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Weekend in review
Apr 01, 2013 12:05 am
Stories that made the news March 29 to April 1:
Melanie Lekocevic wrote in The Daily Mail the recent town-wide revaluation in Athens has property owners frustrated and afraid. Nearly two dozen homeowners appeared at the Town Council meeting last week. Several said their taxes will double this year. In one case, a home purchased for less than $150,000 in February, was re-assessed at $375,000. One attendee said the reval will force him from his home. Town officials said the goal of the new assessments was to make sure everyone is paying a fair amount based on true market value. Homeowners have options to appeal the new assessments. They can meet with the firm that did the new assessments, sit down with the town assessor or make their case on Grievance Day. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Nathan Mayberg wrote in the Register Star officials at Coarc, one of Columbia County’s largest employers, are projecting a loss of 10 to 15 jobs as a result of a $90-million cut to the state Office of Developmental Disabilities as part of the 2013-14 state budget. Alex Schneider, Coarc's director of development and community services, told the paper the cuts will mean a loss of approximately $700,000 for the agency. Schneider said the loss of funds will have an impact on the quality of services. Specific positions and programs have not yet been identified for elimination. Read the full story in the Register Star.
Michael Ryan reported in The Daily Mail the fate of the existing Prattsville firehouse is still unclear. The old firehouse, located on Main Street, was damaged by flood waters during Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Firefighters were trapped in the building during the storm and marooned along with the rest of the downtown area. The building was subsequently condemned. Although the building can be used, it cannot be used as a firehouse. Plans to construct a replacement building hinge on the availability of funding and finding a parcel right for the project. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Hudson City School District Board of Education President Peter D. Merante Sr. announced Fri., Mar. 29, his intention to resign from the board effective next month, two years before his five-year term will expire. Merante said he was ready to resign in January, but wanted to get through some "tough board business first." He cited a health issue as the reason for his early departure. Merante said he has learned a great deal during the past three years, and stated his belief that the district's current crop of administrators are young, focused and ready to bring the Hudson schools to "higher levels." Read the full story at unmuffled.
Melanie Lekocevic wrote in The Daily Mail the recent town-wide revaluation in Athens has property owners frustrated and afraid. Nearly two dozen homeowners appeared at the Town Council meeting last week. Several said their taxes will double this year. In one case, a home purchased for less than $150,000 in February, was re-assessed at $375,000. One attendee said the reval will force him from his home. Town officials said the goal of the new assessments was to make sure everyone is paying a fair amount based on true market value. Homeowners have options to appeal the new assessments. They can meet with the firm that did the new assessments, sit down with the town assessor or make their case on Grievance Day. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Nathan Mayberg wrote in the Register Star officials at Coarc, one of Columbia County’s largest employers, are projecting a loss of 10 to 15 jobs as a result of a $90-million cut to the state Office of Developmental Disabilities as part of the 2013-14 state budget. Alex Schneider, Coarc's director of development and community services, told the paper the cuts will mean a loss of approximately $700,000 for the agency. Schneider said the loss of funds will have an impact on the quality of services. Specific positions and programs have not yet been identified for elimination. Read the full story in the Register Star.
Michael Ryan reported in The Daily Mail the fate of the existing Prattsville firehouse is still unclear. The old firehouse, located on Main Street, was damaged by flood waters during Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Firefighters were trapped in the building during the storm and marooned along with the rest of the downtown area. The building was subsequently condemned. Although the building can be used, it cannot be used as a firehouse. Plans to construct a replacement building hinge on the availability of funding and finding a parcel right for the project. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Hudson City School District Board of Education President Peter D. Merante Sr. announced Fri., Mar. 29, his intention to resign from the board effective next month, two years before his five-year term will expire. Merante said he was ready to resign in January, but wanted to get through some "tough board business first." He cited a health issue as the reason for his early departure. Merante said he has learned a great deal during the past three years, and stated his belief that the district's current crop of administrators are young, focused and ready to bring the Hudson schools to "higher levels." Read the full story at unmuffled.