Town of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wildland Search: On May 14 at 8:46 p.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from New Jersey two hikers on Buck Mountain without reliable light sources. The pair advised they were still on the trail, but concerned their cell phone lights would not last until they got back to the trailhead. Forest Ranger Poulton arrived on scene at 9:29 p.m., walked up the trail, and located the hikers immediately. The Ranger escorted the pair back to the trailhead and the incident concluded at 9:45 p.m.
Governor Cuomo Announces New Mask Guidance for Vaccinated New Yorkers
The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings; for complete details click here.
Starting Wednesday, May 19. 2021 – fully vaccinated people can:
Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance
Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel
Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States
Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings
Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
Refrain from routine screening testing if feasible
For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations
April Dresden Town Board Meeting Minutes
The minutes for the regular April meeting of the Dresden Town Board were approved Monday night at the May meeting and have been posted on the town’s website.
Representative Elise Stefanik Elected by House GOP Conference 134-46 to Replace Liz Cheney as Conference Chairwoman
LGLC Protects 150 Acres on Prospect Mt, West Brook
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has recently protected 150 acres adjoining Prospect Mountain in the south basin of Lake George. The property includes the headwaters of a main branch of West Brook, one of Lake George’s largest tributaries. In total, more than one mile of stream corridor has been protected.
The land lies in the towns of Warrensburg and Lake George and is adjacent to New York State’s Prospect Mountain. The property contains very steep forested slopes, and is visible from the Adirondack Northway (I-87).
The McPhillips family, who have worked with the LGLC in the past to protect other sensitive lands in the watershed, generously agreed to sell the land at a discount in a transaction known as a bargain sale.
LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown said, “We are so grateful to the McPhillips family for once again partnering with the LGLC and generously offering the land to us below its actual market value. The value to the watershed of the 150-acres is immeasurable, as the LGLC now protects the headwaters of West Brook, one of Lake George’s major tributaries, from all forms of threats.
“These landowners who are willing to protect their land,” Brown continued, “that protects the lake are vital to the LGLC’s ability to fulfill its mission. These are people who care about this special place and are doing their part to ensure that the forests remain healthy and strong, filtering the water that flows over the land and into the lake forever. We thank the McPhillips for looking towards the future to protect this land.”
Stormwater runoff is one of the biggest threats to the water quality of Lake George. Over-development on ecologically important lands contributes to this runoff, which carries pollutants and excess nutrients downstream. The LGLC works to prevent the impacts of runoff by strategically protecting sensitive lands from over-development in conservation initiatives throughout the watershed.
One such project is the West Brook Conservation Initiative. West Brook is a major tributary of Lake George, and is estimated to contribute 50% of the total annual tributary runoff entering the south end of Lake George.
In the early 2000’s the LGLC and partners at the Lake George Association, the FUND for Lake George, the Village of Lake George and Warren County, worked together to protect 12 acres of developed land surrounding West Brook and restore it to its original wetland state. The restored wetlands now provide the same benefits of natural wetlands, filtering millions of gallons of water each year and removing excess nutrients and pollutants before they reach the lake.
At the same time, the LGLC also purchased the 1,400-acre Berry Pond property to protect a significant amount of streams and ponds that feed into West Brook. Not only does this land, now owned by New York State, provide permanent protection of these waters, but it also hosts thousands of hikers and snowmobilers each year.
Dresden Supervisor Delivers Multiple Years of AUD’s to Comptroller’s Office
Dresden Town Supervisor and Budget Officer, Paul Ferguson, has completed the Annual Updated Documents (AUD’s) for Dresden dating from 2013 to 2019 and has delivered them to the Comptroller’s office. Additionally, all these years have been now been accepted by the Comptrollers office. This herculean task was completed by Mr. Ferguson after having been left unfinished for several years through the terms of previous town supervisors.
The 2018 & 2019 documents are available at the Town Clerk’s office.
Because a town’s books reflect on the full faith and credit of the town, the Comptroller’s office requires that they be submitted in order. Because Dresden fell behind in producing these records in the early 2010’s, the town has been behind in trying to get caught up. When Supervisor Ferguson came into office – not only was he responsible for the current bookkeeping for his term but also for prior years, when he did not hold elected office. This was a tremendous amount of work, making him have to play “catch up” with years he had not been responsible for.
