The Reason Behind The Blood Orange Sun and Air Quality Alert In Beacon

Related Link: Pictures From The Unhealthy Air Quality In Beacon From The Canadian Wildfires

While we just experienced the Strawberry Moon with last week’s full moon, this orange sun in Beacon, the Hudson Valley and New York City is a result of the wildfires burning in an “out of control” state in the Canadian province of Québec, according to many news reports including NPR. Other neighboring states are also effected, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as southern states including North Carolina.

Locally, the Beacon City School District canceled any outdoor activities for Tuesday, including daytime recess for children. Field Days, the anticipated water sport and Bouncy House days scheduled for the end of the year each year, are being rescheduled, according to correspondence from Superintendent, Dr. Landahl. Some sports leagues, including Travel Soccer, who play on school property, made the voluntary decision to cancel practices.

According to NPR, the Canadian wildfire season has been particularly bad. In the report, according to Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, 2,214 wildfires have burned across Canada this year alone, charring 8 million acres. The country is currently battling 413 wildfires, 249 of which are categorized as out of control, and an estimated 26,000 people remain evacuated from their homes.

Across Québec, more than 150 fires are raging, many of which are burning out of control, according to the province's forest protection service. Patch reports that 110 of them are out of control. Québec City is 450 miles from Beacon.

Why The Air Quality Alert?

While some say that it looks like dusk or apocalyptic all day, with the sunlight tainting orange through the hazy clouds, there are physical reasons for the quality of the air being compromised from the Canadian smoke.

According to Patch: “Air quality alerts are triggered by a number of factors, including the detection of fine-particle pollution — known as “PM 2.5” — which can irritate the lungs.” The media outlet quoted Dr. David Hill, a pulmonologist in Waterbury, Connecticut, and a member of the American Lung Association's National Board of Directors: “We have defenses in our upper airway to trap larger particles and prevent them from getting down into the lungs. These are sort of the right size to get past those defenses,” he said. “When those particles get down into the respiratory space, they cause the body to have an inflammatory reaction to them.”

The smell of smoke has been more noticeable in Beacon on Wednesday than prior days, and the wind is blowing. As reported by Patch, “the atmospheric conditions in the upper Midwest creating dry, warm weather made it possible for small particulates to travel hundreds of miles from the Canadian wildfires and linger for days,” according to Trent Ford, the state climatologist in Illinois.

“It’s a good example of how complex the climate system is but also how connected it is,” Trent said.

Safety Recommendations During This Wildfire-Based Air Quality Alert

• Wear a mask if you are doing yard-work. Consider not sweeping the driveway.

• Skip the leaf blowing and weed whacking part of lawn-care, as the particles will add to the other particles from the fires.

• Wear an N95 mask if you’re more comfortable.

• Ask your doctor if now is a good time to take your inhaler, and renew your prescription.

• Watch for signs to nebulize your children, if they are having mystery coughs. Ask your pediatrician if nebulizing them is a good idea for any possible asthma cough.

• Stay inside in air conditioning that is recirculating if possible.

• Now is a good time to re-consider getting an HVAC system if you haven’t yet.

• Live in a pro-active way to protect and respect the environment to reduce the reasons we are having extreme swings in heat. Start composting!

• Encourage other countries to send personnel and technology to put out the fires.

• Pray for rain in Canada.

Locations For Beacon's Earth Day Cleanup: 9-12pm: Walk-Ins Welcome!

City Of Beacon's Earth Day Cleanup
Days: Saturday April 22, 2023
Time: 9am-12pm
Location: Several. Signup for the location you want. But you can also just show up! The locations and meeting points are below:

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Location for “East Side Of Creek: Grandview/South Avenu at the Tioranda Bridge”

• South Avenue Elementary School: Main Entrance

• South Avenue Park: Beacon Recreation Lot (23 West Center Street)

• Sargent School: Main Entrance

• Rombout Middle School: Memorial Park in the Pavilion Parking Lot

• Rocky Glen and Rte. 52: Rte. 52 & Mill Street

• Teller Woods: Guardrail on Teller Avenue (opposite from Ballet Arts 107 Teller Avenue)

• East Side of Creek: Grandview/ South Avenue at the Tioranda Bridge. Enter from 9D down Grandview, near the Craig House and across from Beacon's University Settlement Camp. ALBB has posted a picture of it on the map here, provided by Green Beacon Coalition.

• JV Forrestal School: Playground Entrance

• East Side of Beacon: Stone and Liberty Street

12pm - 3pm: Hudson Valley Brewery.  
Conservation Advisory Committee program outreach and social.
One free drink ticket will be provided to volunteers 21+ and a discount on Groundlings pizza.  Non alcohol beverages also available.
Come to celebrate Beacon and learn about electrification, composting, trail development and pollinator pathways.
Information >

There's A Bear Over There - Where? Crossing Main Street On A Weeknight

On a quiet Tuesday or Wednesday evening at 10:30pm in Beacon (10/25/2022 or 10/26/2022), just before Halloween night, a driver stopped their car after they said they saw a bear crossing Main Street from Binnacle Books to the Flowers ‘N Gifts near Happy Valley Arcade. Apparently a second driver also stopped as the bear crossed. This hour is generally considered late late night in Beacon.

The driver called the Beacon Police, who the driver felt may not have believed them. Then the driver called their friend, who often walks at all hours of the day and night,. The driver was concerned for their friend as they wanted the friend to be aware of a bear at night in town. The friend is a reader of A Little Beacon Blog, and told us the story.

