News from your local town government PO Box 116, Knox NY 12107WELCOME! We hope this newsletter will give you a better understanding of how town government serves your community. We hope it will help you connect with the services it provides, and with the people who are your

representatives. Contact information is on the back page and at: www.knoxny.org.

TOWN BOARD Meetings now begin at 7PM! We’re proud to announce these new public servants:

Dan Hanley, Town Council Amy Pulliam, Deputy Town Clerk

Megan Mason, Emergency Services Coordinator Travis O’Donnell, Planning Board

Eric Marczak, Doug Roether: Zoning Board of Appeals Eric Kuck, Kevin Sherman: Conservation Advisory Council

Clark Conklin, John Graves: Board of Ethics Review Many thanks to Eric Kuck for his service on the Town Council during the past year, and to Bob Edwards for his 18 years and Gayle Burgess for her 9 years of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals. We mourn the loss of Dan Driscoll, whose many contributions to our town have helped preserve the natural beauty and rural character of the landscapes we treasure. Visit the trails of Winn Preserve on Street Road to hear his voice again via QR codes.

The Town is looking at the Feasibility of a Holding Shelter in Knox for the DCO to hold stray or dangerous dogs to: 1. reduce shelter costs and other dog control program

costs for dog owners and for the Town; and 2. make the dog control program more convenient:

for the Dog Control Officer (DCO) to hold unlicensed dogs that are found, and

for dog owners to claim their dogs.

NYS Ag & Markets law requires all dogs 4 months or older

that reside in NYS over 30 days to be licensed in the

municipality in which the dog owner resides.

Benefits of licensing your dog: If your dog gets loose and is found, the Dog Control

Officer (DCO) will be able to identify and return it to

you right away at minimal cost.

Your dog will be up to date with its rabies shots.

You can save hundred$, even thousand$ (see below):

How to license your dog: 1. Call or visit the Town Clerk (872-2551, X1) during

listed working hours and bring a current Rabies

Certificate and spay/neutered certificate. Albany Co.

schedule of no cost rabies clinics ($8 suggested

voluntary donation per animal) is posted at:

http://www.albanycounty.com/government/departm

ents/departmentofhealth/programsandservices/laws

forpetrabiesimmunizations/rabiesclinicschedule.aspx

2. Pay $5 for license and $3 tag if neutered/spayed

Pay $13 +$3 if your dog is NOT neutered/spayed

3. Make sure your dog always wears its license tag!

IF YOU DO NOT license your dog: If your unlicensed dog gets loose and is retained by

the Town DCO, it may be held for 5 to 9 days, and

afterwards become property of the Town of Knox.

You will incur fees for shelter and mandatory care

during the holding period that can range from $25 to

as much as $1,000 or more.

You must currently drive to Menands to claim your

dog. Contact the DCO for claim/pick up procedures.

You must get your dog licensed anyway.

If all dog owners in Knox were to license their dogs, the cost of the dog control program would be appropriately borne by the dog owners, rather than passed on to all of

the Knox taxpayers. Questions? Call Dog Control Officer Lou Saddlemire at 872-2551, X7 or 390-6186.

Knox News Issue 2 Town of Knox Newsletter January - June 2017

Dog Licensing: It’s the Law

KNOX YOUTH COUNCIL NEWS - by Maryellen Gillis

Happy New Year from the Knox Youth Council! The second half of 2016 brought the “revival” of the summer program, the “continuation” of the very successful soccer program and the “introduction” of “Halloween Haunts”, a Knox Youth Council (KYC) sponsored Halloween party. Over 70 children participated in the Knox Summer Camp held in August of 2016. Held in the Knox Town Park, children pre-k through 8th grade celebrated “Mother Earth Week” with presentations by the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center Staff, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension staff. The campers wrote songs with Richie Phillips (former morning show host of WGNA), built boxes and nesting shelves, played games and created pieces of art while learning about recycling and how to be a responsible citizen. The week culminated with a family picnic. Many thanks to KYC members Sandra Quay, Tamara Fisher and Sarah Pasquini for their outstanding efforts in bringing the summer camp to the children of the Hilltowns. We would also like to thank the staffs of Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, Supervisor Vas Lefkaditis, Bill Pasquini, and Richie Phillips for sharing their talents with our youth. The fall brought out 97 student athletes, pre-K through grade 6, to the very successful and continually growing Knox Youth Soccer Program. Many thanks to Peter and Maria Evans, Sarah Pasquini and Tom Payne for coordinating the many volunteers and athletes who participated, learning soccer skills and practicing sportsmanship during the

