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The Best Gifts from Schoharie County

Showing posts with label Southern County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southern County. Show all posts

Gilboa Road Project Replacing Bearkill Bridge

Written By Editor on 2/27/17 | 2/27/17

 L&T Construction will be working on capital project CAT-186 for the NYC DEP (Gilboa Dam Owner) to rehabilitate Road 7 (aka Intake Rd) between State Route 30 (Gilboa) and State Route 23 (Roxbury) starting on March 6th.

The project includes clearing trees along the roadway, remove/replace Bearkill Bridge, and remove/replace all cross culverts along the length of the 4.5-mile road.  The project will take approximately 6-7 months to complete and will close at each site during remove/replace construction.

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Gilboa Boys Notch a Win

Written By Editor on 1/21/17 | 1/21/17

By Liz Page

DELAWARE LEAGUE — The Gilboa Wildcats opened the new year with a 41-37 victory over Jefferson last Thursday.

Corey Ciaravino led the charge with 10 points as the team put in a ballanced effort. Adam Hait and Cole Fancher chimed in another eight and seven points, respectively. Gilboa took a three-point lead from the opening quarter, but Jefferson retaliated to even it 17-all at the half. Gilboa returned from the break to outscore Jefferson 24-20 over the second half to take the win.

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Jason Adams scored the game high of 12 points for the Jayhawks, including a trio of three-point baskets. Teammates Dan Wade and Clyde Cole added nine and seven points, respectively.

Margaretville defeated Gilboa 49-43 on Tuesday, behind the 19-point effort of Ed Newman, which included three three-point baskets. Teammate Donovan Bullock chimed in another 17 points to the win.

The Blue Devils moved out to a seven-point first quarter lead and stretched it to 12 points by the half, however Gilboa returned from the break to outscore Margaretville 25-19 over the next two quarters to pull to within six points. 

Darren Fredenburgh put in 19 points for the Wildcats, who also got 13 points in double figures from Cole Fancher.
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Conesville Receives over $30,000 for Park Project

Written By Cicero on 1/15/15 | 1/15/15

Conesville received a $32,500 grant from the Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee. The Town has received the money to continue with improvements to the Town Park. This will include the restoration of the walking tack, access to the Manorkill at two points for fishing and recreation, and the installation of exercise fit stations. Design for the stream bank remediation is continuing with a tentative start date of mid-summer planned.

The project was announced by Town Supervisor Bill Federice who has been working to reverse creek issues and improve the standard of living for residents.

New Disc Golf Course to Open at Mine Kill State Park

Written By Editor on 8/1/14 | 8/1/14

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today announced that its first permanent disc golf course in the Saratoga-Capital Region will open at Mine Kill State Park in North Blenheim. The course opening will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 9AM just outside the Mine Kill pool complex, featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony, an Ace Race and other great disc golf games.

“We are thrilled to welcome the first disc golf course to a State Park in the Capital Region,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “Disc golf is a fun and easy way to get outside with friends and family at New York State Parks. The Mine Kill Disc Golf Course will be a magnificent new destination for one of the fastest growing sports in the Catskills and Capital Region.”  

Disc Golf is played similar to traditional golf with tees, holes and strokes per hole, but with plastic flying discs used instead of a ball and clubs. A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to an elevated basket, which is the "hole." As players make their way down the fairway, they take each consecutive throw from the spot where the previous throw landed. The player with the fewest throws wins.

In addition to Mine Kill, disc golf courses are available at Beaver Island, Darien Lake, Evangola, Joseph Davis, Lakeside and Wilson-Tuscarora State Parks in Western New York, Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Lower Hudson Valley, and Gilbert Lake State Park in Otsego County.

The Ace Race tournament at Mine Kill State Park will make a great introduction to disc golf for players new to the sport. An Ace Race is like a hole-in-one contest with a bit of a twist; all players must throw the same type of disc on every hole. Players only count holes in one (Aces) or when their disc strikes a part of the target basket. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers at the MKDGC Ace Race.  Players will also receive 2 prototype discs, a towel, baseball cap, a mini-marker disc and other great items upon registering.  

Admission to the Ace Race is just $25 per player.  

Players interested in exploring the new Mine Kill disc golf course on their own can borrow a disc at the park or pool office.  There is a $10 deposit per disc required for using a disc for the day.  Disc purchases may also be made at the park for $10 per disc.  Admission to the park from late-June to Labor Day is $3 per vehicle from 9am to 5pm.  

