Today is a beautiful day in Huletts. Things are getting quieter but some “winter” projects are starting. Please come back soon.
September Dresden Town Board Meeting Minutes
The minutes for the September meeting of the Dresden Town Board, were recently approved and have been posted on the town’s website.
Plastic Bag Ban Now Being Enforced in New York State
New York State’s s ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect earlier this year, but the state officially began to enforce the rule on Monday, October 19, following a seven-month pause.
The ban took effect on March 1 of this year but was not enforced until now because of a lawsuit by plastic bag manufacturers (in addition to the coronavirus pandemic). The New York State Supreme Court struck down the lawsuit last month but said businesses need 30 days’ notice to prepare for the enforcement of the ban.
Saturday Quote
“An old broom knows the dirty corners best.”
Irish proverb
Grand Opening of Cliffside Coaster at Lake Placid’s Olympic Sports Complex
A view from the new Cliffside Mountain Coaster in Lake Placid.
October 11th marked the grand opening of the new Cliffside Mountain Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. The longest of its kind in the United States, the mountain coaster travels alongside the 1980 Olympic bobsled track and is the latest year-round attraction at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites.
“The Cliffside Coaster is one of our latest and most thrilling additions to the Olympic Regional Development Authority venues, and part of our ongoing effort to modernize the entire Mt. Van Hoevenberg complex,” Governor Cuomo said. “This revitalization is transforming the complex into a year-round provider of excitement and entertainment for both athletes and families, which will attract more summer visitors and provide a critical boost to local businesses as we work to build back better.”
Opening for its first ride on Sunday, October 11, the mountain coaster is equipped with a timing and audio system that allow visitors to experience the thrill of what it was like to be an Olympic Bobsledder during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. The coaster will be open to the public on weekends only, and includes informative and exciting commentary for riders as they glide through twists and turns that replicate the historic track.
ORDA President & CEO, Mike Pratt said, “The Cliffside Coaster is a one-of-a-kind attraction at the newly transformed Mt. Van Hoevenberg. We are incredibly excited to give our guests this exhilarating experience. The coaster follows the alignment of the 1932 & 1980 Olympic Bobsled track as it descends the mountain. The views are amazing, and the curves get your heart pounding. Everyone will feel like they deserve a medal.”
DEC Advises Public to Be Alert for Moose in the Adirondacks
Motorists should be alert for moose on roadways in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas at this time of year during peak moose activity, advises the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York. During this time moose are wandering looking for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen. While this improves the opportunities for people to enjoy sighting of a moose, it also increases the danger of colliding with one on the roadway.
Moose are much larger and taller than deer. Their large body causes greater damage, and, when struck, their height often causes them to impact the windshield of a car or pickup truck, not just the front of the vehicle. New York has no recorded human fatalities resulting from a crash with a moose.
Moose are most active at dawn and dusk, which are times of poor visibility. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown to black coloring and their height – which puts their head and much of their body above vehicle headlights.
Mutual Aid Fire Drill Practiced in Huletts
The photos shared here are from a “Mutual Aid” fire drill, the Huletts Landing Fire Company and Dresden Fire Company participated in, the evening of October 6th. The exercise carried out was a simulated structure fire at a property in Indian Bay where the existing house was scheduled to be torn down. The owner graciously allowed both companies to carryout this exercise which was a great opportunity for the firefighters to apply their exterior and interior firefighting skills. (Click on all pictures to see larger versions.)
Both fire companies arrived and setup quickly.
“Mutual Aid” fire drills are designed to have volunteers from both companies work together.
The standby water source was provided by the HLVFC fire boat, drafting water from Indian Bay, and pumping that water to the on-station fire trucks discharging water to hose line teams at the scene.
Emergency escape routines were practiced from inside the building.
Smoke simulated the conditions of a fire.
All steps were planned and practiced thoroughly and properly.
Volunteers cut a hole in the roof.
Once the hole was completed, the smoke starting coming out the rooftop.
The hoses were turned on to simulate fighting an actual fire.
A quick escape was practiced from a burning building. First: fireman exits head first.
Second: fireman spins.
Third: fireman completes turn.
Fourth: fireman exits ladder feet first.
The drill was a success for both companies as they worked together to keep the town safe.
Critical actions for ladder deployment, roof venting, emergency escape routines on down ladders and through exterior walls were all tested. The mutual exercise was safely carried-out and the volunteers of both companies were judged by the chiefs of both departments, and their respective training officers, to have performed all steps of the operation as planned and directed.
The residents of Huletts Landing and Dresden are fortunate to have such outstanding volunteers serving our community.
