Credit: Patrick Grego
At the Sept. 19 meeting of the Ancram Town Board, local speeding concerns took center stage, with both residents and board members expressing frustration over dangerous driving. The recent paving of Roche Drive, Long Lake Road and Lake Shore Drive prompted a unanimous resolution to request a 25 mph speed limit on these roads through the Columbia County engineer.
Board member David Boice voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of speed limit signage, saying, “Only enforcement will work.” Despite differing views on the solution, the issue remains a concern, with Supervisor Jim MacArthur highlighting the 76 speeding tickets issued in Ancram in August alone. “People drive like idiots,” MacArthur said, underscoring the difficulty of addressing reckless driving habits.
In other business, the board approved a series of resolutions focused on financial and infrastructural matters. Key approvals included:
- Completing payments on a bond from 2020.
- Adjusting the town’s chart of accounts to add a line for infrastructure, with specific reference to payments made to the engineering firm studying the intersection of Route 82 and Route 7.
- Appointing Katrin Lange to the Financial Advisory Council.
Board member Amy Gold reminded the board and public that Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., the engineering firm overseeing the intersection study, will present initial findings in October.
Further actions included the approval of a pay-for-service charging station at Town Hall, replacing a previously free service. The board also adjusted the town’s fee schedule, mostly lowering agricultural and animal-related permit fees and renewals. MacArthur indicated that the town will continue reviewing the schedule. An update to the town’s email policy and noise ordinance was postponed for further discussion.
The meeting was preceded by a “workshop” session, during which the board discussed matters before bringing them to a vote. As is customary, the board allowed public comment at both the beginning and end of the meeting. Town Budget Officer Steve Olyha urged residents to offer input on the 2025 budget, quoting former board member Hugh Clark: “Democracy is a participatory sport.”
A tan earlier special meeting held on Sept. 12, the Town Board unanimously appointed Robert Patterson as town accountant and engaged the firm Recalibrate HCM to handle payroll services, both effective Oct. 1. Patterson, who also manages accounting for Copake, is expected to bring greater accuracy and efficiency to Ancram’s operations. “This has been a long time coming,” said board member Bonnie Hundt, expressing gratitude for the appointment. Olyha noted that the shift to new accounting support aligns with the town’s ongoing efforts to modernize its operations, enhance payroll accuracy and improve analytics for budgeting and planning.
The board plans to discuss the budget in October, with a final vote scheduled for November.