After running on a platform of fiscal responsibility and lower taxes, Mr. Ferguson has delivered on his pledge by submitting the paperwork for the 2013 – 2019 AUD’s.
Saturday Song: Wonder – Natalie Merchant – 1996
Slic Network Solutions Crews Adding Rural Broadband
Slic crews at work in Hulett’s Landing.
Slic Network Solutions posted this picture of their crews working in Huletts this week to add their service for rural broadband. Hopefully soon ……
(Picture credit: Slic Network Solutions)
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Saturday April 17 at 7:20 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two lost hikers in the Tongue Mountain Range. The pair was concerned about becoming lost in the woods after dark. The hikers were still on the trail, 3.5 miles from the nearest trailhead, and an additional five miles away from their vehicle. The hikers were encouraged to continue making their way out of the woods. About an hour later, the hikers called back as one of them was having a panic attack, fearful that their cell lights wouldn’t last much longer. Forest Ranger Kabrehl responded to assist the 26-year-old women from Montgomery, NY, and Oradell, NJ. By 10:14 p.m., Ranger Kabrehl and the hikers were out of the woods.
DEC Boat Launch Ramps on Lake George to be Closed at Night during 2021
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will begin closing the gates at the Mossy Point and Rogers Rock boat launches on Lake George on April 15, as part of an ongoing pilot program to increase protections from aquatic invasive species, DEC Regional Director Joseph Zalewski announced today. The overnight closure will continue through Dec. 15.
“The pilot program is another tool to support the State’s ongoing efforts to protect Lake George from aquatic invasive species,” said Director Zalewski. “DEC and the Lake George Park Commission continue to collect essential data each boating season to ensure our future actions balance public access for boaters with protecting our waterways.”
“Lake George is one of the most beautiful and heavily recreated lakes in the Northeast. We believe the Commission’s mandatory boat inspection program provides a great balance in protecting Lake George from invasive species without impacting boating activities on the lake,” said Dave Wick, Executive Director of the Lake George Park Commission. “The state and local partnership that created this invasive species prevention initiative has been tremendously successful over its seven years of existence, and it continues to have strong public support.”
A comprehensive public survey was released in February 2021 seeking feedback on the 2020 boating season and input on extending the pilot gate closure program. The survey received nearly 300 responses. As a result of ongoing data collection efforts, DEC and its partners determined that extending the gate closure season to earlier in the spring and later in the fall will provide a higher level of protection against invasive species while meeting the public’s needs. In addition, the longer season allows for increased boat launch steward interaction with boaters.
Boat launch stewards from the Lake George Park Commission will be present when boat launches are open to inspect boats, trailers, and equipment for the presence of aquatic invasive species and to educate boaters about the importance of Clean, Drain, and Dry. Boats, trailers, waders, and other fishing and boating equipment can spread aquatic invasive species from waterbody to waterbody unless properly cleaned, dried or disinfected after use. State law requires boaters to take these steps before launching their watercraft into public waterbodies. Although some invasive species such as Eurasian water-milfoil are readily visible to the human eye, many others are too small to be easily noticed.
Based upon feedback from the public survey, the gates will be opened earlier this season to allow anglers early morning access. Boat launch stewards will open and close the gates following the schedule below from April 15 through Dec. 15, 2021. This schedule is subject to change. Check the Lake George Park Commission for the most current information.
A callbox is located next to the door of the Lake George Park Commission shed at each of the boat launches. Boaters who do not get off the water until after the gate is closed can use the callbox. Calls go directly to the DEC Emergency Dispatch line and a DEC Dispatcher will provide callers with instructions for opening the gate. The callboxes were provided by the Fund for Lake George.
Consistent with this effort to protect Lake George against aquatic invasive species, the Million Dollar Beach Boat Launch will also begin its gate closure program April 15.
February Dresden Town Board Meeting Minutes
The minutes for the regular February meeting of the Dresden Town Board were approved Monday night at the April meeting and have been posted on the town’s website. (There was no March meeting.)
Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth 1967
Lake George Association Members Approve Merger with The FUND for Lake George
In a historic and inspiring show of support for the future of Lake George protection, the members of the Lake George Association have overwhelmingly approved the merger of the LGA with The FUND for Lake George to create a new, preeminent Lake protection organization.
