September 2024

Next Town Board Meeting

Thursday, October 10, 2024

7:00pm

Access to virtual meetings can be found on the homepage of the Town of Copake website at townofcopake.org

From the Supervisor's Desk

NY Forward Public Workshop

Solar Report

ADU Grants

Help Wanted

Roe Jan Ramble

Kids Pre-Ramble

Repair Cafe

Heat Pumps

Roe Jan Historical Society

Grange Events

Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market News

What's Happening at the Library

Memorial Bricks

Columbia County Health Center

From the Supervisor's Desk            

Looking Back and Moving Forward

When I reflect back on my first eight-plus months as Supervisor, it is with a sense of appreciation and a sigh of relief: appreciation for the dedication and hard work of everyone, especially the members of the Bicentennial Committee and others who planned, organized and created Copake’s spectacular bicentennial celebratory season, and relief because it’s over! 

Beginning with the April 4 Special Town Board meeting commemorating Copake’s first public meeting in 1824, we celebrated Copake’s history with panel discussions, a Rail Trail arts project for children, a picnic, a huge parade, and a grand finale party at Catamount. You can still visit the Roe Jan Historical Society’s wonderful exhibition exploring Copake’s history, but only until October 6. Thereafter, we officially stop looking back and fully focus on moving forward.

First things first. It’s budget season. As budget officer, it is my responsibility to draft a preliminary budget for the town board’s consideration. To accomplish this, I’ve requested and received from department heads their anticipated needs and requests for calendar year 2025. Soon we will schedule a public hearing at which the preliminary budget will be presented. Comments will be solicited from Copakeans and incorporated into the budget as the board deems appropriate. And on we’ll go until we arrive at and adopt a budget for 2025.

We’ll be looking forward in another important way. Once again, Copake will be applying to the state for a New York Forward grant. This will be our third attempt, and we hope the third time will be the charm. The effort will once again be led by Roberta Roll. She and I will work closely with our wonderful consultant from River Street Planning & Development, Margaret Irwin. Even with what I expect will be Copake’s strongest application yet, the odds of success are a little longer this year. In the first two NY Forward rounds, the state was offering up to $10 million in grants, to be divided among recipients getting either $2.25 or $4.5 million in funds. This year, only two grants of $4.5 million will be awarded.

We are inviting those whose project proposals were included in last year’s NY Forward application to reapply. We are soliciting new proposals as well. If you want to expand your existing business or start a new one, or if you want to convert your building into affordable housing units, if you have ideas for new or different uses for public spaces, we want to hear from you. The NY Forward grant program exists to revitalize downtowns, so proximity to the downtown Copake hamlet is a requirement. You can go to copakewaterfronts.com/nyforward for more information.

We will meet this Saturday, September 14 for a public workshop in Copake Town Hall from 11:30am until 1:00pm. Bring your creative ideas. Help Copake win a NY Forward grant of $4.5 million. You’ll be glad you did!

Richard Wolf

Town Supervisor

Public Workshop for NY Forward Grant Application

On Saturday, Sept. 14 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at Copake Town Hall, there will be the first of two public workshops to discuss the town’s NY Forward application and solicit information from the public about potential projects. The workshop will be led by Margaret Irwin of River Street Planning & Development. All are welcome!

The NY Forward program is in its third year and offers $10 million dollars in revitalization funds to small, rural towns in New York State. This year, the funds will be allocated to two municipalities, each receiving $4.5 million.

The town has submitted applications for the past two years and hopes to garner one of the awards this year. In addition to public works projects, private business projects are eligible for funding. Projects in Copake have ranged from retail shop renovations, to wine bars, a therapeutic riding center, historic preservation, and affordable housing. The projects must be situated in the downtown Copake Hamlet and must serve the revitalization of the town.

The second public engagement workshop will be held on Thursday, October 10 at 4:00pm at Copake Town Hall. Both meetings will also be available via a Zoom link. Please check the town website www.townofcopake.org.

