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A Winter Adventure to Hunter Mountain's Fire Tower

Written By Editor on 2/20/24 | 2/20/24


By Max Oppen













HUNTER — The Saturday before last, my snowboarding escapade at Hunter Mountain took an unexpected turn, leading me on a captivating journey to the summit's historic fire tower. Standing proudly as the second-largest peak in the Catskills at 4040 feet, the mountain offered more than just thrilling slopes; it unveiled a piece of history and panoramic views that left me awe-inspired.


Eager to escape the bustling lines that come with weekend snowboarding, I embarked on a 2+ mile hike (4+ miles total) over the ridge from the top of the lifts to reach the fire tower. This tower, the first of 23 built in the Catskills and the second-highest standing in the entire Northeast, has a rich history. Initially serving as a fire lookout tower and later facing abandonment, local enthusiasts, fortunately, preserved and restored it after falling into disrepair in the 1990s.


The trail was adorned with a recent snowfall, transforming the surroundings into a winter wonderland reminiscent of Narnia mixed with the whimsy of Dr. Seuss. The trees stood under the weight of fresh, white snow, creating a picturesque scene with treetops curled in different directions. As I ascended, the morning clouds gave way to a brilliant blue sky, making the entire experience feel almost magical.


Reaching the summit of the fire tower took a lot of work, especially since I was in snowboard boots. The climb through the icy tower was not for the faint of heart as the wind intensified and the temperature dropped. I questioned my decision to leave my gloves behind but, upon reaching the top, was rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the mountains, the Hudson Valley, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and sometimes even southwestern Vermont.


The sun bathed the landscape in its warm, icy glow, and I marveled at the vastness visible from this vantage point. It reminded me of how fortunate I was to witness such a breathtaking winter landscape. However, this joy was tempered by an unfortunate incident on my way back. I had left my helmet and goggles on the trail by a tree about a quarter mile into the journey, only to discover that my helmet, goggles, and Bluetooth speaker system had been stolen as I made my way back. Despite filling out a form with guest services, the chances of being reunited with my gear seem slim.


My overall experience on Hunter Mountain was extraordinary, and I highly recommend venturing into the woods, especially during winter. The snow-covered forest adds a mystical touch, and the historic fire tower offers a glimpse into the past and an opportunity to marvel at the beauty of nature from an unparalleled vantage point. So, if you find yourself near Hunter Mountain, take a detour to the fire tower – it's a trek worth making.




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NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETINGS Windham Fire District



Please take notice that the Windham Fire District of the town of Windham County of Greene, New York, will hold its regular meetings for the year 2024 on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 o’clock p.m. The March meeting will be held at the Windham Fire Station 5462 Main Street Windham, NY. The April meeting will be held at the Hensonville Fire Station 432 St Rt 296, Hensonville, NY. May through December meetings will be at the Town Hall 371 NY-296, Hensonville, NY 12439.  All meetings of the Windham Fire District are open to the public.

This notice is being posted in accordance with the provisions of Section 94 of the Public Officers Law of the State of New York.

By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Windham Fire District.


_Sandra Allen_________

                                                      Secretary

                                                                              Windham Fire District



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Financial Checklist for the New Year

Written By Editor on 2/19/24 | 2/19/24


 

The changing calendar presents an opportunity to reflect, adjust and begin again in the direction of your goals. Consider completing this checklist to ensure your financial outlook is as bright as it can be in the New Year.

 

  • Review income and expenses. Has your income changed over the past year? Did you experience any unexpected expenses? Inflation has made an impact on most households; look back to identify where your bank balance was most affected. If your spending has strayed from past financial goals, the New Year is a good time to reset and start fresh. Tally subscriptions and end non-essential or low priority services. Isolate problem areas and set realistic targets going forward.

 

  • Review your investments. Market conditions from the past year may have affected your investment portfolio. Are you still satisfied with the amount and diversity of your holdings? Schedule an annual review with your financial advisor to gain personalized recommendations on your investment strategy. This meeting is also an appropriate time to discuss other areas of your financial life and determine if your risk tolerance, time horizon or goals have changed. 

 

  • Confirm beneficiary designations. It is important to ensure all your beneficiary designations are correct. When you die, assets without designations are placed into probate, which means the court determines the recipient according to inheritance laws. The process can be slow and costly. A life event such as marriage, divorce, adoption, or birth of a child can affect your beneficiary designations. If any notable events happened in the last year, now can be a great time to confirm your beneficiaries are still accurate. 

