Presentation: Jen Rubbo, Background Information on the Fall Kill Watershed IMA
Jen Rubbo, a native of Clinton, is now coordinator of a special grant program run by the Sloop Clearwater to improve the Fall Kill Watershed. The headwaters of the Fall Kill Watershed are in Clinton. The creek then runs from Clinton, through Hyde Park, Pleasant Valley, and Poughkeepsie, emptying into the Hudson River north of Waryus Park near the Poughkeepsie Train Station. Ms. Rubbo explained the purpose of an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) is to foster cooperation among the towns and city of Poughkeepsie, to develop a shared vision and goals, and to pursue conservation efforts toward protecting the watershed. Her goal is to have the IMA committee draft an agreement by the end of August. After forming an agreement, the next step would be to create a Fall Kill Watershed Intermunicipal Council (WIC). Ms. Rubbo is requesting 2 volunteers from Clinton to join the IMA committee.
All of July has been declared Watershed Awareness Month and the Dutchess Watershed Awareness Committee will be sponsoring a slate of activities. Among them is Creek Week, July 5th to 12th. More information on this will be posted on the Clinton United website when it becomes available.

Old Business
1. A motion to adopt the Wappinger Creek WIC Guidelines was approved.
2. A motion to adopt the Town's new Technology Asset Policy was approved.

New Business
All 8 Resolutions on the agenda were approved.

submitted by Blanche Rubin

COMMUNICATIONS/SUPERVISOR'S COMMENTS
-- The proposed MTA tax, which will be levied on all local businesses and government entities, will cost the Town of Clinton $4000/year.
-- Services from our local cable company, Cablevision, are going to be reduced.
-- Census workers will be working around town through 2009 and 2010.
-- The Clinton Historical Society Yard Sale has been postponed to next weekend, May 23rd and 24th. Other announcements of a similar nature were made by Supervisor Burns. He explained that since the local newspapers have ceased publishing he is attempting to fill the void that has been created.

COMMITTEE/BOARD REPORTS
CAC: The people from the Fallkill Creek Watershed Committee want to make a presentation to the Town Board and would like the Town of Clinton to join an intermunicipal council for the protection of the watershed.
Cable services: The Town has been attempting to negotiate a contract with Cablevision for about 4 years. The process has been largely unsuccessful. Verizon is now moving northward through the county and may be interested in providing services to the Town. The Town has a commitment to improving cable services.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY BARBARA SEELBACH, TOWN JUSTICE
Ms. Seelbach provided a review of the role of Town justices in New York, the types of cases they handle, as well as the other functions they perform (e.g., marriage ceremonies). A Board member asked what her greatest need was and she replied "more space." The two Town justices currently share one very small office with one desk and one computer.

OLD BUSINESS
Garth Slocum, Town Assessor, gave a short presentation on the status of the revaluation of real property. He asserted that property valuations tend to rise and fall relatively gradually. About 60% of property values in the current revaluation have either gone down ot stayed the same.

The revaluation of waterfront properties in Town, which have given rise to the most concern, are based on water frontage as opposed to total acreage. Those residents who wish to file a grievance can appear before the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) on May 27th. [Note: there has been some confusion about this date -- it is definitely May 27th and not May 26th]

NEW BUSINESS:
-- The Town is considering organizing and sponsoring a Farmers Market. Tentative sites and days of the week were discussed. One of the biggest issues to be resolved pertains to insurance coverage. The Board approved pursuing research into this area.
-- The Board approved a resolution to pursue litigation in order to obtain clear title to the land on Ruskey Lane where the one room schoolhouse, owned by the Town, is currently located. This title must be settled before moving the schoolhouse to Town Hall property on Centre Road can go forward.

submitted by Blanche Rubin

DATES TO KNOW ABOUT:

1. Town supervisor Jeff Burns has made arrangements for the firm that installed the solar panels
on the town garage to install a flat screen TV in the town library to allow residents to track the
generation of electricity over various periods of time.

2. Vernal pools were a primary topic of discussion. Several members of the CAC had attended
recent workshops or hikes featuring vernal pools. Hyde Park CAC members are working to map
vernal pools. With this mapping project and activities in the Town of Washington, which is
working with the Cary Center for Ecosystem Studies and Cornell Cooperative Extension, Clinton
may be able to use similar methods to map our vernal pools. Dutchess County is very similar in
many ways to Westchester County and mapping methods developed there may be transferred.

