MCS Readies for 2025-26 School Year

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh school board members got ready for the 2025-26 school year at their June 11 school board meeting by making a slate of appointments for the upcoming school year.

At their June 11 school board meeting, board members:

* Named Gregg Johns as athletic director for the 2025-26 school year.

* Appointed the following department coordinators for the upcoming school year: Cynthia Vedder, pre-K-6 for literacy, Mary Heather (Monczewski) Guyer, pre-K-6, English, Marissa Lombardo, 7-12, English, Terry Burton, pre-K-6, math, Jessica Schoenecker, 7-12, math, Kelly Becker, pre-k_6, science, Mollie Burgett, 7-12, science, Maria Sime, pre-k-6, social studies, Jason Dannible, 7-12, social studies, Bri Slater, pre-K-6, special education, Felicia Hunter, 7-12, special education, Kimberly Audino, pre-K-12 music, art, foreign language, guidance counselors, Scott Gray, pre-K-12, CTE, tech, FACS, business, agriculture, physical education, health, library.

* Named the following RtI coordinators for the 2025-26 school year: Rebecca Quinn, pre-K/K, Kimberly Kennedy, first and second, Brooke Ingram, third and fourth, Mary Guyer, fifth and sixth, Ms. Schoenecker, seventh and eighth, Ms. Lombardo, ninth and 10th, Paul Pierce and Kelly Pacatte, 11th and 12th.

* Appointed Lillian Barsale as a part-time teacher assistant for the 2025-26 school year.

* Named Jeanne Sheehan as a part-time teacher assistant for the upcoming school year.

* Appointed Maureen Sniffen as a teaching assistant for the 2025-26 school year.

* Appointed the following extracurricular advisors for the 2025-26 school year: Ms. Audino, art club, elementary, Zoe Santoro, art club, high school, Adam Baker, athletic association, Joe Yung, AV coordinator. Ms. Audino, book club elementary, Maria Jones and Laruie McGeary, awards and points, Josh Bornt and Jody DeJong, Class of 2026 advisors. Angie Hurst and Kaitlyn MacMillan, class of 2027 advisors, Mikayla Misenhimer and Sarah Tomic, sophomore class advisors, Felicia Decrosta-Hunter, freshman class advisor, Ms. Lombardo, drama club, Mr. Bornt, Envirothon, Ms. Schoenecker and Mr. Pierce, e-sports, Ms. Hurst, FACS vlub, Ms. Lombardo, fall play, Denise Colistra, FBLA, Carmen Fagnani, FFA, Ms. Schonecker and Mr. Pierce, Game Club, Ms. Tomic, Gay Straight Alilance, Jason Dannible, history club, Katelynne Schuttig, Interact and intramural running club, Ms. Tomic, jazz band, Andrew Drescher, Little Knights intramural director, Ms. Tomic, marching band, Nicholas Follett, Music of the Knight, Ms. Misenhimer and Ms. Tomic, musical choral directors, Ms. Lombardo and Ms. Misenhimer, musical directors, Ms. Tomic, musical orchestra directors. Ms. Lombardo, musical production arts, Suzette Clark, national honor society and national junior honor society, Alex Johnson, newspaper, Lillian Barsale and Maria McGrail, Odyssey of the Mind head coaches, Sierra Diamond and Kyle Britton, SADD, Noah Vella, show choir and music club elementary, Olivia Hamm, ski club, Rachel May and Rasmiya Ruenes, Spanish club, Ms. Lombardo and Ms. Tomic, spring film, Maria Sime, Student Congress, Gregg Johns, summer fitness advisor, Alex Johnson (7), Ms. Schoenecker (8), Ms. Burgett (9), Ms. Schuttig (10), Jason Dannible (11,12) team liaisons, Scott Gray, teach club, Ms. Schoenecker and Mr. Pierce, video club, Heather Howe, Ms. Audino, Ms. Sime, and Ms. DeJong, web coordinators, Susan Albright, yearbook, Ms. DeJong and Ms. Howe, yearbook assistants.

