Winds of up to 40mph blew through Beacon Monday night into Tuesday morning, causing some to lose power.
The Times Union has a Power Outage Tracker that attempts to report power outages as they happen in counties across New York. According to Central Hudson, about 639 people in Dutchess County experienced power loss. Some Beaconites reported darkness as well in social media on Monday night. Outages within other counties were, as reported by Central Hudson:
Albany County: 345
Dutchess County: 639
Greene County: 2,184
Orange County: 1,537
Ulster County: 6,939
Ulster County got pummeled during the last blizzard, and the chance for power outage doesn’t seem to have let up. Central Hudson is currently embroiled in a billing controversy with clients and county leaders, where customer trust is lost in accurate billing. The County Executive for Ulster County Pat Ryan has called for an investigation into Central Hudson’s billing, and Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro calls Central Hudson’s new billing system roll-out “flawed and disturbing.”
As reported by WAMC, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan says he has submitted a letter to the New York State Public Service Commission. The article reports: “He says he has heard complaints from residents about not receiving bills for months, extremely over-estimated bills, and large automatic withdrawals from consumer accounts without notice.” WAMC reports that “once it receives the letter, the Public Service Commission is required to open a formal investigation.”
About The Wind Storm and Restoration
According to Central Hudson, “a low-pressure system moved into the region on Monday night bringing a line of thunderstorms and powerful wind gusts of over 50 miles per hour to some areas. These winds toppled trees and tree limbs onto powerlines causing outages throughout Central Hudson’s service area.”
“Central Hudson’s crews are working to make repairs and restore power to our customers as safely and quickly as possible,” said Ryan Hawthorne, Vice President of Electric Engineering and Operations. “In addition to our full complement of internal crews and contractors, we’re expecting an additional 80 line workers from New York, Connecticut, Maine and Quebec to arrive throughout the day to help address nearly 350 individual damage locations.”
“Conditions on Tuesday will improve and allow us to make significant progress, but we anticipate restoration efforts in the most heavily impacted areas to extend into Wednesday,” Hawthorne added.
Dutchess County is partnering with Afya Foundation to collect needed donations at the former JC Penney site (lower level) 2001 South Road (Route 9) in Poughkeepsie. Who would have predicted that this retail destination would have been a life-saving destination for the past two years. Donations over the next two weekends with the help of and Dutchess County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers. No appointment is necessary.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “This is a horrifying and heartbreaking time for Ukraine, and I know many people in Dutchess County are anxious to help. The generosity of our community has always been strong, and there are specific needs we can help meet. Knowing the heart of this community, let us all come together to help the people of Ukraine, donate what you can and pray for peace.”
Donation Collection Days/Times:
Saturday, March 12th from 9am-1pm Friday, March 18th from 1pm-5-pm Saturday March 19th from 9am-1pm
Specifically, What To Donate
Afya has provided a specific list of needed items. Only new, unopened and non-expired goods will be accepted from the list below. No other supplies are being collected at this time. Needed supplies are as follows:
Flashlights and Flashlight batteries
Baby and Adult Diapers
First Aid Kits
Face Masks
Hand Sanitizer
Personal Hygiene Kits (Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Floss, Deodorant, Shampoo, Razors and Shaving Cream)
Basic Health Supplies (Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Cough medicine, Oximeters, Ace bandages and Compression bandages)
The Dutchess County Departments of Emergency Response and Public Works will assist at collection site operations, including transporting donations to Afya’s Yonkers location. Afya is working in partnership with US-Ukraine-Foundation and others to support the Ukrainian medical community and refugees seeking aid.
About The Afya Foundation
The Afya Foundation was created to serve as a center for giving back and has become a backbone of goodness for the greater New York community. Afya collects unused medical supplies and equipment from throughout the New York metro area and gives them a second life. These critical materials are shipped to under resourced and compromised health systems all over the globe thereby improving access to healthcare, the quality of care delivered, and the retention of local providers. Since their start in 2007, they have successfully established engagement programs and opportunities for volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and capacity to build community at home while supporting healthcare abroad.
Please share this flyer to spread the word about the humanitarian supply collection site and find out about other ways to support the people of Ukraine. If you would like to donate supplies, but cannot get to the JCPenney location on the collection dates, the Afya Foundation has created an Amazon wish list that can be found at https://amzn.to/3q7hUE7. Groups and organizations who would like to coordinate their own collections and add the donations to the county’s collection, please call 845-486-2000 or email counteyexec@dutchessny.gov.
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.”
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.
If you walked past it 20 times, you may not have noticed that the mask covering the face in the mural of the person in the hat on Main Street and N. Chestnut has come down. Do you remember what the mask installation looked like? A piece of the sunflower trimming was spotted near the trash, just like a disposable mask would be.
Readers have been sharing their now iconic photos of the masked version, both as selfies and as statement shots. You can submit yours to editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com if you'd like yours considered. We can't pay for the photo, but we can give you photo credit! See what we have so far.
There is a broader story here. Beacon and other municipalities do not keep their own sales tax. Over the past few decades, Beacon's sales tax has gone to Dutchess County to be collected and used county-wide, with Beacon and other municipalities getting compensated from the county in a fixed rate. In the past two Beacon administrations to sign this deal, Beaconites have never been told the number of sales tax dollars generated from Beacon shops.
Former Mayor Randy Casale confirmed that years ago with A Little Beacon Blog. Current Mayor Lee Kyriacou just met with Dutchess County to renegotiate the rate Beacon gets paid by Dutchess County, and did not reveal Beacon's sales tax total during the public City Council Meeting, if he knows it. Both he and Beacon's City Administrator Chris White are the ones who sign the agreement, and the City Council must vote to pass it, which they did. The legislation now moves forward to other government entities who must also sign it.
THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Book an Event Promotion Advertising spot here.
You can sponsor this Event Guide with your event, for extra promotion of it! If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here,
Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin
The 27th Annual Dutchess County St. Patrick’s Parade
Day: Saturday, March 5, 2022 Time: 9:00 am Location: St. Mary’s Church, Wappingers Falls, NY (Antalek & Moore is proud to support the 27th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade!) More Information >
Recycling Opportunity: Hazardous Waste Disposal & Electronics Events - Registration Required
Days: Day: April 9, May 21, September 17 (Registration opens March 9)
Time: 8:00 am - 12:30 pm (no set appointment time) Location: 626 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY
Access off of Route 44 to Burnett Boulevard. Registration and $10 Prepayment Required.
SAVE THE DATES: Poughkeepsie Day School Virtual Admissions Day: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Time: 10:30-11:15am (Grade 5 - Grade 12) Day: Thursday, March 24, 2022 Time: 3:30-4:15pm (all grades) Location: Virtual
To register or express interest, visit poughkeepsieday.org and click inquire.
So many of you want to know which restaurants are open on Mondays!
So ALBB enhanced our Restaurant Guide to show you. See it here >
TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY
18 West Main St.
One of the more satisfying games in the back room at Two Way... That ‘thud’ when the dart lands just right! Stop in for Pints, flights, grab-n-go or stay and enjoy! Enjoy the games if you decide to stay! Two Way brews all of their beers at their in house brewery located right next to the taproom. See Trivia Schedule here > See beers on tap here > PS: TMcCann Band will be performing every second Sunday of the month at the brewery from 4-7pm. OPEN:
Thursday 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St.
Give us all the fresh bread from BBC! Their French-style bread is made fresh by hand every morning, exclusively using organic King Arthur Flour to ensure superior quality and flavor. In addition, their bakery team focuses on using seasonal, responsibly-sourced ingredients for various breakfast pastries and desserts, including croissants with imported French butter, financiers, canelés, and much more! New Hours! OPEN:
Sunday-Thursday until 7 pm (Closed on Wednesday)
Friday + Saturday until 10 pm
Happy Hour $7 ‘til 7 pm menu is available every day starting at 4 pm! Menu > Order Pick Up or Delivery > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
MOD has you covered (literally) both inside and out! Because we really never know what the weather will be... So, if it's warm and sunny, enjoy a Flower Power on the patio (with a Double Dutch and fries, of course) and if it's cold and snowy, warm up inside with a chili burger and a hot toddy! It's a win-win over at MOD! PS Don't forget to snap a pic of your delish meal and drink and tag MOD on Instagram! PPS Meyers is looking for a full time bartender to join their wonderful team! Please reach out to us at brian@meyersoldedutch.com if you're interested. Open Sunday thru Thursday for Food 11:30am - 9pm; Bar until 10pm Friday and Saturday Food 11:30am - 11:00pm; Bar until midnight. Order Now > Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
It's the weekend, grab a Brunch Burger from Miz Hatties BBQ! Located inside the HV Food Hall. Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu! El Nica: Nicaraguan Food Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar in a well-ventilated space with Outdoor Patio! Shmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff Hudson Shawarma: Falafels, shawarma, baklava, and platters Ciao Chow - Hand made pasta and fried rice Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY Follow Baja 328 on Instagram so you don't miss out on special features like this - A Don Julio spicy Kiwi margarita. Delicious Margaritas and Tacos and Southwest Cuisine all available here! Stay tuned for special features and specials. Baja has an extensive list of over 150 Tequilas! PS: Different specials every week! You don't wanna miss out. See some examples here > PPS: Happy Hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm Check out their specialty drinks > Check out the specials >
BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you!
ZIATUN
244 Main St.
A favorite at Ziatun - Addas Soup! A puréed vegan red lentil soup, with sumac, crispy onions, fresh parsley and a hint of lemon - the perfect pick-me-up! We also recommend a side of Kibbeh (or take it to-go!) - a traditional Middle Eastern dish made with minced beef and bulgur wheat, hand rolled and fried to perfection! See it here! > Menu > Order Online > HOURS
Monday + Thursday-Saturday 11 am-9pm
Tuesday + Wednesday 11 am-4pm
Sunday 11am-8pm Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon Sheila Heti, “Pure Colour” available at Binnacle Books along with many other hidden gems!
“‘Pure Colour’ is a galaxy of a novel: explosive, celestially bright, huge, and streaked with beauty. It is a contemporary bible, an atlas of feeling, and an absurdly funny guide to the great (and terrible) things about being alive. Sheila Heti is a philosopher of modern experience, and she has reimagined what a book can hold.” Binnacle is *Open daily!
Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!
BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon
The birds are back! Early with the rising sun, which is getting earlier and earlier, more morning birds have joined the chorus of wake-up calls. Brett's is freshly stocked with bird feeders to attract different feathr OPEN
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
Keep an eye out for Luxe Optique's New Spring Collection! They just finished up their buying for Spring! Make sure to follow Luxe Optique on Instagram - we guarantee you won't want to miss out on this launch! Oh & tell your friends if you haven't yet! LUXE OPTIQUE IS EXPANDING! They are so happy to announce their newest location on Warren Street in Hudson, NY! Opening in Spring 2022! Congrats Luxe! PS: Appts required for exams. PPS *NEW HOURS
Monday 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Sundays! They've gone shopping! Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY New Website Alert!
Join teacher Samantha Cuello in Yanarella's new Mommy and Me class at 11:45am. Dance with Me is a caregiver/child class, introducing children to creative movement, enhancing the development of motor skills for children as they run, skip, leap, stretch, and dance to the music- all with mom or dad! Basic skills are developed as students interact in new environments and learn to listen, follow and express.
