John Mason is reporting in the Register-Star Democrat Shaun Francis from Wilton, Saratoga County, was in Hudson Thu., Jan. 28, to formally announce his bid for the state Senate. The former Major League Baseball umpire is challenging incumbent Republican Kathleen Marchione (MARR-she-own) in the 43rd Senate District. Francis, speaking to a packed room at Mexican Radio on Warren St., decried the condition of state government, calling this a time of perpetual gridlock. He said, "the only thing moving is money for the well-connected." Francis outlined his priorities, including public education, a livable wage, improved access to high-speed internet and the development of clean, renewable energy. DOWNLOAD or play an excerpt from the Ellen Thurston and Tom DePietro conversation with Francis on the WGXC Afternoon Show, Thu., Jan. 28. (13:00).

Katie Kocijanski is reporting in The Daily Mail neighbors of the recreation venue Zoom Flume Water Park have expressed concerns about a proposed new ride. Details of the proposed CannonBowl ride were presented by park owner Denise Kerrigan to the Durham Town Board earlier this month. The major concern expressed by residents was the excessive noise in the park, which closes as late as 10 p.m. One neighbor called the noise level horrific. Another park neighbor -- William and Suzy Vogler -- have asked the town to conduct an environmental impact study to measure the park's impact on the entire community. Kerrigan said the resort portion of the business has been a part of the tourist economy in Greene County since the early 1800s, long before the neighbors moved in. She said the park takes resident complaints seriously, but she believes the neighbors are being unfair in their criticism. The public hearing will continue Tue., Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Durham Town Hall. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential that 82 school districts statewide, including three in the Hudson Valley, are in or are susceptible to fiscal stress, according to a new report from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office. The report shows the highest concentrations of fiscal difficulties in Long Island, Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. The Rhinebeck and Poughkeepsie districts in Dutchess County, and the New Paltz schools in Ulster County, were all classified as under moderate fiscal stress. Rhinebeck was identified as one of four districts statewide showing a significant increase in their fiscal stress score during the 2014-15 school year. None of the districts located in Greene or Columbia counties made the list this year. Fiscal stress scores are based on various factors, including year-end fund balance, short-term borrowing and patterns of operating deficits. This is the third year DiNapoli’s office has assessed and scored the financial stability of school districts. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Michael Ryan in The Windham Journal reports that plans for a 44-unit residential complex will be presented at the Prattsville planning board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3. A regional urgent-care facility is also planned next door on Washington St., out of the flood plain, for the town that was ravaged by rain and run-off from the storms associated with Hurricane Irene in 2011. Prattsville still needs to secure a grant from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery for the $15 million housing project, and is waiting until May to hear about that. The long-term plans call for a community center to also be built at the site. “This is the biggest thing that’s happened since Colonel Zadock Pratt rode his horse into this town,” Prattsville Development Corporation chairman Kevin Piccoli said. Read the full story in The Windham Journal.

Jeanette Wolfberg reports in The Columbia Paper that Columbia County has 54 homeless people who have contacted the Department of Social Services, and officials think the true number could be twice as high. “There’s a homeless explosion," said Supervisor Richard Scalera (D-Hudson, 5th Ward). "It breaks my heart that we pay so much to put people in hotel rooms with barely running water.” DSS Attorney Bob Gibson said much of the problem was due to housing. “We have a recruitment problem with landlords. We need low-cost housing,” Gibson said at the Jan. 20 Human Services committee meeting. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Local weather forecast

Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today: Scattered snow showers after 9 a.m., mixing with rain after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Friday night, isolated snow showers before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy. Low around 22. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
SATURDAY: Partly sunny. High near 38. Saturday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 27.
SUNDAY: Partly sunny. High near 47. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 35.

Sunrise today: 7:11 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:06 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:54


PUBLIC MEETINGS

Today is the fifth Friday of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any recurring meetings scheduled for today.

