Cheers To The Weekend! And Chillier Mornings And Second Saturday!
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Beacon Declares Stage 1 Drought Emergency - Municipal Water Use Restrictions
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Mayor Lee Kyriacou announced a Stage 1 Drought Emergency on August 31, 2022, as the grass is browner on every side of the street, and leaves on trees are beginning to turn brown not from fall coming, but from the heat wave. This isn’t the first time in recent years, as we had a Stage 1 Drought in 2019. There was a Stage 1 Drought Alert in August 2015, which became a Stage 2 Drought Emergency a month later in September. According to the Mayor’s press release, “these restrictions are reserved for when reservoir levels reach 60% of capacity and are outlined by Chapter 24 of the City Code.“
In the past, the former City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero provided regular water reports at public City Council Meetings if things were looking dry and reservoirs trending low. The City’s Superintendent of Beacon’s Water and Sewer Department. Ed Balicki, would give updates on rainfall and explain what was happening.
This year, while no surprise that Beacon is in a drought, and is not the only one throughout the world who is suffering from the heat, the community did not receive the same amount of in-advance updates to make the declaration less of a surprise.
Restrictions On Municipal Water Include:
No person or entity shall cause, permit or allow:
(a) The continuing leak or waste from any water pipe, valve, faucet, conduit, equipment, facility, or device connected to the City of Beacon water system, or which utilizes City of Beacon water, on or in any premises owned, leased, managed, operated, or controlled by such person or entity.
(b) The washing of any vehicle by means of a hose, fire hydrant, or other active source connection to the City of Beacon water system, except a commercial vehicle washing operation if equipment has been installed and is utilized so that at least 50% of the water used is recirculated by means of a system approved by the Department, or high-pressure restrictor hoses may be used in a coin-operated car wash.
(c) The washing of any street, sidewalk, driveway, outdoor area, outdoor steps, building exterior, or other structures by means of a hose, fire hydrant, or other active source connected to the City of Beacon water system or which utilizes City of Beacon water.
(d) The use of water from any source for any ornamental purpose, including but not limited to use in fountains, artificial waterfalls, reflecting pools, lakes and ponds.
(e) The use of water from the City of Beacon water system to water any lawn, golf course, ornamental shrub, plant, or tree, except that:
[1] City of Beacon water may be used to water any lawn, tree, shrub, garden or golf course, greens and tees only from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
[2] City of Beacon water may be used at any time to irrigate, from a hand-held container, vegetables or fruits for human consumption.
[3] Plant nurseries and other commercial users engaged in the business of growing, distributing, or selling plants may use such water on their business premises for watering ornamental shrubs, plants, or trees, provided that each user reduces its use of water by 15% or such other percentages as may (hereafter) be prescribed for nonresidential water users.
(f) The opening or use of any fire hydrant, or of the water there from, for any purpose other than fire protection except in accordance with a permit obtained from the Water Department and only for the period of and the purpose authorized by such permit and in strict adherence to all terms and conditions set forth therein.
(g) The operation of an air-conditioning system utilizing water from the City of Beacon water system in a cooling tower, unless within 30 days from the effective date of this chapter a separate meter is installed to continuously measure the flow of water to the cooling tower or the water is recirculated.
(h) The operation of any air-conditioning system in excess of two tons of rated capacity or greater or any refrigeration unit rated at 10 horsepower or greater using water from the City of Beacon water system unless such air-conditioning system or refrigeration unit is equipped with a water recirculating device approved by the Department.
(i) The use of water from the City of Beacon water system to fill or maintain the water level in any swimming pool, except that, provided the pool is operated with recirculating equipment, City water may be used to fill the pool once during each calendar year and thereafter may be used as necessary to maintain the water level in such pool.
(2) Each nonresidential user of water from the City of Beacon water system shall prepare and retain a water consumption reduction plan enabling it to reduce its use of water in stages of 15%, 20% and 25% based upon its water consumption during the calendar year. Such plans shall be designed to achieve and maintain a reduction of 15%, 20% or 25% immediately upon the declaration of a Stage I, Stage II or Stage III emergency, respectively. Each such user shall promptly implement the first phase of its plan during Stage I and shall reduce its consumption by 15%. On and after 30 days from the effective date of this chapter, each such user shall have its water consumption reduction plan available at all times for inspecting and copying by employees of the Department.