For more information go to https://www.copakewaterfronts.com/nyforward

All are invited to take the public survey at

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CopakeNYF2024_PublicSurvey

Those interested in making proposals for projects may go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CopakeNYF2024_CallforProposals

Solar Update

Another month has gone by, and Hecate still has not filed its application with the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) for a siting permit to construct a 42-megawatt solar factory on more than 200 acres of mostly prime farmland in Craryville. 

As I reported last month, speculation is that the developer is waiting to learn whether it again will receive an incentive contract from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). For its rejected 60-megawatt proposal, Hecate had been awarded a $42 million contract from NYSERDA.

I have just one item to report: several months ago, Copake received a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request from Max Frank of Marathon Strategies, a public relations firm working with Hecate, seeking information about the purchase and sale of the Main Farm, a parcel which was included in the original 60-megawatt proposal but is no longer available to Hecate. To respond, it was necessary for us to search records, including emails and invoices from our attorney for solar matters, and from engineers who have worked on Shepherd’s Run issues and on the lawsuit challenging the ORES regulations. After the records were located, we sent them to our town attorney, Jonathon Tingley, who reviewed them and redacted information that is exemptible under FOIL, including, for instance, attorney-client communications. The records were then sent to Mr. Frank. Mr. Frank appealed, asserting that the redactions were inappropriate. 

The town board is the designated appeal body in Copake, and we decided Mr. Frank’s appeal at the September town board meeting, granting it in part and denying it in part.

This use of the FOIL is a heavy-handed attempt to intimidate the town and is designed to cause Copake to incur substantial legal and expense in responding to it. If intimidation was the goal, it failed. We will continue to oppose Hecate’s Shepherd’s Run, because as proposed, it is too big and poorly sited.

Richard T. Wolf

Town Supervisor

Grants Now Available to Build Accessory Dwellings

Are you interested in generating rental income from the unused garage on your property? Or creating a separate apartment in your home for family members or caregivers to live in?

That’s called an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). You can create an ADU of up to two bedrooms on your property under Copake’s zoning laws as long as you can provide a separate entrance, have adequate septic capacity, and meet basic building and zoning code requirements. ADUs can be new construction, renovation of an existing building, a stand-alone unit, or an apartment in your house. ADUs are a great way to provide low-cost housing, as well as to generate extra income on property you own and live in.

Columbia County is now offering cash grants of $125,000 per homeowner to help you cover the cost of building your ADU. If you own your home and live in it as your primary residence, and your household income is at or below 100% of the county median income – currently, $106,400 for a household of four, with higher and lower income levels for larger and smaller households – the Plus One ADU program can provide you with a cash grant to build your ADU.

The deadline for applying for the Plus One ADU grant is December 13, 2024. The application form, together with more information about ADUs and the funding program, is at the RUPCO website linked below. Take a look and see if you qualify – don’t miss out on the chance to get a cash grant to build your ADU! 

Go to https://rupco.org/plusonecolumbia/

Help Wanted

The Town of Copake Highway Department is seeking a Full Time Laborer that must have a valid NYS Driver’s License and will be required to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License.

Applicant will be required to submit to pre-employment & random drug and alcohol tests. Experience in road maintenance and snow plowing a significant advantage. Applications are available for download on the Town Website http://townofcopake.org.

Please call Highway Superintendent Bill Gregory at (518) 325-4222 with any questions. Position will be filled when suitable.

Help Wanted

The Town Board of the Town of Copake will be accepting letters of interest and resumes for the following positions:

Park Commission Members

ZBA Member



Letters/resumes may be sent to: the Town Clerk, 230 Mountain View Road, Copake, NY 12516, or emailed to: copaketownclerk@townofcopake.org.

The Roe Jan Ramble is coming September 21

The 12th annual Roe Jan Ramble Bike Tour is coming your way on Saturday, September 21, 2024. A fundraiser for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, the Ramble is a fun, non-competitive ride sponsored by the towns of Copake, Ancram and Hillsdale.