six week program. Thank you also to the many volunteer coaches who made the program a success! Halloween was just a bit spookier this past year as over 120 children and their families participated in our first KYC sponsored Halloween Party. Our children enjoyed spooky games, face-painting, crafts and a haunted hay maze. The event was a lot of fun and was brought to you through the efforts of many volunteers, including our town board members (Earl Barcomb, Amy Pokorny), supervisor Vas Lefkaditis and his crew of hay movers, Amy Anderson and volunteers who staffed the games, crafts and refreshments. Thanks also are extended to the Berne Youth Council for providing assistance in the face painting station and for providing refreshments. The Youth Council is currently recruiting volunteer presenters for a weekend workshop series during the month of March. If you have a talent or interest you would like to share with our youth, please contact Maryellen Gillis (contact information follows) for more information. We are hoping to present a wide variety of workshops of interest to our children, kindergarten through grade 8. The KYC has an exciting and full schedule of activities planned for the upcoming year. Beginning with Winterfest on January 14, 11 am-2 pm (card-board sled races & chili!) in the Knox Town Park and continuing throughout the year, we have a wide variety of events planned for the families of Knox and surrounding communities. We welcome new members throughout the year and ask you to consider becoming involved in one or more of the upcoming events. For a complete listing of the planned events, visit (www.knoxny.org) or contact Maryellen Gillis, Youth Services Coordinator at:

872-1899 or (mgillis1023@gmail.com).

Congratulations to Delia “Barney” Palombo! Our 94 year old Delia “Barney” Palombo made the news this fall as the recipient of a lifetime achievement award for community service from the Capital District Senior Issues Forum. On October 20 she was honored at an awards ceremony in Albany. She was recognized for her many years of service to others until she retired at 90: caring for the sick, donating to, and working for St. Lucy Food Pantry, working as the town tax collector, serving in the Knox Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, and running the local tavern as a community gathering place. She is a parishioner of St. Lucy/St. Bernadette Church in Altamont. The Town of Knox is certainly grateful to Barney for her service as tax collector for over a quarter of a century!

LADIES AUXILIARY NEWS By Pat Lightbody The Memorial Day bake sale at the firehouse from 9 am until sold out is an opportunity to support our annual fundraiser to benefit the community. We welcome new members. We meet 7 pm the 4th Wednesday of each month starting in March. Our officers for 2017:

President Mary Ann Saddlemire Vice President Pat Lightbody Treasurer Diane Champion Secretary Mary Sherman Chaplain Charlotte Fuss Honorary Officer Linda Hodges

KNOX FIRE COMPANY NEWS by Russ Pokorny

The Knox Fire Company answered 71 calls in the last Fiscal year (Dec. 1 – Nov. 30). We begin the new year with 31 active members on our roll. We recently held drills to review our skills in responding to chimney fires, which become more likely as the heating season begins. We also reviewed procedures for use of portable water pumps for pumping out flooded basements, fire police procedures, use of our thermal imaging cameras, which allow us to view hot spots in walls and possibly locate victims, and procedures for extricating victims from motor vehicle accidents. In November we attended a presentation at the 911 call center for an update on how calls are handled by dispatch. A few of our members provided demonstrations for the Knox Nursery School and also for the BKW grade school for Fire Prevention Week.

We had a very successful Turkey Dinner fundraiser in early November. We thank everyone who helped, as well as those who patronized the dinner. Our annual fundraiser letter has just been sent out. We will appreciate all contributions. Proceeds are used to cover expenses which can’t be met with town funding. Weekly meetings are held on Mondays at 7 pm; feel free to come by to say hello or to join us as a volunteer!

Patrick Sweet, (firefighter Brandon Bradley’s side kick and cousin) trying on some turnout gear, after working hard all day helping in the dining room.