Clearwater Re-Launches Young Women At The Helm Youth Empowerment Program
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This press release just in from Clearwater…
BEACON, NY – After a two year COVID hiatus, Clearwater proudly welcomed the return of their Young Women at the Helm youth empowerment program last week. Participants ranged from ages 14-18 years, joining Clearwater from NYC, Westchester, Beacon, Poughkeepsie, and New Jersey. This entirely donor-funded program is designed to empower young women by engaging them in a wide range of physical and academic activities. Onboard, participants learned and practiced sailing deck skills, knot tying, coiling lines, and navigation. They also learned about the Hudson River through a variety of lenses, including water quality, ecology, and Indigenous Peoples.
In the evening, the group had a sunset seine on the beach in Alpine and camped on shore, where they shared reflections on the day, asked crew questions about Clearwater, sailing, college, career paths, and of course, they sang together.
Participant Samantha L. said, “Everyone here is so different, which meant that every conversation was different and I got to learn a lot more.” Samantha continued, “I never thought I would feel so in touch with myself and with the earth that I do now. Being on this boat and camping gives a lot of time to just stop and take in the world around you, which we don’t get often in regular life. I’ve definitely grown as a person and had so much fun trying new things.”
The program was led by Outreach and Engagement Manager Amali Knobloch, First Mate Fredi Guevara-Prip, Captain Annika Savio, Program Director Ruthie Gold, and the entire crew of the Clearwater.
Program Director, Ruthie Gold commented on this year’s program, "It was amazing to see the transformation of our participants from shy, quiet, teens, to funny, bright, passionate-about-the-River friends in a matter of hours! We are thrilled that we were able to share the magic of the Hudson and the Clearwater with these young women and look forward to offering Young Women at the Helm and our other Youth Empowerment Programs next summer."
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Hudson River Sloop Clearwater was launched in 1969 by legendary folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, Clearwater has been at the forefront of the environmental movement as a champion of the Hudson River. To date, more than half a million people have experienced their first real look at an estuary’s ecosystem aboard the Sloop Clearwater. Clearwater has become a grassroots model for producing positive changes to protect the waters of our planet. For more information, visit www.clearwater.org.
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Spirit of Beacon Has New Logo From Design Contest
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In celebration of its 45th year, the Spirit of Beacon organization has selected a new logo in an attempt to bring more color and a sense of what makes Beacon Beacon to its branding. The design direction from the Committee was to “reflect Beacon as a community,” and to “reflect Beacon in its unique location between the mountain and the river, with buildings and houses in between.”
Four designers submitted unique looks, and the Committee had a hard time deciding which one to select. The chosen logo was from Kim Dei Dolori. She said: “I loved the direction and challenge of showing our town tucked between the mountains and the river and had so much fun coming up with this design. You’ll see nods to iconic Beacon landmarks and the playful, quirky font gives a warm feeling of nostalgia with a handmade quality. I hope you enjoy it!”
Thanks to sponsors and donors, the Spirit of Beacon was able to award the selected designer $300. Sponsorships and Donations are still open. See all of the designs here, and more from the design challenge.
Applications Open For Funding For Youth Program Proposals From Dutchess County
/This press release just in from Department of Community and Family Services Division of Youth Services:
County Seeks Proposals for Youth Program Funding
Grant workshops set for September 13th and 14th
Poughkeepsie… The Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services’ Division of Youth Services is requesting proposals for youth development services from municipalities and non-profit, community-based organizations for calendar year January 1st to December 31st, 2023. Program funding will be awarded in the following categories:
Youth Development Programs (YDP)
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA)
Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to programs that provide free, direct services designed to improve youth and community outcomes, as outlined in the 2023 Dutchess County Youth Board and Coordinating Council Funding Priorities document. Programs must address one of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ six life areas, which are: Economic Security, Physical and Emotional Health, Education, Citizenship/Civic Engagement, Family and Community.