There are 7 routes to choose from, from the easy mostly flat 10-miler, to the new 100-mile route for the expert rider. The ride is free, with voluntary donations encouraged to support the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Register to ride and get more information at www.roejanramble.org. And if you don’t ride, why not join us on Ramble day as a volunteer at our rest stops, check-in desk or as a route guide? It’s a lively, friendly and fun experience. Just email roejanramble@gmail.com to volunteer - no experience needed.

The Ramble’s First Kids Bicycle Event: the pre(R)amble!

The Roe Jan Ramble Bike Tour is organizing their first event geared toward children ages 5 to 11 years old: “the Pre(R)amble!” If you have children just learning how to ride a bike, tricycle or scooter, make plans to come to the Copake hamlet on Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.

Children will learn biking tips and tricks, the rules of the road, and how to ride safely with control. Maneuver our “bicycle rodeo” which will be set up in the Kneller Insurance parking lot behind Bank of Greene County. It will include the “rock dodge” maneuver, the “crazy crossroads”, and the “demon driveway” - all good skills to learn. Watch out for the watermelon drop! It’s free! Just bring your bike, trike, or scooter, and don’t forget your helmet. Parent or guardian must attend. Park in the Municipal Parking lot on Church St. next to Key Bank, and follow the crossing guard who will lead you to the event. For more information, contact roejanramble@gmail.com.

Repair Cafe Coming to Copake

The 2nd Annual South East Columbia County Repair Café will be held Saturday, September 28 from 11 AM to 3 PM in the Copake Park Building at 305 Mt. View Road. The event is being organized the Roeliff Jansen Community Library.

A Repair Café is a gathering of neighbors helping neighbors mend and repair household items in the spirit of sustainability and mutual aid. A team of local “fixers" will repair clothing, lamps, bicycles, jewelry, and small appliances, and sharpen knives, all at no cost.

If you are interested in sharing your repair skills as a volunteer ”fixer” email outreach@roejanlibrary.org or call the Library at 518 325-4101 for more information.

Heat Pumps: Good for Copake and Good for the Planet

The Town of Copake and the Climate Smart Task Force are partnering with NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) in a Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign to promote the efficient use of electrical energy. 

Clean heating and cooling technologies, such as ground and air sourced heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters, can lower your energy bill and reduce the effects of harmful greenhouse gases. And the good news just gets better! When residents of Copake install heat pumps, they are helping the town earn grant funding that can be used to make Copake an even more earth-friendly and energy-efficient place to live, work and thrive.

The Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign is simple. Residents can use any licensed contractor to install a heat pump. When five residents or businesses install heat pumps, Copake will earn a $5000 dollar grant that can be used to fund additional energy efficiency projects. If an additional 10 Copake residents or businesses install heat pumps, the town earns a second grant in the amount of $10,000. Add 15 more (a total of 30 homes or businesses), and Copake could reach the top tier of the campaign and receive a third grant in the amount of $20,000!

If you are planning to install a heat pump, or if you installed a heat pump in 2023 or 2024, please let us know by emailing the Copake Conservation Advisory Committee at cac@townofcopake.org. All we will need is the name of the property owner, the address of the home or business where the heat pump was installed, the name of the licensed installer, and the date of installation. With your help, Copake’s Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign will be a great success.

If you would like more information about clean energy, including heat pump technologies, please visit the Regional Clean Energy Hub.

Upcoming Gallery Talks at the Roe Jan Historical Society

Saturday, September 21- Starting at 2:00pm, Ross Mauri will show artifacts found on his property, the site of the former Pure Water & Ice Company’s 50,000-ton icehouse, followed by Mike Fallon of the Copake Auction, speaking about “collecting Copake” and many objects he’s put on loan for the bicentennial exhibition.

Sunday, September 22 and Sunday, October 6 - Janet Mackin, Copake Grange Historian, will again be on hand to provide special insight into the history of the Copake Grange.