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Antalek & Moore is a full-service insurance agency and risk-management company based right here in Beacon! They offer commercial and personal insurance solutions to customers in the Hudson Valley community, throughout New York State, and across the country. Antalek & Moore is also hiring a full-time receptionist to assist their clients and carry out administrative work. They're looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a positive attitude, and strong attention to detail. To apply, fax your resume at 845-831-5631 or email info@antalek-moore.com. Latest Announcements > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Getting PR in glossy magazines is ideal, but so is getting featured on a business or economy media outlet like Marketplace from American Public Media (APM). The hosts of the variety of shows in the Marketplace family look for stories from small towns in order to highlight the broader economy. Here is how you can pitch your story > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
Starting March 1st, 2022 residents and visitors shopping in Dutchess County will not pay sales tax on individual clothing or footwear items costing less than $110. This cut in sales tax was first announced in October 2021, and adopted when Dutchess County passed its budget in December 2021. Sales tax generated from Beacon continues to be forfeited to Dutchess County - meaning the City of Beacon does not collect the money generated from sales tax to spend at its digression.
For decades, the decision for Beacon, Poughkeepsie and other municipalities in Dutchess County has been to funnel sales tax money to Dutchess County, and receive negotiated payments from Dutchess County in return. The dollar amount of sales tax generated from Beacon has not been disclosed by Dutchess County or New York State, as reported by A Little Beacon Blog, and continues to not be disclosed during Beacon’s recent negotiations with Mayor Lee Kyriacou in 2022 and signed legislation to continue the practice.
But First - The Benefit For Shoppers
According to Dutchess County’s press release from Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro sent 2/28/2022: “The sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear was adopted as part of the 2022 County Budget which provided for and is part of several efforts to deliver sustained tax relief to Dutchess County residents with more than $20 million in annual tax relief, including the largest property tax decrease in County history.”
“Starting Tuesday, residents and visitors will now pay less when they need to make essential clothing and footwear purchases. Combined, we are delivering $20 million in sustained tax relief.”
This means that every item in a store that is clothing or footwear and is under $110 will not be charged sales tax. Shops that ring their sales up manually will need to remember to do this when writing out the receipt. Shops that use point of sale (POS) systems and bookkeeping software like QuickBooks will have an easier time of assigning what products within their inventory have sales tax attached.
Different Sales Taxes Attached To Each Purchase In New York State
There are different taxes attached to retail sales. “In New York State, clothing, footwear, and items used to make or repair exempt clothing which are sold for less than $110 per item or pair are currently exempt from the State’s 4% sales tax,” according to Dutchess County’s press release.
“Consumers currently pay the Dutchess County sales tax rate of 3.75% and the 3/8th% Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MTA) tax, for a total of 4.125% tax on these purchases,” the press release outlined. “Effective March 1st, 2022, Dutchess County becomes one of only 9 counties in New York to eliminate county sales tax on clothing and footwear items under $110, and the only county in the mid-Hudson Valley region to do so.”
Those counties are or have been: Chautauqua County, Chenango County (outside the following) Norwich (city), Columbia County, Delaware County, Dutchess County, Greene County, Hamilton County, Tioga County, and New York City.
The sales tax exemption is a per-item exemption and doe snot include the 3/8th% MTA tax.
According to the press release, Dutchess County retailers were notified of the upcoming sales tax change by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Specific details of the exemption are available online Publication 718-C – Sales and Use Tax Rates on Clothing and Footwear.
Details Of Type Of Clothing Exempt
According to the legislation, “the exemption applies only to clothing and footwear worn by humans. It also applies to most fabric, thread, yarn, buttons, snaps, hooks, zippers, and similar items that become a physical component part of exempt clothing, or that are used to make or repair exempt clothing.”
Items not included in the exemption include costumes or rented formal wear; items made from pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, or imitations; athletic equipment; or protective devices, such as motorcycle helmets.
What This Means For Sales Tax Collected From Beacon
New sales tax sharing agreement for 2023-2032 have been negotiated and are being signed into law. The dollar amount of sales tax generated from stores in Beacon has not been disclosed to the public by Mayor Kyriacou, who very briefly briefed the City Council at a Workshop meeting in February 2022, and more in depth at the following meeting, where the renegotiated rate was unanimously voted Yes on.
According to Dutchess County’s 2/28/2022 press release announcing this new sales tax cut: “The clothing and sales tax exemption goes into effect as the County is working with the Cities of Beacon and Poughkeepsie to update the current sales tax sharing agreement, which provides millions of dollars in sales tax revenue to local municipalities each year. The current agreement expires in 2023, and requires the authorization of each City Council, the County Legislature, and the NYS Comptroller.
“The agreement allows Dutchess County Government to continue to collect a 3.75% County Sales and Use Tax, with the Cities of Poughkeepsie and Beacon surrendering their right to receive one-half of the non-state sales and use tax (which equals 1.5%) collected within their respective municipalities. (The agreement is among these three parties because under state law, only county and city governments have the right to impose a local sales tax; towns and villages do not have that right.)
“The new agreement will be a streamlined agreement that eliminates the complicated formula for sales tax growth contained in the current agreement. The new agreement, which will run from 2023 to 2033, will be a simple percentage formula. Each of the cities will see a graduated increase in the percentage of sales tax received over the term of the agreement, with the City of Poughkeepsie increasing their percentage of sales tax collected from the current 4.59% to receiving 6.02% by 2030. The City of Beacon will go from its current 2.00% to receiving 2.62% by 2030. Local towns and villages will continue to share 9.5% of total county sales tax collected.
