eNEWS
 
 
 

 eNEWS
 2006
 
 THE LATEST BULLETIN WILL ALWAYS APPEAR ON TOP
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Once again we need your help to let the ZBA be aware that we care about our town.   

March 19, 2006

SCHAEFER TO STEP DOWN
In a speech at a joint organizational meeting tonight of the KNGG Board of Directors and the KNGG Advisory committee, Allen Schaefer, President of KNGG advised members the following:

Come this April, I will have been KNGG’s president for nearly four years. It has been quite a learning experience for me. In the course of pursuing KNGG’s goal I have met many talented people and have made many new friends. My new career is now taking more and more of my time each day. Since I feel that I can not give the time to KNGG that I have in the past, on January 22, 2006, I turned in my resignation to the KNGG Board of Directors to become effective April 1, 2006. It is now time for me to step down and let young blood take the reins.

KNGG in these four years has become an important part of our community. It is the only nongovernmental organization designed to keep an eye on pending growth. Our Mission Statement declares,

“Kinderhook Neighbors for Good Growth is dedicated to preserving the character, economy and quality of life of the Town of Kinderhook by assuring that land use and development proceed in a responsible manner that results in benefits for all residents.”

It continues, “We seek to maintain an optimum balance of agricultural lands, economic infrastructure, low-density residential development, public recreation areas, and historical architecture. KNGG is concerned about the impact of sprawl type development that creates heavy traffic, safety and environmental problems, destroys natural beauty and diminishes the quality of life for everyone throughout the community.”

It is most important that we continue to support KNGG and its mission. I ask you to join me in supporting the Board of Directors in carrying out the KNGG Mission.

The KNGG Mission Statement is eloquently written, yet its expectations will not happen without your involvement. We need you to get involved, join a KNGG committee. Become a member of the Fund Raising Committee or the Advisory Committee. Volunteer to join the Board of Directors. More than anything, KNGG needs your support by joining in and helping with the task.

The KNGG Board of Directors is in the process of selecting new members and organizing an executive committee. In the interim, Abbey Cash and Sue Chiafullo will co-chair the Board.

KEATING NAMED TO BOARD

Lifetime Kinderhook resident Christopher Keating was nominated to the KNGG Board of Directors tonight. Keating has been a KNGG member for approximately three years. As a computer consultant he will be a great asset to the organization, Keating will take over the KNGG web site from April 1st. We welcome Christopher Keating to the Board.

MARCH 12, 2006

Dear Members and Friends of KNGG:

LET’S MAKE A DEAL!

As many of you may know, I have joined Prudential Manor Homes, Realtors in Kinderhook. KNGG is always looking for innovative ways of earning money. Here is my offer:

For every client you bring/send me, I will donate $100 to KNGG when the deal closes. This client could be a seller or a buyer. If they are selling a property and buying another KNGG will get $200, $100 after each closing.

To help KNGG financially, when you refer a friend, neighbor, relative or co-worker to me and we close the deal, KNGG will benefit - A WIN, WIN for KNGG!

You can reach me at my home office – 758-8337

To e-mail me regarding this offer, please respond to AllenSchaefer_424@berk.com

Best wishes,

Allen Schaefer
 

FoH Forum to Explore Local Energy Alternatives

On Saturday, March 18, Friends of Hudson will bring together a panel of experts for a public discussion of "Alternative Energies for Municipalities: Exploring the Possibilities." A special edition of a speaker series devoted to various facets of the organization's expanded mission, the forum will take place from 1:00 to 4 p.m. at St. Mary's Academy Gymnasium in Hudson (corner of 3rd and Allen Streets). Following the program there will be an informal gathering for food and drink at Maxie's Bistro, 20 Front Street, Hudson.

Admission to the energy alternatives forum is $5. Reservations are recommended. For further information or to make reservations, call Sue Bellinger at 518-822-0334. Friends of Hudson's office hours are 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Panelist biographies can be found at www.friendsofhudson.com/news.html

Contact Susan Falzon 822-0334

Christopher H. Reed
(518) 672-7743
chr@capital.net
 

March 1, 2006

Village of Kinderhook ZBA Workshop and Public Hearing

February 27, 2006

The agenda for the evening was a Workshop at 7:00 PM and a Public Hearing for two variances scheduled at 7:30 PM.

The Variances were requested by Mrs. Knauss who is the owner of 8 Hudson Street so she may rent office space to Certified Marketing Services.

