CLINTON NEWS:

September 2007

DO YOU HAVE THE TIME TO ATTEND TOWN MEETINGS??
Most people in Clinton do not have the time to participate in or attend the various town meetings that are going on every week: the Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, and so on. But many town residents are interested and would like to know what is happening, what is being discussed and what is being resolved. They would like to read the minutes from the meetings which are posted on the Town of Clinton website. But have you tried to do this lately?! Look for the Town Board minutes and the last to be posted was April 10th. Look for the ZBA minutes and you can read only those for the January 18th meeting. And the Planning Board minutes? There are none at all available for 2007! This is a very frustrating situation and must be rectified. You don't have time for a meeting? Write a letter and let your concerns be heard.

NOTES FROM THE CLINTON UNITED STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 2-17-07
The Clinton United Steering Committee, at its monthly meeting, discussed some of the new developments in town that have recently come to our attention. They are at different stages in appearing before the Planning Board and they rouse different levels of concern. One, for example, is making its first presentation at the upcoming Planning Board meeting on March 6th. It is on 60+ acres between Schultz Hill Road and Brown's Pond Road and proposes to subdivide some very rugged and steep land into 4 lots. Additional details will be learned at the meeting. Another smaller 2 lot subdivision, on 30+ acres on East Meadowbrook Lane, is also on very steep slopes and has had many of its trees already cut down, causing tremendous erosion problems for the adjacent neighbors. When this application has its public hearing before the Planning Board later this month, there will be many concerned people present.
Another item of importance: Clinton United is searching for a volunteer who would be able to attend monthly Town Board meetings (the second Tuesday of each month) and write up a brief summary of pertinent discussions and actions. Please respond if interested or if you need more information to contact@clintonunited.org.
The next meeting of the Steering Committee is scheduled for Saturday, March 17th, at 10:30 AM. A primary agenda item will be discussion and planning for the Environmental/Energy Fair this spring. All community residents are invited to join us. For more information, write to contact@clintonunited.org.


January 2007

CHANGES AHEAD FOR THE HYDE PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT?

The Hyde Park Board of Education adopted the Hyde Park Central School District Master Facilities Plan on January 11, 2007. Phase 1 of the Plan was actually begun in the summer of 2005, continued last summer, and will be completed in the summer of 2007. The focus of Phase 1 was on necessary repairs and upgrades to school facilities.
Phase 2 will involve a large renovation and expansion plan for the district's schools. The total price tag, in today's dollars, is $185 million. The State will fund 62% and the local share will be approximately $69 million, which inevitably will have a huge impact on local school taxes for a large proportion of Clinton residents.
Although the Master Facilities plan has been formally adopted, decisions have not yet been made about when or how the plan will be implemented. District Superintendent Carole Pickering, the Board of Education, and the Facilities Steering Forum will be holding meetings and hearings over the next several months to receive public input. The Facilities Steering Forum meets monthly and the public is welcome to attend their meetings. They are held the first Wednesday of each month at 5 PM in the District board room, 11 Boice Road, off Route 9 in Hyde Park. For more information call 845-229-4005.
We recommend reading: TO BUILD OR NOT TO BUILD? here

Gov. Spitzer includes funding for 'smart growth' in his budget proposal
The following proposals were included in Governor Spitzer's recently announced budget requests. CLINTON UNITED supports each one of these!

* $25 million increase in the Environmental Protection Fund.
* $500,000 more for the Hudson River Estuary Program.
* Additional 109 staffers to the Department of Environmental Conservation, plus 52 at the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
* $2 million for smart growth projects.
* $5 million increase in funds to protect farmland

December 2006

LOCAL AREA DEVELOPMENTS
Two major developments are receiving a lot of attention in Clinton's neighboring towns. Closest to Clinton is a proposed major retail site in the center of the village of Rhinebeck, bordered by Route 9 on the east and W. Market Street on the north. Situated behind the Beekman Arms, the Rhinebeck post office, and the Red Barn Antique Center, the development will entail a 6 story hotel and spa, two restaurants, numerous retail stores, and 200 parking spaces -- all on 4.1 acres. Local residents are greatly concerned about the project's impact on traffic, the environment, the local economy, and the character of Rhinebeck Village. They have joined together in an effort to convince the developers to seek an alternate location outside the center of the village. For more information go to the group's website: www.StoptheSpa.org.