“Over the last 10 years, we have distributed more than $300 million in sales tax to our 2 cities, 20 towns and 8 villages. This new agreement increases the percentage of sales tax the two cities will receive, while ensuring the towns and villages sales tax revenue is protected and grows as sales tax receipts grow,” County Executive Molinaro said.
“The City of Beacon Council voted to approve the new agreement on Tuesday, February 22nd. The City of Poughkeepsie Council is expected to vote on the agreement on March 14th. It will then go to the Dutchess County Legislature for vote at the April board meeting.”
Generated Sales Tax Grew In 2021
According to a press release made by Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinar’s office on 10/13/2021: “Dutchess County has seen revenues rebound strongly in 2021, with sales tax receipts well exceeding original projections year-to-date and continued federal reimbursement for many of the COVID-19 expenses as well as American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. This has enabled the County to fill many of the positions that had been held vacant this year and restore full position funding in the 2022 Executive Budget, expand and enhance programs, while also reducing the property tax levy – the amount collected from property taxpayers.”
While Dutchess County indicates that they know the sales tax number generated to them by surrounding municipalities who have forfeited their right to collect their own sales taxes, the totals for each municipalities continues to not be disclosed by Dutchess County, or Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou, if that number was disclosed to him while negotiating with the county on the rate.
Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver said, “At a time when many costs are going up for families, I am very proud that Dutchess County Government is doing all we can to lower costs for our residents. This sales tax exemption helps people hang on to their hard-earned money and also makes Dutchess County an even more attractive shopping destination for visitors. We have worked hard to make smart, conservative fiscal decisions over the years so we can keep providing savings to our citizens.”
Knowing the sales tax number generated by each municipality would help all Dutchess County residents know if their municipality were getting a good deal from the County when being cut a check to be used at each municipality’s digression, in addition to being provided services by Dutchess County.
The person in the hat, a mural in Beacon at 314 Main Street. Days or weeks prior to this photo, the artist had installed a mask on the face. The mask is gone now. Below, find people’s photos of when the mask was up, taken in homage to helping Beaconties stay safe. Today, COVID-19 case counts are down, and vaccination rates are up. Hopefully they stay that way.
Back in 2015, which is 7 years ago, A Little Beacon Blog ran a contest for people to identify where a tiny corner of a photo was around town. It was called the “Where Is This?” Contest. It was a favorite activity for our readers, and it’s time to bring it back! At the time, a tiny snapshot of this photo was the clue, and a Beaconite named Michelle Rivas, who is currently a librarian at the Beacon Public Library, identified it first.
Since then, the mural of the person in the bowler hat at 314 Main Street (intersection of N. Chestnut) has become iconic. Not for it’s photogenic draw as a selfie-stopper for anyone visiting Beacon to get their photo taken in front of this mural, but for what was added to the mural: the mask. After COVID-19 was declared, and face coverings were mandated for public spaces, the artist installed a powder blue lattice mask on this face, trimmed in sunflowers. The move was made during a time of growing frustration with having to wear a mask as a safety measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
And just like that…the mask has been discarded. Sunflowers from the mask installation on the person in the hat mural on the building at 314 Main Street and N. Chestnut Street.
Little by little, more and more selfies emerged on Instagram of people with the masked version of the mural. By the end of February 2022, face mask mandates started coming down. While walking on Main Street one morning, the trimming of sunflowers was spotted sitting by trash cans. No one knew what that meant in that moment, but the entire lattice-based installation of the mask was also gone. A sign? A statement from the artist that they too are removing their mask policy, as restaurants and schools are, now that they are given the choice instead of being mandated by federal or local government? Local shops, eateries and gyms are all reviewing their policies, emailing their customers, and moving forward into what hopes to be a safe situation for what was once normal.
More importantly, now that COIVID-19 case counts have plummeted, vaccination rates are increasing (still room to increase! Kids need their doses, and everyone needs their boosters (talk to your doctor for your own needs if you have concerns).
A Little Beacon Blog has asked the world (jk, the community of residents and visitors to Beacon) to send in their selfies with the masked version of this mural. Or not the selfies - the scene could look different on different days. We will provide photo credit to each photo submitted and published. Email yours to editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com.
And this doesn’t means it’s over. The mask might come back. Get vaccinated! People can wear a mask if they are comfortable doing so.
Beacon Trivia: The stores currently in this building are Last Outpost Store (a great boutique with mens and womens apparel, home collectibles and house-designed jewelry) and Yanarella (a great inclusive dance studio for kids and adults). Prior to Last Outpost Store was The Dance Bag. Memories!
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
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.
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.
The newly formed Foundation For Beacon Schools has announced its 1st Annual Student Film Festival for Beacon City School District (BCSD) students. The festival will premier on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 at the Seeger Theater at the Beacon High School. Students as young as elementary school can enter for consideration, and content can range from Documentary to Narrative (think fiction, stop-motion with Legos, etc.) to Non-Narrative (think abstract figurative set to haunting music) and must be suitable for general audiences with a maximum length of 2 minutes.
The deadline for film submission is April 19, 2022 and can be filmed using a smartphone. Acceptable file formats can include .mov files (for Apple) and .mp4 (for Android).
The foundation is hosting educational events to help students and caregivers think of topics and how to go about making a short film. The online Q&A sessions have been divided to speak to different age groups: Elementary school age children, and Middle/High School age kids. Register for any or all here.
For Elementary Students (Adult caregiver must attend online with student)
Week 1: Monday February 28 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Pre-Production - Developing Your Film Idea.
Week 2: Monday March 7 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Production - Tips for a Successful Film Shoot.
Week 3: Monday March 14 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Post-Production - Editing Your Film.