 

  • Evaluate insurance coverage. Insurance can help protect the financial security of your family when things don’t go as planned. Home, life, medical, auto, disability—all of these coverages can help restore the financial impact of an unexpected event. Conversely, the lack of these coverages can leave you financially vulnerable. Talk to your financial advisor about insurance plans that allow you to build resources for the future.

 

  • Prepare for tax time. Gather documents you’ll need to complete your taxes. Account for all earnings, including realized capital gains. Itemize deductions, if applicable. If you expect a tax refund, the sooner you file, the better, as it allows you to invest your return if you wish. If you anticipate a tax bill, plan now for the disbursement.

 

  • Evaluate short-term and long-term financial goals. Vacations, weddings, welcoming a child, home improvements, a new car, retirement—many of the things that enrich our lives also come with a price tag. Be sure you’re on track with plans that require financial commitment.

 

This checklist is a great place to start to ensure your financial priorities are set for the upcoming year. Working with a seasoned financial advisor can help you determine if your financial goals have changed over the last year and develop a plan to ensure you feel confident for the new year to come. 

 

###

 

Michael D. Lanuto, CRPC®, AWMA® is a Financial Advisor with S.M. Miller & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Albany, NY.  He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 8 years. To contact him: 518-949-2039; 4 Atrium Drive, Ste 200, Albany, NY, 12205; Michael.Lanuto@ampf.com; https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/michael.lanuto/lp/request-contact/3/. 

  




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Advice For Buying A Used Car Online

Written By Editor on 2/12/24 | 2/12/24

These days, many motorists will look online when in the market for a used car. It is easy to see why buying a used car online allows you to browse used vehicles for sale all over the country (and even abroad). In addition to a much wider range than what you would get at your local used car dealership, this also brings a level of convenience that cannot be matched. While there are benefits to buying a used car online, you will also find that there are risks and challenges. Keep reading for advice that will help you navigate the marketplace safely and confidently.


Only Use Trusted Platforms


First, you should only ever buy from trusted platforms. You can buy used cars online in many places, but not all are reliable or offer much consumer protection. You should be using online second-hand car dealerships or online platforms with a strong reputation. You should also read through the buyer's guide and any other information online so that you know what to expect when buying a used car online.


Learn About Common Scams


Unfortunately, there are a lot of scams out there when it comes to the second-hand car marketplace. Therefore, it is important to read up on these beforehand and learn how to spot and avoid common used car scams. 


Get A Mechanic's Inspection


Ideally, you will visit the seller in person and check the car over yourself. If this is not possible due to distance, you could pay a mechanic to inspect the vehicle for you. This will verify that the car actually exists and that it is in a good condition to purchase. 


Get A Vehicle History Report


A mechanic's assessment will help determine the vehicle's roadworthiness, but you also need to learn about its history. You do not want to end up buying a car that was previously written off, has outstanding finances, or is reported as stolen. A vehicle history check can uncover hidden issues like this to ensure that you are making a good financial investment. 

Arrange Car Transportation 


If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, you should arrange car transportation. This can save you from having to drive with someone else to pick up the car, and you can get the vehicle delivered straight to your home. This can involve using a trailer so that there are no miles added to the odometer. Platforms like Shiply allow you to compare car transporters and find affordable costs and reliable companies. 


Communicate With The Seller


Even if you do not meet in person, you should always communicate with the seller (either by phone or video call). You need to verify the legitimacy of the seller, but this also gives you a chance to ask questions about the car and its maintenance history. Crucially, make sure that you do not feel you are being pushed or rushed into making a decision. 



If you plan on buying a used car online, these tips should be useful and help you confidently navigate the marketplace.



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Written By The Mountain Eagle on 2/9/24 | 2/9/24

CRCS Breaks Down Fledgling Budget

By Joshua Walther

COBLESKILL - Last Monday, the CRCS Board of Education made history by publicly sharing information about their current budget process.

The Board received severe backlash just last year over budget concerns and program eliminations, and many people thought that the members weren’t listening to public feedback from the community.

Because of this, Superintendent Matthew Sickles took up the charge of sharing each step of the budget process, something that hasn’t even been attempted in recent memory.

He explained that there will be a total of five public presentations, each at one of the monthly Board meetings. This information is made available between each Citizens’ Budget Committee meeting, so that they can truly digest any feedback they might be given.

The meeting this week covered the first of these presentations, and Superintendent Sickles took the time to thoroughly explain where the team was in the process.

