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Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , December 28 , 2016
Gardiner Library seeks donations of craft supplies
The Gardiner Library is looking for donations for its annual Yarn , Fabric , and Craft Supplies sale to be held on Saturday February 4 from 10 a . m . to 2 p . m . Items accepted for donation include sewing , knitting ,
Wallkill town employees to become “ Wallkillopedias ” in 2017
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than sending them on a “ never ending trail ” of errands . “ I hate it , and others hate it ,” said Depew . So , for instance , if a town plow hits a mailbox , the Dial-A-Bus driver should know where to direct the homeowner , said Depew . If someone wants to take care of a traffic ticket , town employees should know to inform them that the court closes at 4 p . m ., not 5 p . m ., like other town offices . Meanwhile , court employees should be knowledgeable able about water and sewer issue protocol . Workers in the clerk ’ s office should know how the process for getting approval for a site plan differs from getting approval for a variance .
“ Every employee should know about zoning and how to get answers ,” Depew said .
He said he would work with department heads in January to develop a test on the roles of each department and how they interconnect . Town workers will take the test in February , and those who score under 90 % would attend a training program in March , he said .
“ People are sick of hearing , ‘ That ’ s not my department ,’” said Depew . Instead , town employees will take an “ I ’ m the person you ’ re looking for ” stance when asked for assistance , he said . Lapel buttons and flags in
Shelters running out of room for strays , injured pets
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Carvell also mentioned that Ikiw , Montgomery ACO , sometimes finds foster homes for stranded animals . “ She ’ s good that way ,” said Carvell . Ilkiw has stories about animals she has taken in and then placed . Not long ago she took home a tiger cat with a badly broken leg , found lying on the ground in a back yard .
“ I thought he might be feral , but I didn ’ t want to put him down , because I saw movement in his tail ,” a good sign , she said . “ Such a remarkable will to live .”
Before she worked for the town she was a veterinary and crochet notions and tools , sewing machines , yarns , fabrics , and craft kits and supplies . All donations should be clean and in excellent condition .
Items for donation may be brought to the library at 133
offices may help introduce the program , he added .
Depew also explained that the tax increase this year is under 2 %, amounting to an average of four or five dollars per year per household , despite an increase in tax revenue . The increase resulted from shifting the Galleria onto the tax rolls , he said , as previously they had paid the town a fixed amount .
Depew also spotlighted recent successes and cost savings in various departments and projects . Although bids for the Route 211 sidewalk project came in at $ 400,000 over the budgeted $ 1.6 million , Depew said , the town will get $ 200,000 assistance from the state . Meanwhile the 17M sidewalk project , costing $ 350,000 , will receive 80 % in funding from the county , exceeding the 30-40 % anticipated , said Depew .
He also noted that , as $ 10,000 is being allocated for a police training to address “ implicit bias ,” a “ train the trainer ” strategy could reduce the cost of future trainings . A member of the police department would be trained to train others .
Other savings for the town included $ 58,000 that resulted from paying Warwick $ 17,000 to administer the Dial-a-Bus program , Depew said . And as water and sewer billing were privatized , banks that won the contracts did billing for free , he said . That arrangement gives residents
technician , and that background informs her judgment . Now she tends a paraplegic black cat , found on River Rd ., that a man brought to her in a carrier .
“ The cat had a fractured back , but now he ’ s starting to walk ,” said Ilkiw .
Being licensed for wildlife rehab , she has also taken in such creatures as muskrats , woodchucks and birds .
“ I had a baby crow named Russell with a busted leg ,” she said . “ It healed and off he went .”
Her license prohibits her from caring for hawks and owls , she says , so she takes them to Flannery ’ s Animal Hospital , in New Windsor . However , the town only gives
Farmer ’ s Turnpike in Gardiner during regular business hours . For hours , further information , or directions , call the library at 255-1255 or visit . gardinerlibrary . org or the library ’ s facebook page .
the opportunity to pay bills with credit cards , online , and on weekends . Meanwhile , the town saves money in not having to pay an employee to do the job , said Depew .
Depew also noted that Orange County Partnership anointed the Town of Wallkill “ Most Valuable Player ” in economic development earlier this year . He gave credit to the planning board for their “ efficient starter process ” and to the zoning board for their role .
Town board members provided updates and reminders on other issues .
“ Although there has been some precipitation , ground water is still at low levels , and people should continue with water conservation ,” said Fourth Ward Councilman Eric Johnson . He also asked that people notify the water department about vacant houses , so water can be turned off at those locations .
Second Ward Councilman Eric Valentin noted that businesses have been paying the overtime costs of police protection . Drug-related crime has increased in Wallkill and elsewhere as prescription drugs have become less available and addicts pursue heroin , according to District Attorney David Hoovler .
First Ward Councilman Mark Coyne reminded residents to avoid throwing snow onto the road and to abide by winter parking rules .
her $ 150 for emergency animal care , she says .
Ilkiw began in 2002 as part time animal control officer for the Town of Montgomery , but her territory grew to include the villages of Montgomery , Walden , and Maybrook . She became a full time employee in 2008 .
“ As the population grows , there are more animals — dogs , cats , and horses ,” she said . “ As the woods are cut down , more animals are displaced .”
She envisions repurposing a foreclosed house as a refuge for stranded animals .
“ It ’ s heartbreaking ,” she said . “ People are evicted . They lose their homes . What do you do ?”
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