Programs will be expected to demonstrate knowledge/trained staff in Positive Youth Development and show how the program addresses one of Dutchess County’s “Path to Promise” domains/value areas. Programs must serve Dutchess County residents up to 21 years of age for calendar year 2023. Eligible applicants should be either a county municipality or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based organization with a federal identification number and charity registration number, operating in Dutchess County with the ability to meet the County’s insurance requirements and have reliable access to email.
The Division of Youth Services has scheduled two grant workshops for non-profit agencies and municipalities – attendance at one of the grant workshops is required – at the Dutchess County Emergency Response Center, 392 Creek Road, Poughkeepsie; each workshops takes place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.:
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022 Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022
Please contact Juliana Corbett at 845-486-3354 or Juliana.Corbett@dfa.state.ny.us to register for a workshop. At each workshop, DCFS staff will review the step-by-step process of applying online through the Dutchess County Grant Portal and address any concerns or questions.
All grants are due to the Division of Youth Services on or before Wednesday, Oct. 5th by 5 p.m.
Funding is made available through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. In 2022, 20 programs were awarded a total of $266,691 in funding. The amount of funding will be subject to the availability of annual state appropriations, which have not yet been made.
Donations For US Army Needed - Being Collected By Antelak and Moore - Here’s Your Shopping List!
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This is for the weekend shoppers! To gather their things now over the weekend during their errands, and bring it in this week to Antalek and Moore, who is passionate about hosting a donation drive in support of the U.S. ARMY Destroyer Company from the 10th Mountain Division.
The company is made up of about 80 men and women, and we are looking for supply donations to lift their spirits! Please bring your donations to our office at 340 Main Street in Beacon. See full list of supplies below:
FOOD AND DRINK
Mio Energy
Protein Bars
Granola Bars
Beef Jerky
Candy
Fruit Snacks
Gum
Trail Mix
On-The-Go Snacks
PERSONAL CARE
Baby Wipes
Graphic T-Shirts
Baseball Caps
Hand Lotion
Hand Sanitizer
Chapstick
Soap
Razors
Shaving Cream
OTHER ITEMS
Appropriate Magazines
Playing Cards
A Note
Matchbox Cars (to hand out to children they come across while on mission)
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Newly Repaired Dummy Light Pops Up - Beaconites Cheer
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After being accidentally hit by a City of Beacon vehicle during the highly anticipated and appreciated milling of paving of Main Street this spring 2022, Beacon’s iconic Dummy Light hardware has been repaired by the City of Beacon’s Highway Department, financed by the City. The re-painting was commissioned to artist Erica Hauser to refresh the re-paint job she voluntarily did years prior (ALBB covered it in 2015), that had since gotten chipped from various vehicle collisions.
City of Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou hugs the Dummy Light after its restoration of parts and paint, after a City of Beacon employee accidentally hit it during milling and paving this spring.
Photo Credit: City of Beacon
During this week’s 8/15/2022 City Council Meeting, Mayor Kyriacou announced the restoration: "You may have heard this, the Dummy Light is back where it is." Mayor Kyriacou is known for his adherence toward historic preservation. Read the City’s full press release here.
During that meeting, City Administrator Chris White said: "I just want to thank Micky Manzie (Beacon’s Superintendent of Streets) for such a terrific job in locating all of the pieces of the light. And thank Dave Way and Sean Duturo for doing a fabulous job for putting it back."
After the unfortunate incident took place, City Administrator Chris told A Little Beacon Blog during a rally at Pohil Park for preserving abortion rights: “The employee who it hit is one of our best, and they felt so badly after it happened.”
Financing For The Dummy Light Repair
During City Council Meetings in weeks prior, City Administrator Chris mentioned that some funding for the acquisition of parts to repair this Dummy Light had been allocated from film fees generated from film projects being filmed in Beacon, like the recent regular, Poker Face.
Statement From The Artist Who Re-Painted The Dummy Light, Erica Hauser
After hearing City Administrator Chris note that a person was paid this time to repaint the Dummy Light, A Little Beacon Blog remembered that the person not paid prior was the local artist Erica Hauser, formerly of Catalyst Gallery, that has since closed during the pandemic (but her art lives on and on). ALBB reached out to Erica to learn more about the commission. Here is a brief interview with her:
ALBB: I thought I heard during a City Council meeting that someone was commissioned to recently repaint the Dummy Light during its repair. If true, was it to you?