For Middle and High School Students
Week 1: Thursday March 3 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Pre-Production - Developing Your Film Idea
Week 2: Thursday March 10 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Production - Tips for a Successful Film Shoot
Week 3: Thursday March 17 at 7:00 pm. Topic: Post-Production - Editing Your Film
Started as a cousin to an earlier education foundation, Beacon Arts and Education Foundation, that had been fueled by Meredith Heur (current Board of Education Board Member and President) and Kelly Ellenwood (one of Beacon’s most involved volunteers and one-time City Council Member candidate), the foundation’s mission is for Beacon’s public schools to be at the leading edge in creating a learning environment in which all students are able to find and cultivate their talents, live purposeful, fulfilling, and vibrant lives, and carry their gifts into the future.
Board of Director
Anna Sullivan, Chair Debbie Brennen, Vice-Chair and BAM Co-Chair Rebecca Libed, Treasurer Kelly Ellenwood, Secretary Kit Burke-Smith, Communications Rebecca Correllus, BAM Co-Chair Barbara Fisher, Director Maureen Neary, Director Carole Penner, Director
Advisory Board
Elissa Betterbid (current Beacon Board of Education Member) August Eriksmoen Meredith Heuer (current Beacon Board of Education Member and President) Matt Landahl (current Beacon Superintendent of Schools) Gwen Laster Wren Longno (current City Council Member) Jason McIntyre Craig Wolf (current Beacon Board of Education Member) Susan Wright
The robo-call came in on Sunday afternoon, while Beaconites were out doing things like going to Bounce! or grocery shopping, from Beacon’s Superintendent Landahl letting district families know that New York’s Governor Hochul had made her decision on the mask mandate. “After consulting with health and education experts, as well as parents, teachers and school administrators,” Governor Hochul explained that she was comfortable lifting the mask mandate for school children due to more New Yorkers getting vaccinated and a steady decline over the past several weeks in cases and hospitalizations from Omicron, on March 2nd.
Dr. Landahl robo-called to say that he agreed, and supported anyone’s decision to continue to wear a mask stating: “We also fully support staff or students who want to continue to wear masks. It has been a long 2 years for all of us and I want to take a moment to thank all of our staff for their tireless efforts over this difficult time. I want to thank our families for their incredible levels of patience and flexibility. Finally, I want to thank our students for their perseverance and leadership during this time.”
Some middle school students who prefer masks, voiced skepticism at the announcement. One student worried about their non-vaccinated friends. Another student made predictions about who would be taking their mask down right away, presumably based on what their parents wanted them to do, the student said. Both students expressed relief at being able to remove the mask when they wanted to, especially during gym class.
The Metrics Behind The Mandate Lift
Governor Hochul said that her decision “follows recent changes in metrics used by the CDC to determine risk and transmission levels in communities. Other mitigation measures should remain in place.”
“Among large states, New York has the highest rate of adults fully vaccinated for COVID-19,” Governor Hochul explained. “The highest rate of teenagers fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and the 2nd-highest rate of children ages 5-11 fully vaccinated. New York State has experienced a 98% decline in COVID-19 cases since the Omicron peak, and a continuous downward trend in cases for 51 consecutive days.”
Vaccination clinics continue to be hosted, and New York State established 261 vaccination sites for kids so far. Attention will need to continue to be paid to vaccination requirements as efficacy rates are measured over time. Long haul COVID-19 remains a factor, with unknown symptoms potentially lingering.
"With more New Yorkers getting vaccinated, and the steady decline over the past several weeks in cases and hospitalizations from Omicron, we are now entering a new phase of the pandemic. Because New Yorkers have stepped up, we can confidently remove the statewide mask requirement in our schools," Governor Hochul said. "This is a huge step forward for our kids and communities and I am grateful to the students, educators and parents for their dedication to keeping us all safe—we've reached this milestone because of your hard work."
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro issued a statement on Sunday in response to the mask mandate lift, saying: “We welcome the end to mask requirements for our children later this week – and will take no action to require them locally.”
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.
Welcome to another installment of Friday Snow Day In Beacon! You needed another winter workout, right? Just as the daffodils were beginning to shoot out of the ground, a snow-sleet blanketed them. Dutchess County announced its preparation, and the Beacon City School District closed. Don't think this is it - there were a couple years in a row when snowfall withered the magnolia blossoms.
Meanwhile, Beacon's Annual Parade of Green is back on the event schedule! This annual parade marked the first parade that was closed days after the pandemic was being declared (read about that memory lane here). Beacon has not approved any parade in the two years of the pandemic. The first one to launch was the inaugural Beacon Spring Celebration Of Light sidewalk parade last weekend, which was cold and blustery but very warm in spirit and fun.
The Beacon Parade of Green is a symbolic come-back. Read about it here, and save the date of Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 12pm.
THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Book an Event Promotion Advertising spot here.
You can sponsor this Event Guide with your event, for extra promotion of it! If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here,
Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin
Free Breakfast For Veterans
Day: Saturday, February 26, 2022 Time: 8am - 10am Location: Veterans Memorial Bldg, 413 Main St, Beacon, NY
Reservations required! Free for Veterans and one guest.
SAVE THE DATES: Poughkeepsie Day School Virtual Admissions Day: Wednesday, March 2, 2022 Time: 9:30-10:15am (PreK-Grade 4) Day: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 Time: 10:30-11:15am (Grade 5 - Grade 12) Day: Thursday, March 24, 2022 Time: 3:30-4:15pm (all grades) Location: Virtual
To register or express interest, visit poughkeepsieday.org and click inquire.
So many of you want to know which restaurants are open on Mondays!