For more information on the Mine Kill Disc Golf Course Ace Race event, or to learn more about the terrific sport of disc golf, please contact the park office at (518) 827-8690.  

NY Rising to Host Blenheim/Fulton Meeting Thursday

Written By Editor on 7/28/14 | 7/28/14


With millions in state recovery monies soon to be dispersed to the Schoharie County municipalities of Esperance, Middleburgh and Schoharie, the Valley communities next in line for substantial aid are the Towns of Blenheim and Fulton. 

The New York Rising Community Reconstruction Plan is in its infancy for both townships, but progress is in the process of moving forward with two meetings scheduled on Thursday evening that the public from both municipalities can attend.

At 5:00 p.m. the NYRCR Planning Committee will host its second meeting where residents can learn more about the recovery organization and share their ideas. This will be followed by NYRCR's first two-hour long public engagement meeting. 

Both meetings will take place at the Blenheim Town Hall and Hose Company located on Route 30.

Conesville to Host Town Wide Garage Sales


The Conesville Fire Department Auxiliary will be sponsoring the Fourth Annual Conesville Town Wide Garage Sales on Saturday, August 2nd from 9:00 to 4:00 PM. Antiques, treasures and unusual items will be among the objects for sale.  

Maps showing the 24 registered stops around town will be available on Route 990V at the Conesvile Town Hall, Conesville Fire House, Clark's Restaurant and the Manorkill Store. All of the garage sales will be labeled with a pink, yellow or green neon numbered sign.  

During the sales the Gilboa-Conesville School Cheerleaders will be selling refreshments including breakfast items, beverages and hot dogs at the Conesville Fire House at 1292 State Route 990V. Also, starting at 11:00 the Conesville United Methodist Church Chapel will have a take out chicken barbecue. The church is located at 1295 State Route 990V directly across from the firehouse. 

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Oorah on Tax Exemptions

Written By Editor on 7/22/14 | 7/22/14


After years of legal proceedings spanning two different municipal administrations, the New Jersey based Jewish organization Oorah has declared victory in what its attorney John Privitera called a, "landmark decision," on Friday evening over the Town of Jefferson.

It came in the hours following the New York State Supreme Court Third Appellate Division's unanimous ruling that the charitable entity was entitled to property tax exemptions at its facility located at the old Deer Run Ski Lodge near the Schoharie/Delaware county line on State Route 10. 

The not-for-profit summer resort/weekend camp getaway for underprivileged children praised the Supreme Court of Appeals in a press release issued over the weekend, quoting camp director Avraham Krawiec as stating, "we were confident in our decision to fight this injustice to the very end."

In response to the ruling, Town of Jefferson Supervisor Sean Jordan told the Schoharie News that, "The Town recognizes the recent decision rendered by the New York Supreme Court of Appeals, and will respect their decision as well as continue to pursue what is in the best interests of the Town, just as Oorah will understandably do what is in their best interests.

Oorah, which - in addition to its Jefferson site - has a camp located in the Town of Gilboa, has owned the property in question since 2010. The charitable organization has alleged animosity on the part of officials that have worked to deter them; namely, former Supervisor Dan Singletary, who was defeated by Mr. Jordan in the midst of the Fitzmaurice Report fallout last year. 

The Town of Jefferson has maintained that Oorah had failed to supply sufficient documentation before its Board of Assessment Review on multiple occasions, an argument that had been twice received favorably by Judge Eugene Devine of the Schoharie County Supreme Court in past cases. 

However, to the extent that previous decisions had found the religious organization to be not entitled to tax exemptions as written in federal law, the New York State Supreme Court of Appeals ruled Friday morning that they had been in, "error."

Mr. Jordan would later comment that both sides are "working amicably" to resolve other issues concerning building code statutes, and that, "The overall goal is to create an environment where the two sets of interests can coexist." 

Vintage Car Show at NYPA Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center Today (July 20, 2014)

Written By Editor on 7/20/14 | 7/20/14

NORTH BLENHEIM — If you like vintage cars and trucks, stop by the New York Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Project visitors center on Sunday, July 20.

                                       Photo Credit: NYPA.
A wide variety of antique vehicles will be on display, including a 1910 Oakland Model 24 roadster and a 1913 Chase Model M Express truck, along with a ’56 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, a ’56 GMC Suburban pickup, a ’65 Corvair, and antique tractors.

