOLIDATION We have consolidated the duties and responsibilities of the Town Building Inspector and Town Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) into one position. The new Building Inspector/CEO will work 20 hours a week. This consolidation will improve efficiency and result in a cost savings to the Town. NEW AED’S AT THE TOWN HALL AND TOWN PARK We have purchased and installed Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at the Town Hall/Court building and the Town Park. As we all know, seconds count when a person suffers sudden cardiac arrest. These devices will provide the life-saving tools needed to treat cardiac arrest before responders arrive. Many thanks to the Claverack Senior Citizens for their donation to this cause. BROADBAND We continue to be engaged in the County Board of Supervisor’s effort to expand broadband to all corners of the county. Many areas of the county, including parts of Claverack, remain unserved. Dependable Internet is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for many homes and small businesses. Progress is being made! For the latest updates, click here. BUS SHUTTLE UPDATE The new Town of Claverack Bus Shuttle Service has been a big success. Several residents pick up the shuttle – from Philmont to the Claverack hamlet – each Monday for shopping and other business in Hudson and Greenport. Mike Johnston, who’s company operates the shuttle as part of the Columbia County Public Transportation System, says that the program is working well and that residents have come to depend on the service for grocery shopping, banking, and other essential needs. GARDEN CLUB We’d like to reestablish and invigorate the Claverack Garden Club. In the past, Garden Club volunteers helped to plant flowers and spruce up public spaces in the hamlet and Village of Philmont. Their work went a long way toward making and keeping our town beautiful, and we’re hopeful that some volunteers will step up to help with this cause. If you are interested, please email me at supervisor@townofclaverack.com. MERRY CHRISTMAS As the holidays approach, I’d like to take a moment to thank you all for making our town the envy of many. We are so fortunate to live in this special community where we all care for and take of each other. I thank you for being part of it and for instilling your trust in me to serve as your Town Supervisor. On behalf of my fellow town officials, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. PHILMONT BUS SHUTTLE SERVICE TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER
As you know, we worked hard to get a bus shuttle service for Philmont residents approved. I’m very happy to announce that the new service will begin operating on Monday, September 12th. The new shuttle service, part of the lumbia County Public Transportation System, will take passengers to and from Hudson and Greenport twice daily, each and every Monday. This will allow residents access to goods and services not readily available in the Village. The ride will cost passengers just $1.00. Many thanks to Johnston & Pulcher, Inc. and Columbia County government for helping make this happen. We’ll provide more information on the routes and pick-up/drop-off times and locations soon. FALL BRINGS COOLER TEMPERATURES, PUMPKIN EVERYTHING, AND BUDGET WORK Fall is almost here and along with the cool air, colorful mums, and comfort food comes the always difficult work of crafting the following year’s budget. As outlined in previous updates, we’ve been able to make good progress cutting town government’s dependency on cash reserves, and moving the town to a strong financial position – but further work needs to be done. We’re faced with a very difficult tax cap for 2017, but are determined to produce a budget that complies with the cap, which would once again bring much needed relief and State property tax rebate checks to Claverack residents. The budget is the single most difficult issue that we deal with as your town officials, and certainly one of the most important. TOWN HALL/COURT BUILDING As announced earlier this year, we’ve undertaken a study of the current Town Hall/Court to get an idea of the structural condition of the building, and to review the space needs for town departments and organizations that use the Town Hall. An inspection of the building by the engineering firm Crawford & Associates found serious structural issues making it necessary and prudent to abandon the current building. The committee will now begin looking at alternative options (rebuilding on the same site, or relocating to a new location) and what to do in the interim. KEEPING IDENTITIES OF SENIORS SAFE (DOCUMENT SHREDDING PROGRAM) The office of Town Clerk Mary Jeanne Hoose, in conjunction with County Clerk Holly Tanner, will once again sponsor the KISS (Keeping Identities of Seniors Safe) document shredding program for town residents in September. Seniors may bring sensitive documents for shredding to the Town Office on Church Street Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, from September 6th to September 23rd. More info here. BROADBAND SURVEY The Columbia County Board of Supervisors Broadband Sub-Committee is working collaboratively with grassroots groups and industry leaders to expand broadband service to residents across Columbia County. As part of that effort, an online survey has been created to help map underserved areas. There are separate surveys for residential and commercial (business) customers. Links to both surveys can be found below. (Note that the residential survey asks for your address, but that information is not required to complete the survey). Link to the residential broadband survey here Link to the commercial (business) broadband survey here OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE The final concert in the Claverack Republican Club’s 2016 Summer Concert Series was held Thursday, August 26th. I’d like to thank the many volunteers