Emilia Teasdale is reporting for The Columbia Paper on the Kinderhook Town Board's first meeting of the new year held January 8. County Court Judge Jonathan Nichols attended the meeting to administer the oath of office to newly elected town board member Sally Hogan, as well as reelected Town Supervisor Pat Grattan, Justice Lisa Mills and Highway Superintendent John Ruchel. Reelected board member Patsy Leader did not attend the meeting. During the organizational meeting, Grattan, beginning his ninth term as supervisor, announced openings on the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Assessment Review. There are also two openings the Undeveloped Land Oversight Committee and one vacancy on the Trails Committee and the Historic Kinderhook Committee is also looking for new members. During the regular meeting that followed residents asked that additional town committees be created: an opioid sub-committee. a committee to consider traffic safety on state Route 203 and an economic development committee. The board approved Local Law #1 of 2018 to make permanent a property tax exemption for Cold War veterans. Grattan that approximately 30 residents currently receive the exemption. The town board will next meet at 7 p.m., Mon., Feb. 5 in the Martin H. Glynn Municipal Building. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.