By DIANE VALDEN
GREENPORT—State Police arrested Cory M. Birk, 38, of Catskill on four counts of official misconduct and four counts of petit larceny, March 7.
On May 22, 2024, State Police were notified by the Town of Greenport that Mr. Birk, while he was employed as the Greenport building inspector and code enforcement officer, allegedly received cash payments from businesses for fire inspections that he failed to document. These inspections occurred between January and March 2024.
Mr. Birk worked for the town from March 2022 until April 2024.
Mr. Birk was issued an appearance ticket returnable in Greenport Town Court, March 31.
Investigators ask anyone who may have additional information about this case to contact State Police at 845-677-7300. State Police were assisted by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.
Court action
A Stuyvesant man who attempted to elude police by fleeing on an ATV in the Town of Kinderhook was sentenced March 12 in Columbia County Court to six years in prison and two years post release supervision on one count of second degree burglary, a class C felony, according to a press release from the Columbia County District Attorney.
Corey Hinz, 36, previously pleaded guilty January 15 to the charge in front of County Judge Brian Herman. Mr. Hinz has been held in the County Jail since his arrest July 9, 2024.
He was wanted by police in connection with several burglaries that had taken place days prior to the incident, allegedly recklessly driving through the area, including across the lawn of the town park where dozens of children were attending a summer program. Police also said Mr. Hinz was allegedly operating the vehicle while under the influence and that he was wanted in connection with a July 7 break-in, in which three firearms were stolen.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and its ATV unit as well as New York State Police Aviation searched for Mr. Hinz for more than six hours, including in heavily-wooded areas, ultimately locating him and apprehending him with the aid of a State Police helicopter.
“The state is pleased to see the defendant take responsibility for his actions and the fact that he was under the influence of substances during this incident was taken into consideration when negotiating the plea,” Chief Assistant Cheryl Botts, who led the prosecution, said in the release.
In the release, Columbia County District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant commended the work of the Sheriff’s office, State Police and Chief Assistant Botts in achieving justice in this case. “Thanks to law enforcement and our dedicated prosecutors, this one-man crime spree that terrorized the county has been brought to a just conclusion.”
Mr. Hinz was represented by the Public Defender’s Office. He was sent back to jail to await transfer to state prison.
Sale of tobacco
The Columbia County Department of Health reported in a March 17 press release that the following tobacco retailers were found in violation of Article 13-F; “Regulation of Tobacco Products, Herbal Cigarettes and Smoking Paraphernalia; Distribution to Minors” Section 1399-CC; of the Public Health Law, State of New York:
*Safaah Mini Mart, 52 Hudson Avenue, Chatham, sale of tobacco products to someone under the age of 21, December 30, 2024
*United Quick Mart Inc. (M&M Mart), 124 Fairview Avenue, Hudson, sale of tobacco products to someone under the age of 21, January 9.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
Construction of two new headquarters is underway
By DIANE VALDEN
CHATHAM/GHENT–New York State Police is building a new 5,000 square foot station located at 500 State Route 295 in Chatham. The new station will replace SP New Lebanon, which no longer meets State Police needs. Expected completion of the new station is April 2026. The construction cost is $5.38 million.
Later this year Columbia County 911 will move to its new center at 50 Grandinetti Drive in the Commerce Park in Ghent. The center is a 3,000 square foot addition to the existing PJ Keeler Columbia County Emergency Services Response and Training Facility. A portion of County 911’s current location at the Public Safety Building on Industrial Tract in Greenport will be kept as a backup facility, should the need ever arise, according to County Engineering Commissioner Ray Jurkowski. The new metal-framed, metal-sided addition will cost $2.7 million. Construction is expected to be complete by the beginning of September with the transition to the facility complete by the end of September/beginning of October.
Sheriff’s Office: Don’t trust door-to-door pavers
GREENPORT—The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office warned the public about loose stone and paving scams in a March 14 Facebook post.
It’s that time of year again when scam artists are working in the area. They claim to have extra supplies from a paving job and offer residents a discount. A red single-axle dump truck and a white Chevy pickup truck with the words “Prime Time Paving” on it have been reported.
Most, if not all, reputable contractors do not go door to door to sell products, the post says. Be wary of any contractor who shows up at your door offering paving or any other service.
To avoid falling victim to a scam, do the following:
* Obtain a written estimate
* Seek local references
* Ask for proof of insurance
* Never pay in full until the work is completed
* Do not pay in cash.
County multi-jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan updated
GREENPORT—The Columbia County Office of Emergency Management (CCOEM), Public Works, Planning and Health departments with other organizations and jurisdictions within Columbia County are working with Tighe & Bond Engineering to update the County Multi-Jurisdiction Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and seeks public comment.
The Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan is a FEMA prescribed effort which enables the County to obtain federal grants for planning and mitigation projects. The purpose of the Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan is to identify and profile the County’s risk and vulnerability to potential natural hazards, including all jurisdictions within the County.
Specifically, this plan assesses the potential impacts of hurricanes, winter storms, extreme precipitation and flooding, earthquakes, drought/wildfire, and dam/culvert failure and identifies properties, resources and critical facilities which may be impacted by these hazard events. The plan identifies mitigation strategies and actions aimed at reducing the loss of or damage to life, property, infrastructure, and natural, cultural and economic resources.
A corresponding implementation plan was prepared to address the prioritization and administration of the identified strategies and actions.
The public comment period is from March 15 to April 15. Public comments may be submitted by email with the subject line: “2024 CCHMP Public Comments” to both: Deputy Director Henry Swartz at cceoc@columbiacountyny.com and Haley Rivers at hrivers@tighebond.com
To view the draft plan and learn more go to the Columbia County website: https://www.columbiacountyny.com/
For information on the Columbia County website look for: “March 25, 2025 6:30pm – PUBLIC HEARING – Columbia County is currently updating the County Multi-Jurisdiction Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and is seeking public comment – CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS (or) & HERE FOR THE PLANS”. Then click on volume I or volume II to access the DRAFT plan(s).
An update plan draft public information presentation will be given by Tighe & Bond March 25 at 6:30 p.m. The presentation may be accessed by web link or by phone, for the web link and phone number go to the Columbia County website listed above.
For more information contact CCOEM Director David Harrison, Jr. or Deputy Director Henry Swartz at cceoc@columbiacountyny.com
Statewide burn ban in effect until mid-May
GHENT—The Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that a statewide burn ban is in effect March 16 through May 14.
These actions are prohibited:
*Burning refuse, trash, tires, and other solid wastes. This includes burning trash or other solid wastes in a burn barrel or similar device
*Burning loose leaves or leaf piles
*Burning pressure or chemically treated wood, painted or stained wood, or composite wood such as plywood and particle board. Firewood that has been heat treated or kiln dried is allowed to be burned
*The practice of burning large piles of brush collected from local residents at town or county transfer sites.
The individual landowners in small towns may burn their brush on-site, as discussed above. Downed limbs and branches generated at a transfer site are also allowed to be burned on-site with the same restrictions.
Visit the Open Burning webpage (dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/air-quality/open-burning) for more information on burning on agricultural lands, municipal uses, burn barrels, campfire safety, and more.
Due to drought conditions, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell declared a State of Emergency for the county beginning at 4 p.m. March 11, banning all outside burning. The ban continued through March 16, when the New York State Burn Ban took effect.