At the beginning of the Workshop, Bill Van Alstyne, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, accused KNGG of distributing false information such as a request for a change of use permit for the inclusion of a shipping operation.

Village resident Amy Sample researched the Village Planning Board Minutes going back for one year. She discovered that according to the minutes of September 1, 2005 meeting, the Planning Board had a discussion of a shipping operation at 8 Hudson Street and a change of use. This was referenced to a previous discussion of September of 2004. The September 1st minutes were unclear and misleading. Having requested a copy of the variance applications, they were not forth coming in time for KNGG to make any corrections to its announcement about the hearing.

None the less, the audience was certainly interested in the procedures and took part in commenting.

Van Alstyne went on to address the concerns of the near capacity audience. He should be commended for taking the time to explain the agenda and his patience in answering several questions of concern from the audience, many of whom were new to the process. The ZBA and its attorney were understanding and took time to explain the process and also answered questions not related to the two variance applications, but to Certified Marketing Services occupying office space in a building for one year without a Certificate of Occupancy. The question is why Certified was allowed to occupy the space without prior approval.

Although several of the concerns aired were valid in his view, Van Alstyne explained that they are part of the site plan review process being handled by the Village Planning Board and not a part of that evening’s ZBA agenda. Van Alstyne pointed out that the only things under discussion for the evening would be items related to the two variance applications. ZBA member Sara Richards must be commended for clarification of the issues.

Variances applied for by Mrs. Knauss, the owner of 8 Hudson Street:

Number of parking spaces requested by the applicant is not enough for the square footage occupied by Certified, Caldwell Banker and the apartments in the building. Mrs. Knauss requested less spaces than what is required per square feet by the code.

To begin, Bill Van Alstyne read a letter addressed to the ZBA from Elizabeth Barrows who owns the property adjacent to the parking lot and has various concerns.

Others voiced their concern that if not enough parking spaces are allotted that there would be spill over into the streets. It was pointed out that already it is difficult to find a parking space on Hudson Street in front of Caldwell Banker and Prudential Manor Homes offices during business hours.

Some asked that the number of employees in the building be limited to prevent overcrowding of the parking area. It was pointed out that Certified could have up to 16 employees in the building as allowed by the fire code. The ZBA said that it was not their call to limit the amount of workers allowed in the building.

There seemed to be a lot of distrust among audience members towards Certified. They said that Certified hadn’t played fairly in the past.

A request by the applicant that the requirement of the code to pave the parking lot and to line it be waived

Both variances were approved but with some restrictions and/or recommendations to the Planning Board to address. The ZBA required that some blacktopping and some lining as well as handicap spaces should marked.

However it was not clear what other restrictions would be required and what would be passed to the planning board for further action.

For example, Mrs. Barrows had pointed out in her letter that the parking lot snow plows had damaged her fencing (along the property line) which now needs repair and since she had placed the fence within her property line to protect her privacy from the lot, the fence should now be moved into the lot along property line (within the 8 Hudson Street property).

For example, The ZBA recommended a system by which the cars in the lot could be identified as having permission to park there, such as a sticker system. The question of enforcement is an issue.

The ZBA tried to do what was reasonable for Mrs. Knauss and yet protect the public and surrounding property owners such as Mrs. Barrows

FEBRUARY 24, 2006

LaFarge Cement and Kinderhook
As you may be aware, the Lafarge Cement Plant, located just across the Hudson River in Ravena, is only 9.2 miles from the Village of Kinderhook's traffic light. Lafarge has requested a permit from the DEC to burn tires as fuel in this plant. From previous studies in other areas, it has been determined that chemicals produced by this burning can be detrimental to out health. KNGG and Friends of Hudson have voiced opposition to this permit with Friends of Hudson taking the lead. KNGG and the Town of Kinderhook have both become "interested parties."

RESPONSE FROM THE DEC
Lafarge Cement applied for a permit to burn tires as fuel in place of 25% of coal at its cement plant in Ravena NY. Friends of Hudson submitted comments in opposition to the Draft Permit.

Yesterday Friends of Hudson received a letter from the DEC announcing that they have prepared a response to comments ("Responsiveness Summary") made during the Lafarge Public Comment Period which closed on October 3, 2005. We've been advised that this letter was sent to every person who submitted comments on Lafarge.

The Responsiveness Summary is 92 pages, but actual responses and references cover about 83 pages.