Visitors are invited to drive their own classic wheels to the show and socialize with fellow car buffs. Admission and parking are free. To register for a chance to win a trophy in a variety of categories, call 518-234-7495.

Short films on cars will be screening in the visitors center theater. Barbecue and other food will be available. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arrive early, as several thousand car enthusiasts are expected.

Guests can also tour the B-G visitors center to learn more about electricity and New York State’s largest hydroelectric pumped storage power plant and drop by historic Lansing Manor, a country estate built in 1819. Both are open until 5 p.m.

The B-G visitors center is located on route 30 in North Blenheim, five miles north of Grand Gorge, 17 miles south of Middleburgh and 50 miles southwest of Albany. For more information, please call 1-800-724-0309.

Head-On Crash Closes Route 30, Causes Power Outage Wednesday

Written By Editor on 7/17/14 | 7/17/14


On Wednesday morning a horrendous head-on collision on Route 30 in the Town of Blenheim caused the main road to be closed for approximately six and a half hours, power outages to occur across the area, and both drivers to be transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. 

According to information supplied by local law enforcement agencies, the crash occurred when a passenger vehicle travelling southbound crossed over the medium and struck a northbound truck hauling garbage; sending the truck into a nearby power pole and the vehicle into the guardrail. 

Photo credit Schoharie Co. Fire Wire & News 
The Schoharie County Sheriff's 911 Dispatch were notified at approximately 9:09 a.m. of the collision. 

New York State Troopers were the lead agency on scene, while the North Blenheim Hose Company and Middleburgh Ambulance were initially dispatched. Mutual aid would be additionally supplied by the Middleburgh Fire Department, and the Jefferson and Conesville Rescue Squads. 

Firemen on scene freed the operator of the vehicle by using a rescue tool, and he would subsequently be airlifted to Albany Medical Center by Life Net. The truck driver would be transported to Fox Hospital in Oneonta by Conesville Ambulance. Neither are facing life threatening injuries. 


Additionally, the Schoharie County Sheriff's Department, NYSDEC Spill Response (oil was leaked on the road during the accident), National Grid, and the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction teams were on scene. The road was re-opened at approximately 3:40 p.m. 

For additional reporting on the crash, please see the Watershed Post's coverage from yesterday afternoon here. Also, more pictures from the scene can be found on the Schoharie Co. Fire Wire & News facebook page, which offers around the clock updates on local emergency services. 

Stamford Awarded Housing Rehab Grant

Written By Editor on 7/10/14 | 7/10/14

STAMFORD, NY – The Town of Stamford is pleased to announce that the Office of Community Renewal has awarded the Town CDBG funds for an owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program. The program pays to rehabilitate homes owned by residents at or below 80% of the Delaware County median income which is: for a household of 1, $32,200; 2 people $36,800, 3 people, $41,400, 4 people, $46,000. The Town has elected to give the elderly and disabled at or below 50% county median income preference. The program will be administered by Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council, Inc. (WCCRC), which is a 501(c) 3 not for profit Rural Preservation Company headquartered in Stamford, NY. 
 
Meetings will be held for homeowners interested in applying on Monday, July 21st at 10:30 AM and again at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall, on 101 Maple Avenue, Hobart, NY. Fact sheets and applications will be available at those meetings.  The Town of Stamford is an Equal Employment Opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap and they encourage the participation of minority and women-owned businesses. 
 
Velga Kundzins, WCCRC Executive Director says “We’ve run very successful CDBG programs in Fulton, Summit, Gilboa, and Jefferson and look forward to working with the Stamford community on this one.  We hope that all eligible residents will attend one of these meetings.”
 
WCCRC and the Town of Stamford do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).
 
For more information on this program, please call Program Manager Sheleigah Grube at 607.652.2823 or visit www.westerncatskills.org.

Conesville: God's Country

Written By Editor on 6/25/14 | 6/25/14


It was hot, but not so bad as to ruin the afternoon, as I arrived at the Conesville Town Hall in anticipation of learning more about the "forgotten town" of Schoharie County from its recently elected Supervisor Bill Federice. I wasn't disappointed by my visit, as I soon see the friendly character and can do spirit of the town exemplified by the makeshift public library available in the town hall for residents.

Although often forgotten in casual economic and political conversation, the Town of Conesville is looking to capitalize on its agrarian roots and beautiful scenery to grow the county's second smallest community while remaining true to their humble, neighborly oriented attitudes.