Unfortunately, it seems that expenditures have only risen since last year’s fiasco. Spending has increased in every category, from administration to instruction and salaries.

With everything added together, CRCS is looking to spend $48,304,123, which is a substantial increase from last year’s adopted budget of $45,352,710.

To make things worse, revenue streams are dipping, making for a larger gap in the budget. The projected numbers so far seem to be hovering around $45,878,015, which doesn’t seem hopeful.

There are a few reasons for the lowered revenue. To start, there are salaries and benefits that were previously covered by federal stimulus, but that’s set to expire in September of 2024, rolling in around $767,000 to the new budget. 

In addition, the state governor is proposing to lower Foundation Aid for every district in New York, which will heavily impact CRCS and other rural schools. If this proposal goes through, the district is slated to lose $134,000 or more.

The topic of Foundation Aid was something that Board President Bruce Tryon stuck to, stating that it seems as if state aid is toyed with every year. 

“After looking at the numbers, I don’t know how the other districts in Schoharie County can function,” President Tryon lamented. He then called for the other schools to band together to try and regain some semblance of aid from the state.

However, while they remain hopeful that Foundation Aid will return, CRCS must prepare for the worst. And, with their estimations, Superintendent Sickles pointed out that they have a negative budget gap of $2,426,108.

After revealing the gap, he quickly reiterated that no matter how uncomfortable the situation becomes, they will only look at eliminating school programs as a last resort, and only after they’ve thoroughly spoken to affected staff members.

However, it’s important to point out that these are not the end numbers. These were only the projections from the first of five presentations, and the members of the Board believe that the gap will only shorten over time.

“We see a path forward,” Superintendent Sickles concluded. “It’s not a comfortable path or one that we would hope for, but it is a path.”




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Moves and Construction for Future Marshall’s



By Elizabeth Barr

COBLESKILL — Progress is being made at CP Plaza at Plaza Lane in Cobleskill. 

The previous EB Games location is moving walls and updating the interior for State Farm Insurance.   After speaking with an employee from National Structures Inc., the contractor who does all the work at the Plaza on Wednesday, we received word that State Farm should be moved into the EB Games location by April. Then they will begin work on preparing the Plaza exterior and interior for Marshalls.  

Label Shopper had no comment at this time.  

However, interior work for Marshall’s should begin by June or July.  

Speaking with Mike Piccolo, Village Codes Enforcement Officer, he stated that they are still working on relocating the businesses and are updating plans for Marshalls’ 22,500 square foot store to hopefully be open by the autumn of 2024.


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Missing Person Found Dead

By Alexis Pencar

COOPERSTOWN —  Matthew V. Sisson was found dead on the morning of Friday, February 2nd during a large multi-agency search effort near the Cooperstown Hospital, where he went missing a week prior.

With nearly 100 officers on the search, Otsego County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Richard Kimmerer, who was with other deputies, located a deceased male in the Susquehanna River at 11:15 AM on 2/2. The man was later identified as Sisson.

Matt Sisson, 45 years old of Otego, left Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown on Friday, January 26th at about 7:00 AM, he was being treated for a perforated appendix. There was a large search effort organized through Facebook by family and friends.

According to a statement from the Cooperstown Police Department, “The state Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is currently investigating the death”. They continued to say, “We offer our condolences to the family. At this time, the family is requesting privacy so they can process this tragedy and grieve in their own way. We would like to thank the community for all their efforts and support.”

The Cooperstown Police Department thanked the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the DEC Forest Rangers, New York State Police, Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, Otsego County District Attorney, New York State Fire, Otsego County Emergency Services, Otsego County EMS, Cooperstown Volunteer Fire Department, Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Department, West Edmeston Fire Department and members of the public who assisted in the search efforts.


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Lula Anderson, Person of the Year

By Michael Ryan

ASHLAND - There are several simple reasons - none of which she would agree with - that Lula Anderson is our 2023 “Person of the Year.”

It’s not that Lula is disagreeable, although she has been known to go toe-to-toe with somebody to protect her fellow members of the Windham-Ashland-Jewett-Prattsville-Lexington Golden Agers Club.

She became a bear with a sore head, a year or so ago, when the county closed down the Meals on Wheels program in the town of Jewett.

The county said it was about being short-staffed and temporary, cutting off the provision of warm meals for elderly and homebound folks.

Lula understood the economics but didn’t want to hear any nonsense about dollars and cents, loudly demanding the center re-open. Fast. It did.