Grange Events

Friday, Oct. 4, 7:00 - 9:00pm. Open Mic Night.  All are welcome to perform - music, stories, skits, readings, poetry, dance, songs, and more. Bring your instruments; we have a piano. Or you can just come to relax and be entertained. This is a great venue for both beginning and veteran performers. Free.

Saturday, Oct. 19, 7:00-9:00pm. Wickers Creek Band. This fabulous band performs an eclectic mix of traditional American music, primarily in the Bluegrass tradition. The five-person group sings in close, blended harmonies backed up by fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, dobro and bass. Led by Peter Paden, members include Charlene Paden, Andy Bing, Rob Bradley and Vivian Walsh.  Tickets at the door - $20 or pay what you can.

Sunday, Oct. 20, 4:00-5:30pm. Jammin’ at the Grange. Come on down to the Grange with your instruments and have a great time jamming with your musician friends and neighbors. Free.

Sunday, Nov. 3, 3:30pm. Movie & Soup Night. Our Classic Film Series resumes. Great films, great food and great company! It’s always an interesting evening. Stay tuned for more details.

Friday, Nov. 8, 15 & Saturday, Nov. 9,16, 7:30pm, Sunday, Nov. 10,17, 3pm. “Nunsense.” Presented by The Two of Us Productions, “Nunsense” is the hilarious musical comedy by Dan Goggin that is the second-longest-running Off-Broadway show in history. It involves nuns, Hoboken, New Jersey, the south of France, and death from tainted vichyssoise. Tickets $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. For more information and tickets, go to www.TheTwoOfUsProductions.org or call 518-329-6293.

Saturdays, 11am -1:45pm. African Drum and Dance Classes with Assane Badji Sylla. Traditional African drumming and dances from a variety of regions. A high energy workout in a safe, fun environment. See poster below for more details. Held most Saturdays - text 518-965-2447 to confirm.

For more information about the Grange and events or to join, go to copakegrange.org. The Copake Grange is located at 628 Empire Rd., Copake, NY 12516. Parking for Grange events is limited - please park at the Municipal Lot on Church St. if the Grange parking area is full.

Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market News

For the second year, CHFM is donating $30 food vouchers to SNAP recipients via the Roe Jan Food Pantry. The vouchers may be used until November 1, and can be applied to any SNAP-eligible products, such as produce, honey, meat, cheese, maple syrup, bread and frozen soups.

Our Lady of Hope has also received 6 vouchers, each for $25, to be distributed to those in need. This year, the funds are sourced from a portion of a 2024 grant from Berkshire Taconic Foundation Fund for Columbia County, for which we are grateful. 

As food insecurity is a real issue in Columbia County, we put together this listing of various food assistance programs available in our area: https://www.copakehillsdalefarmersmarket.com/community-food-programs/

Also, here is a link to a tutorial on how to use a SNAP card: https://youtu.be/pXCBJ7vNdrc?si=LJRqvxAmG0RA4rv.

The "Farm Market Kids" program sponsored by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library has come to its end for the season. We are grateful to the library and in particular, Youth Coordinator Tia Maggio for her inventive ways of teaching children about farms, food and nature.

Our Community Guests share information about local resources and programs. In the coming month, we will welcome Connecticut cookbook author Terry Walters with a book signing for Nourish, her latest publication.

With the 20-year anniversary of the market coming up in 2025, we are looking for a few volunteers to help us plan a season-long celebration. We are not looking for a significant time commitment, just a few people who share our excitement about this milestone. Interested people, or folks with recollections they'd like to share about the market, can email to copakehillsdalefarmersmarket@gmail.com.

What’s Happening at the Library?

Now through October 31, 2024

On Display at Roe Jan Library: Lynne Perrella. The Library is proud to present Threads of History: Suffragette Portraits and Quilts in Mixed Media, an art exhibit by internationally recognized collage artist Lynne Perrella.