Further to the north, on Route 9 on the southern edge of Hudson, is a proposed major commercial retail center. On 130 acres, the 565,000 square foot mall has not yet identified potential tenants, but proposes to employ 400 full time and 400 part time workers. There has been little public input to date and the Greenport Town Planning Board appears to be allowing this development to slip through the review process. They have reportedly scheduled an open Public Hearing on the  development for December 26th, the day after Christmas, after which they will decide whether to require a more in-depth SEQRA review or close off any further opportunities for public questions and input.
For more information on this project, and its potential impact on taxes, the local economy, the environment, and traffic, go to www.littletownviews.com and click on WIDEWATERS: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

written by Blanche Rubin

Among other activities, Clinton United is planning a social event for the early Spring. All ideas and suggestions for what is organized arewelcomed. Other decisions include: proposing an Architectural Review Committee to consult with the Town's Planning Board; designating Clinton United members to attend every Town Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board meeting; developing a more effective public relations effort to reach out to the community; and seeking interaction and cooperation with other local town organizations.

Again, an invitation is extended to all members of Clinton United to participate in Steering Committee meetings and to join the effort to plan and build the community we all desire. For more information contact us at contact@clintonunited.org

November 2006

PRESERVATION UNDER PRESSURE
Protecting historic community character in a time of change

The new Visitor Center at the FDR Library and Museum was the setting for an all-day conference on Saturday, October 28th sponsored by the Preservation League of New York State. The keynote speaker for the day was Ed McMahon from the Urban Land Institute in Washington, DC. He is an inspiring, humorous, and thought provoking speaker whose primary ideas about development were directly pertinent to Clinton United's concerns.

"What will the Hudson River Valley look like 20 years from now?" he asked. With many images to support his thesis, again and again he hammered at the idea that wherever you go in America everything looks the same. He stressed that visual blight and the loss of a sense of community can result in a population that has lost its sense of care for their environment. Retaining a "sense of place" tells you where you come from and that awareness equals the soul of a community...
Conference review by Blanche Rubin here

October 2006

Winnakee Land Trust to preserve Clinton's Schoolhouse Ridge
The Winnakee Land Trust is pleased to announce the donation of a new conservation easement on a 42-acre woodland ridge (formerly called Woodland Hollow) on Schoolhouse Road in the Town of Clinton. The land was recently purchased and saved from development by Town of Clinton residents Bruce Joel Rubin and his wife Blanche Rubin, John B. Heist III, Michael Neumann, and Vasant Dhar. The owners donated a conservation easement to the Winnakee Land Trust on Oct. 22, 2006.
More of the press release

EVEN SMALL DEVELOPMENTS CAN POSE PROBLEMS
There is a proposed small development on Willow Lane about which there are serious concerns. It's a 60 acre parcel with steep slopes, wetlands, and limited access. The developers want to create three flag lots toward the back of the parcel and have argued they should not be required to cluster as encouraged by Clinton's Master Plan and zoning code. read more

BOBCAT IN CLINTON
Sunday, October 1st, a local neighbor on Maple Lane had an unexpected visitor. Seen strolling across his front lawn, a bobcat was on a leisurely Sunday outing.  Words of caution: watch out for your own small cats and other little critters See photos here

September 2006

Currant battle brews
Possible DEC rules worry local grower
Poughkeepsie Journal (Sept 19)