Reportedly, the driver did not know the color of the bear, or the size, but was certain that it was a bear, and not a overly large NYC size racoon. The driver did not indicate any signs of aggression, or that the bear had anything in its mouth or paws.

A Little Beacon Blog followed up with Happy Valley and with Binnacle Books, who both said they had not heard anything. ALBB did not yet file a FOIL to see if there was a Police Report filed for the call.

What Does Beacon’s Mountain Scout Say About The Bear?

ALBB reached out to Shane Hobel, founder of The Mountain Scout Survival School, to check in on his thoughts about a bear sighting in an urban area. Shane has provided expertise for media outlets including The New York Times, Urban Daddy, Fox News, and others.

“I’ve heard some people see a black bear around. It’s to be expected. If you look at the town from an eagle's perspective, is a big open plain between a mountain and a river. What used to be that corridor is now filled with city. It still has an avenue going from the mountain to the river. We are surrounded by woods, in Beacon. So, we're going to have a visitor."

Shane continued: “It's also a little bit of a confusing time with unseasonably warm temperatures. As people prepare for winter, bears are doing ther same. If there is a trail of smells, of course, the bear will follow.”

Shane answered a few more questions from ALBB:

Do people need to be afraid if they see a bear on Main Street? Or in a grassy area near their home or school?
“Black bears are pretty timid. Very shy. Docile. Easily scared if shooed off. Like a big raccoon looking for food. It’s Mama you need to be a little concerned about when near her cubs.”

What should one do if they see a bear crossing the street?
”Let the bear cross first.”

What if you are carrying a lunch box, and you see a black bear? What should you do?
”If you are that close and you are holding food, best thing to do is to put the food down and walk away slowly.”

“When you look at bear shit, here on the east coast, they eat nuts and berries. When you go out west, it’s the grizzly bear. You look at the bear shit there, you see bells and whistles.”

As in…they will eat you?
”Yes. Out west, they don't care what you are trying to scare them with. They will eat you anyway. Out here, no. The black bears here are shy.”

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

Car Lit On Fire In Madam Brett Park, "Could Have Taken Woods," Beacon Police Allegedly Say

UPDATE 8/1/2022: The Beacon Police have released their report about this car fire. Read about it here.

On Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 in the early morning hours, a car was driven or drove into Madam Brett Park, turned left into the parking lot, continued onto the walking path along Fishkill Creek, and then was consumed in fire accompanied by loud explosion sounds. Madam Brett Park is managed by Scenic Hudson, and this part of it is in the jurisdiction of the Beacon Police. Both agencies have been contacted for comment by ALBB, but neither have responded yet. Should they, this article will be updated.

Tree tops at Madam Brett Park scorched by fire of the car that was parked and on fire on the walking path at 4am on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

While that area is densely wooded, there are residential houses that overlook the scenic area. At least one resident was woken up by the the sounds of the burning car, overcome with the feeling like their bed was shaking. They said that the explosive sounds sounded like someone was throwing bricks in a dumpster, or gunshots. Smoke billowed up to the tree tops, scorching the tree tops.

The Beacon Police were called at 4:11am and they arrived by approximately 4:20am along with the 3 trucks of the Beacon Fire Department, who worked to put out the fire. A Beacon Police Officer told a resident that the gunshot sounds heard were the windows and tires of the vehicle exploding. When the resident called the next day to follow up, an officer reiterated that the sounds were the exploding windows and tires.

According to a witness, by 5am, the first responders were allegedly still down on the path dealing with the aftermath of the fire as smoke was still being produced.

One resident asked a Beacon Police Officer if this car fire was the work of the “kids who hang out up the path.” Apparently kids hang out further up the path, and an occasional housing-challenged person who sleeps under a structure. According to the resident, the police officer said: “This wasn’t kids.”

In the past, the resident has been told that the area where the kids hang out is not in the jurisdiction of the Beacon Police.

According to the resident, the police officer thanked the resident for calling them, stating that he was concerned that the fire may have spread in the woods.

At approximately 6:35am, a tow truck came to take what the resident described as a “carcass” of a car. They said that the car was unidentifiable at that point, but resembled a medium SUV perhaps in the Jeep family. By 7am, there was water on the ground allegedly from the from fire trucks.

As of this article publishing, the Beacon Police have not responded to ALBB for comment, or posted a press release with further information to their Facebook page, as they do from time to time. It is unknown at this time if an investigation is being conducted into the cause of the fire.

According to a sign at Madam Brett Park, this park and Long Doc Park, buth managed by Scenic Hudson, have been victim to vandalism recently.

Back in 2017, one of the old factories caught on fire in the early morning hours after an explosion was heard, and was consumed in flames. The City of Beacon Fire Department was assisted by firefighters from Glenham and the Village of Fishkill, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. It is unknown if the cause of the fire from the investigation was ever discovered or released.

Anyone with information is directed to call the Beacon Police Department 845-831-4111 with any tips.

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"Flawed and Disturbing" Is What Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro Calls Central Hudson's Roll Out Of New Billing System

Central Hudson, the area’s deliverer of energy and gas, announced that they launched a new “customer information system” on September 1, 2021. As a result, some people did not receive a bill for months, according to complaints voiced on social media and submitted to A Little Beacon Blog. Some people received an “Estimated” bill for 4 months in a row, which according to New York State law, is not within regulation. Central Hudson’s Media Relations Director, John Maserjian, explained that regulation to A Little Beacon Blog:

“The reason Central Hudson reads meters every other month is due to a requirement in 2016 by utility regulators. Prior to 2016, Central Hudson billed every two months with actual meter readings. The state then required Central Hudson to bill monthly, however we were unable to read meters every month without raising rates. The state agreed to allow for estimates every other month, which we have been providing since then. We are now looking into alternatives that would allow for more consistent actual meter readings.”

