Wallkill Valley Times Jun 07 2017

T IMES WALLKILL VALLEY Vol. 35, No 23 3 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017 One more steeplechase Page 21 Page 40 www .W allkill V alley T imes . net Republicans back newcomer for town supervisor “It is a great honor to receive the overwhelming support of the Town of Montgomery Republican Party,” said Rod Winchell. Rod Winchell, a local businessman, has been tapped by the town’s Republican committee as their candidate for town supervisor in Montgomery, much to the surprise of many town residents, as the incumbent—Town Supervisor Mike Hayes—is also a Republican. Supervisor Hayes is currently serving his fifth two-year term. He ran uncontested in each election until 2015, when he faced a Democratic challenger. While he has lost the endorsement of his party, that doesn’t necessarily mean his name won’t appear on the ballot this ONE DOLLAR Red nose day Montgomery GOP dumps Hayes By RACHEL COLEMAN 3 fall. A primary may be in Montgomery’s future for the first time in over a decade. “I haven’t come up with a final decision yet,” said Hayes. Hayes said he will decide in the next few days, as he will need to submit his petition with signatures by early July. Meanwhile, the remainder of the Republican incumbents have gotten the Continued on page 4 Waterfight Peter Haight Firefighters from Middle Hope and Coldenham do battle with fire hoses, Sunday, during the Wetdown at the Coldenham Fire House for a new firetruck. Additional photos on page 38. Smoking or non-smoking? Montgomery residents complain about outdoor wood boilers By RACHEL COLEMAN “We’re not forgetting about it. We’re not letting it go,” said a resident at the Montgomery Town Board meeting last week. Seeking a burn ban as well as a town law regulating outdoor wood boilers, the unidentified woman, along with other town residents, questioned the board about their progress. They reminded the town board of the poor living conditions for those living nearby, namely acrid smoke and ash infiltrating their properties, which has created or exacerbated health problems. The group is seeking a burn ban as well as a town law regulating the boilers to protect residents town-wide. According to Town Supervisor Mike Hayes, the boilers that have been of concern in the past are “grandfathered in” under the state regulations. When asked if that meant the board had “nothing to offer” the residents, he replied, “Not right now, no.” Hayes explained later that the town board is looking into the issue. He noted that problems with some boilers in the past have been remedied after extending the height of the stack. The topography of the area where the outdoor wood boiler is located may also play a factor in whether neighbors are afflicted with the smoke. Hayes added that there were quite a few outdoor wood boilers scattered throughout the town of Montgomery. If the town board was to enact a local law that built on the existing state regulations Continued on page 4 SERVING CRAWFORD, GARDINER, MAYBROOK, MONTGOMERY, PINE BUSH, SHAWANGUNK, WALDEN AND WALLKILL