Located at the south-eastern tip of Schoharie County, citizens of Conesville are closer in proximity to Windham and Stamford than to Schoharie or Cobleskill, creating a disconnect between their concerns and needs with that of the rest of the county's perception and understanding. But Conesville marches on despite those differences. 

Blessed with easily Schoharie County's greatest and most picturesque landscapes, local residents have turned those natural marvels into advantages by utilizing the fertile land of God's Country, whether it be in several thriving dairy farms, a successful sawmill and grade stake operation, or Eric Dahlberg's unique Elk farm.


My heart is captured by Conesville's majestic and serene viewpoints, but none compared to the peak of Huntersfield Mountain, where standing at the county's highest point, I could view the lush greenery that encompassed the town for miles stretching into the horizon. 



Furthermore, the mostly wooded town offers outdoorsmen of all stripes ample opportunity to immerse themselves in a series of wildlife based activities, including but not limited to: grouse and turkey hunting, fishing, and for the truly adventurous, hiking South Mountain's visually explosive eight mile trail along its ridge.

Still though, Conesville struggles with many of the same problems seen across rural communities in Upstate New York, namely a lack of dependable internet and cellphone coverage that is spotty at best combined with the loss of the town's next generation to college; often, never to return as permanent members of the town. 

However, local officials and residents are looking to reverse some of those trends in coming years by way of expanding the town's available broadband capabilities, introducing all that the community has to offer with a new website (being designed for free by a professional in the field), and most importantly, encouraging Conesville's approximate seven hundred citizens in change to look toward the future, while remembering what has made them great in the past and present. 

As we prepare to part ways after discussing his town in earnest, Mr. Federice and I enjoy a moment of peaceful serenity standing outside the town hall near 990V. I openly comment on the quietness of Conesville, leading Mr. Federice to agree with regard to the main road. As I drive away, my thoughts wander on the small, almost-family like community, and I catch my smile in the mirror as I could see myself here one day to stay.

Desmond: 6,000-8,000 People to Participate in Gilboa Warrior Dash

Written By Editor on 6/24/14 | 6/24/14


Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond informed town supervisors and residents alike Friday morning that six to eight thousand people are expected to participate in a warrior dash at Nickerson Park in the Town of Gilboa on Saturday, July 26th to raise money for St. Jude Children's Hospital. 

The dash, which is being organized by the Chicago based Red Frog Productions, and is one of several similar events across the United States, will take place on Stryker Road and is scheduled to last from 8:00 a.m. until 11 p.m that day. Red Frog has actively reached out to the local Sheriff's Office, State Police, and other agencies for assistance. 

One concern is the number of participants estimated to sustain some form of injury on the 3.2 mile course, which is mostly over mountainous terrain. Organizers have pinned the number at fifty to seventy five - from minor cuts to serious injuries - but they will have medical attention available on scene with community squads in backup. 

Alcohol is typically consumed at these events and Red Frog Productions will have its own security team on site, but if past warrior dashes are any indicator as to the atmosphere of proceedings, Sheriff Tony Desmond quoted the number of arrests from a previous event at Windham just a few years ago: zero. 

For more information on this event please visit its official webpage

No Excuse This Weekend: County Full of Events (June 13, 2014)

Written By Editor on 6/13/14 | 6/13/14


Schoharie County is the place to be tomorrow, with several communities hosting different events in what should be a beautiful Flag Day across Upstate New York:

Blenheim - By far the most somber event of the day, Blenheim residents will be hosting a breakfast at the local Town Hall to benefit late Town Highway Superintendent Gerald "Gerry" Felter's wife in her time of financial need. The breakfast will kick off at 8:30 am and is donation only. 

Cobleskill - Marking the one-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Cobleskill Fire Department, the county's largest municipality is going all out with a Main Street parade, all-day events at the fairgrounds and live entertainment to cap the celebrations. The festivities will begin at 10:00 am. 

Middeburgh - The Valley community will have a host of events for local residents to participate in the second annual Heritage Day celebration. They include the Rotary's Sloughter 5K set for 9:00 am, Technopolooza on the high school lawn, and the Creekside Park's mural unveiling. 

Schoharie - The Schoharie American Legion Auxiliary Flag Day Ceremony will be held at the Veteran's Park located on the corner of Main and Spring Streets in the Village of Schoharie. A special ceremony for retiring used flags will be performed at 6:00 pm with the help of local Boy Scout Troop #4.