On February 10, 2022, Central Hudson issued a press release alerting customers to rising electric and gas rates, citing various reasons for the spike, including colder weather this winter, the closure of Indian Point, and a shortage of liquefied natural gas in Europe as the United States is one of the main exporters of liquefied natural gas to Europe, in addition to Qatar and Russia (pre-Russian invasion of Ukraine).

Delivery Dollars In The Details

Residents across the region opened their eyes to how they were being billed by Central Hudson, and started complaining. Especially if they were used to a bill for $500 and received one for $2,500 after receiving no bill for 4 months. According to some customers who shared their experiences with A Little Beacon Blog, they were not offered a payment plan unless they called Central Hudson, usually in a panic about their bill.

According to a letter posted on customers’ February bills, only 5% of customers were effected. According to the wave of complaints in social media, that number seemed higher. Hearing the complaints, The City of Beacon’s Councilmember George Mansfield brought up the confusion he was hearing from residents, which prompted a meeting to be scheduled with Central Hudson and the City of Beacon to present to Beacon residents during a City Council Meeting.

The meeting was scheduled but postponed after the last blizzard caused extreme electricity outages in Ulster County, which Central Hudson worked hard to restore. High level employees of Central Hudson did present to Beacon’s City Council weeks later on February 22, 2022.

Days earlier, on February 16, 2022, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro issued a statement via press release stating his discontent with Central Hudson’s treatment of billing customers. His statement in full is below:

“Central Hudson‘s roll out of a new billing system and failure to communicate effectively with our residents in anticipation of increased energy costs is flawed and disturbing. 

“Gas prices globally have spiked, and nationally we are experiencing an unbearable rate of inflation. Locally, New York State’s decision to close Indian Point shifted the region from a reliance on steady, stable and affordable energy to an unstable commodity*. Bitter cold temperatures have further exacerbated the situation by increasing demand. 

“Some of what we’re experiencing can be attributed to bad decisions and bad policy in Albany and Washington, but Central Hudson bears much responsibility here. They knew a rate increase was imminent. They have absolute control over their operations and communications. It is clear based on the countless individuals who have communicated with my office that Central Hudson’s outreach efforts have failed.  

“The shocking utility bills our residents are receiving adds insult to the injury from last year‘s flawed rollout of their new billing system. Central Hudson has an obligation to keep our community informed about the cost of the energy they deliver. 

“Too many families living paycheck to paycheck cannot bear the weight of inflation. Add to that a confusing and shocking utility bill increase and we have a recipe for disaster.

“Central Hudson must do better. They can do better. It’s time they provide assistance and relief to our residents.”

What Is The “Unstable Commodity” Marcus Molinaro Referred To?

In his statement above, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro referred to an “unstable commodity.” A Little Beacon Blog followed up to see which commodity he was referring to. His response:

“The unstable commodity is natural gas. The reference to ‘unstable’ relates to the short and long term instability that are often exhibited with raw materials, such as oil or natural gas, due to sudden changes in market conditions that affect supply and demand.

“Indian Point was not a raw material energy producer – the plant had a consistent output that did not fluctuate due to resource availability. It provided approximately 13% of the state’s electricity serving more than 2 million homes.

“To offset the power to provide electricity, New York State permitted three natural gas fired power plants. These plants are subject to the ‘instability’ of fluctuations in natural gas pricing which we are experiencing. The natural gas (commodity) needed for these three plants is not generated locally.

“Demand for natural gas has increased globally—spikes in frigid temperatures and the demand for electric vehicles have further increased the demand on natural gas as a significant amount of the state’s energy comes from natural gas-fired plants. At the same time, the banning of certain ways to source natural gas and the termination of projects or infrastructure to transport gas to the states have reduced supply.”

Reasons For Rising Rate Repeatedly Left Out Of Communications

Despite the closing of Indian Point, residents of Beacon and neighboring municipalities had the opportunity to opt-in to a fixed rate on their energy bill of .06361/kwh (kilowatt hour), which was in a locally legislated deal known as Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) structured and organized by Hudson Valley Energy in July 2019.

After a change in energy supplier (Direct Energy to Columbia Utilities) that rate was renegotiated to $.06572/kwh, far lower than what Central Hudson’s current rate for electricity is ($.21 for February 2022). The rate that Central Hudson charges for electricity is a variable rate, which means that it can change, and is not locked in, like Beacon’s rate is. Central Hudson’s new rate will reach $.21/kwh, as you can see in their chart of monthly rates here.

The source of the lower-priced rate negotiated by Hudson Valley Energy is 100% renewable energy. Usually that does not sit well with proponents of power plants like Indian Point. Currently, the 100% renewable energy is in a fixed, stable rate, and energy and gas prices are variable and spiking.

When the new, locked-in Beacon rate became available in 2019, about 10% of Beaconites opted out, according the Jeffrey Domanski of Hudson Valley Energy, a Beaconite who manages the group-rate fixed rate for Hudson Valley Energy. That was then. Currently, he says that 15% of Beaconites have opted out, with 70% of Beaconties enrolled in the locked-in rate.