It can be accessed on the DEC website:
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dar/boss/afs/lafargertc.pdf

FoH attorney Jeff Bake and Director Susan Falzone are reading through and digesting the implications of each substantive response. This document is an indication of how, if at all, DEC will modify the Draft Permit when they issue a Permit. On cursory reading it appears that the DEC is prepared to issue the Permit from the Draft Permit without significant modifications to the Draft. However we will know more definitively when we review the finalized Draft Permit.

The DEC has prepared a finalized Draft Permit and, in accordance with regulations, has sent it to the EPA for review. The EPA has 45 days in which to comment.

Friends of Hudson has submitted a FOIL for the Draft Permit, which we expect to receive quickly. FoH attorneys and technical experts will review it along with the comments we submitted during the comment period.

FoH expects to complete the review and have written comments to the EPA within two weeks. The EPA response will determine FoH's next steps. Falzone said, "If the EPA supports the FoH position then the DEC will have to change the Draft Permit. If not, our recourse will be legal action."

Falzone continued, "As always, taking action on critical issues such as this will require support from our members and other interested parties. The costs of this campaign will not reach anywhere near the level of costs for SLC, but we still need to pay considerable fees for the best technical and legal expertise. Public support and vocal opposition along with the highest level of expertise distinguished us from most other citizen groups. If we are to engage in the Lafarge issue we need the same level of support and expertise. Now is as good a time as any for you to make a contribution (or an additional contribution) to help defray the costs of pursuing a satisfactory resolution to this tire burning proposal."

KNGG has built a LaFarge Cement chapter in its website
There is also some interesting research noted on the site.
You can access this at www.kngg.org
Go to LaFarge in the index to the left.

IN THE NEWS TODAY

The Register-Star - Page one
KINDERHOOK - Town seeks to have builder fined
Quail Run, Bonnie Lea Homes at issue

The INDEPENDENT - Page One
Kinderhook takes developer to court
Town files formal complaint against Marcel St. Onge

FEBRUARY 24, 2006

KNGG Members & Friends are invited to the
Friends of Hudson Open Office with JAMES SHELDON

Sunday March 5th - 10:00 AM until Noon.
611 Warren Street -2nd Floor
Hudson

Topic: The Cost of Sprawl
James Sheldon's talks and columns have given us a better understanding of the financial burdens to individuals and communities that result from unmanaged growth and development.

Many have heard James or heard about him. For those who don't know him, here is a bio from his website, Little Town Views http://www.littletownviews.com/james.html

James Sheldon began his career as a news reporter covering local politics and land use issues in eastern Long Island in the late 1970s. After stints as a journalist and financial writer in Europe and the U.S., he joined the investment business where he has worked for nearly 20 years researching various industries around the world and managing global equity portfolios. He managed investments for Alliance Capital, Lazard Freres, Omega Advisors, and Oppenheimer Capital. He founded his own investment firm, Orchard Capital Advisors, in 2000.

Since 2003 James and his family have lived fulltime in the Town of Gallatin in Columbia County, New York. His monthly column on local land use and finance issues "Views From Gallatin," also appears in The Independent and The Millerton News. James holds an M.B.A. degree from Columbia University and serves on the Investment Committee of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

SPRAWL BREEDS SPRAWL
WIDEWATERS + CVS + MCDONALD’S + STEWART’S + DUNKIN' DONUTS
= TOO MUCH SPRAWL for KINDERHOOK

FEBRUARY 22, 2007

SHIPPING CENTER for VILLAGE of KINDERHOOK ?
Certified Marketing Services, which operates out of the building to the right of the Post Office in the Village of Kinderhook, has moved some offices WITHOUT APPROVAL into what was a restaurant at 8 Hudson Street. The usage approved for this space is for a restaurant. Here's the big catch --- Certified Marketing Services have requested a variance to change the usage (after the fact) to not only office space but to a shipping center as well.

A shipping center? In the historic zone in the historic village of Kinderhook? The historic zone of the Village of Kinderhook is not the right place for a shipping center. However moderate it may be at this time, any good business person would hope to grow their business, as this company is doing now. What exactly will the impact be?

Little by little we have seen offices in historic buildings expand into green space and green space given over to black top parking lots. Enough is enough! Little by little an unplanned change is coming over this part of the village.

Our zoning laws seem to have little effect on some businesses in the area. Certified Marketing Services (a tenant at 8 Hudson St.) has been occupying the space since February 2005, a whole year without the proper approvals/permits.