New member Chris Pensack is sworn in by Company President Dan Sherman at the December 5 monthly meeting with Chief Bill Vinson looking on.

Be careful with woodstoves and ashes in the cold months!

Knox Fire Company officers for 2017: Fire Company Line Officers Fire Company Civil Officers Chief Bill Vinson President Dan Sherman 1st Assistant Chief Kevin Sherman Vice President Richie Loucks 2nd Assistant Chief Jim Albert Secretary Russ Pokorny Captain Tim Hagerott Treasurer Clark Conklin Assistant Captain Megan Mason Membership Secretary John Graves Chief of Fire Police Don Champion Board of Directors (2) Jim Albert, Dana Sherman

SENIOR NEWS Senior meal program at Berne Community

Center, M, Tu, F at noon, weather permitting, except holidays. Call Linda Hodges at 872-0940.

Senior social visits and arts and crafts on the 2nd Monday at 1 PM at the Knox Town Hall. Call Pat Lightbody at 872-9400.

Senior Shopping Bus: the 2nd and 4th Wednesday call CDTA 2 days ahead, 437-5161.

Hilltown Seniors meet the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:30 AM at Berne Community Center, 1656 Helderberg Trail (Rt. 443). Call Linda Carman at 872-2448.

Contact Charlotte Fuss, Town of Knox Senior Services Coordinator for information. cjfuss@yahoo.com

Legal Services for seniors age 60 or more who

reside in Albany County: staffed by the Legal Aid

Society of Northeastern New York and funded in part

by the Albany County Office for the Aging, the NYS

Office for Aging and US Administration on Aging.

Call 462-6765 for an appointment. Suggested

contribution is $10, but any amount is appreciated.

Contributions are entirely voluntary and have no

effect on your receiving services now or in the future.

Albany County Senior Housing Rehab Program for applicants at least 60 years old in single family households in Albany County: This grant program assists with replacement of your roof, windows, doors, and updating your home electrical, plumbing and heating systems; chimney repairs, and even tree removal. It can also address handicap accessibility so you can remain independent in your home. Income eligibility limits for 2016:

Household of 1 - $45,950 Household of 2 - $52,500 Household of 3 - $59,050 Household of 4 - $65,600

Call (518) 430-7299 or email for details: grantinfo.acrha@gmail.com Shelley McKinnon, Program Representative, Albany County Rural Housing Alliance

Other resources for Seniors: (800) 333-4374 www.nysenior.org New York StateWide Senior

Action Council offers direct service through a helpline and counseling services and provides information to educate the community as well as state and federal policymakers on issues of importance to older New Yorkers.

Senior Lunches by Linda Hodges

Helderberg Senior Services (HSS) is thrilled to be hosting a senior congregate lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Fridays. The food is provided by Senior Services of Albany (SSA). If you tried the food more than a year ago, you do not know how delicious the lunches are now. SSA knows how to make unsalted food taste really good. We serve at noon. The current menus are up on the town websites. Or call me, Linda Hodges, at 872-0940 and I will gladly tell you what’s for lunch. Congregate Dining is funded by Albany County Depart-ment for Aging, NYS Office for Aging, and the Adminis-tration on Aging. There is a $3.00 suggested contri-bution towards the cost of the meal, but no one will be turned away for inability to contribute. You can come to lunch for free if you want to or if you need to. Transportation is available with the Town of Berne blue van. Please contact Linda Hodges at 872-0940 by 10 am the day before you would like to come to lunch so we will be sure to have enough food, and to arrange a ride. Nearly every day we have games after lunch. We also started doing Tai Chi after lunch. We do monthly crafts and we are planning some trips. We have a monthly contest where you can win $10 just by coming to lunch. The more times you come, the more chances you get. Check us out; we would love to see you. If you are a group of seniors looking for a place to meet, you can have lunch and use the senior center afterwards for your meeting. We have a lot of room.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWS By Dennis Barber

Our 2017 season opens on Memorial Day from 10 AM till 2 PM. Then we will be open every Wednesday from 10 AM till 12 noon in July and August. We will also be open during any event we would have in the summer and fall. Stop by the Saddlemire Homestead, museum and home of the Knox Historical Society and pick up a self guided tour brochure and tour our Barn Quilt trail, our Historical Marker trail and our Dutch Barn tour. While you are at the museum please visit our 8 rooms of Knox history from the Knox Cave room to the Pill Box room. The museum will also be accessible by appointment by calling Dennis Barber at 860-7861. We are in need of members; please join us any first Tuesday of the month 7 PM in the Knox Town Hall. Take a look at our fantastic web page which may be accessed from the Town of Knox web page.