3. The CAC has been asked to find support in Clinton for the work of the Fallkill Creek Committee,
which would like to have all involved towns attend an intermunicipal council. The Town Board will
hear a presentation from Jenn Rubbo, coordinator of the committee, on May 12th about a
municipal agreement. Priorities in the municipal agreement have been based on a survey. Clinton is
particularly important because it is the headwaters of the creek and has the best water quality.
The water quality degrades through Hyde Park, with crowded housing nearby, and Poughkeepsie,
where it is channelized. The Clinton portion of the watershed is important because it is largely
forested and has rare species. In the natural resource chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, it
will be important to indicate the crucial nature of Clinton's land use for the water quality of the
Fallkill Creek.

4. The Comprehensive Plan Committee continued to review the natural resource chapter, which
is organized around watersheds and the protection of water resources and wildlife habitats. It has
been written by consultants Mary Ann Johnson and Karen Schneller-McDonald.

5. The CAC voted to authorize the purchase of a set of infrared aerial photographs. These
photographs will enable the completion of the biodiversity mapping project, which will result in a
biodiversity map that will be included in the Town's Comprehensive Plan.

6. The group discussed the farm tour and community lunch to be held on September 12th. Don
Lewis of Wild Hive Bakery will provide a meal of local foods for town residents; we await a quote
on the cost of the lunch. Vivian Malloy of Edition Farm has committed to be part of the tour, and
other farm owners are being approached.

7. The CAC discussed the upcoming Green Fair, sponsored by Advanced Recovery at the Dutchess
County Fairgrounds on April 25-26. Collection of electronic equipment from homeowners for
recycling will be featured. The cost will be $10 per carload.

submitted by Laura Austrian

CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (CAC) MEETING REPORT
MARCH 19, 2009

1. The CAC has listed its goals for 2009. They include:
a) continuing to work with the town's Comprehensive Plan Committee and Open Space and Farmland Protection Committees in developing open space and comprehensive plans;
b) continuing to hold educational programs for children with the library focusing on wildlife and water resources;
c) creating a brochure and map of the town's Nature Garden and marking of key trees; d) arranging a tour of Clinton farms with a meal featuring local foods;
e) creating an educational display demonstrating the operation of the solar panels on the town garage.
The CAC has also upgraded its website to include announcements of upcoming events and other information of interest to town residents.

2. The CAC will continue to review the draft natural resources chapter of the revised comprehensive plan. When adopted, the chapter, written by Greenplan (consultants to the Comprehensive Plan committee), will become the Natural Resource Inventory for the Town and will be used in connection with the planning and zoning process.

3. CAC members participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count in February. Bird walks in the Nature Garden will be held in the spring. The CAC has purchased a bird feeder and supplies for the Nature Garden.

4. The CAC expressed its support for the New York State Bigger, Better Bottle Bill. In addition, the CAC hopes to sponsor a program on backyard composting.

5. The CAC endorsed the nomination of town resident Betty Davis for the Emil Schoch Conservation and Preservation Award, which is presented by the Clinton Historical Society to an individual or family showing dedication to conservation of the natural environment and historic resources.

submitted by Paul Thomas

REPORT ON THE TOWN BOARD MEETING
MARCH 10, 2009

Presentation by Garth Slocum, Assessor
As all Clinton property owners know, the town is currently conducting a preliminary assessment to review and adjust property assessments as necessary. Garth Slocum spoke at the Town Board meeting to review the process of reassessment and to answer questions from both Board members and the audience. Many town residents attended this part of the Board meeting.

Because of the recent downturn in sales, market values spanning 2004 to 2008 were used to arrive at a fair market value for each property. Comparable properties throughout northern Dutchess were considered in arriving at these preliminary assessments. The figures will not be finalized until July 1, 2009. Residents who disagree with their assessment will be able to consult the book of comparable sales (comps), used by the assessor's office, at Town Hall beginning March 19th. If an appointment with the assessor is desired, call 845-266-5721 ext. 113.

Following an informal review, if you still wish to appeal your assessment a formal written grievance must be filed with the Board of Assessment Review, which will meet on May 27, 2009.

Mr. Slocum provided further explanation of the equalization rates. He also stated that everyone's assessment is higher this year because the level of assessment has been raised to 100%. Quite a few residents from the Silver Lake area of Clinton spoke during the public discussion period and expressed considerable dissent with their reassessed values. They were encouraged to lodge their concerns through the review process that is provided.