What can YOU do?
Please come out to the Public Hearing on February 27. Tell the ZBA how you feel and what you believe the ZBA's responsibilities are in protecting the historic zone and community. Request the ZBA to turn this variance down. Keep the historic zone historic.

Zoning Variance and Change of Use Requests

For Tenant of 8 Hudson Street
Public Hearing – Monday, February 27, 2006 – 7:00 PM
Kinderhook Village Hall
 

Summary of Requests

1. Change of Use from Restaurant to Shipping Center and Office Space
2. Building Permit
3. Certificate of Occupancy
4. Variances for parking, paving, striping, and handicap striping

Note that Tenant (Certified Marketing Services) has been occupying the space since February 2005 (One whole year) without the above approvals/permits.

Questions/Issues

1. A Certificate of Occupancy is necessary for liability insurance. In the event of damage/injury caused by negligence of owner or tenant, what is the impact on neighboring properties, Village, etc.?

2. What is the impact of the proposed Shipping Center?
a. number/type of trucks
b. hours of operation
c. replace nighttime trucking across the street at 7 Hudson?

3. What is the impact on total parking for all tenants and employees at 2, 4, 6, and 8 Hudson Street and 5, 7, and 9 Hudson Street?

4. Will these variances be enough to accommodate the long term expansion of Certified Reports and Certified Marketing Services?

FEBRUARY 20, 2006

KNGG Related Issues in Today's Papers

In Today's Register-Star - Page One

Village of Valatie Code Book To Be Streamlined Into Efficient Electronic Format

In Today's Independent - Page One

Kinderhook Demands Detailed Home Study
Town questions effects of Village (Valatie) annexation plan
A full environmental impact statement will be required of the Anthony Buono plan to expand the Village of Valatie by annexing land from the Town of Kinderhook

Inside on Page 5
Chatham to Reconsider Zoning Amendments

CVS Hearing at Town ZBA April 6th
For details please see the new page for CVS on our web site under CURRENT ISSUES
www.KNGG.org

FEBRUARY 19, 2006

Opportunity Way
CVS

LETTER TO THE SUPERVISOR

Having read the article in the Register-Star regarding the use of two buildings the Town inheriting from the State on Opportunity Way (off of State Farm Road near the new Town Park), I sent the following e-mail to Town Supervisor Doug McGivney.
 

February 16, 2005

Doug:

I've just read just the article in the R-S about the buildings on Opportunity Way. My first thought was, "Oh josh, not higher taxes!" Then I thought that Opportunity Way could present what the area needs and what politicians (Simonsmeier for one) have been promising which is affordable senior housing apartments. My aunt lives in just this sort of building in Connecticut. It was converted from an envelope factory into likeable apartments. And she has high ceilings as well.

Also, there seems to be a need for commercial office space which could prevent more historic residential buildings from being taken over for commercial purposes and from eating up historic village land for parking. Perhaps the rental fees for the commercial offices could offset the cost of the senior housing.

But most important, there needs to be a professional study done so we don't create a white elephant for the town. (Hence higher taxes)

Best wishes,
Allen Schaefer

IN RESPONSE – Supervisor McGivney wrote:

February 17,2005

Allen,

Thanks for your thoughts.

Many ideas were surfaced at the informational hearing Monday night. I am not sure the buildings are suitable for senior housing- but the seniors are happy about just having a meeting place. Other ideas were, Library (Valatie's is too small and building may be unstable) Day Care; Offices, of course.

One idea was to have architects respond to a Request for Information - by which they give us ideas as to the best utilization - within the law.

I see the water tower as a revenue source for rent to cell phone companies.

Doug (McGivney)

LESS OPPORTUNISTIC and MORE WESTERLY ON STATE FARM RD
THE CVS PROPOSAL

In many respects the Town is working to preserve our rural and historic settings, such as:
1. Amending the Zoning Code to restrict the big box buildings to less than 40,000 square feet.
2. Enforcing the code regarding the size of commercial signage such as with the Sunoco Sign on US9. (After a two year struggle, the sign has been replaced with one allowed by code.)
3. Working to preserve the buildings on Opportunity Road mentioned above.

In other respects the concept seems to be forgotten.

Moving west on State Farm Road to the intersection with US9, NY 9H and the entrance to Widewaters’ “shopping plaza,” we see proposed visuals for a CVS drugstore to be built on roundabout just north of Four Brothers Restaurant.