“Yes it was me! Mark Price at Beacon Recreation called me after he heard that I had carefully low-key repainted it in 2012 - which was inspired low-key by Dan Weise, after I'd done a painting and shirt of the light in 2009 - and touched it up in 2015.
“I'd been thinking it needed a repaint anyway, even before it was hit in April by the paving truck. But it was nicer this time to be employed and paid by the City - or by the Beacon Recreation Department - to do it!
“I did it in early July, meant to coincide with the re-installation of the repaired light, but as we know that just happened last week, to great jubilation by all. Well maybe not by those who are worried about people hitting it.
“As for the paint job itself: these were the original colors and design circa 2006 when I first saw the thing. So in 2012 I wanted to match it. The yellow diamonds were actually faded peeling reflective stickers, so I just sanded it clean and painted yellow diamonds instead.
“I don't know how long ago the base was yellow, but people on the Beacon page surely know. I asked Mark if he wanted me to paint it all yellow, but he said no, it should be as it has been most recently. I'm saying this, because I had doubted it after some people were blaming the dark green color for the accidents!
“I was worried that they thought some artist had made the decision, which I would never take it on myself to do, in fact, I had meticulously matched the dark green and historic red!”
Thank you, Erica, for sharing these painting details. For Beacon history enthusiasts, you can add these details to your trivia cards.
Dummy Light In Pictures
According to Brian of @SpandexandSprinkles, the Dummy Light was in the last episode of “Severance,” which filmed in Beacon in March, 2021. ALBB has not fact checked this yet, as we need to check our subscription to Apple TV, but if you can confirm, let us know.
Dummy Light Safety Discussions
The paving collision prompted discussions about safety and the Dummy Light. Located at the intersection of Main Street and East Main (near Dogwood), the Dummy Light was supposed to replace a traffic cop decades ago near the train tracks. At this point, it is an obstacle in an already very unclear intersection which involves a hill and inconsistent crosswalks.
People in social media have suggested some sort of roundabout be created. Beacon’s City Planner John Clark has indicated that something be done to improve traffic and walking flow there. And Beacon’s City Administrator Chris has indicated that other vehicles have hit the cement base since the toppling of the Dummy Light during milling and paving of spring 2022.
It seems as if the campaign to Save Beacon’s Dummy Light is not quite over…
Literary Group "Lit Lit” Moves Back To In-Person Meeting At Howland Cultural Center
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After taking a hiatus to Zoom to duck the latest COVID spread, Lit Lit is back to in-person meeting at the Howland Cultural Center.
Says the creator of the group, Donna Minkowitz: “The September Lit Lit is ON and IN PERSON and all ready for you to sign up to read! Everyone can read their own writing of any genre, for up to five minutes--until we run out of time!”
The reading is Friday, September 2 at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St. in Beacon. Soft drinks, wine, beer, and snacks will be available by donation. Masks are required (you can take them off when you're at the podium).
Next Waste Disposal For Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Is 9/17/2022 And Open For Registration
/Registration Open for Sept. 17th Household Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Recycling Event
Paint no longer accepted, can now be disposed of at local retailers year-round
Registration has begun for the Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management’s next Household Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Recycling Event, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17th from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Dutchess County Department of Public Works, located at 626 Dutchess Turnpike in the Town of Poughkeepsie; residents can access the event by taking Route 44 East to Burnett Boulevard. The collection is open to Dutchess County residents only.
Residents can register online or by calling (845) 463-6020. Registration is limited to the first 380 households; pre-registration is required for this event, and there is a $10 registration fee. The fee can be paid online using a credit card or paid by check; registration often reaches capacity quickly, so residents are encouraged to register promptly. Checks should be made payable to “Dutchess County Commissioner of Finance” and mailed to or dropped off at the Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management at 96 Sand Dock Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. This popular event is first-come, first-served, and residents should expect to experience wait times when they arrive at the location due to high demand.