UPDATES ON THAT BLINKING LIGHT here

August 2006

3 forums scheduled on property tax reform
Group's goal is unity on issue
Local lawmakers with tax reform legislation will discuss their bills at meetings of the Tax Reform Efforts on Aug. 28 with Assemblyman Joel Miller at Clinton Corners town hall.
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 16)

June 2006
Proposed Clinton zoning law aims to protect town waterways
Daily Freeman (June 27)

"Plan worries Hyde Park, Clinton residents --
77 Lots To Be Built on 234-Acre Parcel" by John Davis
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 23)
Serenity Hills scoping session set for Wednesday
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 16)

May 2006
Pressing ahead: Cider mill rebounds from fire Freeman story (May 28)

See the report and pictures of our May spring luncheon here

A Personal Response to the Clinton United Spring Luncheon read (May11)

"Fear Not Hyde Park" About Town (Spring 06)

April 2006
Breezy Hill orchard rises again
'03 fire ruined 100-foot barn that held mill Poughkeepsie Journal  (April 28)Report on the Planning Board meeting April 18 Take a looClinton Corners woman is $23 million Lotto winner PoughkeepsieJournal (April 6)

Details we found regarding previous action on the Farmview Subdivision, up for review at the April 4th Planning Board meeting....take a look

LOCAL AREA NEWS:

PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately articles from the Poughkeepsie Journal have expired from free access on the web and are available on a pay per article basis. We make the titles available for your reference.

February 2008

Home sales drop while prices rise
High-end sales mostly sluggish.
The housing market was slow in January, but prices apparently didn't care.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Feb. 9)

January 2008

Steinhaus looks back and ahead in State of the County report for Dutchess
Among his plans for the upcoming year, Steinhaus said, is asking the county Legislature to approve a $2.5 million bond to complete the purchase of development rights of several properties throughout the county. If approved, he said, the county will have protected almost 3,000 acres of prime agricultural and open lands. The article reports several other "green" initiatives that Steinhaus is proposing.
Daily Freeman (Jan. 26)

Home sales lag in county
Prices climb in Ulster, drop in Dutchess
Fewer people bought homes in Dutchess County in 2007 than during any year in the previous 10 years. Prices softened. The average sale price was $402,844 for single-family free-standing homes, down 1.6 percent from 2006.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Jan. 15)

S. Dutchess leaders tell green plans
Chamber hears '08 agendas
Southern Dutchess County municipal leaders presented their environmental accomplishments and plans to the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, January 9th. On the panel were the Town Supervisors of Fishkill, East Fishkill, Wappinger, and the Mayor of Beacon.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Jan. 10)

December 2007

Cash to help pinpoint wildlife habitat
$23,815 in grant money to assist Hyde Park effort

Hyde Park has landed $23,815 in grant money to identify wildlife habitats that future development could threaten. The town will receive $22,815 from the Hudson River Estuary Grant Program and another $1,000 to participate in Hudsonia's Biodiversity Assessment Training Program. The estuary grant will enable the town to hire biologists from Hudsonia Ltd., a Red Hook-based environmental research institute, to identify wildlife habitats in a 4,000-acre rural area of northern Hyde Park.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Dec. 28)

Scenic Hudson has purchased the former Dominican Camp on Rt. 9 in Hyde Park, a 72-acre riverfront property that twice was considered and rejected as a public park and recently was under consideration for a 44-lot residential subdivision.
Daily Freeman Dec. 23

Hyde Park OKs bonding to repair buildings
Second proposal also passes
School district voters Thursday approved spending $14.9 million to make major improvements to the district buildings - by a 750-704 vote. And they OK'd spending $1.94 million to purchase the district administration building at Boice Road by a 735-721 vote.
(There are many comments on the Poughkeepsie Journal website, in response to this article.)
Poughkeepsie Journal (Dec. 14)

Hyde Park voters approve school propositions
Phases 2a and 2b of the Hyde Park Central School District's Master Facilities Plan received voter approval by narrow margins on Thursday during a snowstorm that made driving to the polls treacherous. More than 1,450 people turned out for the vote.
Daily Freeman (Dec. 13)

