Obituaries: Hare, Luyando, Benschop

By DOUG LAROCQUE

NEW LEBANON–At the March meeting of the Town Board, it was a case of saving the best for last. Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling mentioned she had gotten a phone call from state Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-41th), that the Senate’s state budget proposal contains $2.25 million dollars to officially close the former landfill on Old Post Road. The facility shut down years ago, but it has never been capped, despite orders from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to do so, because of cost. Columbia County has previously contributed $625,000 toward the closing, but that is meant to cover incident costs on a year-to-year basis. Supervisor Houghtling says that money still sits in a town account, earmarked for that specific use only.

According to Senator Hinchey, the funding is not a sure thing yet, as the Senate and Assembly budgets still must go to conference to iron out differences and meet with the governor’s signature. The senator did tell Ms. Houghtling that once the funding is included in the Senate’s version, it typically is approved.

The board also heard a presentation from Lamont Engineers concerning a feasibility study as to constructing a municipal water and wastewater system for the town’s business district along the Routes 20 and 22. The town has been awarded a $55,000 plus grant to conduct the study. New Lebanon’s matching share is approximately $2,800. An initial survey about the proposed construction saw 25 property owners respond, with 19 of those in favor.

A feasibility study is by no means a guarantee either system will be built. If the study has positive results, securing the funding for construction is a hurdle that would still have to be overcome. A decision to build would also be subject to a permissible referendum, meaning if 5% of the people who voted in the last gubernatorial election in the proposed district signed a petition for a referendum, it would have to go before voters.

Only those served by either system would be billed for it, and it is possible if approved, those living in the district would still be able to opt out.

What to do about new or expanding commercial storage units has been a topic of debate since last summer. From a proposal not to allow any new construction to permitting such with very specific restrictions have been proposed and pulled back several times. The most recent plan, labeled as Local Law # 1 was formally introduced by the board at the meeting, with a public hearing scheduled for 5:45 p.m. on April 9, just prior to the regular meeting.

Also at the meeting:

*The newly opened Community Center is doing well, according to coordinator Rob Long. The center had 110 visitors in February and Mr. Long feels that number is simply going to increase as the word gets out and the weather gets better. He noted there will be a free community dinner on May 5, prepared and served by students from the New Lebanon School District

*The board voted to extend their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the developers looking to construct a not-for-profit pharmacy, while they seek construction and grant funding. The extension allows them to keep the $40,000 dollars in ARPA money to town earmarked for their use. The developers would have to return that money if they are not open a year from the meeting’s date

*New Lebanon recently was designated a Pro-Housing Community by the state. The town would like to consider seeking public opinion as to what kind of housing is needed. Supervisor Houghtling indicated she has heard support for more senior housing.

By EMILIA TEASDALE

VALATIE—After the County Board of Elections completed a manual recount of the ballots for the Kinderhook Town Board, it was confirmed that Sally Naramore was the winner of that very close race. With over 3,000 votes cast, Ms. Naramore edged out current board member George Jason Graham by 7 votes.

According to a press release from the Kinderhook Democratic Committee, this is the first time a Democrat has been elected to the Kinderhook Town Board (either supervisor or Town Board seat) in 16 years.

The final results for the 2023 general election held on November 7 were posted on the Board of Elections website (www.columbiacountyny.com) on December 1.

Ms. Naramore ran on the Democratic and the Kinderhook Community Party ballot lines. She is a registered Democrat, who lives in the Village of Kinderhook, and is a retired social studies teacher/department chair from Hudson High School.

Mr. Graham ran on the Republican and Conservative lines. He was appointed to the board to finish the term of current Supervisor Tim Ooms, when he was first elected supervisor in 2021. Mr. Graham then ran for the board unopposed in 2022, winning a one year term. Before joining the board, Mr. Graham was a member and chair of the town Planning Board.

At their regular board meeting Monday, December 4, the last meeting of 2023, board member Debbie Devine said she was “sad to see Jason go” and that he’s been “easy to work with.” She praised Mr. Graham for the time he’s given to the town on the Town Board and the Planning Board.

Ms. Devine also welcomed Ms. Naramore to the board. Newly reelected board member Phil Bickerton, who was endorsed by both the Democratic Committee and the Republicans, also congratulated Ms. Naramore.

Supervisor Ooms was also on the ballot, running unopposed for a second term. And Town Clerk April Pinkowski was elected after being appointed to the position in early 2023.

David Kolb was elected Town Justice.

In a statement to the Columbia Paper, Ms. Naramore wrote, “I am very grateful for all the support I received in this race. It was a very close decision and my opponent is obviously well received by many in the town. I hope to bring new insight into the challenges facing the town. As a 40 year resident, I have seen change and know it must be addressed proactively. Working with the other members of the council I hope to move forward on a public/private partnership for a community center and to broaden the town’s outreach.”

The board will hold its organizational meeting and first meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Martin H. Glynn Building. Most board meetings are the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

To contact reporter Emilia Teasdale email eteasdale@columbiapaper.com