Rhinecliff.org newsletter

Interested in the future of Rhinebeck's Historic District and the Hamlet of Rhinecliff? Do you want to hear about what that future could look like from the country's foremost expert on how to prevent sprawl while maintaining open space and valuable natural resources?

 If so, please mark your calender for an important presentation and discussion by Randall Arendt, the country's leading conservation land planner and the author of the American Planning Association's Rural By Design.  Mr. Arendt will be speaking on Friday August 1 at 7:30 pm at Morton Library in Rhinecliff and again at 10 am on Saturday August 2 at the Town Hall in Rhinebeck.  

Mr. Arendt's discussion will focus on the Rhinebeck Historic District and Hamlet of Rhinecliff while discussing strategies that can help the Town of Rhinebeck to realistically achieve its goals of maintaining open space while protecting important natural resources.  

Mr. Arendt originated the "four step" conservation subdivision approach that is featured in the Town's Draft Comprehensive Plan and Draft Zoning.  He has worked with hundreds of municipalities across the country to plan for growth without sprawl. 

This is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of Rhinebeck.

Interested in the future of Rhinebeck's Historic District and the Hamlet of Rhinecliff? Do you want to hear about what that future could look like from the country's foremost expert on how to prevent sprawl while maintaining open space and valuable natural resources?

 If so, please mark your calender for an important presentation and discussion by Randall Arendt, the country's leading conservation land planner and the author of the American Planning Association's Rural By Design.  Mr. Arendt will be speaking on Friday August 1 at 7:30 pm at Morton Library in Rhinecliff and again at 10 am on Saturday August 2 at the Town Hall in Rhinebeck.  

Mr. Arendt's discussion will focus on the Rhinebeck Historic District and Hamlet of Rhinecliff while discussing strategies that can help the Town of Rhinebeck to realistically achieve its goals of maintaining open space while protecting important natural resources.  

Mr. Arendt originated the "four step" conservation subdivision approach that is featured in the Town's Draft Comprehensive Plan and Draft Zoning.  He has worked with hundreds of municipalities across the country to plan for growth without sprawl. 

This is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of Rhinebeck.

A meeting of interested land owners in the national landmark district, and, more specifically, homeowners on River Road, will be held at 189 River Road, at 6pm on Friday, June 20.

The discussion will center around the draft Comprehensive Plan and its implications for those living in the community.

Please email or call Kathy Hammer (hammerkw@aol.com - 876-5344) if you will be able to attend.

Meeting place: 189 River Road. Go through iron gates and up to the house. Go in, the doorbell doesn't work.

At the last Town Board meeting, the new Board discussed and approved a drastic cut in the salary of the recreation director in executive session without notification to the community, and without a public meeting.

Recreation Director Karri Wolfe, who has done an outstanding job improving the quality of recreation programming, was not given a chance to negotiate and has resigned.

Slashing the director's salary will reduce the quality and quantity of recreation programming. Not having the expertise and experience of a returning Recreation Director is damaging to the program. Recreation Directors for Red Hook and Hyde Park pay substantially more than Rhinebeck.

We urge you to attend the Feb. 11 meeting to tell the Town Board you support current funding for the recreation program. The agenda for tonight’s meeting lists accepting Karri Wolfe's resignation as the next to the last item on the agenda.

For more information on the issue, please see the letter from former Town Board member Linda Souers, on rhinecliff.org.

Demand Your Democracy!

Today is election day and your vote really counts. In 2005, the election for Town Supervisor was decided by just 93 votes. Don’t just vote, call your neighbors and make sure they vote too.

Visit rhinecliff.org for Special Election 07 coverage and catch up on the latest campaign news. Watch our interview with Steve Block, listen to WAMC’s interview with Steve Block, read the controversial political ads that have been filling our local papers and mailboxes.

rhinecliff.org

Interview with Town Board Supervisor Steve Block

rhinecliff.org has posted special election coverage for 2007. We asked both candidates running for Town Supervisor for an extensive on-camera interview to discuss the issues that matter most to the residents of our historic hamlet and town.  We have interviewed Steve Block, our current Town Supervisor. Mr. Block answered questions on issues ranging from problems at PANDA, Town and Village relations, the comprehensive plan and specific concerns of Rhinecliff residents. Click here to watch the interview.

Please attend the Rhinebeck Town Board meeting on Tuesday, October 9, at the Rhinecliff Firehouse. During this meeting, the Board will consider recommendations for an official DOT request to lower the speed limit on various streets in Rhinecliff. The Board will also be considering the Orchard Street resolution by the Rhinecliff Advisory Council.

Click here to review the full agenda.

Register to vote

The last day to register to vote is Friday, October 12. The voter registration form is available at rhinecliff.org at the top left of the home page.