November 2007

Dutchess helps preserve another family farm
The county Legislature earlier this month approved a resolution authorizing County Executive William Steinhaus to execute an agreement purchasing the development rights to the 260-acre Pleasant View Farm, which straddles the Pine Plains-Northeast town line.
Daily Freeman (Nov. 25)

Home prices trend is flat
Report: October shows strong sales in Dutchess, Ulster
Home prices in Dutchess and Ulster counties are either rising or flat, depending on which eye you look through.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Nov. 7)

Saving land benefits communities
Trusts aim to preserve undeveloped areas
"Buy land. They ain't making any more of the stuff," Will Rogers once famously quipped. These days, the same reasoning could be applied to a different action: conserving land.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Nov. 4)

October 2007

Tyner, Oberly debate in Dutchess Legislature contest
On many of the issues facing Dutchess County residents, incumbent Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner and his opponent, Republican Raymon Oberly, agree. But their opinions differ on how to best address concerns ranging from groundwater protection to property tax relief and the needs of senior citizens
Daily Freeman (Oct 30).

Hyde Park school fixes up for vote
District voters will decide December 13th whether to borrow $14.9 million to upgrade seven school buildings and to approve purchasing the district's central administration building for $1.94 million. Clinton United recommends reading the comments on this article.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Oct. 31)

Exhibit earns honors for society, photographer
The Clinton Historical Society and photographer Michael Asbill have been recognized by the Lower Hudson Conference of Historical Agencies and Museums for the excellent exhibit presented at the Creek Meeting House, in Clinton Corners, throughout the summer.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Oct. 17)

Antique designs for a new development
A 25 home development on the 200 acre Bentley Farm, on Bulls Head Road in the Town of Stanford, is planned by a group of Dutch investors. The development, named Brook in Waterland, will include a working farm run by the homeowner's association. About 140 acres of the 200 acre subdivision will be placed in a conservation easement with the Winnakee Land Trust.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Oct. 16)

September 2007

Local government due for a streamlining
This article introduces ideas for governmental change. On October 5th, Pattern For Progress, the State University of New York at New Paltz, and Pace University will host a conference on questions of local government collaboration, consolidation, and reform. All local elected officials in our region and interested citizens are invited to attend.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Sept 26)

Luxury no more
"Our burgeoning population on the dynamic East Coast, once packed vertically into cities, now expands horizontally across the landscape, spreading and filling developable open spaces like ball bearings dumped from a coffee can onto a hardwood floor. Thus, preserving open space is an imperative." Read this excellent Opinion piece from the Daily Freeman.
Daily Freeman (Sept 22)

District unveils next phase of building plan
More information on the Hyde Park School District's plan to put a bond referendum before district voters on December 19th to fund the district's construction and expansion.
HydeParkTownsman (Sept. 17)

Mortgage tax increase is proposed
The County mortgage tax will increase one-quarter of 1 percent to 1.25 percent and the sales tax rate of 3.75 percent will extend through November 2009.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Sept. 10)

August 2007

Hyde Park is studying school fixes
Upgrades could cost $13.1 million
With more spending possible in the near future, school taxes will most likely be affected.
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 30)

Hyde Park school board approves dip in school taxes
There are portions of 5 towns that pay Hyde Park school taxes. All will see a tax decrease this year except residents in the Town of Clinton.
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 24)

Building project near Culinary steps forward
Enrollment bump concerns Hyde Park school district
The St. Andrews project on Route 9 across from the Culinary Institute, with retail stores, a hotel, and 558 housing units, will have a major impact on Hyde Park roads, schools, economy, and scenic view. Many are concerned about this development.
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 23)

Milan adopts wetlands law
"It's something that the comprehensive plan recommends," town Supervisor Van Talmage said. "This is something that is important because there was nothing in place that brought the protection of wetlands into a comprehensive code."
Daily Freeman (Aug 17)

