Multi-media artist Kelli Bickman has created a new mural on the side of the Odd Fellows Hall on Main Street in Saugerties to replace the one that was damaged during a windstorm. The mural installed on July 21 is completely different from the original. The village name, Saugerties, is painted in large type across the top. Inside, a starry sky stretches over a yellow leaf above a blue sky with the words “Strong Together” at the bottom.
Kim Kiniry, a contractor shut down last November following complaints from neighbors of noise and dust; is once more in front of the town planning board in Saugerties seeking approval of an amended site plan.
Saugerties has long been considering joining a consortium called Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) to reduce the cost of electricity for residents and provide energy from renewable sources. Now the town’s Climate Smart Committee is ready to make a recommendation, supervisor Fred Costello said at the regular town board meeting July 15.
The auction of the street art gracing Saugerties streets is set for September 19, according to village trustee Jeannine Mayer. The location of the auction, which for several years has been held at the Saugerties Performing Arts Factory [SPAF], has yet to be determined.
Speaking at a meeting of the Saugerties Village Board, a resident expressed worries the events could cause another local outbreak. But local officials say the shows are following regulations.
“Ulster Avenue is like a racetrack,” Kayla Nadal said at the regular Saugerties Village Board meeting on July 6. “From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. people, especially the younger generation, attempt to beat the red light. Sitting on my front porch with my husband, who is a volunteer firefighter, we are both afraid that somebody is going to get seriously hurt or killed. And the amount of people walking on Ulster Avenue — what can be done before somebody really does get hurt?”
A traditional summer highlight in Saugerties has been the annual July 4 parade, with participation from fire departments around Ulster County and floats from many community organizations. The coronavirus pandemic, however, forced the event to be split among the various fire departments within Saugerties, and to travel to all the hamlets, a run of about 31 miles.
Saugerties High School principal Thomas Averill played two roles at the June 26 commencement. As the school principal he presided
As hotelier and horse show operator Tom Struzzieri looks to the immediate future, he sees some relief from the strict regulations brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Shady Lane, at the entrance to the Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, draws visitors on pleasant summer days. The preserve does not have a parking lot, however, and visitors park along Shady Lane and Appletree Drive, sometimes crossing over residents’ lawns and blocking the roads.