Do you have ideas for a Town Seal Design? We are looking for an image that would represent the Town of Knox for official stationery. Send your drawing, or a description to Knox Town Clerk, PO Box 116, Knox NY 12107 or email to: Knoxtownclerk@gmail.com

KNOX CHURCHES NEWS Knox Reformed Church http://knoxreformedchurch.com/ Rock Road Chapel http://www.rockroadchapel.org/

Hilltown Community Resource Center Knox Food Pantry by Tara Murphy

A food pantry is available to Knox residents through the Hilltown Community Resource Center. Located in the hamlet of Knox, this satellite location is supported by generous donations from members of the Knox Reformed Church and others in the community. Donations can be brought to Tara Murphy, Knox Town Clerk, at the Knox Town Hall during regular office hours. Those who want to help, as well as those who need help may call the Hilltown Community Resource Center at (518) 797-5256 for more information. Rock Road Chapel Community Storehouse by Martha Davis Did you know that the Rock Road Chapel hosts a Community Storehouse? The Storehouse (Food Pantry) is open to anyone in need of food every Wednesday from 7 to 9 am with free breakfast being served. We also are open every Saturday from 9 to 11 am. We also provide personal care products and cleaning supplies on a monthly basis. This past Thanksgiving we gave out 42 complete turkey dinners and will be giving out 42 Christmas food and gift boxes. Clothing give-a-ways are also done on a regular basis. For more information, contact Pastor Martha Davis, Rock Road Chapel 96 Rock Road, Berne, NY 12023, 518-872-2810 or 518-221-2478

BKW LITTLE LEAGUE NEWS BKW Little League has been in existence for 64 years. It offers baseball and softball to children between 5 and 12 years, and teaches the fundamentals of baseball, team work and good sportsmanship. It provides a foundation for kids to excel in future sports and activities. In 2016, BKW Little League had over 180 registered players, and the number has been steadily rising every year. Registration is now open for the 2017 season. Parents can attend one of our two in-person registration events at the BKW Elementary school café on February 1st, and March 1st from 6:00pm-7:30pm, or register online at http://bll12059001.siplay.com/site/. We look forward to the 2017 season! For more info, email BKWLLPresident@gmail.com, or visit http://www.eteamz.com/BKWLittleLeague/.

Knox Nursery School by Cindy Quay The Knox Nursery School (KNS) was established in 1974 by the Knox Reformed Church to provide the community with a structured and supervised preschool program. KNS is a nonprofit organization which has operated continuously in the basement of the church hall for 42 years. The school is in session from September through the first week of June. This year there are 2, 3 and 4 year old classes. The 2s meet Tuesday and Friday from 9-11:15 am. The 3s meet Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9-11:15 am, and the 4s meet Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12 noon-2:15 pm. Currently there are openings in both the 3 and 4 year old classes. Please call 872-2015 for more information about the school and its program.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT NEWS

Building Permit Fees have increased: New Residental Buildings (including trailers, modulars, etc.)

0 – 2,000 square feet ………………………... $200.00

2,001 – 3,000 square feet …………………… $250.00

3,001 – over ………………………………… $300.00

Alterations, Renovations, Conversions to Existing Buildings

$0 – $10,000 ………………………..…..……. $75.00

$10,001 - $30,000 ………...………...………. $100.00

$30,001 and over ………………........………. $125.00

Miscellaneous Building Permits:

Pole Barns, Garages, Accessory Bldgs......$100.00

Additions to accessory buildings, decks, pools,

new chimneys, woodstoves...........................$50.00

Residential solar installations........................$50.00

Large solar installations............................$1,500.00

Building Inspector Daniel Sherman 446-1460

Ass't. Building Inspector Glenn Hebert 772-9006

Thursdays 5-7 PM (Check www.knoxny.org for updates)

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

IN KNOX Think Knox has nothing to do? You can take a hike!

Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center hiking trails, programs, exhibits and activities, 872-0800

http://www.nysparks.com/environment/nature-centers/8/details.aspx, just off Ketcham Road.

John Boyd Thacher Park for picnics, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, 872-1237

Look for news of the new visitor’s center opening! http://www.nysparks.com/parks/128/details.aspx

Carrick Road trail to High Point in Thacher Park

Thompson’s Lake for camping, fishing, boating, swimming. Limited parking: call ahead 872-1674 http://www.nysparks.com/parks/99/details.aspx

Knox Town Park trails, Story Walk and bluebird nest box area (access behind Town Hall). The Wetlands Preserve boardwalk (access is from Street Road) is presently in disrepair, and is closed. To volunteer to help plan and/or work on repairs, call 618-5376 to sign up!

Knox has some great places for Geocaching: “The recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates posted on a

website.” https://www.geocaching.com/guide/

Limestone Rise Preserve hiking trails along cracks and crevices, with spring wildflowers in May, on Nash Rd. and Route 146/Township Rd. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/placesweprotect/easternnewyork/wherewework/eny-limestone-rise.xml

Long Path, 358 miles from Knox to the George Washington Bridge in NYC, connecting many of New York's parks, preserves, and state forest lands. http://www.nynjtc.org/region/long-path

Margaret Burke State Wildlife Management Area

On the east end of Pleasant Valley Rd. offers forests, fields, shrub wetlands, orchards, with ample opportunities to see a diversity of wildlife. http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/86060.html

Hudson and Nancy Winn Preserve hiking trails on creviced limestone bedrock “pavement,” or “karst.” The edge of the Helderberg Escarpment runs through the property with extensive rock outcrops and steep cliffs. On Street Rd., west of the Transfer Station. http://mohawkhudson.org/our-preserves/winn-hudson-and-nancy-preserve/

Wolf Creek Falls Preserve hiking trails with streams and waterfalls, a wetland, and numerous old stone walls. Between #s 774 and 816 on the north side of Bozenkill Road. http://mohawkhudson.org/our-preserves/wolf-creek-falls-preserve/

Call the Town Clerk at 872-2551 for Manuals:

Zoning Ordinance Manual ……………….. $8.00

Land Subdivision Books …………………. $5.00

Postage and Handling (if applicable) …….. $5.00

Trash Talk Transfer Station News Markets for recycled materials keep changing. That means items the Town can accept, and the fees we have to charge, also keep changing. Check the Town website (below) for the most current information.

We are temporarily unable to accept TVs. Recycling fees for tires have recently increased:

Car Tires: $3 Light Truck Tires: $6 Truck Tires: $15 Tractor Tires: $15 per ply

Watch for fee changes and other updates at:

www.knoxny.org

The Town pays $52 for every ton of trash that goes to the landfill at Rapp Road. It adds up to nearly $5,000 per month! Less trash = lower costs. We can help keep town taxes down by recycling: COMPOST your yard waste at home - grass clippings, brush, leaves, vegetable peels and food scraps (not meat or greasy foods). Cardboard and paper, plastic, tin and glass that is recycled costs us nothing and saves taxpayer money. All other recycling helps offset taxes further. The textile shed accepts clothing, shoes, purses, belts, blankets and stuffed toys, and you can get a receipt for your donations to itemize income taxes.

Upcoming Events Jan. 14 Winterfest Knox Town Park,11am– 2pm

Feb. 1 BKW LL Registration at school, 6-7:30pm

Mar. 1 BKW LL Registration at school, 6-7:30pm

Mar. 18 Sap Run 5K at Knox Town Hall, 10 am http://www.saprun5k.org/index.html

Mar. 26 Kiwanis Maple Festival at the Knox Firehouse, 9 am to 1 pm

May 13 Jean Forti Dance at Octagon Barn, 7 pm

May 29 Memorial Day Parades 10 AM in Berne and 12 Noon in Knox.