Ninety-eight percent of LGA voters (745 of 760) said yes to the historic union in results announced tonight at a special virtual membership meeting. The approved merger plan will now go to the Office of the New York State Attorney General for final review and approval. The newly created organization will retain the LGA name. The LGA is the longest-serving lake protection organization in the country, having been founded in 1885.
“The future of Lake George protection is brighter than ever,” said Pete Menzies, current president of the LGA board of directors, which previously voted unanimously to proceed with the merger. “We are thrilled and thankful to the LGA membership for their tremendous vote of confidence in what these two outstanding organizations will be able to accomplish together. As they always do, LGA members have stepped up to protect Lake George.”
Jeff Killeen, current chairman of The FUND for Lake George and the chairman-elect of the new organization, said, “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity and responsibility that has been granted to us. With so many water quality threats looming, Lake George has never needed us more — and I can say without hesitation that our combined staff, board of directors, members and many community partners are up for the challenge. The new LGA will bring our Lake’s already-unrivaled level of protection to new and essential heights.”
The new LGA will be focused on action, working collaboratively with public – and private-sector partners to achieve breakthrough performance in water quality protection programs that are guided by world-class science and supported by community education, awareness and advocacy.
Protection programs will focus on the Lake’s most pressing threats: harmful algal blooms; nutrient loading from wastewater and stormwater runoff; invasive species, both aquatic and the new terrestrial threat, hemlock wooly adelgid; and road salt contamination — all of which are compounded by the effects of a changing climate. Mounting pressure on the Lake’s water quality was a driving factor in bringing the two organizations together.
The new LGA will be led by Eric Siy, currently executive director of The FUND for Lake George, who will become president of the new LGA, and Walt Lender, currently executive director of the Lake George Association, who will serve as senior vice president.
“The incredible team that will make up the new LGA has been working closely together in preparation for the formal merger,” said Mr. Siy. “Their expertise and dedication — combined with the power of our many partners and the world class science and technologies of the Jefferson Project — create a truly one-of-a-kind commitment to protecting a one-of-a-kind natural treasure.”
“The threats to the Lake’s water quality are unrelenting, and the new LGA will be relentless in combatting them,” said Mr. Lender. “From our citizen scientists to world-leading research, from public education and advocacy to results-driven protection programs, we will employ state-of-the-art practices to keep Lake George clean and clear for generations to come.”
The following officers and directors have been elected to the new LGA board from among members of the existing LGA and FUND boards:
Jeffrey M. Killeen, chairman; Peter Menzies, vice chairman; William Creighton, treasurer; Roy Davis, secretary; Dr. Mary Caravella, member of executive committee; Keith Ferguson, member of executive committee; Thomas West, member of executive committee; I. Robert Wolgin, member of executive committee; Bob Bailey; Lucinda Bhavsar; James Casaccio; Geoff Cook; Charles Crew, William Dutcher; Dr. Linda Schadler Feist; George R. Hearst III; Victor Hershaft; Blair
Keller; Dr. John E. Kelly III; Ginger Henry Kuenzel; George Morris, Dennis O’Connor; and Ken Parlin.
State Senator Stec Votes ‘No’ on Budget
SENATOR STEC STATEMENT ON STATE BUDGET VOTE
“New York’s budget has ballooned to a whopping $217 billion, which is an astonishing increase of more than $41 billion in just two years. Despite the billions and billions of federal dollars to plug the state’s budget hole, this year’s budget includes more than $4 billion in new taxes to fund more spending.
“High taxes and a very challenging business environment, not the weather, has chased a lot of people out of New York State. Rather than improve our competitiveness, this budget will likely hasten the exodus of residents, particularly professionals who have found this past year that they can do business in New York, but remotely and much more affordably.
“The $2.1 billion so-called ‘excluded worker’ fund to provide financial benefits of up to $27,900 for ‘off-the-books’ workers, including illegal aliens, held up budget negotiations for days as far-left New York City senators battled with more moderate fellow members. At a time when businesses – many of them ‘mom and pop’ small businesses – are financially devastated and in need of help, the ‘excluded worker’ fund became the focal point.
“While I am very pleased funding and language for a comprehensive broadband study is in the budget, they also put in the budget a laudable but costly and unfunded mandate for low-cost broadband that may put small providers of broadband services out of business.
“Finally, while some might call this budget transformative, it has been far from transparent. The ‘messages of necessity’ and rush to pass bills late at night continues to reflect badly on a budget process that is anything but ‘good government’.”