Learn to Swim at Mine Kill State Park

Written By Editor on 6/11/14 | 6/11/14


Beautiful Mine Kill State Park, located on Route 30 in North Blenheim, New York is once again offering its annual “Learn to Swim” program at the Olympic-sized pool complex within the park.  Lessons are available for both children and adults, and will be taught by certified Water Safety Institute instructors. The pool opens on June 28nd and Community Lessons will begin on Monday, June 30th.

All lessons are based on American Red Cross guidelines and include the Infant and Preschool Aquatic Program (IPAP) Stages 1 and 2 for children 6 months to 4 years, followed by instruction Levels 1-6 for ages 4 and up.  Mine Kill will again be having two 4-week sessions for IPAP, Stage 2, and American Red Cross levels 1-6. Lessons will be held Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Session 1                                            Session 2
June 30 - July 24                          July 28 – August 21

In addition to the traditional Learn-To-Swim classes, Mine Kill State Park is also offering Adult Swim Lessons (depending on staffing levels) and a Competitive Swimming class.  The competitive swimming class will aid students in improving their stroke definition based on the Red Cross level they have completed.  Each individual will learn competitive swim techniques, drills, and self-discipline.  This class will be taught by WSI certified, coach, and competitive swimmer, Erica Buel.

Starting June 4, if you would like to enroll yourself or your son/daughter in this program, please contact Ashley Cunningham. You can do this at your convenience by phone at (518) 239-6322 or e-mail atcunninghama545@strose.edu . Enrollment is limited in each session, so individuals who are closed out in the first session will be given priority in the second session. 

Admission into the park will continue to be free when you arrive for lessons after 3 PM.  However, parents and children entering the pool area for lessons will be required to pay the pool admission fee. This year we are also excited to announce that our Kiddie Pool will be open. Come enjoy Mine Kill State Park and all that it has to offer.

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  The Park also has an Olympic sized swimming pool with separate wading and diving pools.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation maintain 179 State Parks and 35 Historic sites throughout the Empire State. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call (518) 474-0456 or visit www. NYparks.com, “like us” on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

Mine Kill to Host Father's Day Fishing Tournament

Written By Editor on 6/9/14 | 6/9/14

Join the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Park on Saturday, June 14, 2014 during the Father’s Day Weekend Fishing Tournament, from 7am - 12pm.  Celebrate Father’s Day and beat the heat along the beautiful Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir.  Entry per individual is $10, while a family of 4 or more may enter for $30.  Registration will be at the boat launch area in Mine Kill State Park or you can call Mine Kill State Park at (518) 827-8690 to pre-register.  

The fishing tournament will take place on the Blenheim-Gilboa Lower Reservoir for a chance to win 50% of the entry fees.  The remaining funds will support educational programming and recreational activities at the park through the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul group.  The individual with the longest recorded fish (any species) will be awarded the winnings following the end of the tournament at 12pm sharp.  Anglers may fish from the shore of the reservoir or may use a boat.  Please note that the New York Power Authority no longer requires a seasonal permit to launch a vessel on the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir.  However, all boaters must check in at the Mine Kill State Park office and then power-wash the boat prior to entering the water. 

Mine Kill State Park has many more fishing opportunities for you.  If you can’t make it out to the Father’s Day Weekend Fishing Tournament then please join us during the Late Summer Fishing Tournament on Saturday, August 16th.  The Mine Kill Summer Fishing Tournaments continue to grow thanks to everyone who has participated in past events and spread the word.  Please note, if you are 16 years or older you must have a valid fishing license.  In order to use a boat (both motor and non-motorized) on the reservoir, please stop at the Mine Kill park office and fill out the appropriate information.  All boats are required to be power-washed at the power-wash station adjacent the park contact office.  However, boats are not needed though since there is plenty of shoreline access for all your fishing fun.     

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  The Park also has an Olympic sized swimming pool with separate wading and diving pools.

For those who would like to extend their visit, nearby Max V. Shaul State Park is a small, quiet camping area with 30 wooded tent and trailer sites, picnic grounds, a state of the art playground and boat access along the Schoharie Creek.  In addition to the Max V. Shaul trails and fishing opportunities, campers have free access to Mine Kill State Park. 

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

Blenheim to Host Breakfast to Benefit Felter's Wife

Written By Editor on 6/6/14 | 6/6/14


The close-knit community of Blenheim will be hosting a breakfast at the Blenheim Town Hall on Saturday, June 14th from 8:30 am until 11:30 am to benefit the wife of late Highway Superintendent Gerald "Gerry" Felter. 