Old and New Business
There was a short business meeting following the Assessor's presentation and all resolutions on the agenda were approved, including the purchase of a new furnace to replace the 26 year old furnace in the Highway Department garage.

submitted by Blanche Rubin

REPORT ON THE SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 24, 2009

Jeff Burns, Town Supervisor, provided an introduction to the evening's topic, the expansion of Town Hall. Under consideration is a plan to move two buildings to the Town Hall property, renovate them, and convert them to new office space. He stated the Town has two needs that can be met by the current plan: providing more office and storage space, while preserving two of the Town's historic structures. The 1890s Masonic Lodge on Centre Road is currently owned and maintained by the Clinton Historical Society. Members of the group, however, are feeling overwhelmed by the time, effort, and cost of dealing with the upkeep of the building. The second building, the one room schoolhouse on Ruskey Lane at the intersection of Spooky Hollow Road, is currently owned by the Town but is in a state of disrepair and sits empty.

After extensive research and consultation with engineers and contractors, it was determined that the Masonic Lodge could be moved, in its entirety, relatively easily up Centre Road to its new location. The schoolhouse presents bigger challenges for several reasons. First, there are many legal "hoops" to be passed through concerning ownership of the property on which the school is currently situated. This process has already been initiated. Second, the building cannot be moved in its entirety, because of the distance, the "obstructions," and the complexity of the move. Just to obtain all the necessary permits from the utility companies that would be involved would be extremely costly. And the building is not in good enough shape to be moved as a whole structure. Hence the plan is to move the schoolhouse in sections and rebuild it in place, in a similar manner to the historic schoolhouse that was moved to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.

Pete Setaro, Town Engineer, provided a visual presentation with more technical information about the proposed buildings. Foundations with full basements would be built.

Restrooms, handicapped accessibility, and interior lifts would be part of each building's design. The Masonic Lodge would have 3 floors, 1100 square feet each, including the basement. The schoolhouse would consist of 2 floors, 800 square feet each, with a walkout lower level. There were projected images of the layout of the site, including parking and sidewalks, as well as elevations and proposed floorplans for the buildings.

Several questions were asked by audience members, with some additional information provided. The current office space on the lower level of Town Hall is flooded regularly, causing unhealthy working conditions and challenges to secure storage of records. There is insufficient work space as well. Ownership of the Masonic Hall, currently held by the Historical Society, would eventually transfer to the Town. The Hall would keep its historic designation. Ideally the schoolhouse would also apply for and receive recognition as a historic building. Funding is available for "green" improvements to structures, such as solar panels and windows with thermal glass. All sources of outside support will be explored.

Jeff Burns talked about the importance of keeping the community informed of plans for this project and thanked everyone for coming. He said there will be ongoing meetings of this nature in the future.

submitted by Blanche Rubin

REPORT ON THE FARMERS/LANDOWNERS MEETING
FEBRUARY 23, 2009

An informational and interactive meeting of Clinton farmers and landowners, sponsored by the Clinton Open Space/Farmland Protection Committee, was attended by approximately 50 people this past Monday night at Town Hall. The meeting was one in a series of activities supported by a grant from the NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Town of Clinton is in the process of developing a Farmland Protection Plan and is seeking input from those who are actively involved in farming.

Town residents who responded to the 2007 Town survey, conducted by the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, overwhelmingly indicated that farming and the open, farm landscape in town were of great value to them and influenced their choice to live in Clinton. However, a 43.8% increase in population for Dutchess County is projected between 2005 and 2030. Protecting our Town's farmland and unique character will continue to be a major challenge.

Six primary reasons were presented for preserving our farms and open spaces:
1. economics: the cost of town services and school budgets paid by taxes
2. local food supply
3. environmental quality
4. wildlife habitat
5. community character
6. land is a nonrenewable resource

The large group broke up into 3 discussion groups for the majority of the meeting time and focused on the following questions: What plans to you have for the future? What challenges do you face in your farming operations? What does farmland protection mean to you?

Most of the discussions we heard focused on the challenges that were faced. A sampling of responses: There are few incentives to attract young people to farming. It is hard to make a living just farming. Farmers need discounts on farm supplies and equipment. It is hard to find farm help. The farm workers cannot afford local housing. Taxes, health insurance, and liability insurance are all high. Speed limits on the local roads are too high to safely drive farm vehicles on them. The cost of fuel is high.

A few suggestions that surfaced: Create zoning regulations that are more friendly to farmers, offer farmers the opportunity to bid first at auctions on used state equipment (e.g., tractors), be permitted to purchase "off-road" vs. "on-road" diesel for farm vehicles, place farmland in a conservation easement to save on taxes, and adjust speed limits.