* Named Ellen Miller as sub caller with a $5,000 stipend.

* Named the following to summer enrichments positions: Olivia Hamm, Cory Billings, Emily Houlihan, Lyn Burton, teachers, Jaclyn Kossman, teacher assistant, Nicole Juhl, teaching aide, Kayleigh, Brodie, nurse.

* Appointed Leif S. Vargas to a four-year position as a math teacher.

* Named Q Jones as mentor for Ms. Vargas.

* Named the following as summer cleaners: Matthew Croote and Jackson Hughes-Charboneau.

 

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Mine Kill State Park Boat Launch to Close for the Season Effective July 7 - Closure to Accommodate Power Authority’s Planned Improvement to Public Facilities

NORTH BLENHEIM — The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today announced that the Mine Kill State Park Boat Launch at the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project’s lower reservoir will close for the season to recreational boating effective July 7. The closure is necessary to accommodate planned renovation of the facilities, which will include a new kayak building with storage lockers, a new eagle observation area and a new launch with an accessible sidewalk. The boat launch will remain closed for the duration of the season and will reopen next year. The lower parking lot and picnic areas will also be closed during the project, and there may be some closures of hiking trails as well. Visitors are asked to observe all construction signage and check the state park’s website before visiting for additional information. 

Mine Kill State Park is owned and maintained by the New York Power Authority as part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) license for the Blenheim-Gilboa Pump Storage Power Project. The planned work is part of the project’s 2019 FERC relicensing agreement.  

The Blenheim-Gilboa Project’s upper reservoir will remain open for boating but is limited to rowboats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks only—with or without electric-trolling motors. Gasoline-powered engines and sailboats are prohibited on the upper reservoir.  

For access to the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project’s upper reservoir, boaters are required to stop at the south gate on Valenti Road no earlier than 7:00 a.m. on the day you intend to use the upper reservoir.  All boats must be off the reservoir promptly at 5:00 p.m. Shoreline fishing closes at dusk. Daily inspections of the reservoir will be performed by the NYPA B-G Security. 

Please visit the New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation webpage on tips for boating safety. 

 

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Moving Up Day at MCS

MIDDLEBURGH - There were plenty of certificates, flowers, songs, awards, and tears last week as Middleburgh elementary school fifth graders had their Moving Up day.

Elementary school Principal Amy Irwin and teachers handed out awards and certificates. Photos courtesy of MCS.

 

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Old Stone Fort to Host Independence Day Celebration, Architectural Talk

SCHOHARIE — The Old Stone Fort Museum will host two public events in July, including an interactive Independence Day celebration on July 4 and a talk on the architectural heritage of Dutch barns on July 12.

The "Independence Day at the Old Stone Fort" event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. Hosted alongside the historical group Turning Point 1777, the living history experience will feature readings of the Declaration of Independence, flag-switching ceremonies, and an opportunity for the public to sign a giant copy of the Declaration. The day will also include a talk by author Jeff O’Connor. The outdoor events are free to attend, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Regular admission to the museum will be $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children.

On Saturday, July 12, Nick Russell of Long Pine Timber Frames will present “The Dutch Barn Revealed: Timber Frame Design and Architectural Heritage.” The talk, which will explore the structure, story, and legacy of the Dutch Barn, is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Badgley Museum Annex. Admission is free, and proceeds will benefit the museum's Dutch Barn Restoration Project. Attendees are encouraged to come early to enjoy the annual Lily Fest before the talk begins.

 

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Cool Treats and Big Trucks! Annual Gallupville House Association Ice Cream Social and Touch a Truck Event

GALLUPVILLE – Everyone is invited to join the Gallupville House Association at their annual Ice Cream Social and Touch a Truck event. This will be held at the Gallupville House in Gallupville, NY on July 17th at 6 PM to 8:00 PM. Ice Cream cones or bowls will be served to all participants at no charge, but donations are always accepted. This annual celebration combines the summer joy of ice cream with the chance to meet your neighbors and get up close to emergency vehicles from the Gallupville Fire Department, highway equipment from the Town of Wright Highway Department, and antique military vehicles.  Everyone will be invited to climb aboard while enjoying ice cream treats.  Bring your family and your curiosity and enjoy time together. 