She was 90 years old at the time and has only gotten saltier, still serving as WAJPL president and watching over her seasoned citizens flock, being a relentless voice for the voiceless.

Lula isn’t ornery either…well, that might depend on how you define ornery because she’s not afraid to tell you what’s on her mind about anything.

One favorite way to speak her mind is as a lay minister for the Methodist Church, though she’ll tell you it surely isn’t her mind she’s speaking.

Lula doesn’t preach typically. She tells little inspirational stories such as the woman with the Alabaster Jar, pouring perfume on the head of the Savior.

The disciples of Jesus found fault, saying the fragrance could have been sold, using the money for the poor, but the Master said to them…

“When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Perish the thought that Lula would allow herself to be compared, and that isn’t the intention. There is something about her, however, that lingers, similar to a sweet fragrance, when she is in your presence.

“Everyone needs a person they can call on. Anytime. Happy, sad, to vent or to settle themselves,” says Shannon Garraghan, a friend.

“For a lot of people it's Lula. No judgment. Not critical. That's rare and beautiful,” Garraghan says, expressing the sentiment of many.

Lula lives in the town of Ashland, just down the main road from where she was born, at home, in 1931, upstairs over a garage.

Her grandfather had a small hotel next door called the Maples. There were five brothers and sisters. Lula was the third of five, which is perhaps why she often ends up in the middle of things, willingly or not.

Lula’s father, Leslie Holdridge, cobbled together an old truck into the first school bus for Ashland kids, carting them to Windham.

A sense of community and being there for others saturates her soul and Lula, growing up, always figured she would be a nurse.

That dream didn’t happen the way she imagined. Instead she worked as a telephone operator, having served an apprenticeship in school.

Some small towns had dial up in those days, some didn’t, so callers had to go through Lula with all the switchboard cables and party lines which kept her busy but wasn’t all work and no play.

She met her future husband, George Anderson, when he was a lineman for an electric company, getting hitched in 1964 and spending a handful of years in Florida before returning to the mountains.

George had a barbershop in the house with the swirling red-white-and-blue barber pole outside, cutting hair until he simply couldn’t anymore.

Lula and George had four children, a daughter and three boys who require

mothering than usual which is fine and dandy with their mom.

Over the years, Lula has shared her poignant and sometimes pointed observations in a weekly newspaper column, doing her darndest to maintain the increasingly elusive feeling of community.

The ideas are all hers even as the actual writing and compiling fell into the hands of Opal DeLong and Judy LoPresti (who, in the fight with the county and many other adventures, is “Pancho” to Lula’s “Cisco Kid”).

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Lula is utterly devoted to the Golden Agers, a group founded in part by her mother and father.

And she is clinging like a peach to the precepts set before her by her parents, saying, in a recent conversation, “my father always said technology was a good idea.

“But he believed sometimes we put the cart before the horse. We aren’t ready for it. Like now. People don’t just talk to each other anymore.

“When you text somebody, you can’t tell their emotions at all. We’re leaving people behind. I guess I’m a thorn in the side of a lot of people when I say things like that but it’s not the right direction.”

Which explains, in an inarguable nutshell, why Lula Anderson is our Greene County 2023 “Person of the Year,” for being simply human everyday, which isn’t a simple task at all.



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Hunter Planning Board Deliberates on Cannabis Facility

By Max Oppen

TANNERSVILLE —  In a meticulously orchestrated session at the Town of Hunter planning board meeting, Elka Park resident Alexander Zivian unveiled updates to the site plan map for his brainchild, the Catskill Mountain Cannabis LLC. Nestled at the intersection of Platte Clove Road and Farrell Road, this proposed cannabis growing and distribution center is poised to revolutionize the local industry.

Zivian, accompanied by Gavin Vuillaume, who represented the Environmental Design Partnership engineering firm, took the helm of the presentation. Their collaborative efforts highlighted the evolving blueprint for the facility that promises to redefine standards in sustainable cannabis cultivation. A notable feature is the commitment to eschew tractor-trailers and limit the workforce to a modest five employees.

The unveiled updates encompassed revisions to the parking plan and an intricately detailed erosion control strategy. Zivian, currently a resident on the proposed site, articulated plans for the 10,800-square-foot prefabricated building. The proposed structure will stand at a modest 10 feet tall.

"I plan on using a living soil organic system of growing," Zivain affirmed. "The plants will be grown in beds using completely organic nutrients." He assured attendees that the facility would not employ pesticides or fertilizers, adhering to the highest organic standards.