At the end of the meeting, surveys were distributed to all participants to help gather more detailed information and a fuller portrayal of the agricultural economy in Clinton. The surveys should be returned to Town Hall by March 9th.

submitted by Blanche Rubin

Supervisor's Comments
Monday, February 23rd, at 7 PM a special meeting will be held at Town Hall for all Clinton farmers, landowners, and leased land farmers. The meeting is organized by the Open Space/Farmland Protection Committee and is open to the public. The Committee will be distributing a questionnaire at the meeting to obtain information from local farmers and landowners in preparation for the development of an Open Space plan. The Town received a $10,000 grant in 2008 from Hudson River Valley Greenway to support the development of this plan.

The Total Levy amount for the West Clinton Fire Department, which is listed on the current tax bill received by all district landowners, is $38,000 too high. This amount should have been charged to the Town of Hyde Park for residents served by the West Clinton Fire Department. An adjustment will be made.

A special thank you and expression of appreciation was offered to the Town Highway Department and Highway Superintendent, Theron Tompkins, for the great job they have been doing on the town roads this winter.

New Business

1. Town Hall has been in great need of additional office space for quite a few years. Several proposals have been under consideration, including one to move the one room schoolhouse on Ruskey Lane and the Masonic Hall on Centre Road to the Town Hall grounds.

There will be a special meeting held at 7 PM on Tuesday, February 24th, at Town Hall to discuss the various options for Town Hall expansion with Peter Setaro of Morris Associates. The Board approved the scheduling of this meeting to which the public is invited.

2. A number of residents have submitted requests for the Town to study the reduction of speed limits on portions of Bulls Head Road, Salt Point Turnpike, and Clinton Corners Road. Some of these are County roads but action to reduce speed limits has to be initiated by the Town. Board member Frank Venetia expressed the opinion that the Town should not be spending money ($3800) on a study. It was pointed out that volunteers will be used to monitor the current vehicular traffic and speeds in order to reduce costs. The study will be done by Morris Associates. The motion to hire Morris Associates to conduct the study was passed.

3. The questionnaire to be distributed to farmers and landowners at the February 23rd special meeting was approved, although one board member observed that some farmers will not be willing to reveal some of the requested information.

4. The flyer for the Town Spring Festival, April 25th, was approved. (See the Town website for more information.)

Public Discussion

1. Theron Tompkins, Highway Superintendent, spoke about two separate accidents in January involving Town Highway trucks. In both accidents the trucks were backing up and were unable to see cars behind them. Mr. Tompkins emphasized that the truck drivers cannot see what is behind them and asked Town residents to be extra cautious.

submitted by Blanche Rubin

CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (CAC) MEETING REPORT JANUARY 15, 2009

A. The following CAC goals were proposed for 2009 and discussed by the group:

1. Place brochures and maps in the kiosk of the Nature Garden to encourage visitors to walk trails.
2. Work with Town staff to assist in setting up software and data to allow the Planning Board and ZBA to have detailed GIS information and displays.
3. Complete the educational portion of the installation of the solar panels to enable the Town to have a flat screen display which depicts energy being generated by the solar panels. The Town will be encouraged to install more solar panels next year.
4. Design a farm tour featuring local foods and highlighting local farms. Sponsor a dinner featuring the foods of local farms.
5. Plan and carry out a wetland education day with a speaker and tour of significant local wetlands.
6. Educate landowners about forested land and how to implement conservation.
7. Create a predictive model and map of Clinton's vernal pools working with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Estuary Program and Hudsonia.
8. Update the CAC material on the Town of Clinton website as needed.

These will be continued discussion of these goals in February in preparation for the Cornell CAC Roundtable Discussion later in that month.

B. 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the passage of the “bottle bill” by New York. There is major effort to pass a “bigger, better bottle bill” to include water and other beverage bottles for a higher bottle refund fee. The group discussed how the CAC might participate in such an effort.

C. The CAC would like to encourage residents to compost yard and kitchen wastes. This initiative will be discussed further.

D. Clinton CAC members and residents will be working with the DEC Estuary Program to establish protocols for mapping vernal pools this spring. This may allow the Town to map these intermittent pools before the DEC biodiversity grant funds are released.

E. The Open Space Committee, which is separate from the CAC but whose activities are related, will be interviewing farmers this winter and having meetings with the farm community.

F. The Comprehensive Plan Committee will begin to review natural resource information for the Comprehensive Plan when consultant Mary Ann Johnson completes her revision later this month. CAC members will receive the revised document when it is completed.