So ALBB enhanced our Restaurant Guide to show you. See it here >
TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY
18 West Main St.
Line ‘em up! Great weekend to cozy up at the brewery and try a few different beers. Pints, flights, grab-n-go or stay and enjoy! Two Way brews all of their beers at their in house brewery located right next to the taproom. See Trivia Schedule here > See beers on tap here > PS: TMcCann Band will be performing every second Sunday of the month at the brewery from 4-7pm. OPEN:
Thursday 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Two Way Brewing Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Dreaming of CRISPY double-fried wings w/sweet & spicy sauce from Eat Church!
As well as these cold sesame noodles > Eat Church has all the goods that you need to try if you haven't yet! You can also visit their website for Weekly Menu/Specials >
Find Eat Church at more places:
Fri & Sat at Industrial Arts Brewing (foodtruck)
& ToGo at Marbled Meat Shop in Coldspring & at Beacon Pantry! Website >
Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St.
BBC's latest espresso creation, the Crème Brûlée Latte! The bakery made the most decadent crème brûlée syrup to pair with their locally roasted espresso, topped with caramelized sugar milk foam! Stop in to treat yourself this weekend! New Hours! OPEN:
Sunday-Thursday 8am - 7pm (closed Wednesday)
Friday & Saturday 8am - 10pm Menu > Order Pick Up or Delivery > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Here’s some OG delicious options from MOD! Single Dutch, Chicken Tenders, & Fries. The perfect trio and exactly what you need this weekend! PS Meyers is looking for a full time bartender to join their wonderful team! Please reach out to us at brian@meyersoldedutch.com if you're interested. Open Sunday thru Thursday for Food 11:30am - 9pm; Bar until 10pm Friday and Saturday Food 11:30am - 11:00pm; Bar until midnight. Order Now > Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Carne Asada from El Nica Spot! Located inside the HV Food Hall -
- Nica Slaw (ensalada de Repollo)
- Gallo Pinto (Fried rice&beans)
- Fried Cheese
- Flank Steak w/chimichuri, pickle onions Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu! El Nica: Nicaraguan Food Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar in a well-ventilated space with Outdoor Patio! Shmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff Hudson Shawarma: Falafels, shawarma, baklava, and platters Ciao Chow - Hand made pasta and fried rice Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you!
BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
We weren't kidding when we said don't miss out on Baja's specials! We don't even have words for this photo... YUM! Baja has delicious tacos with over 15 different flavors all made with fresh ingredients! Add on a delicious & refreshing drink! OR order pick-up/take-out. Baja also offers catering so you can order & stock up because why wouldn't you want to do that?! PS: Different specials every week! You don't wanna miss out. See some examples here > PPS: Happy Hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm Check out their specialty drinks > Check out the specials >
BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you!
ZIATUN
244 Main St.
Rice bowls from Ziatun! A favorite plant-powered lunch, loaded with seasoned basmati rice, house hummus + baba ghanoush, and so much more! Stop by to try the authentic and fresh flavor combinations of this dish that will please everyone! Top off with kebabs, grilled veggies, falafel or feta to enjoy it your way Menu > Order Online > HOURS
Monday + Thursday-Saturday 11 am-9pm
Tuesday + Wednesday 11 am-4pm
Sunday 11am-8pm Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon Jessie Singer, “There Are No Accidents: The Deadly Rise of Injury and Disaster — Who Profits and Who Pays the Price” available at Binnacle! “In this revelatory book, Singer tracks accidental death in America from turn of the century factories and coal mines to today’s urban highways, rural hospitals, and Superfund sites. Drawing connections between traffic accidents, accidental opioid overdoses, and accidental oil spills, Singer proves that what we call accidents are hardly random. Rather, who lives and dies by an accident in America is defined by money and power. She also presents a variety of actions we can take as individuals and as a society to stem the tide of “accidents”—saving lives and holding the guilty to account.” Binnacle is *Open daily!
Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!
BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon
SEEDS! SEEDS! SEEDS! They're finally here! At Bretts! We know the weather has been wonky but nothing like getting all the seeds to 'spring' your warm weather mood! Stop in. OPEN
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
Okay, Luxe, we can’t get over how AMAZING Karen looks in her brand new Platoy frame either! SO GOOD! Platoy is a fun, unique brand that Luxe just welcomed into their store! Stop in this weekend & check out the amazing collection! PS: Tell all of your friends!
LUXE OPTIQUE IS EXPANDING!
They are so happy to announce their newest location on Warren Street in Hudson, NY! Opening in Spring 2022! Congrats Luxe! PS: Appts required for exams. PPS *NEW HOURS
Monday 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Sundays! They've gone shopping! Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
470 Main Street, Beacon
All the Spring feels over at La Mere! The cutest outfits shown in the window and PLENTY more inside! Colorful but neutral = our favorite. Stop in and get ready for Spring! It's coming!
*New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping
Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! PPS: MENS clothing now available!
OPEN THIS WEEKEND:
Friday 12-6pm
Saturday 11-6pm
Sunday 12-5pm
Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY New Website Alert!
Yanarella has been guiding and instructing students since 1957- over 60 years ago! Since the day they opened their doors, their philosophy has been “every child should have the same opportunity to dance, regardless of talent or ability. There is no can’t in dance. There’s only a C-A-N.”
The classes are inclusive and wardrobe is flexible. Even if a a child doesn't have ballet slippers, they can still come. Chances are, if you felt compelled to sponsor a shoe, Yanarella could guide you in the right direction of what sizes might be needed!
Visit Yanarella Dance online. Yanarella is a Sponsor, thank you!
