New road could be named by member of the public
It was once just a long driveway off of Huguenot Street to the Village of New Paltz’s sewer plant, but that unnamed stretch of pavement is now also used to access community gardens, the bank of the Wallkill, the Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary and the only free public parking left in the village. Mayor Tim Rogers announced plans at the October 23 village board meeting to dedicate it as a road — which means that it will now need a name.
Rogers acknowledged that, following on the success of naming plow trucks, submissions from the public will likely be accepted for naming this road. Given its historical role of providing access to compost and other materials, the mayor added that submissions which stink of bathroom humor or are otherwise deemed inappropriate would be flushed while narrowing down the list for some kind of vote.
Funding from the state Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program is apportioned in part based on the linear feet of public roads in a municipality
— Terence P Ward
Baby, it’s dry outside
Climate is always changing, and this year there’s not been much rain recently. With more and more dry leaves accumulating underfoot and no precipitation expected for at least a couple of weeks, burn bans are a topic of conversation around the region. There are presently bans on setting fires in eight Ulster County towns, including New Paltz, Gardiner, Rosendale, and Woodstock. A county burn ban is not being contemplated at this time.
— Terence P Ward
Getting the lead out
Efforts to ensure that there’s no remaining trace of lead in any New Paltz water pipe, public or private, has been kicked into high gear since federal officials imposed that as a nationwide requirement this year. There’s definitely no lead pipes in the municipal conveyance system, but it’s possible that some of the lines connecting buildings to that system could still contain lead, since they are privately owned and — until now — not subject to close regulation. Village officials are all in on providing this health assurance to residents.
Mayor Tim Rogers is confident that if any lead is discovered during the investigation phase, it will be very little. The new rules require that this confidence be backed up with documentation, and a grant of $192,000 is being used to pay for a survey for every village pipe. The first required annual report on progress toward confirming the absence of lead has already been submitted. Property owners are being asked to report any evidence of lead, and public works employees have been trained to identify and report lead that is observed whenever they are working on private property, such as to replace water meters.
Nationwide, it’s believed that up to nine-million homes may still contain some lead pipes, with a disproportionate amount in lower-income communities. Children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning.
— Terence P Ward
Solar bid delay
Village of New Paltz officials are pushing back the bid period for installing solar panels on the firehouse roof. It’s become clear that contractors will need more details about the roof material, and how the panels must be secured thereto. There’s also the possibility of a county grant being awarded in December that could help fund this project.
The first day for accepting bids will now be November 15, not October 24. Mayor Tim Rogers said that efforts are also being made to publicize this request for proposals more widely.
— Terence P Ward
No speed cameras coming to New Paltz
State law now makes it possible to install speed cameras in school zones, but that’s not possible in New Paltz because there are no school zones. The signage on the two state roads bordering the middle school is not enough to fit the legal definition of a school zone. While trustees did not express any opinion at their October 23 meeting about whether they’d like to see cameras installed, Mayor Tim Rogers is going to ask the head of the local state transportation region if it’s feasible even to ask for that designation. DOT officials have long stymied requests for other safety improvements on state roads through New Paltz, such as lowering speed limits or adding more crosswalks.
— Terence P Ward
Public hearing on preliminary budget
The public hearings on the 2025 preliminary Town of New Paltz budget and the tax cap override law will be continued at the next town board meeting on Thursday, November 7 at 7 p.m. For additional information, visit www.townofnewpaltz.org.
Leaf pick-up in the Village if New Paltz
The Village of New Paltz will begin its annual leaf pick-up throughout the village on November 4 for a two-week period. Pick-up will take place on the north side on November 4-8. The south side will be serviced on November 11-15.
If bagging leaves, only biodegradable bags will be accepted. Bagged or loose leaves only should be placed at curbside. Biodegradable bags can be purchased from the Village of New Paltz at 25 Plattekill Avenue, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the price of $2.50 per five pack.
Ecumenical prayer vigil for the election
An ecumenical prayer vigil for the election will take place on Sunday, November 3 from 4 to 5 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Church, located at 163 Main Street in New Paltz, with an online option available at standrewnp.org. Many local churches and SUNY New Paltz Christian organizations of diverse theological perspectives will be represented.
The goal is to pray together for the wellbeing of our nation, our state and our community. As Abraham Lincoln said, “My concern is not whether God is on our side. My greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”
Retirees to meet on November 4
Retirees of the New Paltz Community invite retired men and women everywhere to the monthly breakfast meeting on Monday, November 4, 8 a.m., at the New Paltz Plaza Diner.
Jack Parry, a retired health physicist and baseball enthusiast, will talk about his visits to 30 major league baseball parks.
For additional information, contact Ed Rogers at 845-255-7420.
Join the family! 