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Wed., Jan. 27 (5;49). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail Democrats and Republicans in Catskill have chosen their candidates in the upcoming village elections. Both caucuses were held Mon., Jan. 25, to find contenders to fill two trustee positions, currently held by Vincent Seeley and Stanley Dushane, along with the village justice seat, now held by Maria LaRosa. At the GOP caucus, held at the Washington Irving Senior Center, incumbent Dushane and Joel Shanks got the nod. LaRosa was chosen without opposition. Meanwhile, at Catskill Town Hall, the Democrats chose incumbent Seeley and current Catskill School Board member Lillian Johnson for village trustee. The Democrats did not put forward a candidate for village justice. Village elections will be held Tue., March 15. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Jillian Nadiak is reporting in the Register-Star the Greenport Planning Board has granted conditional approval to the Mental Health Association of Columbia and Greene Counties for the construction of a 66-unit apartment complex on Joslen Boulevard. The board gave the project a provisional green light during a public meeting held Tue., Jan. 26. The board outlined a list of conditions that must be met within six months for the association to receive final approval and a building permit can be issued. The 14-page resolution passed by the board included a requirement to provide the building inspector and town engineer with video and photographs of the existing conditions within 200 feet of the property lines of the project. Planning Board Chairman Edward Stiffler said he believes MHA has done everything it could to comply with the town's requirements to date. Stiffler said the complex will be an asset to the community when completed. The building will contain 66 units, with 28 units set aside for individuals with mental health disabilities, and 38 units of affordable housing for those who income qualify. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

The Daily Freeman is reporting Bard College professor Robert Kelly has been appointed Dutchess County’s first poet laureate. Kelly will serve a one-year term and bring poetry to the community through a series of readings and events. He read two poems at the State of the County Address, Wed., Jan. 27, at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie. Kelly has been on the Bard faculty since 1961. He has published more than 50 books of poetry and prose, including "The Common Shore" and "The Loom." Kelly is the founding director of the writing program at Bard's Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts. He currently serves as the Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature and is the co-director of the Program in Written Arts at Bard College. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Audrey Matott in The Daily Mail reports that Greenville Central School District would not reconsider a proposed veterans’ tax exemption, voting 4-3 Jan. 21 not to hold a public hearing to consider the exemption. Last year the board voted 4-3 against exempting veterans from property taxes, but with a slightly different board the veterans asked again this year. Board president Ann Holstein said she did not want to shift the school funding burden to others in the community. Veteran Don Savino was upset, saying, “It was an injustice done here today. You didn’t give people a chance to talk and that’s wrong.” Audrey Matott in The Daily Mail reportsRead the full story in The Daily Mail.

John Mason is reporting in The Daily Mail sales tax revenue in both Columbia and Greene counties increased in the past year, in sharp contrast to other counties statewide. According to the sales tax figures released Tue., Jan. 26, by the New York State Association of Counties, in the fourth quarter of 2014, Columbia County's receipts rose by more than five percent, while Greene's revenue increased by nearly three percent. In 2015, Greene County reported the sixth highest sales tax revenue in New York state. Greene County Treasurer Peter Markou said there's no real answer to why the county did so well last year, but he speculated it was because of the restaurants and the ski industry. Columbia County Treasurer P.J. Keeler said the county was fortunate to see the increase, despite a significant decrease in sales tax revenue from gasoline sales due to lower gas prices. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Local weather forecast

Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 43. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 26.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
FRIDAY: Scattered snow showers before 1 p.m., then scattered rain and snow showers between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., then scattered snow shows after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 40. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 23. Blustery. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.
SATURDAY: Partly sunny. High near 39. Saturday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 28.

Sunrise today: 7:12 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:043p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:52

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Today is the fourth Thursday of the month. WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location. (All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

ATHENS Planning Board public hearing on the site plan review and special use permit application of Primax Properties for the construction of a Dollar General store at 9718 State Route 9W, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551). CHATHAM Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham (392-5821).
CHATHAM Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 488 Route 295, Chatham (392-1651). COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Finance Committee meeting, 2 p.m. at 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
HUDSON Community Development and Planning Agency board meeting (tentative), 12 p.m. at 1 North Front St., Hudson (751-1044).
WINDHAM Town Board meeting, 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Wed., Jan. 27 (7:05). (Produced by Tom Roe.)