Newburgh Armory Unity Center Saturday Enrichment Program Spring Session Registration Opens 2/12/2022 Information >
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
Antalek & Moore is a full-service insurance agency and risk-management company based right here in Beacon! They offer commercial and personal insurance solutions to customers in the Hudson Valley community, throughout New York State, and across the country. Antalek & Moore is also hiring a full-time receptionist to assist their clients and carry out administrative work. They're looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a positive attitude, and strong attention to detail. To apply, fax your resume at 845-831-5631 or email info@antalek-moore.com. Latest Announcements > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Read this article to on Tin Shingle on what to do when speaking your truth via your business is risky business. For some, simply existing is an act of resistance or speaking truth. Read this article to learn subtle ways to show your support for something; why showing your support via your business can be good for your business; and why piggy-backing on media stories can bring timely relevance to a story angle you are working on. This is a way to promote content you already have, like this episode with restaurateur Kamel Jamal of Ziatun, Beacon Bread Company, and WTF on the Beacon-based podcast “Wait, What Is That?” co-hosted by Katie Hellmuth Martin and Brandon Lillard. Read This > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
The 2022 Parade of Green flyer, on the counter at Luxe Optique. For months after the cancellation of the 2020 version at the beginning of the pandemic, the flyer was kept up in storefront windows, as time had stopped.
The time was March 2020, and Beacon’s Parade of Green was scheduled to happen. News kept breaking about this thing called the coronavirus, which was then called COVID-19, which caused very serious symptoms for some, and no symptoms for others. The virus was a mystery, but seemed to spread in large crowds. In California, Disneyland shut down and their governor created restrictions on public gatherings. California was always one step ahead of New York in what was to become “the pandemic.” Events in other Hudson Valley communities were being canceled, and there was a rumor that Beacon’s Parade of Green would be canceled as well.
A Little Beacon Blog reached out to the City of Beacon, and to one of the parade organizers, Richie Kaplan, co-owner of Max’s On Main, to find out. He didn’t know for sure. He said that the City Council members hadn’t given him an answer yet. Then City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero told ALBB that a decision would be made in the morning. When the answer came, it was to cancel. New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade also canceled. New York City Schools closed days later.
Moments amid Beacon’s parade canceling, the restaurant Dogwood, owned by City Council Member George Mansfield, announced that it would be open for any parade people looking for Guinness. Dogwood would be one of Beacon’s hardest hit restaurants when it closed for the winter when others were scraping by doing takeout. Dogwood would reopen again in the spring. Councilmember George became a vocal proponent of virus safety.
Back in 2020, ALBB reached out to Mayor Kyriacou seeking a quote from him about the new concept of social distancing, and how to support businesses who were voluntarily closing down in order to stay physically healthy. His response at the time: “All the experts say that the most important thing that we can do is slow the transmission of COVID-19 (‘flatten the curve’), so that our emergency services are not inundated. What that means in practice is canceling large crowd events, and practicing ‘social distancing.’ It does not mean shutting everything down.”
The unimaginable of shutting everything down did happen. As did a pause on several economic factors, including the collection of mortgage payments, and the creation of an eviction moratorium. Some car insurance companies issued tiny refunds just to be nice. The City of Beacon launched its first online bill payment system to encourage people to pay their water bills to avoid coming into Town Hall to pay.
Hurrah For Vaccine Progress So That We Can Convene
Horrific virus variants later, several adults and a growing number of children in New York State have been vaccinated, assisting in creating an environment of safety for shopping, eating and gathering together again. During this week’s 2/22/2022 City Council Meeting, one of the creators and organizers of the parade, Richie Kaplan, addressed the council, giving thanks for their approval of the parade.
“Can I come back next week for the parade?”
— Little Girl, after attending Beacon's Parade of Green
“Two years ago almost on a Wednesday night,” Richie said, “I get a phone call from the City of Beacon that 3 days from now, I will not be allowed to have 1,000 participants and 5,000 people during the City of Beacon celebration.
“Almost 2 weeks ago [and 2 years later], we have an approval. Thank you. I'd like to thank the City of Beacon and the Community of Beacon for allowing us to do this. This a family parade. High School, the Elks Club. So many happy faces. I'm very happy to be here to thank everyone involved. The Highway Department. The Police Department. Chris (Beacon's current City Administrator), you did a lot of work. Everyone else. Hopefully everyone will come out. Hopefully we will have all of the happy faces.
“From our first parade, I had a very nice family come in [to my restaurant, Max's on Main]. A little 6 year old asked me 'Can I come back next week for the parade?' Please, please please come out to the parade."
The parade starts at 12pm and will roll down Main Street. Organizations and businesses are invited to participate with a “float,” which can be a car or people walking or rolling behind a banner or some signage. Participation is limited to 60 organizations which must fill out an application form. Rules include no politicking, no drinking alcoholic beverages before or during the parade (Beacon has a history with St. Patrick’s Day parades), and a limit on the size of the float. Participants are encouraged to hand out packaged candy, but cannot throw it.
Businesses and organizations wishing to participate can contact Richie at Max’s on Main.
As winter storm predictions mounted this week, the final call came at the end of the day Thursday from the Beacon City School District announcing that school and district offices would be closed Friday in anticipation of the snow and ice event that is scheduled for Friday.
The Dutchess County Executive issued a press release outlining preparedness steps, including the closure of county offices. Buses are so far scheduled to run. Riders can check for delays or schedule changes at www.dutchessny.gov/publictransit, on the DCPT mobile app, or call (845) 473-8424.
From Dutchess County’s Press Release:
The National Weather Service (Albany) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Dutchess County beginning at 10pm tonight until 7pm Friday, Feb. 25th. Snow is expected to start falling after midnight tonight with snowfall rates reaching or exceeding 1” inch per hour overnight. Due to the uncertainty of the storm’s track, the rapid accumulation and variety of precipitation anticipated and the expected prolonged duration of the storm, County Executive Marc Molinaro announced County offices will be closed Friday, February 25th.