From the visual published in the R-S this past Friday, the building looks as though it were picked up by a giant crane in Greenport and dropped at the roundabout in Kinderhook. Aesthetically, it doesn’t fit. The code states that the new commercial buildings are not to be branded. The building appears like all CVS buildings I have ever seen. The sides are gigantic flat walls like those in Greenport.

The paper says the Planning Board is trying to find a way to break up this mass (so it won’t look so offensive, like a brick wall). How about windows? Historic shops had windows, quite often bay windows with displays.

The visual looks as though the building will be close to State Farm Road with only a sidewalk between it and a large massive wall with parking to the rear. The people walking along State farm Road and US9 should have windows to window shop. Come on, let’s dress it up. We don’t want it to look like the blank walls across the street at Widewaters.

What about lighting? Bay windows would not only break up the massive structure but would also offer some light to help one find their way at night. How about some gas lanterns fueled by electricity?

A MATTER OF TRAFFIC

Once again we come across the serious matter of traffic with regards to this complicated intersection. The Dunkin’ Donuts traffic report was based on the Widewaters report and Widewaters still isn’t complete and not all shops including the anchor store are operating. And the fact that the Widewaters’ traffic report was incomplete because they were not required to do a morning traffic study.

As we all know, morning is when the school busses at Ichabod Crane Schools, just south of the roundabout, are in and out. Dunkin’ Donuts busiest time is expected to be in the morning rush as well.

So now CVS wants to base their report on the Dunkin’ Donuts “report/study” which to our estimation is questionable in itself.

CVS needs to get out on these roads now that the roundabout is running do a study, estimate the increase in traffic for when Widewaters is fully operational and Dunkin’ Donuts is operational and for themselves as well. CVS has not demonstrated to the Planning Board that which is required; a complete study, morning, afternoon and evening.

WHEN IN ROME

The CVS proposal is before the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) and a hearing is scheduled for April 6. The Kinderhook Zoning Code requires X amount of parking spaces per X amount of square feet in retail buildings. CVS doesn’t want to comply with the code because they’d be required to purchase additional land for the parking.

The CVS attorney had the audacity to state that the code is incorrect and that CVS doesn’t need the additional parking spaces and that other communities do not require so many spaces.

One wonders if this attorney has ever visited the Greenport CVS. At certain times of the day and days of the week it is almost impossible to find a space at this location.

In this respect, there is nothing wrong with the Kinderhook Code except that it is not convenient for CVS. When in Kinderhook, we expect CVS to abide by the Kinderhook Code.

Let’s hope that the ZBA will stick to the code and not give CVS a variance. How can we encourage the ZBA? We need to get out to the hearing at Town Hall on April 6th, 7:00PM and speak up.

Allen Schaefer

FEBRUARY 3, 2006

MEETING THE KINDERHOOK CODE WOULD CREATE
A SEA OF PARKING SAYS CVS

By Abbey Block Cash, KNGG Board Member

At the regularly scheduled Town of Kinderhook ZBA meeting held on Thursday evening, February 2, 2006, the Board agreed to hear the variance application brought by CVS. This was allowed even though it was received by the Board on January 27, and did not meet the ZBA’s requirement for the application to be in their hands ten days prior to be placed on the agenda, which would have been made available to the public. This fell short by at least four days of the ten day requirement.

The request for a variance was proffered by the CVS Attorney Paul Freeman who explained that the new 9000 square foot store to be located at the edge of the Kinderhook roundabout is required by the zoning code to have 90 spaces. However, CVS contends that this amount is unreasonable and, according to his research and that of CVS’ paid consultants, most communities require fewer. The number of parking spaces is based upon the square footage of the store, and the Kinderhook code requires 1 parking space for every 100 square feet. According to another study found by CVS consultants from the “Transportation Institute”, this type of building should only require 72 spaces (within a margin of error of 25%).

Implicit in the CVS argument is that the Kinderhook Zoning Code is wrong.

Freeman explained that CVS has an option to buy additional land, which will make the request for any additional variances, other than the one for parking, unnecessary. However, when a ZBA Board member asked if there was enough additional land to enable CVS to build the required 90 spaces and not have to ask for a variance, a spokesman accompanying Freeman agreed that there was up to 23 additional acres. He added that they would rather not have to buy this additional land. “Meeting the Kinderhook code would create a sea of parking” Freeman retorted. They considered this to be unnecessary, even though they thought the enterprise would be very successful and attract many shoppers.

