Recycling charge passed on to New Paltz customers
Customers are now seeing a new “recycling sustainability” charge on their invoices in the amount of $3.31.
All posts by Terence P. Ward
Halloween is a real treat in New Paltz
Dressing for Halloween in New Paltz carries a certain amount of pressure: it’s a big deal in town, with a giant parade sending participants out like tentacles to probe the nooks and crannies of the community in costumes ranging from the comical to the creepy. Selecting a costume when there’s going to be a big audience is tricky, but trying to predict how to dress with bad weather expected added an extra wrinkle this year around.
Seyfert-Lillis, Baer, Rosenkranse, Bacon, Walter and Delaune win in New Paltz
This year there were no intra-party contests in local New Paltz elections, and no contest higher than the county level to draw voters in. With Democrats holding a sizable majority, there weren’t even Republican challengers for the two town council seats, making the election effortless for incumbent Julie Seyfert-Lillis and newcomer Alexandria Baer. The same was true for county legislator Jim Delaune, who sailed to a sleepy victory, as did town clerk Rosanna Mazzaccari-Rosenkranse. In contested races, the Democrats beat their opponents handily: town justice James Bacon will be returned to the bench for another term, and Eve Walter will succeed Hector Rodriguez in the county legislature, rather than Donna Smith.
New Paltz considers loosening lawn cutting requirement
Having a “meadow” rather than a lawn would decrease resources needed for upkeep and help out pollinators, but some are concerned the result would be more ticks.
Last straw for New Paltz?
The strategy would be to simply expand the section of village law blocking plastic bags to include straws, as well.
Preliminary New Paltz town budget would carry 6.67% tax increase
The preliminary budget to be offered at the November 7 budget hearing will have money for trucks and technology, and some of what’s needed at the rescue squad.
Lack of parking in New Paltz continues to be a problem
New Paltz is a community caught between a push to design a more pedestrian-friendly community and a desire to make it easy for tourists to drive here since their dollars are desired but there’s no convenient public transportation.
Challenging white nationalism is topic of next “One New Paltz” book
The book being discussed, Rising Out of Hatred: the Awakening of a Former White Nationalist, recounts how Derek Black, heir apparent to the “largest racist web site in the world,” learned to question the beliefs he’d been taught his entire life and repudiate the movement. From November 3-9 a number of community events have been organized to provide opportunities to grok the message of dialog and redemption central to Black’s transformed thinking.
Preliminary New Paltz town budget would carry 5.3% tax increase
Even before New Paltz Town Supervisor Neil Bettez presented his preliminary 2020 budget, it was apparent that it was getting some resistance from town employees. Stacy Delarede, one of the town’s building inspectors, complained about cuts in her department while youth program staffers are slated to receive raises. The approach didn’t appear to sit well with the town supervisor.
Robert Lucchesi to become next New Paltz police chief
New Paltz Town Board members opted to conduct a solely internal search for the next police chief, and after interviewing two candidates, they have decided unanimously and enthusiastically to give the job to Robert Lucchesi, the current lieutenant. Chief Joseph Snyder is set to retire in April.