Roger Hannigan Gilson is reporting in the Register-Star statistics released by the Hudson Police Department this week show that while service calls in the city concerning property crimes and quality of life decreased, domestic dispute calls sharply increased in 2015. The more than 170 percent spike in domestic abuse calls from 2013 through 2015, was attributed to a greater willingness on the part of victims to contact law enforcement, but chief Edward Moore said he believed actual cases of domestic abuse are up. Both Community Action of Greene County and REACH, a crime victims advocacy group, report spikes in domestic abuse during the past year. A spokesperson for Community Action said more than 1,400 hotline calls were made from Columbia and Greene counties during the year. During that time, 61 orders of protection were issued in Columbia County, and 70 in Greene. Police define domestic incidents as a conflict between two people who are related or in a relationship regardless of age or gender. This category does not include calls for roommate disputes. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Bethany Bump is reporting at Capitol Confidential New York teachers are suing the state over new regulations that allow superintendents to impose teacher improvement plans on underperforming teachers without negotiating them with their union first. The New York State United Teachers and six local unions are listed as plaintiffs in the suit. The Board of Regents and the State Education Department are listed as defendants, along with their leaders, Chancellor Merryl Tisch and Commissioner MaryEllen Elia (EH-lee-uh). Unions argues the new regulations violate their collective bargaining rights, and the state’s Taylor Law, which governs public employee contracts and negotiations. That law stipulates that all teacher evaluation and disciplinary procedures must be negotiated. Under the regulations the state was granted new authority to make corrective action on teacher evaluation plans that had already been negotiated and approved. That is a clear infringement of a binding legal contract, unions say. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Harley Goodnough reports in The Greenville Pioneer that the town of Greenville voted Jan. 4 to suspend the commercial sale of town water. Board members said they heard complaints about water shortages after commercial trucks bought town water to fill swimming pools, and for other uses. Town Supervisor Paul Macko said at the meeting that he believed the New York State Department of Health would soon announce restrictions of the commercial sale of public water.

The Town of Ghent holds two public hearings at 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 27 at the Ghent VFW, 2237 Route 66, to consider two proposed laws. One law would eliminate any site plan review for structures for private use in the Rural Residential/Agricultural districts in Ghent, and the other would make "changes... recommended by the Commercial Zoning Review Committee." Members of the CZRC will go over the proposed changes at the hearings. The meeting is at the Ghent VFW, not Town Hall.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Jan. 25 that the High Valley Farm in Copake has inked an 800-acre conservation agreement, enlarging a major protected forest area in the Taconic Mountains. The agreement, between The Nature Conservancy, the Columbia Land Conservancy, New York State, and the property owner, Edgar Masters, conserves the property from future development. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation acquired a forever-wild easement over 660 acres of the forestland; and the Columbia Land Conservancy acquired an agricultural easement on 140 acres. The total price was $4 million, with the state paying $2.2 million from the Environmental Protection Fund and The Nature Conservancy contributing $1.8 million. The Columbia Land Conservancy will hold and monitor the easement restrictions. High Valley Farm owner Edgar Masters said, "Although the property remains privately owned and on the tax rolls, its fields, woodlands, and wildlife are forever protected from development, timber harvesting, and forest fragmentation. Surrounded by Taconic State Park and the Massachusetts Forest Preserve, the protection of these acres brings full circle what began in 1925 when my grandfather gave New York State 38 acres to establish Taconic State Park."

The full press release is below:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an 800-acre conservation agreement that will preserve a crucial gap in Taconic State Park in Columbia County. The agreement will enlarge a major protected forest area in the Taconic Mountains along the New York and Massachusetts border, benefitting those who love the natural beauty of this region, consumers of locally grown food, and more than two dozen rare animal and plant species. Protection of High Valley Farm in Copake brings to fruition a years-long collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, the Columbia Land Conservancy, New York State, and the property owner, Edgar Masters.

“The preservation of High Valley Farm continues New York State’s commitment to protecting the open spaces and its rich history of environmental stewardship,” Governor Cuomo said. “The natural beauty and agricultural vitality of this area are tremendous economic and tourism drivers in the region, and this action will help ensure they remain so for generations to come.”

Under the agreement, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation acquired a forever wild easement over 660 acres of the forestland; and the Columbia Land Conservancy acquired an agricultural easement on 140 acres. The total price was $4 million, with the state paying $2.2 million from the Environmental Protection Fund and The Nature Conservancy contributing $1.8 million toward the purchase price. The Columbia Land Conservancy will hold and monitor the easement restrictions.

As a large private inholding between the Copake Falls and Rudd Pond sections of the 6,700-acre Taconic State Park, the parcel was a top priority for protection by State Parks.