Dudley Observatory 2017 Star Party Schedule April 21, 8 PM August 25, 8 PM May 19, 8 PM September 29, 8 PM June 16, 8 PM October 27, 7 PM July 28, 8 PM November 17, 7 PM Octagon Barn, 588 Middle Road, 618-5376

KNOX HIGHWAY NEWS Now that the Town has a new CAT backhoe , a John Deere tractor/mower, a CAT roller, equipment trailer and a CAT wheeled excavator, the Town is working to get grant $ for plans to upgrade the highway department garage by installing better insulation and more energy efficient windows and doors.

The Town is paid a small sum for those items.

Property and School Taxes by Russ Pokorny

It’s tax season. Do you ever wonder where your tax money goes? If you had a home assessed at $100,000, (its market value would be $161,290), here’s how it would be distributed: Your taxes would be $4,332.39. Of that, $40.57 would go to the Town, and $151.79 would go to the Highway Department, for a total of $192.36 in Town taxes. $204.52 would go to the fire company, $645.95 would go to Albany County, and $3,289.56 would go to the school (see below).

Town of Knox Property Tax Breakouts in 2017

Example Property

Taxable Value $ 100,000.00 % of Total Bill

per $1,000.00

Town Tax Bill County $ 6.46 $ 645.95 15%

Town $ 0.41 $ 40.57 1%

Highway $ 1.52 $ 151.79 4%

Fire $ 2.05 $ 204.52 5%

School Tax Bill

$ 32.90 $ 3,289.56 76%

Total Tax Bill / Year

$ 4,332.39 100%

There was no increase in the Town tax levy this year.

Tax Collector Hours At Town Hall

Sat. Jan. 7,14,21,28: 9:30-3:30 Thu. Jan. 12, 19, 26: 5 – 8 pm Tue. Jan. 31: 5 – 8 pm Tue. Feb. 28: 5 – 8 pm Fri. Mar. 31: 5 – 8 pm

Libraries that serve Knox: Berne Public Library, 872-1246

http://www.bernepubliclibrary.org/ Altamont Free Library, 861-7239

http://www.altamontfreelibrary.org/

Directory for Town of Knox Knox Town Hall, PO Box 116, Knox NY 12107 (518) 872-2551, www.knoxny.org Town Supervisor Vasilios Lefkaditis 872-2551 x 8 Town Council Dennis Barber 860-7861 Earl Barcomb 944-6936 Dan Hanley 872-9893 Amy Pokorny 618-5376 Town Clerk Tara Murphy 872-2551 x 1 Justice Court Clerk Debbie Liddle 872-2551 x 3 Highway Sup’t. Gary Salisbury 872-2551 x 6 Building Dep’t. Dan Sherman 446-1460 Glenn Hebert 772-9006 Assessor Russ Pokorny 872-2551 x 4 Tax Collector Diane Champion 872-2551 x 5 Knox Fire Chief Bill Vinson 872-0368 Dog Warden, Parks, Cemeteries Lou Saddlemire 872-2551 x 7

Sheriff, fire or other emergency dial 911 Town of Knox PO Box 116 Knox NY 12107

Town Hours (except holidays) Town Clerk Mondays 4 – 6 PM Tuesdays 4 – 7 PM

Wednesdays 9 AM – 12 PM 1st Sat. of month 9 AM – 12 PM

Town Supervisor Tuesdays 3 – 7 PM 1st Sat. of month 9 AM – 12 PM

Building Dep’t. Thursdays 5 – 7 PM

Transfer Station Tuesdays 4 – 7 PM Thursdays 4 – 7 PM Saturdays 8 AM – 5 PM

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage

PAID Albany, NY

Permit #220

FREE Home Water Analysis Kits to test for:

1-Bacteria, 1-Lead, 2-Nitrates, 2-Nitrites, 2-Chlorine, 2-Iron, 2-Copper, 2-pH, 2-Alkalinity, 2-Hardness, 1-Pesticide

Albany Co. Soil & Water Conservation District 24 Martin Rd. Room #2, Voorheesville NY

Call ahead: 765-7923 One per Household While Supplies Last!

PLEASE NOTE: Knox Town Board Meetings

will begin at 7 PM (not 7:30) in 2017.