November 2, 2007
- HUDSON VALLEY: The Most Important Thing I Can Tell You All Year
- HUDSON VALLEY: Digging Safely
- HUDSON VALLEY: State Loans to Fund Sewer Upgrades
- HUDSON VALLEY: New Law Affecting New Water Systems Proposed to Serve New Subdivisions
- HUDSON VALLEY: The PA Takeover of Steward Brings Changes
- DUTCHESS: County Property Tax Down 16% in 2008 Budget
- DUTCHESS: County Executive Debate on TV
- DUTCHESS: Beacon Group to Hold Discussion on Taxes
- ORANGE: Due to Election, Board Won't Take Action
- ORANGE: Watch Debates for the Four "Most Watched" Races
- ULSTER: Woodstock Program Focuses on Housing
- WESTCHESTER & PUTNAM: Election Guide
HUDSON VALLEY: The Most Important Thing I Can Tell You All Year
Tuesday, November 6th is ELECTION DAY.
While federal immigration policy is dramatic, and state wetlands policy is exciting.... Nothing effects your day-to-day operations (your taxes, your zoning, your planning, your building permits) as much as your LOCAL GOVERNMENT does.
It is imperative that you "get out the vote" this coming Tuesday!!!
HUDSON VALLEY: Digging Safely
Do you have feedback on how Part 753 is written, and how protection of underground facilities currently is regulated? Do you want pre-demolition regulations to be more specific? Should natural gas be the only utility requiring mapping? We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback. Rachel@hvbuilder.com
HUDSON VALLEY: State Loans to Fund Sewer Upgrades
The state Environmental Facilities Corporation will provide some $30 million in interest-free loans for four sewer and wastewater treatment and delivery systems in the Hudson Valley.
The Town of Orangetown will receive $22 million to replace, rehabilitate and upgrade 17 pump stations in the sewer district; construct new sewers and related infrastructure and replace wastewater treatment plant equipment. That project began in May and is expected to be completed in November 2008.
The City of Kingston will receive almost $3.1 million to replace sanitary sewers constructed in the late 1800s to the 1930s and the separation of combined sewers along certain streets. A portion of the sewer collapsed requiring emergency repairs and replacement.
The County of Rockland will receive $2.5 million for phase one of its rehabilitation and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and pump station. Work began in September and is expected to be completed in July 2009.
The Town of North Castle will receive $2.3 million to finance upgrades to the existing wastewater treatment plant and installation of a nitrogen removal process. Work is expected to begin in April 2008 and be completed in April 2009.
(MidHudsonNews.com)
HUDSON VALLEY: New Law Affecting New Water Systems Proposed to Serve New Subdivisions
New legislation has recently passed the State legislature relative to water-works corporations. The law became effective on October 31st and is geared towards potential homebuyers.
The purpose of this new law is to require public notice to inform home buyers of initial rate schedules proposed by new water-works corporations. The law expands existing Public Service Law §89-e(2) to require new water-works corporations to public proposed initial rate schedules every week for four successive weeks in a newspaper. Publication of such notice must be completed prior to the effective date of the proposed schedule of rates unless the Public Service Commission orders otherwise.
For more information about this new law, please contact Rachel@hvbuilder.com
HUDSON VALLEY: The PA Takeover of Steward Brings Changes
Stewart Airport has the potential to be "an enormous engine" for the Hudson Valley's economy, Governor Eliot Spitzer said Thursday. He came to the Newburgh area airport to participate in ceremonies marking the purchase of the operating lease by the Port authority of New York and New Jersey.
The governor and Port Authority officials made it clear that they want Stewart to develop into a regional transportation and economic development hub.
The airport, which now has 300,000 passengers annually, can accommodate as many as three million per year with the current infrastructure, said Spitzer. And he said in the long term, he would like to see rail explored as an alternative means of bringing people to the airport.
He talked of the soon-to-be formed Community Advisory Board as further indication that the Port wants local input into the process to grow the facility. Steve Rosenberg of Scenic Hudson said after the ceremony that his organization looks forward to participating in the advisory board process.
Spitzer also announced a state grant of $500,000 to start a smart growth initiative in the counties of Sullivan, Orange and Rockland. Rosenberg said the initiative is "very significant" for proper growth in the region.
(MidHudsonNews.com)
DUTCHESS: County Property Tax Down 16% in 2008 Budget
Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus' proposed 2008 county budget reduces the county property tax rate by 16 percent and decreases the tax levy by five percent. The total budget is up two percent.
The $394 million spending plan, which he made public late Thursday, includes $39.5 million for state-mandated Medicaid, $21 million for state-mandated Preschool Special Education and Early Intervention programs and an 11 percent increase in utilities.
Steinhaus' opponent in next week's election, Joseph Ruggiero, said the county executive proposed the tax reduction solely because it is an election year. He said last year, property taxes rose by 15 percent.
(MidHudsonNews.com)
DUTCHESS: County Executive Debate on TV
The Dutchess County executive debate, with host Terence Michos, will be broadcast at the following channels and times:
Cablevision (channel 18/6 in Eastern Dutchess)
Friday: 10-11 p.m.; Sunday: 6-7 p.m. and 9-10 p.m.; Monday: 7-8 p.m. and 10-11 p.m.
Time Warner (channel 6)
Today: 9- 10 p.m.; Thursday: 9-10 p.m.
You can also see video of the candidates, Republican incumbent William Steinhaus and Democratic challenger Joseph Ruggiero at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/elections
DUTCHESS: Beacon Group to Hold Discussion on Taxes
The Concerned Citizens Coalition of Beacon will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7, at city hall, 1 Municipal Plaza. The public is invited to attend the discussion on taxes.
For more information, please call 845-831-4882.
ORANGE: Due to Election, Board Won't Take Action
For the fourth time, the Goshen Town Board won't take any action on the proposed local laws which would eliminate some hamlet designations and rescind the density bonuses for open space and affordable housing.
The board has once again continued the public hearing, and will hear more comments on November 19th.
ORANGE: Watch Debates for the Four "Most Watched" Races
On News12 this weekend you can catch the Supervisor debates for the 4 races which are deemed the "most watched" in Orange County: Warwick, Goshen, City of Newburgh and Chester.
You can watch the debates (1 hour program, 15 minutes for each Town) at 9am, 1pm and 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
ULSTER: Woodstock Program Focuses on Housing
John Abrams of Martha's Vineyard will talk about how to meet community housing needs Saturday at a public program sponsored by the community group Woodstock Our Town.
The program will take place at 4 p.m. at the Woodstock Community Center on Rock City Road.
WESTCHESTER & PUTNAM: Election Guide
Find candidate profiles and photos, campaign news, Journal News editorial endorsements, and more: www.lohud.com/election07
