The Gallatin Conveneince Station could remain closed indefinitely after a Columbia County committee advanced a recommendation to keep the site shuttered, Ancram Supervisor Colleen Lutz told the Town Board at its April 23 meeting.
The station, which served Ancram, Gallatin and Taghkanic, has been closed since December 2025. Lutz said the Columbia County Public Works Committee voted April 15 to approve the Solid Waste Subcommittee’s recommendation for an indefinite closure. She said she voted against the measure.
“I just wish there was a way they could do this more equitably so it doesn’t just perpetually punish these three communities,” Lutz said.
Lutz said the closure could be especially difficult for older residents who relied on the facility.
“We do have an aging population,” she said. “It seems much more of a burden on that population to have to drive a possibly longer distance to take care of something that could be in the community.”
At its April 15 meeting, the Public Works Committee cited operational and public health concerns related to conditions at the site. The Columbia County Solid Waste Department did not immediately respond to a Herald’s request for comment.
Gallatin Supervisor Tara Silberberg also described the likely permanent closure as a loss for residents.
“The Gallatin Transfer Station is currently closed through June, and it is likely this closure will be permanent,” Silberberg said. “This is a loss to our community. Beyond its practical use, many residents have shared that the transfer station was also a place to connect with neighbors—something not easily replaced in a town like ours. I experienced this firsthand while spending time there sharing Climate Smart materials; it was one of the few places where people regularly crossed paths.”
Nearby transfer stations remain available in surrounding towns, including Copake and Livingston. Residents with questions about the closure may contact the Columbia County Solid Waste Department at 518-828-2737.