Snow is anticipated to mix with freezing rain Friday morning, impacting the commute and making travel hazardous. Snowfall is expected to accumulate quickly on untreated surfaces due to low temperatures overnight, with accumulations between 4”-6” inches throughout much of Dutchess County and up to 8”-12” inches in the northern parts of the county. This afternoon, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro hosted a conference call with local and state elected officials, as well as representatives from utility companies and County officials from Emergency Response, Public Works and others to discuss potential storm impacts and proactive measures being taken.
Dutchess County Executive Molinaro said, “We are monitoring this storm closely as it evolves. We want all residents to be safe and avoid travel if possible. If you must travel, recognize that you'll need to allocate extra time for safety purposes, as crews work to clear roadways. We are grateful to the first responders, highway crews, and utility workers who put their lives on the line to provide for our safety and security during emergencies.”
The Dutchess County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated as necessary to respond to storm conditions and Dutchess County’s 9-1-1 Communication Center is fully staffed, with additional staffing scheduled for the overnight and tomorrow.
Dutchess County Public Works highway crews have loaded trucks with materials, salt will be applied to County roadways as the storm begins, and crews will be out through the duration of the storm to clear roadways.
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office will have additional road patrol deputies deployed in four-wheel-drive vehicles, as well as other all-terrain vehicles prepared, and will work collaboratively with the Department of Emergency Response to respond as needed.
Dutchess County Public Transit (DCPT) will operate on a normal fixed-route schedule, but passengers should anticipate possible delays due to road conditions. Riders can check for delays or schedule changes at www.dutchessny.gov/publictransit, on the DCPT mobile app, or call (845) 473-8424.
The Office for the Aging’s 8 Senior Friendship Centers will be closed Feb. 25th, and there will be no Home Delivered Meals deliveries. Shelf-stable meals have been delivered to seniors enrolled in the program.
Dutchess County Government offices will be closed Friday, February 25, including Dutchess County Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices. Confirmed DMV appointments on Friday will be honored at the same time and office on Monday, February 28th.
On the double-twos Tuesday 2/22/2022, the agenda for the City Council Meeting is packed. You can read the full agenda here, and when the video of the public meeting is posted the following day, the video is published with the agenda as well. You can find original and official agendas on the City of Beacon website.
Highlights include 2 Public Meetings where the public is invited to voice their opinion on a specific topic. This week, those are:
Good Cause Eviction Law for Beacon: While laws do exist in New York State that can protect the tenant, communities throughout New York State have been pursuing an additional protection and requirement of the landlord to show “good cause” for evicting a tenant when the landlord brings the tenant to court. Tenants should be reminded that they should not self-evict. There is a process the landlord must pursue. The outcry from the public to support this law resulted in the City of Beacon entering into an agreement with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV). While Legal Services of the Hudson Valley helps all in the Hudson Valley via their Housing Unit page, the agreement with Beacon gave Beaconties access to a paralegal. Regardless of if you have the phone number or not, contact the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to get help if you are threatened with eviction. They can provide assistance. This Public Comment portion is on if Beacon should adopt Good Cause Eviction legislation crafted for Beacon or not. Please do read the 16 page proposed legislation before commenting. There are many details included in it that go beyond assumptions of what is fair for people from a philosophical level. It is 16 pages and you can read the latest draft here.
Residency Requirements for Career Firefighters and the Fire Chief: The City Council is pursuing enlarging the sphere of residency for Career Firefighters from 15 miles to 30 miles. For the Fire Chief, it is proposed that the Fire Chief live at a distance at the digression of the Mayor. The thought process is that the Fire Chief is not on as many active calls, and can live farther away. In 2022, the City of Beacon hired 3 Lieutenants, giving them a comfortable amount of leadership. As Beacon’s current Fire Chief approaches retirement, the City of Beacon is preparing for recruitment. Read the proposal here.
Sales Tax Agreement With Dutchess County Up For Renewal
One long term item on the Agenda is the Sales Tax for the City of Beacon. For the last few decades, Dutchess County has collected and kept the sales tax for Beacon and other municipalities, and paid back to Beacon and other municipalities in a negotiated guaranteed flat rate over a number of years. However, the total number of dollars acquired through Beacon’s Sales Tax has not been revealed to Beacon officials in the previous administration by Dutchess County nor by New York State. According to Beacon’s previous Mayor Randy Casale, Dutchess County Marcus Molinaro claimed to also not know knew the total Sales Tax number. Hard to believe? Seems like those numbers live somewhere. ALBB did extensive research to find it, but came up empty handed. The City of Beacon is about to enter a new agreement with Dutchess County to continue collecting Beacon’s Sales Tax in return for a flat rate of money paid on a regular basis. While this may be a good arrangement, how would one know, if one doesn’t have the Sales Tax number to consider when presented with a proposed flat rate? ALBB did a Deep Dive on this issue a few years back. Brush up on your Sales Tax knowledge here as Beacon enters into this negotiation.
The literary Open Mic night, “Lit Lit” is temporarily moving for its March location from the Howland Cultural Center to Happy Valley Bar, 296 Main St. in Beacon, on Thursday, March 3rd from 7-9pm. The event free, and proof of vaccination will be required at the door. People can buy drinks and snacks as they like. Normally “Lit Lit” is on the first Friday of the month at the Howland Cultural Center, but this month is different as the Howland undergoes planned renovations.
Founded by Donna Minkowitz, a writer of memoir, journalism and fantasy, “Lit Lit” has been a success. “We have a very warm and welcoming crowd, and we get a great turnout of local writers and readers!” Donna told A Little Beacon Blog.
How It Works
Anyone can sign up to read their own writing of any genre, for up to five minutes in length, “or until we run out of time,” says Donna. For info, people can contact Donna at litlitseries@gmail.com.
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A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