who work so hard to bring these events to our town park each summer – and special thanks to the generous sponsors who help pay for the entertainment and allow the concerts to be offered free-of-charge. We’re also happy to report that approximately 150 kids took part in this year’s Summer Youth Program at the town park! The kids participated in a variety of recreational programs, sports, and field trips during the six-week camp. A huge thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who help make this program a success every year. Congratulations to Philmont Volunteer Fire Company on 120 years of dedicated service. Your selfless devotion to the safety and wellbeing of our community is very much appreciated! The September meeting of the Claverack Town Planning Board will be held on Wednesday, September 7th due to the Labor Day holiday. The Mellenville Fire Company will host the 18th Annual Kim Harvey Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, October 1st. Contact Jim Brady at 518-755-8878 for information. Columbia County Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held Saturday, September 10th at the County Highway Garage on Route 23B in Greenport. Residents with large quantities of materials must contact the DPW Administrative Office prior to the date by calling 518-828-2737. The event runs 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Click here to review what materials will be accepted. The A.B. Shaw Fire Company will host its Annual Car Show & Chicken BBQ on Saturday, September 24th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Chicken BBQ starts at 3 pm) at their firehouse on Route 23B. PROGRESS! REPORT SHOW CLAVERACK'S FINANCIAL POSITION VERY SOUND
At the Monday May 23, 2016 monthly workshop meeting of the Claverack Town Board, officials received a briefing from A. Michael Bucci, CPA and Lisa Gill of the town’s accounting firm of Pattison, Koskey, Howe & Bucci, CPAs, P.C. During the workshop, Bucci and Gill provided financial highlights of the town’s 2015 operating results as summarized in the Annual Update Document (AUD) that is submitted by the firm on behalf of the town. The information that Bucci and Gill presented was well received and generated discussion among the town board and its other elected officials in attendance. In summary, the Town of Claverack’s overall financial situation is very sound. The town General A fund, which accounts for the general public services of the town, ended the 2015 calendar year with unassigned fund balance (savings) of $721,731 or 75% of the total budgeted appropriations for the town’s general fund. This was up approximately $66,000 from 2014. Better than projected revenues, in combination with the town’s keeping expenditures below budgeted levels, contributed to the successful 2015 financial year. Mr. Bucci explained that the conservative nature of the budget process for revenues, and the town board’s vigilance over expenditures, were the main reasons behind these results. Mr. Bucci went on to praise town officials and staff for doing a very good job of controlling expenses despite many challenges. Reliance on savings (fund balance) is down significantly, putting the Town of Claverack in a healthy financial position. Also in the May 23rd meeting, Ms. Gill discussed water usage and budget strategies for 2016 forward, and Mr. Bucci stressed the need for a memorandum of understanding with the town’s water supplier (neighboring Town of Greenport) to lock in rates for water usage at or below the cost of living increases. Town Supervisor Clifford “Kippy” Weigelt thanked Bucci, Gill, and town officials for their part in moving Claverack in a positive financial direction. “Safeguarding the people’s money is one of the most important things that we do as elected representatives,” said Weigelt. “Our team is doing a great job, working together, to control spending and reducing our dependency on cash reserves. We’re making good progress, and this report confirms that,” Weigelt added. MILLBROOK ROAD BRIDGE – DONE! After years of delay and indecision, the Millbrook Road bridge has been replaced and opened to traffic. This bridge was closed in 2010 due to extreme deterioration and has been closed ever since, forcing emergency services and local residents to use alternate routes. We made resolving the Millbrook Road bridge issue a top priority and are happy to be able to call this project complete. An official (ceremonial) opening of the new bridge is being planned for the near future. LEARN TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SMALL BUSINESS AT THE CLAVERACK LIBRARY The Claverack Free Library invites all these people and other local entrepreneurs to two workshops on how to use Social Media for Small Business. Attendees at the first workshop on Thursday June 30 at 5:30 PM will learn about web sites and search engine optimization (SEO). The second workshop on Thursday July 14 covers Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Thumbtack, e-vites, list-serves, and blogs. More Info here. HAMLET PARK BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT A beautification project was initiated last year at the Claverack Hamlet Park at the intersection of Route 9H and Route 23, with the installation of a sculpture of potted flowers on the south side of the park. We’d like to begin planning additional upgrades to the park and are seeking interested individuals to sit on a committee to help brainstorm, design, and organize these upgrades. Donations are being sought as well. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email supervisor@townofclaverack.com. Congratulations and best wishes to Claverack's Betty Baker! Betty retired yesterday from Key Bank after 56 years of dedicated service. She says she'll spend retirement taking pictures, going on drives, and may buy a bicycle and go biking. See video-story by WRGB. |
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