Vote on Sept. 1
The annual Saugerties Public Library Budget Vote and Trustee Election will take place on Thursday, September 1, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at the library, 91 Washington Ave., Saugerties. To help voters make an informed decision, here are the budget proposal facts.
For the first time in three years, the board of trustees is proposing a budget that increases the tax levy by 1 percent or $5,219. Tax rates would increase by $0.0001 per thousand dollars of assessed value, from 0.2998 to 0.2999. A property with a market value of $250,000 would see an increase of about 3 cents per year from $74.95 to $74.98. As members of the community, the library board of trustees is striving to balance the excellent service that the community expects with the economic realities we all face. In 2017, the Library will be faced with the challenge of complying with the new New York State minimum wage regulations which increases minimum wages annually by 70 cents per hour for the next five years. The 2017 Library budget proposal includes an annual 70 cents per hour, or 2 percent increase, whichever is greater, for all staff for the years we know the minimum wage is increasing.
The proposed budget and frequently asked questions are available at the library and on the website (saugertiespubliclibrary.org). People may also attend the budget public hearing at the library on Monday, August 8, at 6 p.m. Please contact Frank Rees, library director, at (845) 245-4300 for more information.
Cindy Saporito, president
Saugerties Library board of trustees
Like putting them in an oven
Every year, dogs suffer horribly and die when we make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car — even for “just a minute” — while we run an errand. Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs: On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in minutes.
We always think we will only be a minute in the store, but there may be a long line at the register, maybe you can’t find what you are looking for, you might encounter an old friend, you may trip or feel sick. Any number of unexpected reasons could delay you.
Even police officers have made this mistake. In 2015, 11 K-9 police dogs died as the result of being left in the vehicle on a sunny day and the air conditioner failed!
Leaving a dog in a car on a hot day is like putting them in an oven which, of course, you would never do. Don’t leave them in your car which could be as dangerous as a hot oven. It is also against the law to leave a companion pet in a hot car.
If you see a dog alone in a hot car call the police or 911. The police will rescue the dog.
Eli Kassirer
New Paltz
Tired of being harassed
I work and reside in “Friendly Saugerties” and I also happen to be an avid runner. When hitting the pavement, I abide by all of the pedestrian laws according to Article 27, Section 1156 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law regarding pedestrian safety, which states as follows:
Pedestrians on roadways.
(a) Where sidewalks are provided and they may be used with safety it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.
(b) Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall when practicable walk only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction. Upon the approach of any vehicle from the opposite direction, such pedestrian shall move as far to the left as is practicable.
The problem is that other pedestrians, bikers, and passersby are uneducated on this law and constantly harass me by yelling, that I’m “on the wrong side of the road.” I’ve discussed this matter with many of my peers who also run the same routes and they’ve experienced this exact problem.
The Village of Saugerties seems to be all about pedestrian safety with the recent installation of cobblestone crosswalks and upgraded crossing systems. However, residents and visitors who travel our roadways clearly aren’t aware of the laws regarding road sharing with pedestrians.
I always run on sidewalks when they are provided and when my runs expand to the outskirts of the village where sidewalks aren’t present, I run on the left side, against traffic and as far as possible inside the shoulder when vehicles are approaching, as the law states.
I’m tired of being harassed. I just want to enjoy my runs in peace without worrying whether or not the next person I pass is going to scream at me. Enough is enough, please spread the word and make an effort to resolve this issue!
Ashley Yarkin
Saugerties
Join the family! 
