Value of old Ockawamick School drops by half

HUDSON–Among the ceremonial functions performed last week by the county Board of Supervisors, which included Chairman Patrick Grattan (R-Kinderhook) reading a proclamation declaring December 5, 2013 Martin Van Buren Day, a commemoration of the 8th president’s 231st birthday, there was also a motion that may have longer term implications for the county.

At their Wednesday, November 13 monthly meeting the supervisors authorized acceptance of an appraisal of the old Ockawamick School on state Route 217 in Claverack that sets the current value for the building and surrounding land at $700,000.

The county paid $1.5 million for the property 5 years ago. At the time the county bought the 77,600-square-foot former public school and its 24-acre grounds in 2008, the proposal was to use it as the new headquarters for the county Department of Social Services and some other county agencies.

But public resistance to moving social services out of the City of Hudson and the costs of rehabbing the old school, which opened in 1952, thwarted the county’s plans. Other ideas for use of the building that have come up since the county bought the site have gathered little support and the school is presently used primarily for storage.

In other business, Hudson 4th Ward Supervisor William Hughes (D) presented a plaque to Francis Hughes, chairman of the Trustees of Shiloh Baptist Church in recognition of the outstanding service of the church to the City of Hudson for the past 98 years. Supervisor Hughes noted that Ms. Hughes is his mother and that his family has had a connection with Shiloh for all 98 years. Hudson supervisors Sarah Sterling (D-1st Ward), Ward Edward Cross (D-2nd Ward) and Ellen Thurston (D-3rd Ward) also attended the presentation.

• Filled a vacant position of psychiatric social worker, at a salary of $53,331, for the Department of Human Services

• Authorized the transfer of The Martin Van Buren Nature Area to The Friends of Lindenwald

• Authorized the director of E-911 to contract with Eastern Communications Inc. to complete the communications shelter site preparation at a cost of $35,665

• Authorized the director of E-911 to secure a contract with Intrado to upgrade the 911 phone system for a total of $369,302, to be paid in five annual installments of $82,450 • Authorized the director of 911 to secure a contract with Tiburon to upgrade the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System.

GOOD NEWS!: Community garden seeks to relieve food insecurity

In News, News - Ravena, The Ravena News Herald

July 25, 2024

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

COEYMANS HOLLOW — Combining the great outdoors with the prospect of fresh food and a love of community — how can you go wrong?

The Community Gardens at Trinity are open for their inaugural season and everyone is welcome to come and partake.

“In our community garden, anyone in the RCS district can participate,” said coordinator Melanie Collins. “It is a matter of come and see what you can use, pull a few weeds at the same time, if something needs to be watered, feel free to water, and then go home and enjoy your vegetables.”

The gardens are located on the grounds of Trinity United Methodist Church on Route 143 in Coeymans Hollow. You don’t need to be a church parishioner to participate — everyone in the community is welcome to come whenever they want. There are no open hours, residents can come and enjoy the bounty at their leisure.

The Community Gardens at Trinity are open to everyone in the community. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

Gardeners, or anyone in the community, all share in the produce grown in the garden beds. Beds are not assigned, and everyone can participate. There is no membership fee or other expenses.

“It’s a communal garden, so everyone gets to use every bed,” Collins said. “Everyone is sharing in the bounty.”

The community garden got its start in March of last year when church members and volunteers in the church’s food pantry came up with the idea. The group collected donations and secured a grant from the Albany County Legislature to get it started. Donations also came from a UMC/NYAC grant, GNH Lumber, Persico Ace Hardware, Sherry’s Gardens, the Town of Coeymans Highway Department, Collins & Son, and private donations.

There are about 10 volunteers who either worked to get the project off the ground or help maintain the garden now.

The garden beds in the rear of the property grow everything from carrots to cucumbers. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

There are two gardens — one behind the parsonage and one in front. The garden beds in the front of the property are raised, making for easier access for people who may not be able to lean over or kneel on the ground.

“These raised beds are for the differently abled folks who aren’t able to get down lower to the ground to pick or tend the garden,” Collins said. “The beds are raised so they don’t have to use joints that may not be as flexible as they used to be. And they can still glean from the garden.”

The raised beds in the front of the building grow eggplant, oregano, basil, cherry tomatoes and peppers, and the beds in the rear of the property have tomatoes, squash, beans, cucumbers, carrots and more peppers.

People can take whatever they need from both gardens and are also feel free to help maintain them.

The Community Gardens at Trinity are flourishing in their inaugural growing season. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

Parishioner and volunteer Lisa Maurer was quick to join in. In addition to tending the garden, Maurer and her husband worked to secure funding to install a gate to keep out deer and other animals, and finished installing it the day before Saturday’s open house.

“I love to garden so when Melanie talked about doing this and getting it going, I was on board,” Maurer said. “I think it’s a wonderful way to get the community to come over and see what we have going on. In these times, it’s a great thing for people to be able to supplement with some fresh vegetables.”

Volunteer Hailey Reedy is an avid gardener at home and was happy to bring her knowledge and skills to the community garden. She also sees benefits far beyond providing food and sustenance.

“When we were discussing putting together a gardening project through our food pantry, it sounded like a great idea to help people with food insecurity and as a resource for getting outdoors, reducing anxiety and providing a safe place to garden and enjoy fellowship and company,” Reedy said.

Everyone in the community is invited to visit and do some gardening, or partake in the bounty. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 1313 Route 143 in Coeymans Hollow. For more information about Community Gardens at Trinity, call 518-756-2812.

Value of old Ockawamick School drops by half

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