County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Dutchess County’s popular Household Hazardous Waste Disposal and Electronics Recycling Events give residents an easy opportunity to make an impact on our environment – a responsibility in which we all play a vital role. Dutchess County is proud to offer these events, which help us preserve our planet for future generations, and we encourage residents to register to join us on Sept. 17th.”
This will be the final of Dutchess County’s three 2022 Household Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Recycling Events, which provide residents with a safe and responsible way to discard a diverse range of household items that cannot be disposed of through regular recycling or garbage bins. Acceptable items include television sets, computer monitors, telephones, pesticides, pool chemicals, and more. A complete list of acceptable items to bring to this disposal day is included below. Hazardous waste in containers larger than 10 gallons will not be accepted.
Dutchess County will no longer be accepting paint at its Household Hazardous Waste Events, as paint can now be recycled year-round at local participating retailers through New York’s PaintCare program. Residents can learn more at paintcare.org/states/new-york.
More information about the Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management’s Household Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Recycling Events is available here >
Acceptable Items:
Product Containers Marked: “Warning,” “Hazardous,” “Flammable,” “Poisonous,” “Corrosive”
Photo chemicals, non-latex driveway sealer, pool chemicals, creosote, kerosene, flammable liquids, metal polish, turpentine, strippers, thinners, lead based paint, gasoline/oil mixture, brake fluid, antifreeze, auto fluids, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, adhesives, resins, solvents, propane tanks, mercury containing devices, button cell batteries for watches & hearing aids, computer monitors, CPUs, fax machines, printers, TVs, stereos, telephones, lithium & sealed lead acid batteries, fluorescent tubes (please tape together or put in box to prevent breakage)
Do Not Bring:
Ammunition or explosives, asbestos products, latex driveway sealer & latex paint, oil- or latex-based paint, stains, varnishes, building or construction debris, tires, furniture, medical waste, pharmaceuticals, air conditioners, radioactive materials, smoke detectors, scrap metal, metal drums or empty containers, motor oil, car batteries, alkaline or rechargeable batteries
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Spirit of Beacon Day Hosts Logo Design Contest: Last Chance To Enter! Sunday Midnight
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The Committee for the Spirit of Beacon Day is launching a Logo Design Contest for the redesign of the Spirit of Beacon Day, now celebrating its 45th year. The winning logo will be awarded $300, and will be used on all signage, website, social media, merchandise, etc. All entries will be published for viewing, so that everyone can see the range of ideas.
Design Direction:
Community: Reflect Beacon as a community.
Location: Reflect Beacon in its unique location between the mountain and the river, with buildings and houses in between. Consider using illustrations of a mountain, river, apartment building and house.
Colors: Colors can reflect the Beacon City School District colors, but do not have to. The color purple has been mentioned as a desired color, in addition to earthy colors like green, brown, red, and blue. No need to base your colors off of this website. These colors are temporary and will be changed once the logo is selected.
Sidewalk Being Replaced On South Avenue For $185K Estimate, Funded By Dutchess County CDBG Money Announced Today
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Dutchess County announced the awarding of funding of 18 projects throughout the county including a South Avenue sidewalk, for a total of more than $1.85 million allocated to all of the projects. Funding is through the Dutchess County’s 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment partnership programs. County Executive Marc Molinaro said: “The funded projects will improve accessibility, address critical community needs and expand affordable housing options throughout Dutchess County.”
Included in the CDBG grant is Beacon’s own partial sidewalk on the east side of South Avenue that borders Loopers Court between Wolcott (near Beacon Dental and Sal’s Pizza) and West Center Street (near South Avenue Elementary).
The City of Beacon has been working on this sidewalk funding since at least last year. Announced at the 11/15/2021 City Council Meeting by City Administrator Chris White, the application to allocate some of the CDBG money was submitted.
City Administrator Chris announced that the bid of the sidewalk replacement had been awarded to the lowest bidder, Precise Enterprises II LTD. The City Administrator said: “$185K was estimate. It’s great considering volatility of commodities and labor.” He said that the project would move forward in late August or September. The project has started by early August, as seen in the picture above.
