VALATIE—The Kinderhook Town Board held its first meeting of 2023 on January 9 and voted to approve a law that amends the town code prohibiting hunting on town land.
The town owns about 77 acres at the town’s Volunteer Park off State Farm Road, and this new law states that “it shall be unlawful to engage in any type of hunting, including but not limited to hunting with a bow, shotgun and/or rifle, upon the town park, playground or recreational areas.”
The law also reads that the penalty for offenses “shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 days or both.”
Town Attorney Andy Howard and board members said at the meeting that they wanted a law on the books since it’s a gray area in state law whether people can hunt on state land.
One resident asked how people would know about the law and the board talked about possibly posting the information on the site.
Last year the board approved the use of some of the land at the park for a disc golf group. And the park is used by the dog park, town soccer and other groups as well as having a playground, a pavilion, fields for little league and basketball courts.
‘It shall be unlawful to engage in any type of hunting… upon the town park.’
New Town of Kinderhook town law
Also during the meeting the board approved support of the Unity Lodge 9 for charitable efforts in the town including having a “free store” in the hallway by the town offices. The members of the lodge said they would supply shelving or a cabinet for the free store, which will have non-perishable items, including clothing and hygiene products, for people to take.
The Town Board shares the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building with the Village of Valatie, so the board asked the members of the lodge to get approval from the village as well for the free store. Valatie Village Mayor Frank Bevens confirmed to The Columbia Paper that the Village Board also approved of the free store at their meeting on Tuesday, January 10.
Mayor Bevens pointed out that the lodge will take donations at the group’s building on Main Street in Valatie and will stock and “monitor” the store in the municipal building.
The lodge is also looking at starting a fuel sharing program in the town like the one the lodge currently has in New Lebanon to help families with fuel costs.
Before the regular meeting last week, the Town Board held its annual organization meeting. The board appointed:
•April Pinkowski as town clerk
•Starlyn D’Angelo to the town Planning Board
•Mary Ellen Hern as Planning Board Alternate Member
•Frank Colaruotolo as Planning Board Ag member
•The board is still looking for a new member of the Board of Assessment Review
•The board appointed committee members and board liaisons to groups.
Board meetings will continue to be held on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building with the audit meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Minutes and agendas are on the town’s website at www.kinderhook-ny.gov
To contact reporter Emilia Teasdale email eteasdale@columbiapaper.com
