Credit: Judith Wolff
At its Nov. 14 meeting, the Ancram Town Board voted to cut 2025 property taxes by 5%, a reduction of approximately $36,000 in revenues. It approved a $37,000 expenditure for repairs needed immediately to the Town Hall roof and a $30,000 increase in Highway Department funds for the balance of this year. All these adjustments will be covered by the town’s cash reserve, estimated to be $1.5 million.
The board unanimously approved the $2 million 2025 operating budget. There are some minor changes from the 2024 budget that reflect actual expenses and adjustments of personnel (including a 3% salary increase for most town employees). Health insurance costs have risen and the Buildings Department revenue from permits is projected to rise. The town projected a slight decrease in sales tax gathered through Columbia County; and a line item for Ancram Affordable Housing was increased from $10,000 to $35,000, an amount approved by the board in 2023.
A pre-meeting workshop was devoted to the discussion of recommendations for the problematic intersection of State Route 82 and County Route 7 in the center of Ancram. In the summer, the board engaged the engineering firm Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) to evaluate safety issues. The company’s vice president, Michael Wieszchowski, presented the findings: severe angles and steep grades, very poor sight lines — resulting in several crashes without fatalities — and a difficult turning radius for trucks. Visibility is also abysmal from the nearby slip ramp in front of the former Simon’s General Store. GPI found no speeding issues, and the traffic volume was too low to qualify for a standard traffic control signal.
Credit: Mary Jenkins.
Of the seven solutions proposed by the engineering firm, two would significantly improve sight distance and reduce driver confusion. The first would likely cost more than $2.5 million and would create a single-lane roundabout just southwest of the current intersection, requiring demolition of the derelict house to the southeast (currently unoccupied and for sale), possibly impacting the Volunteer Fire Department space to the west.
The second, estimated to cost between $10,000-$60,000, would be to install all-way stop lights in place of the current blinking lights (red for Route 7, yellow for Route 82). GPI’s report said, “As there is no feasible option that would improve sight distance to meet even the minimum requirements, replacement of the flashing beacon and installation of an all-way stop flashing beacon with advance warning signs is warranted.”
The firm recommended changing the slip ramp to one-way, southbound traffic only. Because of the roads’ ownership, any changes require state and/or county approval. GPI suggested that the cost could be covered with 80% federal, 15% state and 5% town funds; board member Amy Gold reiterated that the purpose of the study was to provide documentation and justify cost at county, state and federal levels.
Council member and Volunteer Fire Chief David Boice said, “[GPI] pointed out that the sight lines are poor but there isn’t enough traffic for a street light. Did we really need a study?” Boice added that the stop signs on Route 7 could be more visible, and recommended the purchase of solar-powered signs with flashing lights, at $800 per sign. “We need a lot more warning signs [ahead of the stop signs],” he said. Boice also recommended moving the stop lines, subject to county and/or state approval. The board agreed; Supervisor MacArthur will petition the county to improve striping and upgrade the stop signs on Route 7.
In other business, board member Colleen Lutz said the Ancram Conservation Advisory Council is reviewing Columbia Land Conservancy’s countywide open space plan to identify conservation priorities. She also reported that State Sen. Michelle Hinchey is considering the creation of the Hudson Valley Power Authority, a private nonprofit alternative to Central Hudson.
Board member Bonnie Hundt said the county is awarding grants of net $112,000 to residents who want to add accessible dwelling units to their property; the deadline for application is Dec. 13. Lutz and Hundt reported that they are optimistic about a grant through State Assemblymember Didi Barrett to cover expenses of Blass Field revitalization. Boice discussed the burn ban, in effect through the end of November due to drought conditions.
The board will consider a public hearing on the grading requirements for private driveways to meet town fire access code, which may require amendment of the town’s zoning laws.