Origins Of The CDBG and HOME Program Funding
CDBG and HOME program funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address locally identified community development and housing needs. According to the press release, CDBG funding supports community development projects and activities that benefit low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, populations and communities; while the HOME Investment program creates affordable housing options for low-income households.
CDBG Infrastructure Projects - Totaling $1,128,740
City of Beacon – South Avenue Sidewalk Replacement – $177,588
Improve pedestrian safety and accessibility by removing the existing sidewalk which is in disrepair and installing a new 5-foot-wide accessible sidewalk with monolithic curbing on the east side of South Avenue from West Center Street to Wolcott Avenue.
Town of Clinton – Creek Meeting House Accessibility Enhancements – $100,000
Installation of handicapped-accessible parking spaces, a walkway, ramp and entrance, as well as bathroom upgrades to eliminate barriers and improve accessibility for senior citizens.
Town of Dover - Boyce Park Multi-Purpose ADA-Compliant Recreation Facility – $150,000
Enhance recreational opportunities by constructing a new 94-foot-by-50-foot, multi-purpose, prefabricated steel and insulated recreational facility that includes a regulation-sized basketball court with retractable bleachers and room dividers to accommodate an array of activities for people of all ages and abilities.
Town of Hyde Park – Beck Park Improvement Project – $100,000
Enhance opportunity, safety and accessibility for residents by enlarging the basketball court, relocating the existing playground equipment and soccer fields, and adding a safe and accessible parking area.
Hyde Park Supervisor Al Torreggiani said, “All Hyde Park residents should have access to their town’s facilities, and we thank Dutchess County for this grant, which will make our popular Beck Park even more accessible to those of every ability. County Executive Marc Molinaro has long championed those of all abilities, and our town looks forward to future collaborations with the County that continue to benefit Hyde Park residents.”
Town of Poughkeepsie – Jones Street Sidewalk Improvements – $100,000
Promote pedestrian safety along Jones Street by removing and replacing the existing narrow sidewalk with a fully accessible sidewalk, including curb ramps and a newly painted crosswalk at the intersection of Jones Street and Main Street.
Village of Millbrook – Franklin Avenue Accessibility Enhancements – $100,000
Promote accessibility for senior citizens and people of all abilities by replacing curb ramps and existing sidewalk panels heaved by tree roots, including the removal and replacement of trees with invasive roots, using structured soil which will promote healthy tree growth.
Village of Millerton – Eddie Collins Memorial Park Swimming Pool and Bath House – $150,000
Design and construction of an accessible pool and bathhouse at Eddie Collins Memorial Park, a 17-acre recreational site, which will advance the community’s quality of life while expanding recreational opportunities for residents.
Village of Rhinebeck – Pedestrian Accessibility Enhancements – $100,000
Improve accessibility for senior citizens and people of all abilities by resetting blue stone sidewalks, constructing curb ramps with tactile warning strips and adding a crosswalk.
Village of Tivoli – Broadway Sidewalk Phase 4 – $150,000
Improve pedestrian safety by replacing approximately 460 linear feet of dilapidated blue stone sidewalk from 104 Broadway to Kaatsbaan Road, including a curb ramp near the western terminus at the Kaatsbaan driveway.
CDBG Public Service Projects – Totaling $150,000
Catholic Charities - Homeless Prevention Case Management Program – $25,000
Emergency rent assistance and limited utilities assistance to approximately 50 low-income Dutchess County residents to help stabilize housing. Case management assists clients in independently sustaining their household needs.
Friends of Seniors - Senior Transportation and Support Services – $25,000
Provide county residents age 60+ with basic support services, including transportation to non-emergency medical appointments, grocery shopping, visiting services, telephone reassurance and respite to primary caregivers.
Hudson River Housing - Housing First Support Services – $25,000
Case management services under the Housing First Program help high-risk, vulnerable homeless adults secure and maintain stable housing.
Hudson River Housing - River Haven Homeless Youth Program – $25,000
Crisis services, emergency housing, counseling, case management and youth development programming for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth ages 10-17. River Haven Independent Living Program provides services for older homeless and at-risk youth transitioning towards self-sufficiency. River Haven Transitional Living Community provides 17- to 25-year-old homeless youth safe housing as they work towards independence within two years.