Lynne Perrella, a resident of Ancram, New York, is an acclaimed artist and author with five books on collage to her name. Her work, which has been featured in numerous publications and included in the comprehensive collection “Collage Masters” published by Lark, is known for its rich textures and profound storytelling. Perrella also presents workshops across the United States and abroad, sharing her expertise and passion for collage and mixed media art.

The Threads of History exhibit features 15 new works that delve into the legacies and contributions of women involved in the historic “Votes For Women” movement. While the exhibit includes portraits of notable leaders, it also highlights the stories of lesser-known activists from diverse backgrounds. These pieces, often presented as mixed media paper “quilts,” incorporate textiles, stitching, and tactile elements, evoking the tradition of quilting as a form of “women’s work” and its historical significance in movements like the Underground Railroad.

Wednesday, September 18, 1:00 p.m.

Adventure Wednesdays. Introducing "Adventure Wednesdays" for homeschool groups and daytime learners! Once a month, we will meet at a local destination for an educational and fun adventure. We're excited to kick it off with our first field trip to the historic Copake Iron Works. Park Ranger Haley will lead us on a guided tour, sharing the fascinating history of the site. After the tour, we'll dive into a fun scavenger hunt she’s planned, giving us a chance to explore and learn even more. Check back in for future monthly adventures or email Tia at youth@roejanlibrary.org!

Thursday, September 19, 1:00 pm.

Book Marks! Book Club. Join our nonfiction book club, Book Marks!, led by Circulation Librarian Robin Gottlieb. Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month. For our September meeting we are reading Nine Reservoirs: On Their Creation and the Promise of Water for NYC by Lucy Sante. Copies are available through the Mid-Hudson Library System and Libby. Email circulation@roejanlibrary.org for more information.

Saturday, September 21, 2:00 p.m.

The Art and Science of Nature Journaling. Join Rheinstrom Hill Audubon Center & Sanctuary and learn all about the practice of nature journaling! Nature journaling combines spending time outdoors with recording observations in a journal. This practice can improve your relationship with nature and build critical thinking, observation, and scientific skills. We will teach you some prompts to help get your practice started! Bring your own journal and writing utensil or we will provide you with one. We will be outside for a portion of this program, so dress for the weather! This program is open to all ages.

Saturday, September 21, 2:00 p.m.

Cookbook Club. Join our Cookbook Club led by Outreach Library Associate Fran Colombo. Meets the 3rd Saturday of the month. Members choose a recipe and bring the cooked/baked dish to the next meeting, where the group will discuss the book and share in a community meal. For the month of September, we will be cooking recipes from the timeless classic The Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer. All are welcome to join! The more, the merrier! For more information, contact Fran at outreach@roejanlibrary.org

Monday, September 23, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom

Zoom Around the World Book Club. Join our new online book club, sponsored by the Columbia County Libraries Association and facilitated by Chatham Library director Amanda Merk.

This club will meet via Zoom on the fourth Monday of each month to read and discuss books by international authors. The first book up for discussion is Canadian writer Heather O’Neill’s Lullabies for Little Criminals. O’Neill will join the Zoom meeting to lead off the discussion. O’Neill, who hails from Montreal, Quebec, has been called one of the best writers in Canada. Lullabies for Little Criminals won CBC’s Canada Reads competition in 2007. To join, email merka@chatham.k12.ny.us

Thursday, September 26, 2:30 p.m.

Tea Time at the Library. Plan to visit the library on the fourth Thursday of each month at 2:30 p.m. to discuss fun and informative topics. Each month’s gathering will have a different theme; listen, discuss, and enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee if that’s your preference!), and sometimes a fun activity. There will also be plenty of time to chat, get to know your neighbors, and wind down.



For our September meeting, we will be joined by Bill Draper for a discussion on diabetes and health. Come join in and enjoy a cup of Harney's Tea (or coffee) and some fresh baked goods on the house.