Beaconites and any resident of one of the municipalities enrolled in this program can opt-in at any time by contacting Jeffrey directly at cca@hudsonvalleyenergy.org. Those municipalities currently include the City of Beacon, Town of Clinton, Village of Cold Spring, Town of Marbletown, Town of New Paltz, Village of New Paltz, Town of Philipstown, City of Poughkeepsie, Town of Red Hook, and the Town of Saugerties. Learn more about the program here.

Why Isn’t The Lower Locked-In Rate From Beacon’s CCA Headline News?

Why isn’t every Beaconite opted in to the lower locked in rate? Because messaging on it has been confusing from Central Hudson from the beginning. A Little Beacon Blog reported on that confusing letter from Central Hudson years ago, and the confusing messaging hasn’t stopped. Customer service representatives at Central Hudson claim to barely know about it, despite it being signed into legislation by Beacon’s City Council. Messaging from door-to-door peddlers of solar panels have also sown confusion and doubt about the program, according to this writer’s own experience with 2 of them.

At its core, the locked-in energy rate is drawing from 100% renewable energy. Which in and of itself, can draw skepticism from people. Couple that with the solar panel sales people who come door to door (illegally, by the way, as they should not do that without a Peddler’s Permit which they never show - they show their photo ID from their employer but that’s not the same thing as a Peddler’s Permit. they prey on people, especially the elderly who will fall for their very well-crafted sales pitches).

How To Get The Locked-In Rate

This is a developing story. A Little Beacon Blog has more reporting to share with you on it. Know this: If you want to opt-in to the fixed energy rate for Beacon, which is $.06361/kwh instead of the $0.21995 Central Hudson’s variable rate is now up to, email Jeffrey directly at cca@hudsonvalleyenergy.org.

The locked-in rate is not guaranteed to be lower at all times, as the rest of the market fluctuates. Since its start in 2019, it has outperformed the variable fossil-fuel market rate.

For questions about the fixed rate for Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), do not email or call Columbia Utilities, as Central Hudson has instructed you to do. As this is a legislated agreement with several municipalities, it is odd that Central Hudson’s customer service representatives, as well as printed letters from Central Hudson’s marketing department, would divulge such little information about how to get in touch with the point person of the many municipal-wide Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program that is written into Beacon’s city code.

The point person to hook you up for free to this locked in rate is Jeffrey Domanski of Hudson Valley Energy at cca@hudsonvalleyenergy.org.

NOTE: This locked in rate is not the Budget Billing plan that Central Hudson encourages customers to start. There is much skepticism about that Budget Billing plan, and if it is based on Actual readings, and how many customers have gotten money back if they used less energy and gas then Central Hudson projected for them.

To be continued…

Recycling Opportunity: Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Events - Registration Required

Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management announced 2022 dates for their Household Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Recycling Events. Registration opens March 9, 2022, and is limited to a first come first served basis. Only 380 households will be served! Open to Dutchess County residents only, and is partially funded by New York State. The actual event is April 9, 2022. There will be a couple more opportunities again later in the year.

Residents should expect to experience wait times when they arrive at the location due to high demand, advised Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro. Registration is limited to the first 380 households; pre-registration is required for this event, and there is a $10 registration fee; registration often reaches capacity quickly, so residents are encouraged to register promptly.

County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “We can all take an active part in preserving our planet for future generations, and Dutchess County’s upcoming Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Event is the perfect opportunity for residents to get a jump on spring cleaning and help the environment. We appreciate our residents’ desire to keep Dutchess County clean, and we urge residents to register promptly.”

Recycling Event Dates: April 9, 2022, May 21, 2022, and September 17, 2022
Pre-Registration is a MUST.
Location: 626 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY
(access off of Route 44 to Burnett Boulevard)
Registration Fee: Registration and $10 Prepayment Required.
1. Pay online at this registration link, or
2. Call (845) 463-6020, or
3. Pay by check
If paying by check:
Make payable to “Dutchess County Commissioner of Finance”
Mail to:
Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management
96 Sand Dock Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Acceptable Hazardous Waste Items:

Product Containers Marked: “Warning”, “Hazardous”, “Flammable”, “Poisonous”, “Corrosive”

Photo chemicals, non-latex driveway sealer, pool chemicals, creosote, kerosene, flammable liquids, metal polish, turpentine, stains, varnishes, strippers, thinners, gasoline/oil mixture, brake fluid, antifreeze, auto fluids, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, adhesives, resins, solvents, oil & lead based paints (no latex), 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.

Do Not Bring (Not For Hazardous Waste)

Ammunition or explosives, asbestos products, latex driveway sealer & latex paint, building or construction debris, tires, furniture, medical waste, pharmaceuticals, propane or other flammable gas cylinders, radioactive materials, scrap metal, metal drums or empty containers, motor oil, car batteries, alkaline or rechargeable batteries.

Find more information here >

Every Week Recycling Opportunities In Beacon’s Transfer Station

While this event is where you can offload hazardous materials, some of these items may also be dropped of at Beacon’s Transfer Station, including TVs and tires. There may be a fee for some electronic items, but the price is not stated on the City of Beacon’s website at this time. Guess you’ll find out when you go! Bring a check or cash. Click here to see what you can recycle at the City of Beacon’s Transfer Station any week of the year.

Easy Recycling Locations For Batteries And Cords For Beaconites

Sunny Saturdays are for…dropping off specialty recycling of very specific things! Each drop is a little bit of hope.

Batteries and cords can go to Best Buy at the Poughkeepsie Galleria (and several other Best Buys).