Mental Health America of Dutchess County - Substance Abuse Residential Recovery Services – $25,000
A comprehensive continuum of services offering the promise of recovery to chemically dependent individuals. MARC offers emergency housing, non-hospital-based detox and treatment referral, community residences, supportive housing, counseling, life skill training, vocational development, sober supported apartments, tenant counseling and rent subsidies.
Northeast Community Council - Youth Development: Teen Team and CPSB – $25,000
Teen Team is a peer support group that provides educational, recreational, and community service opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth ages 14-18. The Community Partnership with Schools and Business (CPSB) offers workforce development and intern opportunities in local businesses for youth ages 14-21.
HOME Projects – Totaling $572,969
Annex at Snow Terrace, 28 Snow Terrace, Poughkeepsie – $91,870
Rehabilitation of former Webster House emergency shelter into six permanent one-bedroom units for the homeless/formerly homeless.
The Woods at Pawling, Castagna Drive, Pawling – $350,000
New construction of 80 units of affordable housing in five buildings. Project will be composed of 20 one-bedroom, 40 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom apartments.
South Grand Avenue, Poughkeepsie – $131,099
New construction of a single four-bedroom ADA-accessible home on the southside of the City of Poughkeepsie.
Central Hudson Adds Surcharge Onto Customer Bills To Partly Cover Arrears Reduction Program
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Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation will add a surcharge to the “Miscellaneous component” of each customer’s bill beginning August 1, 2022 in order to “recover costs of the Electric & Gas Bill Relief Program targeted to assist low income families who experienced hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to their ad published in the Poughkeepsie Journal, as first Instagrammed by BLMHudsonValley. Customers with low income who are enrolled in EAP and are in arrears will see their unpaid bill changed by August 1, 2022, according to a press release by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Central Hudson confirmed to A Little Beacon Blog that the surcharge will be collected for one year, and is in the amount of one-half of one percent on the “total bill” for each customer. Central Hudson will receive approximately $2.85 million in New York State funding recently announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, and approximately $3 million from the customer surcharge.
Immediate reaction from people in the Instagram post was confusion at what the rate of the surcharge would be. People expressed feeling heavy with additional charges being added after the snafu with Central Hudson’s rollout of the new billing system earlier this year, and the recent removal of the fixed rate for supply of electricity due to the breaking of the CCA contract made by a supplier who contracted with several municipalities including Beacon. The PSC recently opened an investigation in March 2022 into Central Hudson at the request of Ulster County’s County Executive Pat Ryan for Central Hudson’s flawed billing system rollout that impacted customers including Dutchess County residents.
Central Hudson confirmed to A Little Beacon Blog that the ad ran in Poughkeepsie Journal, Kingston Daily Freeman, Catskill Daily Mail, and Times Herald Record on July 6, 13, 20 and 27. It ran in the Putnam County Courier July 6, 13, 20 and 27. Central Hudson noted that publishing a notice of the addition of the surcharge is a regulatory requirement by the Public Service Commission (PSC), but publishing when it falls off in a year is not required.
According to Governor Hochul’s 6/16/2022 announcement: “Under the bill credit program, the PSC is leveraging the $250 million from the FY 2023 Enacted State Budget to require utilities to provide a one-time credit to customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) that will eliminate unpaid utility bills that have accrued through May 1, 2022. The program also authorizes the same relief for any eligible low-income customers that enroll in EAP by December 31, 2022.”
Joseph Jenkins, Associate Director of Media Relations stated: “The measure received support from consumer advocacy groups like AARP and the Public Utility Law Project.” When asked if that support included the customer surcharge, Joseph responded: “The surcharge is how all utilities across the state are funding the program and was part of the program that the PSC approved back in June, so it’s difficult to separate the two. The how this program would be funded was one of the items that the working group that created it had to come to an agreement on.”
According to Governor Hochul’s press release, this one-time, low-income utility bill credit will be applied to affected customers' bills requires no action by existing low-income customers enrolled in the EAP to receive the benefit.
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Beacon and the Hudson Valley are filled with really talented people. Reach them now by posting a Job Listing with A Little Beacon Blog.
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.