Saturday, September 28, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Southeast Columbia County Repair Café. Join us for our second annual Repair Café to be held at the Copake Community Building (305 Mountain View Road in Copake) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A Repair Café is a free, community-based event where local volunteers help neighbors fix household items in an effort to reduce waste and encourage sustainability. The concept originated in Amsterdam in 2009 and was introduced to the Hudson Valley in 2013 by John Wackman. His passion for fixing, as detailed in his book Repair Revolution: How Fixers are Transforming Our Throwaway Culture, has inspired Repair Cafés across the globe, including right here in Columbia County.

Do you have a favorite item in need of a quick fix? Bring it to the Repair Café! Our skilled volunteer “fixers” will be on hand to mend clothing, sharpen knives, and repair lamps, bicycles, jewelry, small furniture, and small appliances.

This event is free and open to the public! For more information on the Repair Café or to ask about specific items to bring, please contact the Roeliff Jansen Community Library at 518-325-4101 or email outreach@roejanlibrary.org

Sunday, September 29, 3:00 p.m.

Concert: Crow Ensemble. Enjoy a free concert by the Crow Ensemble, a talented bassoon quartet that brings out the rich, playful, and soulful nature of this unique instrument. The concert will take place in the Library's Community Room.

The Crow Ensemble, formed in 2018, was inspired by the belief that all music is created equal—except when performed by a bassoon ensemble, which is, as they say, "more equal than others." With a blend of wit, charm, and remarkable musicianship, the group showcases the versatility of the bassoon, ranging from jaunty and lighthearted to serious and serene. The Crow Ensemble features bassoonists Cornelia McGiver, John Douglas Ferrigno, Karen Kelland, and Daniel Hane.

Saturday, October 5, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Flu shot/Covid booster Clinic. Staff from the Columbia County Department of Health will hold a drive-thru Flu and Covid (if available) shot clinic at the Library. The senior flu shot will be available. Registration will be required. Check the Library’s website closer to the date for a registration link.

Saturday, October 5, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Film Screening: Hudson, America. Join us for a screening of the documentary Hudson, America, by filmmakers Zuzka Kurtz and Geoffrey Hug.

Throughout seven years of major cultural shifts, divisive politics, and the pandemic, a group of first-generation high school students from a Bangladeshi Muslim community in Hudson, NY, -- Mahmuda, Jahed, Ramisa, Saddique, Farzana, and Jabin -- are thrust into a complex web as they confront their own identity struggles and their conservative parents'' idea of the American Dream.

Following the screening will be a discussion of the film with filmmaker Zuzka Kurtz.

Sunday, October 6, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Back to Nature: Putting Your Garden to Bed. Join Master Gardener Frieda Pierce to learn how to put your garden to bed. Getting your garden ready for the winter involves several steps. A general garden cleanup in the fall will help you get your garden ready for spring planting. You may want to cut back certain plants, clean up debris, plant species that need to be in the ground in the fall, protect plants from winter weather, and leave some plants for winter interest. Removing plants or debris with diseases or pest problems ensure that your garden will remain healthy over the winter and into the next season.

Saturday, October 12, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Hitchcock Double Feature. Join us at the Library for a thrilling afternoon of suspense and intrigue as we celebrate the spooky season with an Alfred Hitchcock double feature! From 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., we’ll be screening two of his most iconic classics back-to-back in our Community Room. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.

Wednesdays, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Digital Navigator Office Hours. So many things happen online! If you can’t connect to the internet easily, it can be hard to find a job, housing, pay your bills, schedule appointments, and more. Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley can help you get online at the library or help you use your personal device to get things done. Digital navigators are trusted guides that can help you with your tech questions for free.

Our communications manager, Kate, is a newly trained Digital Navigator of the Hudson Valley! Kate holds open office hours on Wednesdays from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. for general tech help and digital guidance. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are appreciated. Email communications@roejanlibrary.org or call the Library at 518-325-4101 to reserve a time with Kate.