At its March 20 meeting, the Ancram Town Board announced preparations for its 2025 summer camp season, including the return of familiar staff and a pending grant to build a permanent pavilion at Blass Field. Officials also heard from Columbia County’s Office for the Aging about expanding services for local seniors, and passed resolutions supporting community institutions and managing town infrastructure.
Taylor Price was introduced as the new camp director for 2025, returning after having previously served as assistant under longtime director Ruth Van Wagner. Matthew Damon will return as assistant director. Price told the board she is confident the camp will be fully staffed and ready to welcome 60 children, ages 5 to 12, for a season running July 7 through Aug. 15. The program is free to Ancram families and will again include arts and crafts, sports, swimming, and weekly field trips. Applications are due by June 13, with submissions from neighboring towns accepted after June 1.
Town Board member Bonnie Hundt confirmed that Ancram has submitted a request to State Assemblymember Didi Barrett’s office for a $125,000 grant to build a permanent pavilion at Blass Field, which would eliminate the need to rent a tent each summer. The funds would also support upgrades to the ball field and restrooms. Steve Olyha, a volunteer, who is coordinating contractor bids, said there’s a 50/50 chance that the pavilion will be complete by July. Price said she will be prepared to rent if necessary.
Nina Benvenuto, administrator of the county’s Office for the Aging, presented an overview of the agency’s services for residents 60 and older. OFA offers hot and frozen meal delivery, community center meals, light housekeeping, in-home personal care, walking programs, transportation, health insurance counseling, legal assistance, minor home repairs, caregiver support, and even animatronic pets for companionship.
“Delivering these meals is about more than just nutrition,” Benvenuto told the board. “It’s also an opportunity for socialization, and it provides a safety net. Our volunteers can check on the participants and make sure they are doing OK.”
Town Clerk Monica Cleveland proposed hosting OFA for a local informational event this summer, a suggestion Benvenuto welcomed. “I want people across Columbia County to know about us before they need us,” she said. “You know how if you want a cheeseburger you think of McDonald’s? I want to be the McDonald’s of aging services.”
The board passed a resolution affirming its “strong support for the Roeliff Jansen Community Library (RJCL) and the essential services it provides Ancram residents” in light of possible federal budget cuts. (See related story.) Board member Colleen Lutz, who also serves on the library board, noted that the number of residents using the library has grown from 1,250 in 2019 to 1,600 in 2024, with digital borrowing rising from 14% to 40% of usage over the same period.
RJCL’s operating budget is 29% funded by the towns it serves, with the rest coming from grants, private donations, and the Friends of the Library organization. The average cost per Roe Jan taxpayer is $20.10, compared to $35.73 across Columbia County and $56.56 in the greater mid-Hudson region.
The board also appointed Christine Brown as second alternate to the Planning Board, approved Highway Superintendent Jim Miller’s attendance at a state highway conference from June 2 to 4, and authorized a property tax assessment settlement with Liv & Tom’s Ranch on County Route 8A for the 2025 through 2027 tax years.
Following a routine audit by the Ancram Financial Advisory Council, which praised a “diligent and thorough process managed by [Monica Cleveland],” the board agreed to engage accountant Bob Patterson to conduct a more complex audit of the town courts, at a cost of up to $2,500.
Ancram Fire Chief and board member Dave Boice reminded residents that a state burn ban is currently in effect. “We responded to a dozen brush fire calls in the last week alone,” he said.
Supervisor Jim MacArthur led a discussion on necessary repairs to the Town Hall roof, including the potential removal and relocation of its 13-year-old solar panels. Options include installing new panels or repositioning the current ones on stands in the surrounding field or above the parking lot. The town also plans to put a timer on the EV charging station in the parking lot to restrict usage to Town Hall operating hours.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, one resident opposed the EV station entirely. “Take them out and forget it. If you can give free electricity to people who can afford electric cars, then I should get free gas and diesel for my trucks,” the resident said.
Donna Hoyt clarified her earlier remarks regarding a derelict building at Routes 7 and 82, urging the town to purchase and address it rather than pursue condemnation. Resident Jim Stickle said that public meetings should allow for questions as well as comments. After the meeting, he was connected with Olyha to discuss the pavilion project further.
The next Ancram Town Board meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. on April 17.