The town and village of New Paltz have joined with the New Paltz Central School District and SUNY New Paltz to explore ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of local government in the New Paltz community. The town and village received a $50,000 grant through the NYS Department of State’s Local Government Efficiency program to support a study of combining governments, sharing services and other options. A ten-member Government Efficiency Committee has been overseeing the project. After being awarded the grant, the committee solicited proposals from consultants and recommended hiring Fairweather Consulting, based in New Paltz, to assist the committee in exploring options and recommending new ways to improve local government.
A draft report was recently completed that describes what a full consolidation of town and village government might mean for New Paltz. The study outlines the potential impact on taxpayers and raises important issues about how a single government for New Paltz should be organized. The Steering Committee is now seeking response to this draft and would like to hear other ideas about how government should be structured in New Paltz. For example, should the consolidated municipality operate as a town or a village? Should it provide some services through special districts? Which executive/legislative positions should be elected versus appointed? Should elections be “at large” or based on a ward system? How should fire protection be organized and provided? In general, how does consolidation improve efficiency and effectiveness of local government? Beyond getting responses to the draft, these meetings are intended to provide opportunities for residents to help shape the approach our community takes when considering the possibility of consolidating local government in New Paltz.
The meetings will be held at the New Paltz Community Center (located behind the Town Hall on Route 32) on Tuesday, May 31 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m., at the New Paltz High School cafeteria; and Monday, June 6, 5:30 p.m., at the New Paltz Middle School cafeteria. You can download the draft report and/or confirm the meeting dates, times and venues at the project website at http://newpaltz.ning.com.
Village Board to hold reorg meeting on June 1
A special reorg meeting of the New Paltz Village Board will held at Village Hall on Wednesday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Last day for spring clean-up drop-off
The New Paltz Recycling Center will be open on May 30 for the last day of spring clean-up drop-off. No other business will be conducted on this day. Any town resident that has not picked up a spring clean-up coupon will be permitted to drop off one load of trash, four car tires, one box spring/mattress set, one couch, one freon unit and one major non-freon appliance. For more information, call 255-8456 or go to www.townofnewpaltz.org/recycling.
New Paltz Dems are looking for candidates
Corinne Nyquist, chair of the New Paltz Democratic Committee, would like to increase involvement in local government by encouraging all who wish to be considered now or in the future as candidates to contact her or the Search Committee. Positions up for election this year include town supervisor, two town board seats, town highway superintendent, town judge and four county legislative seats. There are also associate vacancies on the Democratic Committee and openings for election inspectors. If interested, call Nyquist at 255-0558 or by e-mail corinne@luckymail.com.
Moriello Pool to open Memorial Day weekend
Moriello Pool is scheduled to open to the public on weekends beginning with the three-day Memorial Day weekend, May 28, 29 and 30. The pool will open to the public on a daily basis on Saturday, June 25. Public swimming hours are noon to 7:30 p.m. on days the pool is open.
Membership rates for the season are: Residents of the Town of New Paltz (proof of residency required), family -- $150, single -- $70, senior -- $50. The rates for non-New Paltz residents are: Family -- $270, single -- $120.
Daily admission rates: Resident, $5; 12 and under, $3; after 5 p.m., $3. Non-New Paltz residents, $9; 12 and under $6 and $5 after 5 p.m.
Swim lessons will be offered again on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Information, including registration dates and times and a complete schedule will be available at Moriello Pool by June 5.
Town-wide yard sale
The sixth annual Southern Ulster Town-Wide Yard Sale will take place on Memorial Day weekend -- Saturday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Monday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents who are interested in registering for this year’s sale can sign up at their local Town Hall until May 20. The cost is $3 for individual locations or $15 for a group location. The registration fees are used for advertising the sale. Participating towns and the person to see for registration are: Lloyd -- Wendy at 691-2144, Marlborough -- Tina at 795-2220, New Paltz -- Guy at 255-0604, ext. 1 and Plattekill -- Barbara at 883-7331.
The New Paltz United Methodist Church, on the corner of Main and Grove streets, will be part of the Southern Ulster Town-Wide Yard Sale, replacing its usual spring rummage sale. All kinds of items -- furniture, appliances, kitchen and crafts ware, toys, clothes -- will be for sale on the church yard during the weekend. Days and times will coincide with the overall town-wide sale.
One to remember
The St. Augustine’s annual bazaar will take place on June 23-26. The fun starts on Thursday, June 23 at 6 p.m. with an opening night parade and entertainment from Madeline’s dance performers, pony rides, games and more until 9 p.m. Friday night, June 24 will feature lobsters and a firework’s display. On Saturday, June 25, the festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and will include live entertainment under the tent. On Sunday, June 26, pay one price for rides. Tickle your taste buds with a variety of food, including hamburgers, hotdogs, sausage and peppers, chicken, pizza, calzones, clams on the half shell and Italian pastries. Fried dough, beer, coffee, espresso, Italian Ice and more will also be available.
Adam Fraser scholarship fund
Adam Chase Fraser was a local resident whose life was taken too soon in November of 2006. He was passionate about social justice and always looked out for the underdog. In order to keep his memory alive, the New Paltz Youth Program will be collecting donations for the “Adam Fraser Scholarship Fund.” This $500 scholarship award will be given out by the New Paltz Youth Program to a graduating senior who possesses Fraser’s outstanding characteristics. Anyone wishing to make a donation can mail a check or money order made out to: the “Adam Fraser Scholarship Fund,” 220 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561. The recipient will be announced towards the end of June.
First Transition training in the Hudson Valley
Concerned citizens and community leaders who are ready to begin building more sustainable and vibrant communities in the face of economic, fossil fuel and climate instability, are invited to attend the region’s first Transition Movement training. This event will take place on June 11 and 12 at LifeBridge Sanctuary in Rosendale. Two popular Transition trainers in the Northeast, Tina Clark and Sally Ludwig, will facilitate the two-day introduction to this proactive and task-based process. For more information, contact Transitionmarbletown@gmail.com or Dan Guenther at 255-9297.
An expanded opportunity on June 2
There will be a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, to accommodate those who cannot make the weekly 5 p.m. meetings of the Climate Action Coalition. This is your opportunity to experience our lively and informative meetings. Learn about the environmental issues that affect daily life. Please join us at Village Hall (25 Plattekill) on June 2 at 5 or 7 p.m. Read about us at www.newpaltzclimateaction.org.
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