State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said, “The agreement ensures this crucial feature of Taconic State Park’s landscape – a huge swath of contiguous forestland – will never be cut, fragmented or developed into building lots, and forever remain a hugely significant view-shed and habitat for all species. New York is very fortunate to have Governor Cuomo’s commitment to protecting open space, the generosity of The Nature Conservancy for helping make it possible to preserve our state’s magnificent places, as well as the partnership of the Columbia Land Conservancy and the landowner who agreed to a charitable sale.”

Wayne Klockner, Vice President and State Director of The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts said, “This project conserves fantastic habitat in the tri-state area for a variety of wildlife species and agricultural land for people. We are grateful to our partners for their tireless efforts to make this deal happen.”

High Valley Farm owner Edgar Masters said, "I am delighted to partner with New York State Parks, The Nature Conservancy and Columbia Land Conservancy to protect High Valley Farm. Although the property remains privately owned and on the tax rolls, its fields, woodlands and wildlife are forever protected from development, timber harvesting and forest fragmentation. Surrounded by Taconic State Park and the Massachusetts Forest Preserve, the protection of these acres brings full circle what began in 1925 when my grandfather gave New York State 38 acres to establish Taconic State Park."

Executive Director of the Columbia Land Conservancy Peter R. Paden said, “This project protects an area of extraordinary conservation significance. It has been a pleasure for the Columbia Land Conservancy to collaborate with our partners at The Nature Conservancy, with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and with Edgar Masters to bring it to fruition. It is particularly gratifying to work with a landowner with such a strong connection to his property, such a strong appreciation for its unique ecological value and such a strong commitment to its protection in perpetuity.”

The Nature Conservancy, which led the project, worked closely with the parties to ensure that the two easements progressed together so the forests and fields could be protected simultaneously.

The announcement comes as Governor Cuomo is proposing a number of initiatives to bolster New York’s legacy of environmental protection as part of his 2016 agenda. The Governor announced that New York State will allocate $300 million for the State’s Environmental Protection Fund – the highest amount ever for the fund and more than double the fund’s level when the Governor first took office. This increase will provide record funding for urgent environmental investments, adding resources for land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, waterfront revitalization, and an aggressive environmental justice agenda.

Conservation wards off the significant threat of residential development – dozens of house lots could have been subdivided along the property’s extensive road frontage – forecloses the possibility of inappropriate forest management and habitat degradation, and forever protects the view-shed of the scenic landscape. The agricultural easement placed on the farmland portion of the property will ensure that the fields are available for farming in the future, while protecting the soil resources and the integrity of the natural habitats, which will also support resiliency.

The High Valley Farm complex borders New York’s Taconic State Park and Massachusetts’ Mount Washington State Forest and Bash Bish Falls State Park, connecting the parks and ensuring contiguous and undisturbed forestland. The deal ensures that a portion of the South Taconic Trail that crosses the property will remain available to the public, although the balance of the property itself remains in private ownership. In addition to protecting critical habitat for wildlife, birds, fish and plants, this interconnected forestland will provide resiliency in the face of climate change and support wide-ranging animals like the black bear.

The High Valley Farm project also protects agricultural land leased to a local farmer who is a member of Hudson Valley Fresh, a dairy cooperative dedicated to protecting the agricultural heritage of the Hudson River Valley. The forage grown at High Valley Farm is critical to the 400-head Holstein cattle herd located nearby in Copake.

Local weather forecast

Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today: Scattered snow showers, mainly between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Wednesday night, mostly clear. Low around 19.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. High near 38. Thursday night, isolated snow showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 27.
FRIDAY: Scattered snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 36. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Friday night, isolated snow showers before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy. Low around 22.

Sunrise today: 7:13 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:023p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:50


PUBLIC MEETINGS

Today is the fourth Wednesday of the month. WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location. (All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

ATHENS Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
COLUMBIA County Board of Supervisors Airport Sub-committee, 4 p.m.; Public Works Committee meeting, 5 p.m. at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Hamlet Revitalization Task Force meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Rd., Copake (329-1234).
HUDSON Common Council Public Works Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m., Legal Committee, 6:15 p.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUDSON Development Corporation meeting, 12 p.m. (noon) at 1 North Front St., Hudson (751-1044).
PHILMONT Village Board Workshop meeting, 7 p.m., Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).