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SENTENCE IN DRUNK DRIVING CASE

Second Annual Pink Street Festival June 2

Local School Districts Approve Budgets

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Draw-along with Graphic Novel Author in Delhi

National Bank of Coxsackie donates to Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region

Prepare for a Magical Journey with Orpheus Theatres Anastasia the Musical Youth Edition

Calling All Bakers for Landis Plant Sale

ESPERANCE — Calling all Bakers: Showcase your talent and supply the Bake Sale Booth with tempting goodies at the George Landis Arboretum Spring Plant Sale on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19 at 174 Lape Road, Esperance! We would so appreciate a sampling of your favorite baked goods to raise funds to support the Arboretum’s missions. Cookies, cakes, breads, pies, cupcakes, etc. all welcome, in any quantity. No donation is too small! Baked goods can be dropped off at the Arboretum Farmhouse on Thursday in the early afternoon and Friday or Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Please let me know what you plan to bring to the Sale by emailing sbknapik@yahoo.com.

Cherry Valley Town Board Considering Solar Power Facility

By Chris English CHERRY VALLEY — Discussion of a proposed solar power generating facility took up much of the Cherry Valley town board meeting on Thursday, May 9. Carson Power wants to build the facility on a 15-acre parcel just off Route 54, according to Town Supervisor Tom Garretson. Solar panels would be put up on about 10 of the 15 acres, he added. Cherry Valley is in the early stages of considering the matter and deciding whether the proposal complies with all aspects of the town's law regulating solar energy systems enacted in 2021, town officials explained. "So far, they seem to be meeting all the requirements," Garretson said after the meeting. "As long as they play by the rules of the game, it shouldn't be a problem." Since New York State law exempts the value of a solar panel system from local property taxes, Cherry Valley town officials will negotiate a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Carson so the town can reap a fair amount of revenue from the facility, Garretson explained during the May 9 meeting. "We're in the driver's seat, we'll negotiate hard to get what we want," he said. Also weighing in on the matter during the May 9 meeting were town Planning Board Chairwoman Cierra Utter and planning board member Frank McGrath. "The town of Cherry Valley recognizes that solar energy is a clean, readily available and renewable energy source that can address climate change and decrease reliance on fossil fuels, and desires to see individual homes, businesses and farms use the technology," reads the town law on solar energy, available for view on the town website, cherryvalleyny.us. "It also recognizes the potential for some solar energy generation systems to have adverse impacts and the need for proper facility siting in order to protect and preserve important resources in the town," it continues. "The purpose of these regulations is to balance the environmental benefits of renewable energy with potential adverse impacts of solar energy generating systems on the environment and in the community while preserving the rights of the property owners to install solar collection systems without excess regulation." According to the Carson Power website, carson-power.com, "New York aims to power the state with 70 percent renewable by 2030 and 100 percent renewables by 2040. With over 500 MW of solar and storage assets under development across the country, our team has extensive experience bringing projects from site control to construction financing." In other news from the May 9 meeting, the town board voted to proceed with repairs on the Dietchie Road Bridge. The exact cost and funding source or sources won't be finalized until farther along in the process, Garretson explained.

Cobleskill Approves New Solar, Wind Energy Law

By Chris English Town of Cobleskill Deputy Supervisor Roger Mallery discusses a new town law regulating large scale solar energy systems and small wind energy systems at the May 13 board meeting. On the left is Town Clerk Tina Ward. Photo: Chris English. COBLESKILL — The town of Cobleskill has a new law regulating large-scale solar energy systems and small wind energy systems after the town board voted to approve the measure at its Monday, May 13 meeting. Deputy Town Supervisor Roger Mallery and Council Members Alan Rubin, Linda Angell, and Lisa Wayman all voted to approve Local Law No. 2 of 2024 after a brief public hearing. Among many other provisions, the new law sets forth what zoning districts within the town such facilities can be located. The 27-page document should be available for viewing on the town website fairly soon, board members said. Mallery explained that the town's moratorium on solar and wind power facilities expires next month and it was important to get a law in place before that happened. Answering questions from a resident, he described the law as a "good start." "It's not perfect," Mallery said. "It's a living document. It's a base that tells companies wanting to install these types of facilities in the town 'Hey, you can't just come in here and do whatever you want.' We could put all this together and the state might change its law next month, but at least we can tell the people of Cobleskill we've done our due diligence." Rubin added "a lot will get added to it," referring to the new law. Angell said one of the provisions in the new law spells out that companies must disassemble and take away solar and wind equipment within a certain amount of time if such facilities become no longer operable. "I think it's for the betterment of the community," she said. "They can't just let these panels and other things just sit there and sit there (if they are no longer being used). It's one of the things this law will protect against." In other news from the May 13 meeting, the town board approved May 30 as Grievance Day for the town this year. Grievance Day is the deadline for property owners to file appeals of their assessments and also the day for local boards of assessment review to hear complaints. Also approved was a letter to Empire State Development in support of the redevelopment of vacant land at Shad Point. That's the area just off Route 145 near Route 7 and Interstate 88 near the Gobbler's Knob recreational facility. The board also green-lighted two measures for the town's Doc Reilly Park on Route 7 near Cavern Palace. The first allows installation of a seasonal/temporary shed by a co-ed adult softball team. "The group will pay insurance and be responsible for maintenance," Mallery said. The second measure authorizes town officials to start negotiating an agreement with a traveling youth softball team that wants to make Doc Reilly Park its home field. Among the provisions to eventually be included in the agreement are obligations the traveling team would have regarding the maintenance of the field it uses. Town board members said they appreciated the potential "sweat equity" the team and its supporters could end up expanding at the park.

Longtime Auxiliary Volunteers Honored

By Elizabeth Barr COBLESKILL — The Cobleskill Fire Department Auxiliary Company had its Annual Dinner with an award ceremony for years of service at Chieftains. Kim Kimball, Auxiliary President, handed out the awards, and a great time was had by all. Celebrating 60 years of service – Margaret Sommers, 45 years of service – Sandra Slater, 40 years of service – Wanda Cooper, 35 years of service – Pam Mace, 30 years of service – Cheryl Whittaker, 30 years of service – Pat Thorington, 25 years of service – Debra Binas, 15 years of service – Jenna France, 15 years of service – Tiffany Slater. The organization wouldn’t be what it is without all the fantastic volunteers. The Cobleskill Fire Department Auxiliary Company was established in 1943. They are an entity of the Cobleskill Fire Department and support the department and the community. This year’s Officers are President – Kim Kimball, 1 st Vice President – Tiffany Stoker, 2 nd Vice President – Jenna France, Secretary Vicki Cooper, Asst. Secretary Sandra Slater, Treasurer – Tina Ward, and Asst. Treasurer – Eilene Fisher. If you are interested in volunteering, they are always looking for new members. Message them on Facebook or see an Auxiliary member to support your local Fire Department. Rear, left to right – Eileen Fisher, Jocelyn Snyder, Tara Salvata, Kim Kimball, Wanda Cooper, Tiffany Stoker, Lauren Mackey, Sherry Haupe, Anabelle Algoutob, Liz Barr, Cheryl Whittaker Front left to right – Pat Thorington, Deb Binas, Vicki Cooper, Sandy Slater, Tina Ward, Pamela Mace