The clear filmy plastic bags can go to the special bin at Hudson Valley Brewery behind 1 East Main near Trax Coffee Roasters down in Beacon’s free municipal parking lot. According to Green Beacon Co., the recycling of the filmy plastics was an initiative started by the Beacon Lions and Key Food Beacon. It transitioned to Green Beacon Co. The initiative then partnered with Beacon’s Conservation Advisory Committee.

An upcoming opportunity for recycling Household Hazardous Waste items is on April 9th, May 21st and September 17th. A person must register to the hazardous waste event. Registration begins April 9th and in the past has gone fast. Find details here.

Sudden Storm And Fallen Tree Brings Power Outage To Some Beaconites; Closes Beekman Street

UPDATE 1:30pm 12/3/2021: Central Hudson has responded with what caused the power outage. Please see below for the full explanation.

On the 5th night of Hanukkah, while candles were still burning and lights were glowing in homes, the power went out. From outside their windows of newly darkened rooms, some Beaconites saw flickering flashes of white light across the dark western sky, reminiscent of distant summer fireworks or lightening. The night was windy. Not all Beaconites even realized there was a storm until the power went out and some heard a loud explosion and saw the white lights.

Had the aliens finally landed? Was it happening? “I saw the white light and definitely thought alien invasion,” said one reader @laur1025. “Sigh. I’d welcome aliens at this point,” said another reader, @devaw. “Power still out in what has truly become an alternate universe,” said @scottxny, after the day closed with news from the Supreme Court making quite a few people upset.

The Source Of The White Lights

One reader saw two fire trucks arrive to the scene. One of A Little Beacon Blog’s citizen reporters, Brianne McDowell, was on the case moments after the explosion to find the source. She found the downed tree and pole on Beekman Street where High Street comes into it. High Street is the first street off Beekman as you’re headed to the train station, with the Victorian homes lining the steep hill, across the street from Spire Studios and Ron English’s PopMart. The picture of the down pole and tree on Thursday night is below.

Down power line across High Street. Down tree across Beekman Street. Both across from the Beacon Police Station and the new apartment buildings, The View on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
Photo Credit: Brianne McDowell

Moments after the flash, at least one pole was down on the ground, blocking High Street, across from the Beacon Police Station. A large tree had broken at the base and fallen across Beekman Street.

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Thursday evening, one reader @jackoflackoflames, saw “crews out there working on the exploded transformer/tree now. Road still closed.”

By Friday morning, Beekman Street remained closed to cars, but pedestrians could continue walking to the MTA train station on the grass. Beacon’s Highway Department was on the scene Friday morning, cutting the fallen tree to remove it from the road. By Friday morning, the downed power line was gone, and power had been restored to several customers near Main Street.

The traffic light at 9D and Main Street was out, as were the crosswalk signals (there are new electric crosswalk signals that improve accessibility by beeping a signal calling the person to “Wait!” and then verbally announces which street one can cross).

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Homes on High Street. The fallen power line and tree were at the base of High Street, across from the Police Station.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Photo Credits: Katie Hellmuth Martin

The flash storm took many by surprise. Usually Central Hudson and Optimum send emails warning about an upcoming storm that may cause a power outage. Neither had sent an email this time. “The rain was horizontal. I couldn’t believe it,” said reader @call.me.ella.mar. Murphy’s Law prevailed once again for an unexpected storm in Beacon. The last was remnants of Hurricane Ida, resulting in federal aid through FEMA.

Another reader, Patti Devine, wondered if the new construction being built in that area, which has eliminated several trees and replaced with solid structures, caused a wind vortex. Wind vortexes whip through building blocks in New York City. “My friend on High Street right there has had 2 trees fall on her house in the last couple of years,” Patti said. “Anyone think that maybe all the buildings there has caused a [wind] vortex in that area? Take down all those trees, and the storm has a new path to follow.”

ALBB is seeking confirmation on if the source of the fall is known. If it was lightening, a microburst, a tiny tornado, or other known weather condition.

The morning after the power line was cleared by Central Hudson. The City of Beacon’s Highway Department works to cut the tree in the middle of Beekman Street.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

About 4,300 Power Outages Throughout Central Hudson Service Area

According to John Maserjian, Media Relations Director for Central Hudson, several people were impacted by the storm. Upon responding to ALBB to confirm details, John said: “As of now, there are currently about 4,300 outages throughout Central Hudson’s service area, mostly on the west side of the Hudson River, caused by high winds and trees.”

John responded with an explanation of what caused the power outage: “Our electric line foreman reports that a burst if wind toppled a tree onto the pole on Beekman street, breaking the pole and causing it to fall. There was no transformer on the pole, rather there was mechanical piece of equipment called an Automatic Load Transfer (ALT) device (this device automatically re-routes power when needed to reduce the duration of outages, for example during storms). The flash of light was not an explosion, rather arcing wires as they fell. This highlights why it’s very important to stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines, as they may still be energized.

“The pole was replaced and repairs made last night/early morning. A new ALT will be re-installed in one to two weeks. The majority of the outages in Beacon was due to this fallen pole. Upon their arrival, crews first manually re-routed power to restore service to most of households as quickly as possible, and then went to work to replace the pole.”

According to the Beacon Police Department, the storm went from west to east in Beacon, with residents feeling the effects over on Red School House Road. The Beacon Police Department does have a generator that can kick in when the power goes out. They noted that power went out down 9D and Verplanck, Beekman, and possibly down to Matteawan (near the Beacon High School track).