Mark your calendars and please attend the Gallupville House Association’s Ice Cream Social and Touch a Truck event on July 17th from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Gallupville House, 913 State Route 443 in the hamlet of Gallupville. The event is free and open to the public.

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“This Old Quilt” - Textile Conservator Gives Illustrated Talk

By Carolyn Bennett

GILBOA — A century after Gilboa Village was flooded to make way for the Schoharie Reservoir, local historians and residents continue to unravel its history. So, imagine their astonishment when Bill and Donna Davis arrived at the Gilboa Museum last October to donate a quilt featuring 276 embroidered signatures of residents from the old village between 1912-1914!

First order was saving the quilt. It was showing its years with tears, holes, bunched batting, and discolorations in its red and white patterning. The Museum reached out to textile conservator Sarah Stevens for the rescue. What did she do? How did she do it? 

Sarah’s illustrated talk will take place on July 12, a Saturday, at 1p.m. at Schoharie Counties’ Gilboa Museum and Nicholas J. Juried History Center, 122 Stryker Road in Gilboa, NY 12076. 

The talk is accompanied by a new exhibit in the Museum, “It Takes a Village: Signature Fund-Raising Quilts” featuring the quilt that Sarah Stevens preserved, the Davis Gilboa Quilt, dated 1912-1914. 

We aren’t sure what cause enticed 276 people of all ages in Gilboa, and some from neighboring areas, to pay 10 or 25 cents to put their names on this quilt, but we do know that at the time of the quilt, Gilboa Village was a thriving business and residential center of the town with State Roads to build, temperance and suffrage laws to be won, and community buildings to be maintained. Which one of these needs inspired the quilt’s fundraising? Perhaps more time will tell.

So, come to the Gilboa Museum, check out the quilt and the many people named on it, and don’t miss the illustrated talk by Sarah Stevens to see how these quilts can be rescued for generations to come. Refreshments will be served!

The Gilboa Museum and Nicholas J. Juried History Center is located at 122 Stryker Rd. Gilboa, NY, 12076. 

Activities at the Gilboa Museum & Nicholas J. Juried History Center are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Office of the Governor and New York State Legislature, New York Power Authority, Joyce and David Barber Fund, Nicholas J. Juried Foundation; and the Town of Gilboa.    

What follows is based on an interview with textile conservator, Sarah Stevens of Zephyr Preservation Studio, Cahoes, NY.        

Sarah Stevens discovered her “calling” as a textile conservator while working backstage with theater costumes after graduating with a linguistics degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Another member of the wardrobe crew mentioned that her college had a costume collection with beaded dresses that they stored in drawers instead of hangers because they are heavier and sometimes cut on the bias and would stretch out and deform if they were kept on hangers. “My interest was piqued,” said Sarah, “so I started looking at textile programs for further study.”

Sarah’s search located two programs that had conservation – one in Canada and one in the UK. Both posted organic chemistry as a prerequisite, but in the end she decided to look no further than her home state of Rhode Island. “My mother suggested looking into any textile classes, as Rhode Island and New England were one of the places with early textile production,” Sarah explained. “I was happy to discover an entire department at the University of Rhode Island dedicated to textiles and so I did my Masters Degree at URI, which took about 3 years, including classes, a dissertation and hands-on training.” Her work while there also included serving as Lab Manager in the Conservation Laboratory analyzing textiles and performing treatments.

After assisting with projects at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art as an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Conservation, Sarah assisted with other projects for the NYS Preservation Bureau of Historic Sites. Sarah founded her own Zephyr Preservation Studio in 2010.