Each unique growing cycle is projected to span eight to nine weeks, with several cycles yearly. Zivian projected a minimum of five years before soil amendments would be necessary, underscoring the commitment to sustainability. Waste, including soil, stems, and seeds, is earmarked for dispatch to a state-certified composting facility.

Supervisor Sean Mahoney interjected during the session, probing Zivian's stance on rainwater harvesting. Zivian was under the impression that such practices might not be legal in the Catskill Watershed. This was met with disagreement from Mahoney, citing local precedents such as rainwater harvesting currently used by Former Market Gardens.

The meeting's climax was the announcement by Planning Board Chair Marc Czermerys of a forthcoming public hearing in early March. Anticipating robust community engagement, Czermerys encouraged attendees to reserve detailed inquiries for the impending hearing.

Topics during the meeting ranged from lighting plans and noise concerns related to compressors and generators to the potential necessity of fencing for the indoor growing facility. Czermerys, with an eye on transparency and community involvement, assured attendees that the public hearing on March 5 at 6:30 pm would be the ideal forum for comprehensive discussions.

For those unable to attend the hearing in person at the Town Hall, Czermerys extended an invitation for remote participation. Interested parties can contact him at (518) 589-6151, ext 304 by 2 pm on March 5 to receive a Zoom link.



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M'burgh Board to Hold Public Hearing on Housing Project

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - The Middleburgh village board will hold a public hearing on a controversial housing development proposed for a field off of upper Main Street at the end of the month.

The board scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, February 28 at 4:30pm. The public hearing on the state environmental quality review form will be at 4:35pm at the Middleburgh Library on Main Street.

Proposed developer Fred Risse presented the board with an engineer's report and a historical review Monday night. He said that crews dug about 90 test holes by hand on the property to search for historic items. They found a "couple of bottles,” but they were not that old and nothing of significance was found.

Mr. Risee, a farmer, who is also the chairman of the planning board, suggested that the village board review the SEQR and site plan at the same time. The planning board meets Wednesday and will go over the checklist for the proposal and give its recommendation, he said.

John Wingfield, chairman of the zoning board of appeals, noted that, typically, the village gets the title and fee for new roads and streets. There is a right-of-way for the entrance road and some easements are needed, Mr. Risse added. Mayor Tim Knight said the decision to take over a street is done when the project is completed.

There are 11 parcels, Mr. Risse noted, two are in the commercial zone and the rest in a planned development district. The parcels are just under a half acre each.

He did not know the cost of each parcel. He did say that the cost for a historical report is $5,000 and a driveway permit costs $500. Two fire hydrants are needed and they may cost $2,800 each and Mr. Risse does not know the cost of the road material except that the cost continues to rise.

After the village hearing, the matter has to go to the county planning commission for review and recommendation. Mr. Risse will also let the fire department know of the plans.

Mr. Risse told village board members last September that reports from the surveyor and engineer should be ready in time for the village's October board meeting. The reports are required before the village can start on reviewing and eventually voting on the long form of the state environmental quality review report. The long form is required since there is some floodplain area in the proposed development as well as an archaeological study. A long-form was also used in the Cliff Side development about 20 years ago. Village leaders are using that process as a precedent for this development.

After hearing no further comment from the public, village officials in September closed the public hearing on the proposal.

Village officials last August agreed to leave a public hearing open until their September meeting after receiving a brief narrative of the project from Mr. Risse.

In addition to the SEQR, Mr. Risse said there is a commercial lot he would like to incorporate into the plan on the south side of the street in the development. The plot would be a quarter-acre. The development is being presented as a planned development district.

The development is proposed on a parcel behind Andy's Auto on upper Main Street

There were few comments at the June 2023 hearing on the proposal, though a resident did question board members on their role in approving the project. Mr. Risse proposed the on-again, off-again project early last year.

In March 2023, it appeared the controversial housing development might be dead before it was born after Mr. Risse told town board members that he might pull out of the project because of costs.

Mr. Risse said in March that the village zoning laws are so outdated, the planning board would have to follow the town subdivision laws which would require a state environmental quality review as well as requiring a payment of $250 for each proposed lot.

According to a sketch, the development of two of the parcels would be accessed off of Main Street and another by a road into the development. The other 10 would be accessed via a cul-de-sac.

Village officials have agreed to be a lead agency for the development.

Mr. Risse proposed an affordable housing complex about 20 years ago that did not proceed.


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