G. CAC member Norene Coller explained the Emil Schoch Conservation Award which the CAC had awarded through the Clinton Historical Society in 2001, 2003, and 2005. The award was created in honor of Mr. Schoch, who protected the old Cookingham farm and worked for environmental conservation. She suggested that the CAC should restore this important award given for conserving important land or good farm management. She will discuss the award with the Historical Society. The CAC will discuss the award again next month.

submitted by Laura Austrian

REPORT ON THE TOWN BOARD MEETING, JANUARY 13, 2009

Please note: It is now possible to view the current month's Town Board meeting on your computer. Go to the Town website (www.townofclinton.com) and click on 'Video Test' on the lower left side of the Home Page. The video site is still in the development phase and there are several kinks that remain to be resolved, but it should prove to be a valuable asset to community communications.

ORGANIZATIONAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
Supervisor's Comments
Supervisor Jeff Burns reviewed the accomplishments of the Town Board in 2008. He cited, as highest on the list, passage of Local Law #2 amending the Freshwater Wetlands, etc. Law. He also reviewed the establishment of a sheriff's substation at the Town Highway Garage, the Farm and Open Space Tour program, and the work of the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee. He then proposed a number of goals for 2009: resolving the overcrowding and space issues at Town Hall; updating the Town's driveway law; updating Town road specifications; increasing the Town's focus on activities for senior citizens; considering issues pertaining to groundwater protection and specifically to protecting Little Wappingers Creek and Wappingers Creek; and finishing the codification of Town laws.
New Business
The basic business of appointing Boardmember liaisons, members, and chairs of all Town boards and committees was attended to. The designation of official meeting dates, official newspaper, banks and accounts was approved and read into the Town Board Minutes. Finally the salaries and payment schedule for officers and employees were approved.

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
Supervisor's Comments
Supervisor Burns announced that Town offices would be closed on January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Day. He also announced the initiation of the test video site on the Town's webpage and encouraged people to begin using it.
Old Business
The Board discussed the approach they will use to examine the codification of Town Laws. It was recommended and agreed that the Board would use a workshop approach to read and review the contents of all the material.
New Business
1. Copies were distributed of the Association of Towns Proposed Legislative Resolutions for 2009. Boardmembers agreed to review the material and to discuss it at the February Board meeting.
2. Approval was given for the purchase of a new 4X4 truck, not to exceed $135,000.
3. Dean Michael and Frank Venezia were designated to perform an internal audit of Town financial records.

CLINTON UNITED has just received the following letter from Robert Balkind, Assistant Director of Engineering, Dutchess County Department of Public Works:

Greetings:
I recently read your web page concerning the bridge project. I offer the following information for your edification:
• The article cites County DPW as giving the bridge a 4.7 structural soundness rating. In fact, NYSDOT conducts all bridge inspections and assigns condition ratings in New York State.
• Although accident history contributes to the County’s decision to replace the bridge, other factors also come in to play in the County’s decision. These factors include the current availability of Federal funds to reimburse Dutchess County for the project costs (Federal Aid will provide 90 cents of reimbursement for each dollar spent by the County) and the functional obsolescence of the bridge (the narrow lanes, no shoulders, poor guide rail, poor alignment, etc.)

The County’s intention is to construct a new bridge that will maintain the hamlet’s character and quality while providing a safer and stronger bridge. The County has held a preliminary public information meeting to present alternative design plans to the public. The design report is now being developed and preliminary plans are being prepared which address the public’s input. Once the report and preliminary plans are done, another public information meeting will be held to again present the project to the public. I truly believe that the County’s goal to improve the safety and operation of the bridge and the residents’ goal to maintain the unique character of Clinton Hollow hamlet are not mutually exclusive. Thank you for your consideration.

Robert Balkind, P.E.
Assistant Director of Engineering
Dutchess County DPW – Engineering Division
626 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

©Clinton United. 2006. All rights reserved Website by ed doyle

LATEST AREA NEWS

This article provides an interesting account of the property just south of Clinton Corners as you approach Millbrook from Route 13 (Clinton Corners Road).

Salt Point home to mansion, mill
At the intersection of Route 82 and County Route 13 sits a stately mansion that in the early 19th century was the center of a thriving industrial site. Bloom House, named for its first owner, Isaac Bloom, was one of 11 structures at the site that included a mill, workers' homes, and a complex of four buildings. The site also included a farm. The buildings and property were designated the Bloomvale Historic District and placed on New York's National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Poughkeepsie Journal June 17

Hyde Park wetlands law draws fire
A town law designed to provide greater protection for wetlands and other water bodies has ignited worries about loss of property rights and values. Most of the 19 speakers at Monday night's public hearing in Hyde Park town hall on a proposed water resource protection law spoke against it. What drew much criticism during the 2 1⁄2 hour public hearing is the town's intention to regulate wetlands as small as 1⁄10 of an acre and establish a 100-foot buffer around them.
Poughkeepsie Journal June 15