Serious Comedy Theatre performers in the Old Beacon High School on the corner of Fishkill Avenue and Verplanck wrote in to say that their building did have power, but that their home near the mountain had lost power overnight.

This is a developing story. Updates will be made to this article, or a new article depending.

Stay safe!

Hurricane Ida In-Person FEMA Registration Opportunity For Financial Relief In Beacon and Fishkill - Deadline To Apply December 6, 2021

FEMA is in Beacon on Tuesday and Wednesday (November 9th-10th) to help those impacted by Hurricane Ida register for financial relief as part of a “Mobile Disaster Recovery Center” (MDRC) effort organized by Dutchess County, the Small Business Association (SBA) and other State and Federal Agencies, according to a press release from Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro’s office. FEMA representatives will be in Fishkill’s Town Hall next (November 11th-12th). The first one was in Wappinger Falls days ago.

This is not the only time a person can register for financial assistance due to Hurricane Ida. It is designed to provide another point of access for people to register, who may benefit from doing it with someone. Anyone is encouraged to use this Mobile Disaster Recovery Center for assistance in getting registered. Any Dutchess County resident can use this in-person registration opportunity. Anyone can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362.

Additional MDRCs are being planned for the towns of East Fishkill, Pawling, Dover, Amenia, and North East and the City of Poughkeepsie. The schedule will be updated on DutchessNY.gov as well as the County’s social media.

The deadline to apply for funding is December 6, 2021.

Who Or What Is Eligible For FEMA Financial Assistance?

In late September, 2021, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro applied for and was granted Major Disaster Declaration, which means that the county is “eligible to receive Public Assistance (PA), which is aid available to local governments – the county, towns, villages, and cities – as well as other public entities such as water and sewer authorities and fire districts. Emergency work, such as overtime and debris removal, as well as the repair of damaged public facilities are all considered to be eligible expenses for aid from the federal government. Certain private, non-profits which provide governmental services are also eligible. Under PA, FEMA funds up to 75 percent of the eligible costs,” according to a press release from Dutchess County.

After remnants of Hurricane Ida whipped through Dutchess County, the county made a large effort to collect information about who was impacted and how much it would cost to repair. This helped make Dutchess County eligible for federal FEMA funding.

Said County Executive Marcus Molinaro: “This disaster declaration is good news for our local municipalities who sustained significant damage as it provides much needed support and assistance to repair the more than $2.5 million worth of damage to public facilities throughout Dutchess County following Hurricane Ida. We will continue to press FEMA and the State for ‘Individual Assistance’ to aid the families and businesses who have also sustained significant damage and are struggling to recover. We are grateful to the Governor’s office for their support throughout this weeks-long review process to get the Public Assistance for municipalities and hope we can be equally successful in ensuring Individual Assistance for residents and businesses.”

What You’ll Need For The In-Person FEMA Registration In Beacon, Fishkill, Or Other Pop-Ups

According to the FEMA representatives in Beacon, a person who had damage need only to come down to the FEMA Mobile pop-up and explain damages. Pictures are not needed at this time. Those will be collected when an inspection is conducted. A Social Security number is required.

For Beacon, the door to enter is behind the Memorial Building.

This in-person registration opportunity is not the only way to apply for FEMA aid due to Hurricane Ida. Any Dutchess County resident can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362.

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City Of Beacon Seeks Input On Protecting Green and Open Spaces - Public Survey Open Until October 30th

Beacon’s Conservation Advisory Committee is a busy committee whose mission is “advising the Planning Board and the City Council on matters affecting the preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made features in the City.” Currently, they are looking for public input on open green spaces, and the online survey ends on October 30, 2021.

Early on, they were reviewing Beacon’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan and formed recommendations for the 2017 version. They spearheaded Beacon’s opposition to the proposed Danskammker Energy plant in 2019 under Mayor Randy Casale.

As of June, 2019, was appointed Beacon’s Climate Smart Task Force by the City Council. This task force is headed by the City of Beacon’s Climate Smart Coordinator, Faye Leone. Initially, Eleanor Peck held the position. The task force keeps tabs on what Beacon is doing climate-wise, and from that data, goes to apply for grants that Beacon works to qualify for.

Public Input Wanted About Open Spaces And Usage Of Those Spaces

The committee is seeking the public’s input about current open spaces in Beacon, and how they are used. They are also seeking help to identify where those spaces area. In addition to well-known ones, like Memorial Park, you may be aware of a smaller space that is off the radar, but needs protection.

Among other things, the survey asks,

• When you want to be outside, where do you go? What do you like to do?

• What are the barriers keeping you from visiting Beacon’s parks and open spaces?

• What might make Beacon’s open space more accessible, inclusive, or equitable?

Take the survey here.

How Is An Green And Open Space Defined For This Survey?

According to the survey: “Green and open space is land that is not developed for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional use. Green and open space may be publicly or privately-owned, can serve many purposes, and can range in size. Some examples of green and open spaces are parks, playgrounds, ball courts, community gardens, mountains, and forests.”

Who Is On The Conservation Advisory Committee?

As of now, the following people are on the Conservation Advisory Committee, with vacancy:

Nicole Wooten, 2022
Antony Tseng, 2022
Phillip Stamatis, 2022
Eleanor Peck, 2022
Vacancy, 2022
Sam Adels, 2021
Carinda Swann, 2021
Sergei Krasikov, 2022 *Chair
Vacancy, 2022

You can take the online survey here, which ends on October 30, 2021.