It will be donations only and the proceeds will go directly to Gerry's wife, who was dependent on her husband's salary and collects only a small social security stipend. Many in the small town have volunteered to help with the event.

On a day with many activities planned countywide, residents in neighboring and distant communities are encouraged to attend and support Blenheim's charitable breakfast to help Mrs. Felter through these challenging and difficult times. 

Blenheim Appoints Deputy to Become Highway Superintendent, Remembers Felter

Written By Editor on 6/3/14 | 6/3/14


It was both a serious and somber occasion Monday evening, as the Blenheim Town Board moved to fill the substantial void left by longtime Highway Superintendent Gerald Felter's unexpected passing in May, and to remember his years of dedicated service to the close-knit community. 

Starting the meeting with a moment of silence to remember "Gerry," as he was known by family and friends alike, the town board voted unanimously to approve a resident's suggestion to name the town's pavilion/park area behind the town hall in his honor. An official naming ceremony will be held at a date to be determined. 

Moving on to the vacancy, town board members voted to appoint Dave Mattice, Felter's deputy in the public works department, to succeed him as Highway Superintendent. The board would also voted to grant Mattice an annual $3,000 stipend to off-set his loss in wages from accepting the position and to perform any additional duties. 

In an attempt to reduce costs for the town, which operates on a shoe-string budget at approximately $300,000 annually, town board members decided to run the department with only two employees and to rely on part-time assistance when additional help is needed in the winter, or to cover sick time and vacations.

In other action:
  • The town board voted to extend Cobra health insurance coverage to Felter's wife until she can acquire public assistance. The extension was approved to August.
  • The town board voted to pay for a $60 advertisement in the Maple Festival brochure, after a mis-communication led to the town historian approving the ad after the board initially voted against it.
  • The town board voted to authorize Councilwoman Anne Mattice-Strauch to purchase up to $600 in materials for a local park to be built in conjunction with SUNY Cobleskill's Creating Healthy Places program. 

Blenheim to Host Special Meeting Today (May 29, 2014)

Written By Editor on 5/29/14 | 5/29/14


The Town of Blenheim will be hosting a special meeting today at noon to discuss the current vacancy in the Town Highway Superintendent position that is the result of its former occupant Gerald Felter's unexpected passing two weeks ago. 

Board members are expected to discuss possible replacements in executive session before reaching a final decision at Monday night's regularly scheduled June town board meeting.

Oorah, Town of Jefferson Reach Agreement on Gym; Certificates Could be Issued Within Month

Written By Editor on 5/23/14 | 5/23/14


An agreement has been reached between Oorah and the Town of Jefferson to resolve the two parties latest legal spat after the New Jersey based Jewish charity initiated legal action against the municipality and its Building Inspector last week to obtain Certificates of Occupancy for a recently constructed gymnasium on its grounds. 

As part of the agreement's stipulations, Oorah provided the municipality with a $7,500 check for Town of Jefferson officials to contract a third party engineering service to complete the required inspections, submissions, drawings and other materials related to the structure in a good faith measure to have the certificates issued within the next thirty days. 

Avraham Krawiec, Director of Oorah's TheZone camps, hailed the news by stating the agreement, "has clearly set forth a plan to finalize this structure and ensure that we will have an operational gymnasium for the upcoming camp season." He would go on to add that, "The true winners today are the children who call our camp home each summer.”

Acting Supreme Court Justice Gerald W. Connolly ordered the agreement into effect Thursday morning in Schoharie County Court after representatives of both parties agreed to the necessary stipulations and terms. When asked for his thoughts on the agreement, Supervisor Sean Jordan told the Schoharie News that he saw, "no problem with the way it was written."

Blenheim Mourns Highway Superintendent's Sudden Death

Written By Editor on 5/13/14 | 5/13/14


With flags at half mast, and hundreds of memories impacting the close knit community this Tuesday afternoon, Blenheim is somberly mourning the loss of longtime Town Highway Superintendent Gerald Felter, who passed away unexpectedly Monday evening.

"Gerry," as he was known to town residents and close friends, had served as the small town's Public Works head for nineteen going on twenty years, during which he had guided the town through, "some catastrophic events such as the 1996 flooding and Hurricane Irene," said a saddened Supervisor Shawn Smith earlier today. 

There has been no official cause of death determined in Felter's death, who reportedly passed out in his home last evening and was found to be not breathing and unresponsive by emergency services shortly thereafter. 

Gerald Felter was fifty-seven years old.

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