The ZBA accepted the application as complete and paid. The Public Hearing was set for April 6 at the Town Hall at 7:10 P.M.

It is clear that CVS is seeking a variance and thereby looking to change the Kinderhook Code in order not to spend the extra money for the additional land, even though it is available, and would make the request for a variance unnecessary.

(Variations on Widewaters’ theme?)

In other official business, an individual from the National Union Bank of Kinderhook, also represented by Attorney Paul Freeman, was told that they could not apply for a variance for additional sign footage, as it is Widewater’s responsibility. According to the representative, Widewaters gave away too much signage to other tenants, which left them with too little. They would like a variance so that they could have additional advertising space, despite the fact that this is limited by our code. Large and excessive signage is generally viewed as an assault on the natural environment. They will, no doubt, be back or grieve through Widewaters.

KNGG urges you to be available to attend the April 6 meeting
to impress on the ZBA that zoning codes ARE NOT to be written by developers “de facto” through the granting of variances. Please mark the date on your calendar and be prepared to speak or just attend. Lets not condone sprawl in Kinderhook by remaining silent.

This’ll be a double feature starring CVS and Widewaters. So you thought you heard the last of Widewaters? Guess again!

WIDEWATERS + CVS + MCDONALD’S + STEWART’S + DUNKIN' DONUTS
= TOO MUCH SPRAWL FOR KINDERHOOK.

NEXT ANNEXATION/SUBDIVISION HEARING
This coming Monday, February 6th 7:00 PM at Town Hall, Niverville

Come and speak up! Come to observe. Your presence counts.
Or the developers will own Kinderhook and Valatie.

The annexation is nothing but a ploy to get around the zoning laws.

For more information on this, visit www.kngg.org on the web And go to “ANNEXATIONS/SUBDIVISIONS.”

FEBRUARY 2, 2006

THE NEXT KINDERHOOK ANNEXATION HEARING

Monday - February 6 at 7:00PM - Town Hall, Niverville
This is the hearing originally scheduled for January 17, but cancelled due snow.

To know more about the Kinderhook Annexations Proposals
Go to ANNEXATIONS/SUBDIVISION - Click on "Articles."

See you there!

JANUARY 31, 2006

CVS at ZBA Thursday

CVS is expected to appear at the Town ZBA Thursday evening February 2nd, 7:00 PM at Town Hall. We say “expected” because they have not given the ZBA the 10 day notice required to be heard by the ZBA. KNGG believes that the ZBA should not hear CVS because the public will not have been given sufficient notice and the ZBA will not have had time to review their request for a variance. Usually a vote is not taken on first hearing. We have been lead to believe that if CVS turns up with an attorney, they will be heard. Not fair to those who cannot afford an attorney and not fair to the public.

CVS is requesting a variance to have fewer parking spaces than required by the Kinderhook Town Zoning Code. They claim that the amount of spaces they propose to provide are adequate in other locations. That is not the point. The point is that we have a zoning code written by the people of Kinderhook. It should be honored, not rewritten by CVS for their own selfish reasons.

If a variance is granted to CVS, the project will most probably be approved.

The following is a list of coming offerings by Friends of Hudson:

Thursday, February 2 at 7 PM
Film, Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom and Pop
Columbia-Greene Community College
Main Building Room 206
No admission charge

FoH and Hawthorne Valley Association are co-sponsoring this screening of a documentary that follows two former network news journalists, husband-and-wife team Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes, who endeavor to make a 13,000 mile, 55 day trip to some of the most scenic, least traveled corners of the country - without setting one tire on an Interstate highway - without setting one foot inside a corporate chain restaurant, motel, or store.

Thursday February 16, 7 PM
Monthly Speaker Series
FoH office
611 Warren Street, 2nd floor

"SEQRA 101"
A presentation by FoH's attorney Jeff Baker.
Jeff will speak about the basic SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) process and how the public can be involved in it. Seating is limited so reservations are required.

FoH Monthly Open Office for Members
611 Warren Street, 2nd floor
February 25 James Sheldon will join us for a conversation on the costs of sprawl.

Saturday, March 18, 2 PM
Monthly Speaker Series
St. Mary's Academy Gym
3rd and Allen Streets, Hudson

Panel on Alternative Energy for Municipalities
Panelists to be announced.
This panel is a departure from our standard Thursday night speaker series. We are scheduling it in a larger space and holding it on a Saturday to accommodate more people. There will be a small admission charge.