Immersive Climate Theater Experience Comes To Long Dock Park: "Climate Change Theatre Action 2021"

SOON IS NOW is an immersive climate theater experience paired with activism presented in Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park Beacon, NY on Saturday afternoon October 23rd, as part of the Climate Solutions Week (October 17-24) sponsored by Sustainable Hudson Valley. Theatrical performers showing their activism through spoken word and movement, and many of your favorite climate justice and education groups have come together to present solutions in a theatrical way called Climate Change Theatre Action 2021.

Hudson Valley and NYC based artists will read a selection of plays commissioned by Climate Change Theatre Action, a worldwide series of performances of short climate change plays presented biennially to coincide with the United Nations COP meetings. In addition, actors will read a portion of full length play and eco-parable, Escapegoat, by May Treuhaft-Ali. There will be poetry readings by Edwin Torres and Tom King, music by Elizabeth Clark (Seeds Under Nuclear Winter: An Earth Opera) and visual art and activism. Additional participants include: Hudson River Playback Theatre, Katiana Rangel, Twinkle Burke, Andrew Brehm, Chloé Hayat, abigail jean baptiste, Eric Magnus, Jean Brennan. Beacon Conservation Advisory Committee, Sustainable Hudson Valley, Fareground, Clearwater, Climate Reality Hudson Valley & Catskills chapter and others will be present to provide ways for the community to take action.

Schedule:

1pm Activism & Art: Environmental groups present to provide actions & Beacon based artist Jean Brennan will share FRUIT&ROT, an imprint centered around art and ecology.

2:00pm Performance Walking Loops: Sign ups begin at 1:30pm for the 3 walking tours of micro-performances that will take you along the wooded paths, tall grasses, and beach areas of the park. Tours start at 2pm, 2:15pm, and 2:30pm and last approximately one hour. 20 ppl max each tour and first-come, first-served. These tours are not catered towards young children. We can provide masks. Wear comfortable shoes!

2:15pm Sitting/Standing Performances: performances by Hudson River Playback Theatre, Edwin Torres, and Twinkle Burke will take place around the perimeter of the green field next to the Long Dock. These 3 performances are open to all including young children! They will take place in a loop and last until approximately 3:30pm. Bring your folding chair!

Parking Recommendations

Parking in Long Dock is limited. Walking, carpooling and the Free Beacon Loop Bus are encouraged. The Loop Bus drops you at the train station, and you can walk over to Long Dock. The best place to park is in the train station on the side closest to the Hudson River, where all spots are free on the weekends!

About The Producers

This event is part of Hudson Valley Climate Solutions Week organized by Sustainable Hudson Valley. Produced by Eve Morgenstern, Brian Mendes and Connie Hall. Contact: Eve Morgenstern for more information, evemorgenstern@gmail.com.

Use of Long Dock Park for this event has been provided by Scenic Hudson (scenichudson.org). The leading environmental organization focused on the Hudson River Valley, it is dedicated to creating environmentally healthy communities, championing smart economic growth, protecting working farms, opening up riverfronts to the public and preserving the valley’s beauty and natural resources. Since its founding in 1963, Scenic Hudson has permanently protected 25,000 acres of irreplaceable landscapes and created or enhanced more than 40 parks.

Look For Signs

Several graphic designs have been created to represent this initiative. You may see crossovers of them in social media and in other news outlets. Keep your eyes out, and read the messages to learn more.

Money Might Be Available To Residents & Businesses Impacted By Hurricane Ida In Dutchess County From FEMA - Preparation Steps

The Fishkill Creek rushing through Beacon. The creek rose very high and caused damage throughout Beacon and Fishkill.
Photo Credit: Screenshot from Michael Post’s video.

On Friday afternoon via press release, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro encouraged local residents, businesses and municipalities that sustained damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida to document their loss and reconstruction. His office said that Dutchess County is currently working with the New York State Office of Emergency Management as the preliminary damage assessment process begins.

Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for 14 counties in Downstate New York on September 2, 2021, which includes Dutchess County and was approved by President Biden on September 3, 2021. This provides up to $5 Million in immediate federal funding to support response operations ahead of Completion of FEMA Damage Assessments, according to Governor Hochul’s press release.

Also included in her report was and update that DEC Staff continue to monitor for potential damage to wastewater infrastructure, respond to reports of petroleum spills and survey integrity of dams and levees.

As of Governor Hochul’s press release on September 3, 2021, road closures persist on U.S. Route 9, State Route 100, and the Saw Mill River Parkway in Westchester County.

Service on Metro-North's Hudson Line and New Canaan and Danbury Branches Remain suspended.

While compensation is not guaranteed, according to the press release issued by the County Executive's office on Friday (9/3/2021), if the County’s and New York State’s public damage assessment threshold is met, then Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) individual Assistance, financial assistance and direct services to eligible uninsured and underinsured individuals and households can be considered.

As part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Aid process, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response is currently communicating with chief elected officials from each municipality, in an effort to gather cost estimates on public property and infrastructure damages.

The Dutchess County Executive’s Office stated that they reached out to local mayors and supervisors in different communities to ask for contact information for local businesses affected by the storm to assist in connecting them with FEMA in the event the federal government approved disaster assistance for small businesses.