Please attend the Rhinebeck Town Board meeting on Tuesday, October 9, at the Rhinecliff Firehouse. During this meeting, the Board will consider recommendations for an official DOT request to lower the speed limit on various streets in Rhinecliff. The Board will also be considering the Orchard Street resolution by the Rhinecliff Advisory Council.

Click here to review the full agenda.

Also, please note that video of the full Town Board meetings from September 24 and 25 are available at rhinecliff.org. They're posted on the homepage. Just scroll down until you see them in the center column. 

Public input encouraged at the Rhinecliff Hamlet Advisory Council meeting tonight at 7 pm at the Rhinecliff Firehouse. Agenda includes a discussion with Town Highway Superintendent, Kathy Kinsella, and a continued discussion on the Open Space and Affordable Housing Report.

Scenic Hudson's Steve Rosenberg, a member of the Open Space and Affordable Housing Committee, will also attend tonight's meeting to give a brief overview of the committee's goals, methodology, and implementation ideas. This will be an open discussion with the audience.

Video of Town Board Meetings Available on rhinecliff.org

rhinecliff.org is pleased to offer video of the Rhinecliff Advisory Council's 14 point review of the proposed Rhinebeck Town Comprehensive Plan. Video is also available for the September 17 Town Board Meeting. We will endeavor to post all future Town Meetings within 7-10 days of the event. These meetings will be archived to make them available to everyone at anytime. Check it out at rhinecliff.org.

Rhinecliff Waterfront Day Committee looking for volunteers

This year, we will celebrate the hamlet with the 3nd annual Rhinecliff Waterfront Day on Saturday, August 11, 2007. While the Town provides basic resources to the waterfront, these events can only happen through a team of dedicated volunteers.

Please consider giving some of your time and talent by volunteering for one of the events.

Click here to fill out the volunteer form. Please mail it to Rhonda Hammond, Rhinecliff Waterfront Day Committee, 533 Ackert Hook Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. If you have any questions, please call Rhonda @ 876-1904 between 4 and 9 pm.

Concert at the Rhinecliff Dock
Sunday, July 1, 2007
7:30pm - 10:30PM

It has been a longstanding tradition for many to watch the Kingston 4th of July fireworks from the Rhinecliff Dock. This year will be no different except for the addition of live music.

Plan to head down to the dock with your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy local talent beginning at 7:30pm to 10:30pm. The local pop band, U-Guys, will perform tunes from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Watch the Kingston fireworks scheduled to begin at approximately 9:45pm. Alcohol is prohibited. Concessions will open at 7pm. Admission is free. No rain date.

Participate in process – Town to adopt Comprehensive Plan and zoning law

In the coming months, the Town Board will be reviewing and adopting the Comprehensive Plan and the zoning law for the town of Rhinebeck. The next nine months are critical for people to be aware of what’s happening and participate in the process.

Town Supervisor Steve Block has put together a tentative schedule for completion and enactment of the Comprehensive Plan, the DGEIS, and amendments to the zoning law. Click here to review this schedule. Comments to the Town Board can be sent to Steve Block at SGBlock@aol.com.

Cynthia Philip, biographer of the artist, inventor and entrepreneur Robert Fulton, will present a lively and informative talk illustrated with his work. With her history of Rhinecliff to be published in 2008, Ms. Philip will connect the man with the river and the region.

Friday, June 22, 2007, 7:00pm

Morton Memorial Library, 82 Kelly Street, Rhinecliff

Sorry for the late notice. If you are available, please stop by to help:

Volunteers are needed to help mulch, weed, plant and paint at the Rhinecliff Dock.

Please bring gloves, planting tools, wheelbarrows. We have the mulch, paint, rollers and handles. Refreshments provided.

Please lend a hand.
Any time given is appreciated!

Sponsored by the Rhinecliff Waterfront Committee.
For more information, call 845-876-5738.

RHINECLIFF BRUSH AND LEAF PICKUP

The cost of the project is approximately $8,000. The Fire Company is requesting donations for this project. For more information, go to rhinecliff.org, or call Todd Young at (845) 876-7175

Click here for the Rhinecliff Hamlet Advisory Council's recommendations to the Town Board regarding the Comprehensive Plan.

Upcoming events:

• Morton Memorial Library presents an introduction to the world of teas, Sunday, February 11, 3:30-5:30 pm
• Rhinecliff Firehouse pancake breakfast, Sunday, February 11, 8-11 am
• Town Board meeting Monday, February 12 at 6:45 pm. On the agenda -consideration of the Rhinecliff Hamlet Advisory Council's proposal to expand  moratorium to encompass additional, larger developments

For more information, got to rhinecliff.org.

The Rhinecliff Advisory Council has spent a great deal of time reviewing the Rhinebeck Comprehensive Plan and getting input from the community. The committee is delivering their comments to the Town Board on Monday. The Council will also outline recommendations for a sound planning strategy that protects the hamlet and strengthens Rhinebeck’s quality of life. Please attend to show your support.

Monday, February 5