Dresden Town Board October Meeting Date Change
Because the second Monday of October falls on Columbus Day, the regular meeting of the Dresden Town Board has been moved to Tuesday, October 20th, at 7pm at the Dresden town hall. The public hearing will start at 7 pm for the 2021 budget. The budget workshop will be at 6 pm. Mask and social distancing will be required.
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 2 at 9:30 p.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from two hikers who became disoriented on Pole Hill Pond. The hikers, from Brookhaven, did not have a light source or warm clothing with them as temperatures dropped. Dispatch advised the hikers to stay where they were until help arrived. Warren County 911 shared coordinates to the hikers’ location as their only working cell phone battery died. Forest Rangers Donegan and Kabrehl responded to assist, arriving on scene at 10:30 p.m. Voice contact was made at 12:15 a.m., and the hikers were found off the trail at 12:33 a.m. Forest Rangers escorted the couple back to their vehicle at the trailhead.
Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 3 at 7:53 p.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from a hiker stating that she and her eight-year-old daughter were stuck on the trail for Pole Hill Pond. The hiker stated that they did not have any light sources and that she had fallen, causing minor injuries. Forest Rangers Donegan and Kabrehl responded to the pair’s location along with Bolton Fire and EMS. Rangers proceeded up to the trail to locate the stranded family from Saratoga Springs and Ranger Donegan advised that he was with the pair at 10:48 p.m. After being assessed by Rangers, the mother and daughter were provided light sources and safely escorted back to the trailhead. At 10:58 p.m., the incident concluded and all emergency service providers were cleared the scene.
Leaves Begin to Change Colors
The colors of the leaves on the trees on top of the mountain are becoming more vibrant.
Come back to Huletts before they disappear.
DEC Announces Sentencing of Saranac Man for Illegal Taking of Moose
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the sentencing of a Saranac man for illegally poaching a moose in October 2019. On Sept. 3, 2020, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement investigation into the moose poaching concluded when Zachary Vaughan, 26, of Saranac, New York, was sentenced in the Town of Franklin Criminal Court to 60 days in county jail and $5,525 in fines and surcharges. DEC also revoked Vaughan’s hunting privileges for five years.
DEC’s investigation began on Oct. 31, 2019, when ECO Favreau received a call from a camp member in the Chateaugay Highlands Easement reporting a dead cow moose on the property. The moose was transported to DEC’s Delmar Wildlife Resource Lab for a necropsy. The crime scene investigation continued with the aid of DEC K9 Diesel. Following a series of anonymous calls and an anonymous tip reported to the DEC Environmental Crime Tip-Line, Zachary Vaughan was identified as the shooter.
While Vaughan initially denied the claims, ECOs obtained a supporting deposition. A search warrant was executed on Nov. 26, 2019, by DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement at the home of Vaughan and his parents, during which officers obtained a voluntary statement from Vaughan regarding the poaching incident. On Dec. 4, 2019, Vaughan was charged with four misdemeanors: taking of a moose; possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle; use of an artificial light in a vehicle while in possession of firearm; and hunting deer with the aid of an artificial light. He also was charged with three additional Environmental Conservation Law violations.
The moose, a protected mammal in New York State, is the largest member of the deer family and the largest land mammal in New York. Hunting moose in New York State is illegal.
One Beautiful (Now Autumn) Day
While it is still warm, Autumn is now here.
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Dresden
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 19 at 7:43 p.m., Washington County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from a hiker advising she was stuck on the trail on Black Mountain and two of her hiking companions were further up the trail. Washington County 911 provided coordinates that placed several members of the hike group from Mechanicville at the Black Mountain Point on the shore of Lake George. Forest Rangers O’Connor and Donegan responded to Black Mountain Point via a boat from Green Island, while Forest Ranger St. Claire responded to the marina at Hulett’s Landing. At 10:04 p.m., Ranger O’Connor advised that the two hikers had made their way back to the main group and that all seven hikers were on the boat and being transported to the marina. Once at the marina, Ranger St. Claire drove members of the hiking party to the trailhead to retrieve their vehicles.
Fire Destroys Popular Restaurant in Bolton Landing
A popular Bolton restaurant burned to the ground on Thursday, September 17th.
Many people from Huletts travel to Bolton Landing by boat to stop at local restaurants. One popular one, the Lakeside Lodge & Grille, located right in the heart of Bolton, burned early on Thursday morning, September 17th. Located next to the Bolton Chamber of Commerce on Lake Shore Drive and a short walk up through Rogers park, many people from Huletts are familiar with the Lakeside Lodge & Grille.
The above picture was taken Thursday morning with the fire department still on the scene. It was taken from across the street facing the restaurant and toward Lake George. The Chamber of Commerce and Rogers park would be on the right.
A report from Channel 13
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