Home sales in Dutchess spike
Average prices show increase
More homes sold in May in Dutchess County than a year earlier, a 13.8 percent gain that offered a rare positive sign in the long-declining housing market. It was the second month in a row sales of single-family free-standing homes exceeded the level of a year earlier. And, for three months in a row, both average and median prices kept getting higher, even though they remained well below the levels of a year ago.
Poughkeepsie Journal June 9

Local home prices up over March --
Trend from April '08 is down; loans scarcer
With the downward trend of home sales in Dutchess County running about a year and a half, spring has brought a few signs that hint at change. While experts are hopeful, they aren't calling it a turnaround. Prices gained compared with March, but March was unusually low. Brokers said there are good deals out there now, especially for first-time homebuyers.
Poughkeepsie Journal May 8

Hyde Park district plans budget talk
A public hearing on the 2009-10 school district budget will take place at 7 PM, Monday, May 11th at Haviland Middle School, 23 Haviland Road in Hyde Park. Information on the budget is on the district website at www.hydeparkschools.org. Click the link for One Budget Vote.
Poughkeepsie Journal May 7

Rhinebeck school board adopts 'minimum' budget
The Rhinebeck School District's proposal for next year's school budget, at $27,191,095, represents a 3.43 percent increase over this year's $26,289,585 budget and a 5.34 percent tax levy increase. That figure represents the district's lowest budget increase in 17 years.
Poughkeepsie Journal April 29

Hyde Park District to hike tax levy by 1.16% --
Hyde Park OKs $79.23 million budget
School district residents will vote May 19 on a 2009-10 budget that increases the tax levy by 1.16 percent. The Hyde Park school board recently adopted a $79.23 million budget that increases spending 2.05 percent.
"This is the smallest increase on record," district Superintendent Carole Pickering said at the meeting at the district office in town. The taxpayer share of the 2009-10 budget would increase by 1.16 percent to $49.68 million.
Poughkeepsie Journal April 29

Plan recommends bigger lot sizes --
Pleasant Valley seeks rurality
A town committee is proposing requiring larger lot sizes for new homes throughout town to better preserve the rural and small-town character of Pleasant Valley. The creation of more zoning districts is also intended to limit highway sprawl on Route 44 and protect the quality of the town's well water. The proposed plan envisions creating a number of zoning areas - from 0.2-acre lots in the hamlets to a 10-acre conservation district in a nature preserve east of the Taconic State Parkway and below Washington Hollow. Other areas throughout town will require 1-acre, 2-acre, 3.5-acre and 5-acre minimum lot sizes.
Poughkeepsie Journal April 24


Tough economy delays big Hyde Park development --
Retirement community, supermarket proposals still on tap
Despite the sluggish and uncertain economy, some new development is on the horizon in the town of Hyde Park. A New Stop & Shop supermarket is planned for the Hyde Park Mall, as is The Club, a retirement community on the north side of St. Andrews Road. But the lingering recession has put the town's biggest development project, St. Andrews at Historic Hyde Park, on hold.
Poughkeepsie Journal April 20

Hyde Park set to hire new engineer
The town board is poised to hire a new town engineer Monday -- Berger Engineering and Surveying of Poughkeepsie. The firm will replace Morris Associates of Hyde Park, which has been the town's consulting engineer for 13 years. The board has also established controls that do not permit the town engineering firm to make additional money designing major town road and park projects.
Poughkeepsie Journal March 20

Center builds green facility
Wetland device will treat water
The Center for Sustainable Living, at the Omega Institute in the town of Clinton, is an ambitious project that will mesh together some of the most innovative approaches in wastewater recycling, clean energy, and green architecture. The centerpiece of this project is the building's Eco Machine - a fabricated wetland device that will use plants, insects, fungi, and bacteria to treat wastewater at the Omega Institute.
Poughkeepsie Journal March 11

Home sales, prices slide
Numbers for February show sharp declines
February home sales and prices dropped sharply in Dutchess and Ulster counties as the national recession kept biting into the housing market. Dutchess' volume plunged 39.3 percent to 71 single-family freestanding homes, while their median price fell 10.2 percent from a year earlier to $283,000. But February is always a slow month compared with the rest. The sales resulting in February reflect deals made mostly in the November-December period and closing after a typical two or three-month period.... The holiday period is a slower one for making deals.
Poughkeepsie Journal March 7

Residents voice concerns over Stanford master plan
Over 100 people attended a public hearing at Stanford Town Hall Saturday morning to voice their concerns on the proposed revisions to the master plan. The goals of the master plan are to preserve the rural character of Stanford, elevate ecological issues and require new development to capitalize on natural assets. The biggest concerns centered on issues concerning the town's eight hamlets.
Poughkeepsie Journal February 28, 2009