Sarah is careful to describe herself as a conservator, especially when potential clients come to her to “preserve” a historical item.

“I think of conservation on a continuum between preservation and restoration,” said Sarah.  “For me, restoration is making the item look like it did when it was new, which is rarely possible with textiles unless you make a reproduction. But even then, it is difficult because the quality of various fabrics has changed over time. Preservation is a part of conservation, in that one can do things to help preserve fabric, like storing it an acid-free box, wrapping in acid-free tissue, and keeping it in good environmental conditions. “

Sarah goes on to explain that “conservation comes into play when the item needs 'fixing', so we use terms like 'stabilization' and use specialized materials to accomplish the client's goals. We are also usually conserving things that are no longer going to be used as they were originally. For example, this quilt,” she says, pointing to the Davis Gilboa quilt she will be discussing at the Gilboa Museum on July 12th,“ isn't going to be put on someone's bed and keep them warm at night.”

How did she come to work on the Davis Gilboa Quilt and what were her first impressions?

“The Gilboa Historical Society found me and brought the quilt for me to take a look at and see what could be done to improve the condition,” she explains. “There were some large holes and lumpiness from the batting inside the quilt. I was first amazed at all the signatures! But then started looking at the condition and figuring out how best to make improvements.

“Working on this quilt was a wonderful introduction to quilt conservation. Others I have seen usually have the signatures in ink, so this a different sort of signature quilt.”

Asked if she could give her audience a sneak preview of her upcoming talk, “This Old Quilt” at the Gilboa Museum, she acknowledged the reference made to  Bob Vila's iconic DYI show  but was quick to add,  “Much of what I do is based on expertise and training, so, in addition to the specifics of what I was able to do with this quilt, I will be sharing with folks what they can do with their textiles at home to improve preservation.”

“This quilt did have some challenges, some I overcame and some I did not –  come to the talk and find out!”

Sarah Stevens will discuss her conservation work on the Davis Gilboa Quilt at the Gilboa Museum and Nicholas J. Juried History Center on Saturday, July 12th, 1 pm. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

 

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Schoharie Valley Vet Celebrates New Ownership with Open House

By Lei Rowan

SCHOHARIE– On Saturday, the Schoharie Valley Vet Clinic (SVVC) hosted an open house from 12-3 pm. The goal was to connect with the community more and allow people to meet the new owner, Dr. Katelyn Sharpe, DVM.

Dr. Sharpe greeted guests and answered questions. Staff offered guided tours of the building, guests also had the option of doing a self guided tour. Each exam room was set up with various animal products that staff educated guests about, such as pet food and flea/tick preventatives. Stuffed animals were set up to give people an idea of how different diagnostic equipment would be used.

SVVC has been open since 2001, with Dr. Sharpe owning it for the last 3 months. There are currently 13 total staff, with positions open for licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs). They mostly care for dogs and cats, and possibly other species upon request. Services offer routine physicals and vaccinations, preventatives such as flea and tick medications, in-house diagnostics for tick borne diseases and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), spays and neuters, dentals, ultrasounds, X-Rays, and other surgeries. 

Dr. Sharpe aims to be available for the community. “I care about the patients and will take the time to discuss all options with their owners. I treat them as if they are my own family,” she stated, “It has been a dream come true owning my own veterinary hospital in Schoharie county.”

In the future, Dr. Sharpe intends to do workshops and vaccination clinics, and hopes to work with the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley more. She was grateful for everyone that helped contribute to organizing the open house. Bretts Fried served one free food item to guests, while Idexx, Antech, Midwest Veterinary Supply, Boehringer Ingelheim, and local vendors all donated money towards food or supplies for the raffle. 

Dr. Sharpe noted that she commonly sees dental diseases and obesity in dogs, and stress causing urinary tract infections and upper respiratory infections in cats. Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases are also common. SVVC strongly recommends calling to schedule an appointment, getting pets acclimated to a vet, and going over necessary vaccinations and preventatives to ensure pet health. “Every day is different in veterinary medicine, with cases and patients, which makes it exciting.”

The Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley brought several dogs eligible for adoption for people to view outdoors, along with a sales booth with shirts, earrings, donation jar, and more. All proceeds collected by SVVC on Saturday went to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley. 

For more information, visit SVVC at 4853 State Route 30 in Schoharie, call (518) 827-8600, or visit https://schoharievalleyvet.com/

 

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Schoharie Promotional Association Celebrates 8th annual Lily Festival

SCHOHARIE -- On Saturday, July 12, nearly 100 vendors will descend on the Lilies of the Schoharie Valley Walking Path and Gardens on Fort Road near the Old Stone Fort.

Better known as the Lily Park, the three-acre parcel has been transformed by volunteers from Schoharie Promotional Association from a brush dump into an oasis of lilies and an explosion of color.

The nonprofit association will host its 8th annual Lily Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12, featuring free admission, parking and shuttle service.

“It’s the biggest event yet, with close to 100 vendors,” said Darlene Patterson, Schoharie Promotional Association president and chair of the Lily Park Committee. “We’re hoping for dry weather, and that the lilies hold out until the event.”

One of three Schoharie village parks, the Lily Park has become a popular spot to walk and reflect for locals and tourists alike.

Founded in the spring of 2015, the park sits on three acres of village-owned land, close to Schoharie’s beloved covered bridge. It continues to expand, and thanks to a donation from the late philanthropist Nicholas J. Juried, a pavilion is now located in the heart of the park.

With a theme of “Birds & Bees,” this year’s Lily Fest will feature 90-plus vendors and crafters set up throughout the park and on the Fox Creek covered bridge, with musicians playing throughout the day. There will also be activities for children (face painting, crafts, balloons, bubbles and contests), numerous food vendors, a dog show competition, presentations and a large chance raffle – not to mention a baby miniature donkey and traveling therapy pigs.

“We’re so grateful for the generosity of so many,” said Patterson, “especially our dedicated volunteers.”

For information about the festival and a full list of vendors, or to make a donation to the Lily Park, go to https://schohariepromo.org.

 

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SCS Approves Personnel Moves

STAFF REPORT

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie school board members got ready for the new school year by approving a slate of appointments at their June 18 meeting.

At their June 18 meeting, board members:

* Appointed Pamela Cooke as a secondary school math teacher at a salary of $49,414, according to the STA contract. Her probationary appointment is through August 31, 2029.

* Accepted the resignation of secondary school English teacher Anne Ringuette effective June 30.

* Accepted the resignation of Vanessa Reed as full-time teacher aide retroactive to June 16.

* Accepted the resignation of Andrew Wynne as custodial worker retroactive to June 9.

* Approved the extension of the school year for special education teacher aide Kelly Hartzel effective July 7 through August 15.

* Named Donna Nunamann as district treasurer for the 2025-26 school year.

* Approved a memorandum of agreement with the SCEA for the correction of salary stipend amounts to the CSEA contract.

* Approved a memorandum of agreement with the SCEA - Head Cooks according to the terms and conditions for the 2025-26 school year.

* Appointed Lauralee Brooks and Belinda Shepard as head cooks for the 2025-26 school year at salaries of $3,121 each per the SCEA contract.

* Approved a memorandum of understanding with the SCEA- Melissa Schoeffler, per stated terms and conditions for the upcoming school year.

* Approved a memorandum of agreement with the STA- Farolyn Clapper, RN, according to the stated terms and conditions for the 2025-256 school year.

* Approved summer curriculum development work for Ashley Hannan at the curriculum hourly rate per the STA contract.

* Added Stephen Usher, certified with degree, to the SCS substitute list.

* Approved an agreement with Bassett Hospital for student/athlete physical exams for the 2025-26 school year.

 

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SCS Huge Building Project in the Homestretch

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE — Schoharie Central School's $25.9 million building project is entering its final stages.