New law lets Fishkill tax property sales
Cash to aid open space; voter OK needed
Poughkeepsie Journal (Aug 17)

Wappinger plan holds promise
"It has taken years to get this far, but the Town of Wappinger is wrapping up work on its comprehensive plan - the blueprint for growth in one of the county's most populated areas."
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 11)

Preservation act could be model for state
The means by which Westchester and Putnam communities will be able to tax property sales to buy and preserve open space is seen as the first step in spreading such a program across the state.
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 5)

Dutchess home sales earn less, take longer
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 4)

July 2007

Saving farms faces many obstacles
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 28)

Hyde Park will discuss hotel, spa proposal
This proposed development will be discussed at the Hyde Park Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, August 1st at 7:00 PM.
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 26)

Voters say no to cops in Hyde Park
It was a very close vote, but cost and increased taxes were most often cited as reasons for voting against the new facility.
Daily Freeman (July 25)

Hospital wades into senior housing pool
Northern Dutchess Hospital will explore the possibility of building a retirement community in Rhinebeck on West Market Street.
Daily Freeman (July 25)

Vision may be reality for golf homes
Development in final plan stages
In 2003, the Durst Organization, a New York-based real estate developer, and Landmark National, a golf resort and residential development company based in Maryland, bought 2,200 acres near the northern edge of Dutchess County for $12 million. About 1,650 acres are in Pine Plains; 550, in Milan.... The developer wants to build a golfing community, with 951 homes of varying size and an 18-hole championship golf course. The size of the project has some local residents concerned because it could nearly double housing in the area.
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 24)

Green lawn, filthy future
Sentiment against perfect lawns has been building in Canada since the 1990s, but last year it reached new heights. Read why we should pay attention to this trend.
New York Times (July 15)

Fishkill considers open space tax
Community would be second in Dutchess to add fees
The Town of Fishkill could become the second town in Dutchess County to fund open space through real estate sales.... An increasing number of towns in the southern areas of the state are using transfer taxes to pay for open space preservation. In Dutchess, Red Hook was the first and remains the only town with such a tax.
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 16)

Fishkill gets well-testing law, as well
For the second time this week, a town in southern Dutchess County has adopted a mandatory well-testing law. The law, similar to one adopted by the Wappinger town board Friday, is aimed at identifying health hazards that have been found in some groundwater supplies in the southern part of the county.
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 15)

Well tests OK'd
The first well-testing law in Dutchess County may be in effect in less than three months. The Wappinger town board approved the law 5-0 Friday. The law will require most private wells in the town to be tested during the sale of a home.
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 14)

County panel: Hold line on taxes
'No drastic measures' needed in light of revenues, report says. No new taxes are needed.
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 6)

Easement will protect historic Clinton farm
Winnakee Land Trust has announced the donation of a conservation easement by Elizabeth (Betty) Davis on her 192-acre historic horse farm.
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 1)

Home price tags climb in Dutchess
But fewer homes were sold in June
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 7)

Continuing slide, pending home sales drop 3.5% in May
The local County figure is also down, although not quite as much.
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 4 )

June 2007
Picture Clinton’s past and present
Check out a photo gallery of historical and 2007 images of the Town of Clinton. The photos will be part of a new exhibition of lenticular prints by Michael Asbill at the Clinton Historical Society. (See our listing in Happening in Clinton.)
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 28)


Census: Dutchess areas mostly gain in population
East Fishkill, Fishkill and Pleasant Valley grew by hundreds of residents in the 12 months ending last July 1, while Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park shrank a bit, according to municipal population estimates to be released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Clinton grew by 28 residents.
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 28)


Black bears make forays into suburbia: Wild animals increasingly seen in yards
By Rasheed Oluwa
They're furry, inquisitive and darn right adorable at times. But black bears are also wild animals. . . and should be treated with caution if they are sighted in the area. One was sighted in Clinton, in Schultzville, on May 28th.
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 27)