In Beacon, the comparable city leaders would be Beacon's Mayor Lee Kyriacou (mayor@beaconny.gov 845-838-5011) and the City Administrator is Chris White (845-838-5009 cwhite@beaconny.gov)

How To Begin To Prepare To Qualify

The County Executive recommends residents, businesses and municipalities that experienced a loss as a result of Ida take the following steps to document their damage:

• Take photos of their loss or damage

• Assemble a list of damaged or lost items

• Collect receipts for materials they purchased to repair damage caused by Ida

County Executive Molinaro said, “Though Ida has passed Dutchess County, her impact will be felt for weeks or, in some cases, even longer as some residents, businesses and municipalities in our community look to rebuild following this damaging storm. I urge those affected to take steps to document the storm’s impact. Such evidence will bolster their application for reimbursement from New York State, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other possible sources.”

The press release stated that The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce is also contacting its membership, and the County Executive’s Office is coordinating outreach through other business associations to identify businesses affected by Ida.

State of Emergency Declared for Dutchess County During Hurricane Ida's Rain And Flash Flood Warnings

The Fishkill Creek after Tropical Storm Henri. ALBB hasn’t left the house yet to see it after the remnants of Category 4 Huricane Ida.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

In the early hours of Thursday morning at 2am, during the day-long rainfall in the northeast from Hurricane Ida that devestated several communities in southern states, the office of Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro declared a State of Emergency for Dutchess County until 9am Thursday. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for New York just after midnight, as did the state of New Jersey. Flights out of major airports in New York and New Jersey were suspended and all airport parking lots closed due to severe flooding, The Port Authority said.

For Dutchess County, the National Weather Service issued River Flood Warnings from Thursday 4:31am until Friday 8:33pm flood warnings for Wappingers Creek, comparing it to a crest level last seen on 4/3/1970, stating: “Flood Warning for the Wappingers Creek at Wappingers Falls. From late tonight to Friday evening. At 10:30pm Wednesday, the stage was 5.0 feet. Flood stage is 8.0 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. Forecast…The river is expected to ries above flood stage late tonight to a crest of 9.7 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Friday afternoon. Impact…at 10.0 feet, Moderate flood stage. Flood History…This crest compares to a previous crest of 9.6 feet on 4/3/1970.”

Per the emergency state, Dutchess County restricted non-essential travel in 16 municipalities until 9 a.m. Public transportation schedule remained normal. Counties under the travel restriction were: Amenia, Pleasant Valley, Dover, Washington, Millbrook, Town of Poughkeepise, City of Poughkeepsie, LaGrange, Union Vale, Wappinger, Wappingers Falls, Beekman, Town of Pawling, Village of Pawling, East Fishkill and Village of Fishkill.

County offices opened at 10 a.m. In Beacon, the 4-school elementary school supply drop-off where kids can briefly meet their teachers when dropping off school supplies was adjusted by a short time, and parents were advised that some teachers may not have been able to travel in.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said that remnants of Hurricane Ida caused flooding, as well as downed trees and wires throughout portions of Dutchess County. The Dutchess County Emergency Operation Center has been activated and continues to monitor the storm and provide resources as needed. The Dutchess County Emergency Operations Center will remain open throughout the day to continue to address storm issues.

Roadway Flooding In Dutchess County

Flooding included rushing water from the mountains, as well as creeks and rivers. “NYS Route 9, Town of Fishkill - near Clove Road, roadway partially closed due to water running off the mountain and across the roadway,” Molinaro tweeted. “CR-28, Town of Wappinger - Old Hopewell Road, east of Route 9, in the construction zone is flooding and hazardous due to significant water on the roadway. CR-111, Town of Washington - near the monument, now closed due to roadway flooding,” he cautioned in another tweet.

Flooding elsewhere in the region caused swift rescues of people in cars and on foot in small towns such as Mamaroneck and Larchmont, which are both located on the coast of New York in Westchester County.

Abandoned cars on the southbound side of the Saw Mill Parkway, near Yonkers and the Bronx.
Photo Credit: Mark Vergar/The Journal News

Flooding In New York City and Queens

Flash flooding took over parts of Manhattan and Queens, according to several reports including AlJazeera.

Video of water rushing into the NY Subway along 7th Avenue at the 28th Street stop.
Photo Credit: AlJazeera screenshot of video.

The flooding from the rainfall from the Category 4 Hurricane Ida caught some in the northeast offguard, where there were more warnings issued for Tropical Storm Henri. According to AlJazeera, “the National Weather Service said it recorded 8 cm (3.15 inches) of rain in New York’s Central Park in one hour Wednesday night, far surpassing the 4.9 cm (1.94 inches) that fell in one hour during Tropical Storm Henri on the night of August 21 – believed at the time to be the most ever recorded in the iconic park.”

Some Beaconites were caught in the Queens flash flooding in Ridgewood and Middle Village, with nowhere to go in all directions. Dutchess County Emergency Management urges everyone to not drive through water on a road, with this ryhme: “Turn Around. Don’t Drown.”

If you have pictures of areas in your part of Beacon or surrounding areas that you want to share to document how Beacon fared, email them to editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. We cannot pay for pictures this round, but appreciate your contributions.

Wishing safety for all.

Volunteer Opportunity: Rainbow Pool River Extraction From Hudson River

Volunteers Needed To Help Take The Rainbow Pool Out Of The River

When: Thursday, August 19, 2021 - Saturday, August 21, 2021
Time: 9am
Who: Thursday - Friday involves the disassembly lighter-duty work whereas Saturday involves the wet, in the river, heavy extraction work. Individuals with mandated volunteer service hours accepted!

Email: kmanz@riverpool.org to volunteer or visit the Riverpool Website and complete the volunteer form.

Snacks and beverages to be provided!