Superintendent David Blanchard gave school board members an update on the project that is transforming the elementary school at their June 18 meeting.

"There's a lot of work left to complete," Mr. Blanchard said.

The contractors are not concerned with getting the work done on time, he added.

"I’m not concerned about it being completed this fall," Mr. Blanchard said. "As expected in the contractors schedules, everything is on schedule. We’ve pushed hard to have everything done by the first week in September, ahead of schedule, when students return and we may be a week or two into the school year."

Work in several areas continue this summer, he said.

"The weight room, kitchen,  cafeteria  elevator, handicap ramp, and windows in the 1999 wing are finished or will be finished this week," he said in late June. "The gym flooring will need time to acclimate and appears to be on track for the end of August when the fall sports season starts. Elementary classroom windows will all be replaced starting this week. We are told they will be done at the end of August." The window replacement will take about a day and a half per classroom.

Huge cranes were brought on site to place the air handlers on the new gym roof, an important step for temperature control in August when the floor is being put down, Mr. Blanchard said.

Despite the amount of work to be done, he is confident it will be completed this fall.

"There is a lot of work in a short time, but I believe there will be a large punch list this fall. The project will be significantly complete by September."

Mr. Blanchard also noted that the project is "financially in good shape and within budget."

When completed, the construction would combine the current "1976" gym and elementary school cafeteria into a much larger gym with a stage at one end, move the cafeteria into the current elementary school library, and move the library to the current "1952" gym.  In addition, classrooms will be facelifted and painted, bathrooms will be upgraded and there will be plumbing upgrades in the 1952 wing.

The transformation of the elementary school began late last summer and has continued through the rest of the fall, the winter, the spring and now the summer. 

Though many parts of the elementary school have been altered, the teachers and students were "extremely cooperative" and there have been "minimal interruptions," Mr. Blanchard said earlier this year.

Concrete work was done in December as the concrete truck poured floors in several areas including the rebuilt gym, the cafeteria, and the kitchen in the elementary school. The walls then went up.

The project has had a major impact on the elementary school installing a new gym and relocating the cafeteria and library, among other work.

The bids were awarded in August and work began in the beginning of September. Construction and break down areas were installed around September 15,

In addition to the work in the elementary school, other areas are seeing upgrades including the high school gym locker room, the training rooms, and the fitness center. 

Last year, board members approved four bids for the project. The district received four bids for general construction and approved a bid from Murnane Building Contractors for $9.1 million. There were six bids for mechanical work, and board members approved a bid from Crisafulli Mechanical for $1.5 million. There were five bids for the electrical work and board members approved a bid from SW Burke Electric for $1.4 million. The district received five bids for the plumbing work and board members approved a quote from Tri-Valley Plumbing and Heating for $631,000.

The lights for the tennis courts and softball fields were completed in mid-October.

The $25.9 million project was approved by voters in May 2022. The project does not require any new local taxpayer funds as state aid and the current building reserve will cover the costs.

 

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Amazon Takes Over Highbridge

 

Amazon’s amended site plan was proposed on Tuesday evening, which features the warehouse being drastically reduced and the elimination of the gas station and restaurant.

By Joshua Walther

SCHOHARIE — At the latest Schoharie Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, the debate continued over what is right for the Town as the Highbridge site plan received amendments.

Proposed back in 2022, the site was originally going to be developed by Highbridge as a 550,000 square foot warehouse with a suite of amenities, including a gas station and restaurant. 

While the site received much scrutiny and controversy over its proposal, with the hottest topic being an effort to preserve the small town feel of Schoharie, the project was ultimately approved.

However, with Amazon now purchasing the plot, the site is going to receive several large-scale amendments that need to be put in front of the Planning Board once more.

Several Amazon representatives showed up to the Tuesday meeting, including staff from their operations, engineering, and development teams.

To begin, they started by explaining that this warehouse will be one of their “last mile” facilities, which means that line haul trucks will bring in pre-packaged products, the packages will be sorted by zip code, and waves of vans will bring those packages to the customer at their home.