Lure of larger homes discourages proponents of green construction values
By Sarah Bradshaw
The supersize trend in the housing market doesn't seem to be going away, especially in the mid-Hudson Valley, despite environmental consequences.
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 26)

Housing inflation outpaces local income growth, study shows
"What's happened is, this area has been thrown off kilter in that the increase in housing values is not tied currently to population growth and not currently tied to income growth."
Daily Freeman (June 22)

Back bill and take control of local preservation efforts
If you value your drinking water, ball fields for your kids and farms that grow healthy food, you should contact your state legislators right now.
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 20)

MILLIONS OF BIRDS VANISHING IN PLAIN SIGHT
Last week the Audubon Society released a new report describing the sharp and startling population decline of some of the most familiar and common birds in America.
New York Times (June 19)

Town-by-town home sales confirm location matters
Check of median prices supports northern migration
The median price of homes in Clinton rose moderately in 2006 compared to 2005. The increase in the 2006 median price was high in the towns of Pleasant Valley, Rhinebeck, Red Hook, and Stanford.
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 13)

'Great people' are Staatsburg's big draw
Many public facilities within walking distance of this old-fashioned neighborhood
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 10)

$508,000 would protect orchard land in Red Hook
Daily Freeman (June 8)

May 2007

Black bear visits Clinton backyard
Animal hasn't been seen since Monday
Poughkeepsie Journal (May 30)

Red Hook to examine zoning plan
Aim is to preserve 'village' lifestyle
Poughkeepsie Journal (May 29)

Budget scorecard update:
Where does your town rank?
An analysis and ranking of 28 towns in Columbia and northern Dutchess counties on the quality of their fiscal management and the likelihood they will need large property tax increases in the near future. For the first time, the Town of Clinton has been included in this annual study. The report can be accessed at www.LittleTownViews.com (May 25)

Hyde Park land buy brings development closer to reality
Besides the commercial space, plans call for the construction of 558 residential dwellings, 330 of which would be located in the "village core" and would include rental flats, townhouses and village-style housing.
Daily Freeman (May20)

Preservation tax squeaks by
Red Hook voters passed the first law in Dutchess County (by only 31 votes) to raise money for a Community Preservation Fund, by taxing homes that sell at a price higher than the median price in the county.
Poughkeepsie Journal (May 2)

March 2007

Widewaters Shopping plaza wins approval
Despite a long fight by the local opponents, the Greenport Planning Board issued a negative declaration of environmental impact for the Widewaters Shopping Plaza, leading the way to its approval. See earlier related stories on this page.
IndeNews (Mar 31)

Mirbeau pulls out of village
Developers of a planned luxury inn and spa, bowing to public pressure, have scrapped their proposal for the village and have decided to look elsewhere in the area.
Daily Freeman (Mar20)

Suburbia’s Northward Crawl
A realistic portrayal of why Dutchess County, and particularly now Hyde Park, is becoming so attractive to homebuyers.
New York Times (Mar 11)

Winnakee secures another easement
The Winnakee Land Trust has established a conservation easement on a 126-acre parcel on Norton Road in the Town of Red Hook, adjacent to the historic Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
Gazette Advertiser (Mar2)

February 2007

How to balance economic growth while maintaining the beauty of our communities was the topic of a forum sponsored by the Hyde Park Visual Environment Committee on February 1st at the FDR Wallace Center.
Gazette Advertiser (Feb 8)

Project Green: This Ecofriendly House
Newsweek (Feb 5 edition)
Also check out this site for more news and tips from "Project Green."