Hyde Park debate over town engineer hire persists
The town board remains divided on rehiring its longtime town engineer through 2009. Supervisor Pompey Delafield and Councilman Robert Linville support paying Morris Associates $47,730 to provide engineering consulting services to year's end. But a majority of the board disagrees. Morris Associates has provided the town engineering consulting services for more than 13 years, with Peter Setaro as the designated engineer. Councilwoman Hannah Black said it is "a conflict of interest" having the same firm oversee and inspect projects it has designed.
[note: this is the same company and town engineer used by the town of Clinton]
Poughkeepsie Journal February 27

Dutchess farm Website gets notice of state leader
Agriculture is in tough times, Northern Dutchess Alliance told
The soon-to-launch Dutchess County Bounty program earned the accolades of the state Agriculture commissioner Patrick Hooker Wednesday when he spoke at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home and Library. To promote local food connections, the Website for Dutchess County Bounty -- scheduled to go live Friday at www.dutchesscountybounty.com -- allows farmers, chefs, and consumers to search through more than 160 listings to find each other.
Poughkeepsie Journal February 26

Taconic group newspapers shutting down
7 weeklies in Dutchess County along with magazines affected
The Taconic Newspapers group of weekly papers will print their last editions this week. The Journal Register Co., which owns the seven local weeklies, is ceasing operations for the papers, each of which serves part of Dutchess County, plus the Putnam County Courier and three magazines. The papers are the Millbrook Round Table; the Harlem Valley Times, Amenia; the Voice Ledger, Pleasant Valley; the Pawling News Chronicle; the Hyde Park Townsman; Gazette Advertiser of Rhinebeck; and the Register Herald of Pine Plains. The magazines are Weekend, Dutchess magazine, and the Hudson Valley Guide.
Poughkeepsie Journal February 11

Weekly newspapers in Dutchess County shutting down
The eight weekly newspapers that make up the Taconic Press group are publishing their last editions this week. “It is with regret that we are no longer going to be able to serve our many loyal readers and advertisers,” said Publisher Tom Cincotta, who cited the bad economy that has hurt the newspaper industry, the region and the nation as the primary reason for closing the Taconic Press group.
Daily Freeman February 11

Housing prices hold steady
Lower mortgage costs attract first-time homebuyers to market
Dutchess County's home sales market was slow in January, but it was far from dead. New statistics out Thursday from Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service offer some glimmers of hope the down market of the past 15 months may be looking at a bottom. Compared with a year ago, sales were flat, average prices were flat, inventory was down, and purchase offers were up.
Poughkeepsie Journal February 6

LOOP bus route changes will become effective Saturday
Dutchess County LOOP bus route changes will become effective Saturday, including some modifications made from the Jan. 8 public hearing, a county Planning and Development Department release said. The LOOP 7 route, which runs through the Town of Clinton, has been canceled.
Poughkeepsie Journal January 15

Dateline: Groups use trails to maintain historic connections
To the casual motorist who drives through the business district of Hyde Park on routes 9 and 9G, the hamlet appears to be a cluster of shops, restaurants and small shopping malls. But there are hidden treasures tucked between the commercial establishments that line the two highways: The Hyde Park Trail System, a network of walking paths, stretches from the FDR National Historic Site to the south, the Vanderbilt National Historic Site to the north and Eleanor Roosevelt's former home, Val-Kill, to the east.
Poughkeepsie Journal January 14

Plunging home prices: How low can they go?
With the average home price in Dutchess County hitting a low not seen in more than five years and having lost more than $100,000 compared with a year ago, people are wondering whether this is the bottom - or simply another step down the stairs.
Poughkeepsie Journal January 9

Home sales in freefall
A long slide in home sales and their prices continued in December in Dutchess County as the average price dropped to a level not seen since March 2003. The Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service report Wednesday said the average price of $294,005 was more than $100,000 below that of December 2007, down 26.9 percent.
Poughkeepsie Journal January 8, 2009

Eleanor Roosevelt site seeks volunteers
The Friends of Eleanor Roosevelt at Val-Kill in Hyde Park are looking for new members to join in promoting her legacy. Volunteers can be involved, for example, with gardening, greeting visitors to Val-Kill, or assisting at various ceremonies. For more information and to obtain an application go to http://ervk.org/html/friends.html or call Brenda Goldstein at 845-454-0811.

