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Southern Ulster Times , Wednesday , January 11 , 2017
IN THIS ISSUE
Calendar .......................................... 12 Craig McKinney ................................ 9 Classifieds ...................................... 26 Crossword ...................................... 28 Highland .......................................... 21 Letters to the Editor ........................ 8 Marlboro ........................................ 20 Obituaries ...................................... 24 Opinion ............................................. 8 Police Blotter ................................... 4 School News .................................... 18 Service Directory ............................ 31 Sports ............................................ 36
PUBLIC AGENDA
THURSDAY , JANUARY 12
WHAT : Plattekill Library Board of Trustees WHEN : 7 p . m . WHERE : Plattekill Public Library 2047 Rte . 32 , Modena
WHAT : Highland Zoning Board of Appeals WHEN : 7 p . m . WHERE : Highland Town Hall 12 Church St ., Highland
TUESDAY , JANUARY 17
WHAT : Marlborough Planning Board WHEN : 7 p . m . WHERE : Marlborough Town Hall 21 Milton Tnpk , Milton
WHAT : Highland School Board WHEN : 7 p . m . WHERE : Highland High School 320 Pancake Hollow Rd ., Highland
HOW TO REACH US
OFFICE : 300 Stony Brook Court Newburgh , NY 12550
PHONE : 845-561-0170 , FAX : 845-561-3967
Emails may be directed to the following : ADVERTISING advertising @ tcnewspapers . com
CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS calendar @ tcnewspapers . com
TO REACH THE EDITOR editor @ tcnewspapers . com
FOR THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT sports @ tcnewspapers . com
PUBLIC NOTICES legals @ tcnewspapers . com
WEBSITE www . timescommunitypapers . com
The Southern Ulster Times , ( USPS 022-586 ) is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday at Newburgh , NY 12550 , with offices at 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , NY . Single copy : $ 1 at newsstand . By mail in Orange , Ulster or Sullivan Counties : $ 40 annually , $ 44 out of county . Periodicals permit at Newburgh , NY . POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Southern Ulster Times , 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , NY 12550
Winterfest returns to the rail trail
The Hudson Valley Rail Trail Winterfest is back once again for their anticipated yearly celebration of winter . The Annual Winterfest will take place on Saturday , Jan . 14 from 11 a . m . to 2 p . m . at the trail .
In its 20th year , the festival still prides itself on providing entertainment for the whole family . During the event , over twenty regional restaurants will bring their best chili to fight for the coveted “ Best of Fest ” People ’ s Choice Award . The chillis all vary widely from mild to spicy and vegetarian options are available . There will also be hot dogs , beverages and more for sale at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Grille .
Winterfest is the perfect place for children , with its great number of free activities and games . The main “ attraction ” for children is the heated Lowe ’ s Project Tent . In the tent , kids can make craft projects while under the supervision of Lowe ’ s employees . All of the materials and tools needed are donated by Lowe ’ s of Highland .
Additionally , there will be a wagon drawn hayride along the trail , with toasted marshmallows and roasted chestnuts for all to enjoy . Admission is $ 2 per person , with children six and
By MARK REYNOLDS mreynolds @ tcnewspapers . com
After the Plattekill reorganization meeting last week , Plattekill Supervisor Joe Croce commented on his to-do list for 2017 .
“ I would like to continue with the Veterans Memorial and get that closer to completion , adding the stone pavers and we haven ’ t moved the stone and the plaque from the library yet , which is in the works ,” he said . “ I know there is a gazebo planned for further back [ on the property ]. I think we can anticipate some shrubbery and a stone wall across the front with a sign on it .”
Croce said in the past few years the town has been sensibly budgeting for needed highway and police equipment
Croce said the town came in under the tax cap for this year ’ s budget , adding “ That ’ s one of the big things for me .”
Croce said the town has a “ good sized fund balance ” but he would like to see if the town can set money aside for a new town hall .
Marshmallows are toasted at the 2015 Winterfest
under being free . For chili tasting , pay fifty cents to taste one or $ 8 for all .
Winterfest will be held at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Pavillion located at 101
“ This building is forty years old and it had a twenty year life span , roughly , when it was built ,” he said . “ All of the departments are cramped for space .”
Croce said the large field across from the town park on Patura Road could be one possible location for a government center . He added that if a new town hall is built the present town hall could be upgraded and reserved solely for use by the Justice Court .
“ There are a million ideas it ’ s just a matter of finding a way to do it . People can ’ t afford tax increases [ and ] I am not sure how to go about it but I plan on trying to figure that out ,” he said .
Croce said in 2016 the town passed a three-month moratorium on solar arrays , with a possible three-month extension . A committee was established to discuss wording that would be added to the town code as a way to regulate these structures . The committee is comprised of two members from the Town Board , the Planning Board and the Zoning Boards along with the Supervisor and the Building Inspector . Croce said he is
New Paltz Road in Highland . For more information call ( 781 ) 640-0881 or visit hudsonvalleyrailtrail . net .
Croce sets priorities for 2017
finding it difficult to secure a day during the week when they can meet that is not in conflict with other activities at Town Hall .
“ I don ’ t like moratoriums , I can ’ t believe I proposed it , but there is so much new stuff out there and so many things to be concerned about ,” he said of the solar industry .
In response to past noise complaints in town , Croce said the town purchased a noise meter that will be used by the police department to monitor decibel levels when needed .
“ We will enforce the noise ordinance ,” he promised .
In 2015 and 2016 residents raised issues about activities taking place at Hurd ’ s and Liberty View Farms that may be considered outside the realm of traditional farming . Croce said he was advised by the NYS Ag and Markets that the town could be in violation of this agency ’ s regulations if they were to require these farms to go through a complete site plan application and review . Continued on page 23