Farmland, ho! Buyers are attracted to protected open spaces
Kenneth Migliorelli, owner of Migliorelli Farms in Red Hook, recently expanded his operation - an unusual move in an era when the very existence of small farms is threatened by the double-whammy of small profit margins and the lure of big money that developers are willing to pay for open land.
Daily Freeman (Feb 4)

January 2007

Greenport Mega-mall hearing draws fans, foes
The Independent (Dec 2

December 2006

Rhinebeck spa builder given to-do list
Environmental impact issues to be addressed
Poughkeepsie Journal (Dec 7)

It's their land, but others do the farming
Consultants manage farms, add to profits
Poughkeepsie Journal (Dec 9)


November 2006

Keep pressing local issues
Poughkeepsie Journal
Editorial (Nov 9)

Grant to Purchase land rights
Poughkeepsie Journal (November 1)

October 2006

Woodland stretch will remain untouched
Easement sought in Clinton Hollow
Poughkeepsie Journal (Oct 30)

Got Land?
Opposition grows to planned housing on farm where Borden milk was born Daily Freeman (Oct 29)

Don't be fooled by growth pace...there are enough large development proposals already in the works to keep town leaders and planners busy in the immediate future.
Poughkeepsie Journal (Oct 1 )

Road to Progress, or End of a Rural Lifestyle?
New York Times (Oct.1)

September 2006

County wants you for tax panel
Poughkeepsie Journal (Sept 21)

Red Hook board OKs preservation fund
Poughkeepsie Journal (Sept 21)

School-tax reform battle being waged on local fronts
Poughkeepsie Journal (Sept 19)

Hyde Park wants cash for schools
Phase 2 of plan will cost $182 million
Poughkeepsie Journal (Sept 16)

By the numbers: Milan Forum details potential build-out
Register Herald (Sept 15)

Hyde Park Considers a Makeover
New York Times (Sept 13)

August 2006

Build momentum for land funds
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 28)

Milan promotes hamlets
Plan concentrates growth around Rock City, Lafayetteville
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 15)

Out in a wilderness of laws
Lack of federal, state oversight leaves towns no option but to make own rules
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 6)

Gardiner strives to protect open space
Daily Freeman (Aug 6)

Developing farmland affects health, let's preserve nature
Poughkeepsie Journal (August 4)

July 2006

Reform unites residents
Groups are formed to press for change in taxation system
Poughkeepsie Journal (July 30)

June 2006

Bill would allow Red Hook to fund land for Parks
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 24)


"Vigorous debate is expected --
60 set to talk on Rhinebeck development"
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 23)

Don't dawdle on adopting open space strategies
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 16)

State rewards smart towns Poughkeepsie Journal (June 7 )

Growth hikes tax, study says
The bigger the town gets, the larger the tax effects will be
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 12)

State rewards smart towns Poughkeepsie Journal (June 7 )

Development creates new pressures on Planning Board...
Stanford sued for $10 million by landowners
Poughkeepsie Journal (June 6 )

May 2006

Red Hook board enacts halt on agricultural land deals Poughkeepsie Journal
(May 24)

LaGrange approaches first phase of Open Space planning The Voice Ledger (May 19)

"Groups push for tax to help preserve open space" Poughkeepsie Journal (May 18)

Dutchess has most 'no' votes"  Poughkeepsie Journal (May 18)

Updates of zoning laws demand building bans Poughkeepsie Journal (May 14)

As population explodes, land preservation fight ensues
Development can threaten acreage Poughkeepsie Journal (May 14)

School spending plans among state's highest Poughkeepsie Journal (May11)

April 2006

Dutchess again flunks air quality test Freeman story ( April 26)

State report: Property taxes skyrocketing
Property taxes have risen 43 percent in Dutchess Poughkeepsie Journal ( April 26)

Sewers harming valley watershed Poughkeepsie Journal (April 9)

Attempt to track school taxes finds a tangled web Poughkeepsie Journal (April 7)

March 2006

Fishkill sets planning tone Poughkeepsie Journal (March 31)

Updating the Village of Pawling Comprehensive Plan and the Village Zoning Code was the subject of an open public workshop Pawling News Chronical (March 31)

Red Hook board revists open space protection law Daily Freeman (March 30)

Pine Plains United Sees Moratorium as a Time to Learn   Register Herald story (March 3)