JANUARY 17, 2006

Annexation could be approved by April, pending Town Code Changes

Planning Board Chairman Against Annexation

By Joe Prout, The Register-Star, January 17, 2005

The new chairman of the Kinderhook Town Planning Board wasted no time coming out against annexation.

Gerry Minot-Scheuermann, installed into the Planning Board head position in December, waited until the first official town meeting in January to unveil his stance against the concept of moving borders of Kinderhook’s three municipalities.

Minot-Scheuermann announced his personal opinions at a time when the matter is up for debate with two proposals set to take land from the town of Kinderhook to put in the village of Valatie.

“In a way it’s a slap in the face of the code and comprehensive plan,” Minot-Scheuermann told the Town Board. He would also say: “The general concept I oppose.”

TO SEE FULL ARTICLE:
GO TO ANNEXATION/SUBDIVISION on this site - CLICK ON "Updates."
 

JANUARY 6, 2006

An invitation from Friends of Hudson

For Immediate Release, January 6, 2006
Contact Susan Falzon 822-0334 or 229-9611
Open Government Evening at FoH

On Thursday, January 12 at 7PM, Robert Freeman, Executive Director of the Committee on Open Government, New York Department of State, will speak at Friends of Hudson, 611 Warren Street, 2nd Floor, Hudson. The talk is entitled, "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Law But Were Afraid to Ask."

The open government presentation is the second of a new series addressing a variety of issues pertaining to Friends of Hudson’s mission. Upcoming evenings will be devoted to air quality and public health, incorporating sustainable technologies, building local food systems, working toward a strong regional economy, containing sprawl, and related topics.

“The idea for this evening,” according to Susan Falzon, Executive Director of Friends of Hudson, “came from recent experiences of citizens unsure of their rights when it comes to obtaining information from their government on issues of public importance. Many officials, including their legal advisers, also seem uninformed of what their obligations are under the law. This presentation will help focus attention on improving government transparency and citizen participation.”

Robert Freeman has more than 30 years experience as an expert on open government. He lectures and consults widely on questions of what constitutes public information in New York State. The Committee on Open Government is responsible for "overseeing and advising with regard to the Freedom of Information, Open Meetings and Personal Privacy Protection Laws."
The Committee on Open Government (COG) has helped countless numbers of people understand their rights under these laws. The COG website alone has received more than a million hits in a 9-month period, most of them first time hits, most from regular citizens looking for information on their own behalf. The website address is http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/coogwww.html

After brief introductory remarks, Mr. Freeman will answer any questions or discuss issues raised by the audience. The format will be especially useful to those who are currently dealing with town boards, planning boards, zoning boards, tax assessors, and state government agencies.

The lecture series is one of a growing number of tools Friends of Hudson is using to engage its membership and develop skills in effective citizenship. “Our approach as an organization,” said Falzon, “can be summarized as education leading to action. It’s a process where we need to continually challenge ourselves and others to become more knowledgeable and effective as citizens in pursuit of shared goals.”
Friends of Hudson is a grassroots organization whose mission is to ensure a healthy, sustainable and fulfilling quality of life for the region’s economically and culturally diverse population. Since the denial by the NY Department of State of St. Lawrence Cement’s application to build a colossal coal-fired facility in Hudson/Greenport in April of last year, FoH has identified three program areas advancing its new mission: 1) controlling regional sprawl, 2) improving air quality and 3) revitalizing Hudson’s waterfront through community-based planning and model development.

The monthly lecture events are free for members. Due to limited seating, reservations are required. To reserve a place, call Sue Bellinger at 822-0334. Interested non-members can join the organization by phone or in person up to and including the night of the event.

The first lecture, held in early December, was an in-depth presentation “Understanding Sprawl” by Todd Fabozzi of the Capital District Regional Planning Commission. This evening provided conceptual underpinnings for a 2006 FoH initiative to work directly with area communities to protect working farmland, preserve compact towns and villages, and advocate for more land-efficient forms of residential and commercial development.
Friends of Hudson’s office hours are 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. On the 4th Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM to Noon, members and invited guests meet at the FoH office to discuss key topics within the organization’s mission. This month’s meeting takes place on Saturday, January 28 with the discussion topic to be announced.

 

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