Zena Homes delay
The Woodstock Zoning Board of Appeals has delayed a decision on an appeal of the town building inspector’s ruling in the proposed Zena Homes subdivision — likely until December. The ZBA asked the appellant, Woodstock Land Conservancy, for an extension. That organization agreed.
WLC is appealing a ruling from Woodstock building inspector Francis “Butch” Hoffman that Eastwoods Drive in Zena must be improved up to the same standards required as if the entire development were in Woodstock. The applicant should be subject to all the permitting and site plan review processes. WLC has argued the road should not be permitted at all because the development would not be allowed had it been proposed in Woodstock.
The proposed 30-lot development in the Town of Uster hinges on approval of improvements to Eastwoods Drive, the only practical access to the 106 acres of property in Ulster.
The appeal has halted further action by the Woodstock and Ulster planning boards.
The ZBA is set to deliberate on the matter at its November 14 meeting ahead of a possible December vote.
— Nick Henderson
Hurley’s 2025 budget: New ambulance district not included yet
Hurley lawmakers presented a $3.996-million general and highway budget with a combined 2.2 percent increase in the levies for both funds.
The total 2025 budget, with all special districts including lighting, library and fire, is $5.755 million, represents a 6.45 percent increase over 2024. The town board has no control over the fire and library districts, which are set by their own governing bodies.
Projected revenues for the special districts do not include the $450,000 to be collected for the establishment of the new ambulance district. “I did not put it on here until I know exactly how the county wants me to address it,” explained deputy supervisor and budget director John Perry.
Most spending hikes are related to salaries. Ninety percent of the increases in the budget are pay lines based on union negotiations, Perry said. “so when you when you see some of these percentages of increases, that is truly what is the largest increases of the budget.”
One item of $35,000 will pay for new accounting programs and education.
There are a few reductions. Perry is not taking a stipend for being deputy supervisor. “The job of a deputy supervisor is only to do the job as supervisor when the supervisor cannot do the job, barring illness, being out of town, God forbid, death,” Perry said. “And that was no reason to pay somebody to sit around waiting for that to happen.”
Perry said the general-tax levy of $848,141, an increase of $19,980, “shouldn’t be too much of a hurt in the pockets.”
A small increase in the levy provides funds for minor unforeseen contingencies.
“I’m a taxpayer for the town,” Perry said, “but if, God forbid, something happens and our people that work here can’t get paid because we don’t have the money coming in from other resources — it’s just unacceptable.”
— Nick Henderson
Repair Café returns to Woodstock
Bring your broken items to be fixed for free by repair volunteers at the Repair Café in Woodstock on Saturday, November 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Woodstock Community Center, 56 Rock City Road in Woodstock.
While your item is being repaired, you stay to watch, sometimes assist and ideally to learn. They work on jewelry, lamps, small appliances, electronics, wood items, furniture, clothing, knits, knife and tool sharpening. The café side will offer free coffee and tea, and baked treats and fruit for a donation.
This Repair Café Woodstock is a Woodstock Transition initiative and is sponsored by the Woodstock Environmental Commission. For more information, visit RepairCafeHV.org, or email RepairCafe@woodstock.org.
Join the family! 