When asked whether the trucks will travel through Schoharie, the Amazon team was adamant that they would adhere to all agreements made by Highbridge, including the concession to only allow trucks to turn back toward the highway and not bother the Town.

Following their introduction, they presented their new site plan with all changes made, the biggest of them being that the warehouse will see a drastically reduced size at only 223,000 square feet and ten feet shorter than Highbridge’s plan.

Amazon also made the executive decision to eliminate the gas station and restaurant, with the only smaller structures on the site being a vehicle inspection station, a scanner, and a water tank.

To make up for the freed infrastructure space, there will be a larger parking lot, with the capacity to hold approximately one thousand parking spaces for trucks, vans, and employee vehicles.

Line haul trucks will park on the west side of the warehouse at one of the fifteen loading docks, drop their trailers behind a screen wall that protects the view of Route 30A, and leave as soon as they’re able.

While the facility itself will run 24/7 with a capacity of fifty to one hundred fifty employees, the vans will pick up their deliveries and be sent out in waves for two and a half hours until midday.

The delivery drivers will be sourced through a third party company, and although the vans themselves will start as gas vehicles to refuel locally, Amazon will help roll out electric vans that will charge on-site at one of the 250 planned EV charging stations.

As for noise and sight screening, Amazon plans to follow all of Highbridge’s approved drafts for what trees to use and where to plant them to hide their operations from view.

If the amended project is approved, Amazon’s team said that they would like to start construction in the fall to get down the concrete pad before winter, and that the entire project would see completion by late 2026 or early 2027.

Once the site plan was reviewed, the Planning Board held several concerns of their own, the most prevalent of which was the transformation of the land from country to corporate.

“I just don’t like it,” said member Dawn Johnson, who stood staunchly opposed to the feel of the project. “When we did our comprehensive plan, the community said that we wanted Schoharie to stay as a small town. This isn't a small town.”

Other members in the audience also raised concerns over drainage, air quality, light pollution, and the draw from the local power grid.

Amazon’s team responded by saying that although they will take drainage into consideration, they already know that the air quality and light pollution impacts will be “roughly the same” as Highbridge, and that the site will be directly connected to a substation three miles away to avoid interfering with the power grid.

When all of the questions had been asked, the Planning Board stated that they needed more time and information to properly assess the project before approval.

Both sides agreed that Amazon will return on July 15th with a completed drainage study, noise study, traffic study, updated engineer drawings, and a 3D render of the warehouse, where they will hold further discussion about the future of the site.

 

 

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Impaired Driving Case Guilty Plea

DELHI – District Attorney Shawn Smith announced today that on July 1, Steven Caiati, 47, of Starlight, Pennsylvania, appeared before the Honorable Judge John L. Hubbard in Delaware County Court and pleaded guilty to one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E Felony, and one count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, an Unclassified Misdemeanor.  

Prior to pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that he was under the influence of methemphetamine while he was driving on a public highway. The defendant also admitted that when he was being pulled over, he attempted to conceal his remaining stash of methemphetamine so that the police could not find it. 

As a result of the conviction, Caiati will be required to pay a fine of $1,270 while also having his driver’s license suspended for six months. Caiati was sentenced to time served (approximately 90 days) and extradited to Pennsylvania where his parole will be violated as a result of this felony conviction.  

On March 19, 2025, Deputy Lucas Elmore of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office made a routine traffic stop for vehicle equipment violations and located methamphetamine and other contraband in Caiati’s vehicle during a search. He also found Caiati to be violating other vehicle regulatory violations while operating without a seatbelt or proper license. Caiati subsequently failed a drug influence evaluation.  

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith commended Deputy Elmore and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office for a thorough investigation. Smith stated, “As a result of Deputy Elmore’s attention to detail, this routine traffic stop led to a felony conviction and the removal of a dangerous driver from our roads.” 

Shawn J. Smith

Delaware County District Attorney

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