Carvel Submits a New Plan with 648 units
In recent Pine Plains Planning Board meetings, held since the hearings this spring on the Carvel DEIS development, the Durst team has submitted a major revision of the proposal. This revision is a result of the overwhelmingly negative reaction to the original plan by the public and many experts representing Pine Plains United, Scenic Hudson, the Dutchess Land Conservancy, the county planning office, and even the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Pine Plains United November 26

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CALL 2-1-1 for any health or human services questions.
211 is a free, confidential multilingual information and referral telephone service available in the Hudson Valley. Knowledgeable and caring specialists can put callers in touch with thousands of health and human services in the region that can help. Call 211 for everything from basic needs like food, clothing and shelter to legal services, drug treatment, employment support, childcare, physical and mental health resources, elder care, services for persons with disabilities and more. 211 is available to those in need 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

For NEW residents of the Town of Clinton, pick up your "Welcome to the Town of Clinton" folder at the Town Hall. This free folder contains valuable information regarding the Town of Clinton and local area community organizations, school and voting districts, voter registration form, education on protecting your well, your septic system, and your drinking water. Be sure to spread the word to any new neighbors you meet.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION: The results of the Master Plan surveys are now posted on the Town of Clinton website. These are in easy-to-read chart form. Go to the Planning & Zoning page at www.townofclinton.com

Here is an Internet site that you may become addicted to: Rural Intelligence is a reliable information source for people who do business and seek out recreation and entertainment in four counties--Berkshire, Columbia, northern Dutchess, and northern Litchfield -- spread over three states. Covering the Arts, Home and Garden, Restaurants, Road Trips, etc., Rural Intelligence is the place where full-time residents and weekenders can come together to share their passion for culture and country life. Their first featured artist is none other than Clinton's Carolyn Marks Blackwood and her photography. www.ruralintelligence.com/index.php

A marvelous newsletter: Sign up and once a week, or so, you will receive the latest news on wildlife seen on and around the Hudson River. From Battery Point to around Troy, it is amazing what birds and animals can be spotted. Hudson River Almanac is part of the DEC. Send them an e-mail to be added to their mailing list or look at old posts here.

FROM A CLINTON NEIGHBOR: If you have trees growing on your property along a town roadway, which are significant because of their size, age, location, etc., a local neighbor has offered this advice. She recommends that you call Theron Tompkins, head of the Town Highway Department (266-3204), and place a request on record that your trees may not be cut down or cut back in any way without your being notified first of the Department's plans.

THE LIST: A wonderful, wide-ranging weekly listing of cultural and other events happening throughout the local area has recently been discovered. While leaning a bit toward Millbrook the listing is diverse enough to appeal to Clintonians as well. To become an e-mail subscriber to "THE LIST" send your request to ilana677@gmail.com or check it out first at www.virtualhudsonvalley.com.

Hudson Valley Ecycle.com
Have you ever cleaned out your garage, or office, or kids' rooms and ended up with a bunch of stuff -- too good to throw out, but you don't have time for a yard sale? The answer is recycling to others in need. Or perhaps you need some esoteric item or are looking for some used furniture or a part for your car. The easiest way to recycle good items or find one you need is through HudsonValleyEcycle.com. This is a wonderful local service! Check it out at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HudsonValleyEcycle.

A very interesting article, the Millbrook Village Fiscal Impact Study, analyses the fiscal impact of a 100-unit subdivision proposed for the former Bennett College campus in the village of Millbrook, NY. Written by financial analyst James Sheldon, of Gallatin NY, it underscores the substantial property tax increases that school district residents are likely to be burdened with if the proposed development is approved. Clinton residents in the Hyde Park School District will be similarly affected if Serenity Hills and neighboring developments are approved by Hyde Park! Go to this link

MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE: The Town of Clinton's Master Plan is up for review. The current Master Plan (sometimes now called a Comprehensive Plan) was adopted in 1991. While its recommendations and guidelines have not always been closely adhered to, it has provided a strong direction for the Town Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board members to follow. The current review is simply that, not a major revision. The earlier Master Plan Committee had 15 members; the current Committee now has 10 members. They are Roger Hof, chair; Ronald Brand, Anthony Carvahlo, J. E. (Jack) Cleary, Norene Coller, Bill Dickett, Bill Martin, Roger Mastri, Donna Shellhammer, and Art Weiland. The Committee meetings are open to the public. They are held at Town Hall, the second Monday and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM.

SOME INTERESTING NUMBERS:
Of the nearly 80,000 people who moved into the Hudson Valley between 2000 and 2005, 75 percent moved into relatively rural areas outside established cities and villages. In Dutchess County, the second-fastest growing county in the Hudson Valley behind Orange County, 94 percent of the population growth is dispersed in more rural areas.

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