A stand for equality
The Saugerties town board has gone on record as opposing racial and gender bias, and has asked all residents to do the same. “We make the pledge to only be involved in projects cleared of all color and gender bias, and will work to correct past actions that have had a negative impact on those of color,” the resolution states. Saugerties residents are asked “to join in treating each other with respect and work together in these trying times to overcome all expressions of hate and bigotry.”
The resolution was padded unanimously.
While some in the community feel that racial equality is no longer an issue, it was still an issue, Ivino said, and that was why he was bringing this motion forward.
Councilman John Schoonmaker, who had been to Washington the previous weekend at a march for criminal justice reform and racial equality, said the event had been inspiring, and the board’s resolution was needed. Schoonmaker noted that a group in Saugerties rallies every day to remind the public that the country still has a long way to reach real racial equality. He said the local police force could serve as an example for other police forces in the area of sensitivity to racial and economic issues.
Supervisor Fred Costello agreed. “The fight to make our country more perfect and more equal is certainly not over,” he said, “and we understand that we have to do better and see it through.” Costello praised the Saugerties police, “We are proud of the efforts that they have made,” he said. “Our department takes these issues very seriously, and they would not tolerate some of the things that are happening across the country.”
Costello praised Schoonmaker and Michael Ivino for the resolution. Councilwoman Leeanne Thornton said her four-year-old granddaughter, like other children her age, “do not see color.” As a teacher, Thornton has tried to instill that value in the children she has taught, she said.
Make paying taxes easier
Speaking to the town board September 2, Saugerties tax collector Julie Dunn described a new online software program that will allow taxpayers to pay their bills on line. “You can go online and view your bill, print your bill, pay your bill online,” Dunn said.”There are some convenience fees. We’re now taking credit cards again, which I know everybody has been asking for, and the convenience fee goes to the software company, it does not go to the town.” The fee is 2.95 percent for a Visa, MasterCard, Discover and debit card. Customers can also do an e-check or a bank-to-bank check for a flat fee of $1.05. The fees go to the provider of the software, Dunn said.
Dunn can send data to the banks electronically, “so homeowners will get their original bill and we will send a receipt once the banks pay.” Taxpayers will be able to handle all their bill payments online, “so you can sit at home and pay your bill and you can eliminate going out.”
Supervisor Fred Costello said he applauds Dunn for taking the initiative on these changes.
No sports, fewer dollars
The canceling of sports events brought on by the coronavirus has led to a shortfall in revenue to the town, Greg Chorvas reported at the regular town board meeting last week. Because of the limited amount of activity, fees for sporting events are down, he said. “As I told you, and as I told other members of the town board, we obviously put a hold on all equipment purchases that were budgeted and whatever shortfall we have, I anticipate that surplus moneys that are going to be available this year and also last year, will make up the difference,” said the parks superintendent. “The bottom line, based on these expenses, will be basically a wash, and we may actually have some surplus.”
With four sporting organizations that use the field, the town has earned some $3500 to $3800 in fees, Chorvas said. “Games can’t start until January 3, but non-contact practice can take place.”
Renewable energy contract
Joule Energy would provide electricity for customers in Saugerties through agreements that enable the company to negotiate electricity prices for a group of municipalities, leading to lower prices, Saugerties Supervisor Fred Costello said during last week’s town board meeting. The town would be part of a consortium that would both reduce the cost of electricity for residents and provide energy from renewable sources through a cooperative system called Community Choice Aggregation (CCA). Joule would administer the program on behalf of the consortium of towns.
“They have aggregated a number of our neighboring communities to go into the energy market on our behalf and seek energy-efficient deals,” Costello reported. “This program will reduce emissions and save money, and that’s unusual. In general you can do one or the other, but not both together.”
While CCAs can provide lower costs, not all these organizations are committed to seeking power provided from renewable sources, as has Joule. Joule Energy has formed consortia in the Hudson Valley, and is putting together a new consortium which Saugerties will join, Costello said.
Jeff Domanski, the executive director of Hudson Valley Energy, a non-profit that acts as the local partner for Joule, compared the consortium arrangement to a buying club. Individuals can opt out of the program any time they wish.
The discussion is ongoing, Costello said. “There will be many opportunities for dialogue as we move forward with Joule in the hope of achieving some energy savings and renewable energy.”
Library budget vote
The vote on the 2021 budget for the Saugerties Public Library will be on Tuesday, September 15. Polls will be open at the library from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the library’s lobby area. The library is asking that voters wear masks, Saugerties town councilperson Leeanne Thornton said.
Of the total proposed budget of $658,611, $617,796 is to be raised by taxes. The rest comes from gifts, donations, appropriated fund balance and various fees for services. The budget is down 2.48 percent from this year’s budget, Thornton said. Library attendance last year was more than 12,600. More than 13,000 use the library computers, she said.
The library has a new director, Jennifer Russell, who started just three weeks ago.
Animal shelter update
The Saugerties animal shelter, which is on the landfill property, is functioning well, councilman Mike Ivino told the Saugerties Town Board September 2. Councilman John Schoonmaker said raffle tickets for funding for the shelter are still available, and they can be bought at the animal shelter, Mowers and More, Smith’s Hardware, Brier Pet Feed and Quick Stop by Whittier, among others. Fundraising for the new building at the shelter is going along well, but contributions are still needed and welcome.
Intake and revenue are up at the Saugerties transfer station, Michael Ivino said. He expects to meet with highway superintendent Douglas Myer to develop plans for increasing composting at the landfill, he said.
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