The best source for local news from Marbletown, Rochester & Rosendale
Published the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month | Vol. 27, Issue 6
Big wins for RVHS sports program
March 18, 2022 | $1.00
County allocates $2.1 million for rail trail that will help fill local gaps
Page 10
Driving and working in the Rondout Valley Page 7
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Town considers new real estate transfer tax by ballot vote in Nov. 'There are a lot of great plans that we’ve had, but this is a real game-changer,' said Marbletown Councilwoman Daisy Foote Brooke Stelzer BSP Reporter The Marbletown Town Board met in-person on March 15 at the Rondout Municipal Center on Lucas Turnpike, Cottekill, and streamed on Facebook Live.
Three board members were present in person: Rich Parete, chairman and town supervisor, and board members Don LaFera and Tim Hunt. Daisy Foote joined via Zoom, and councilman Ken Davenport was not present. Resolution 36 was presented, and it
states the owners of Stone Ridge Equities LLC, are transferring the Hardenburgh Hills II subdivision site work to Nevelhaus Company LLC. Stone Ridge Equities provided the town with a bond in the amount of $447,726.63 for the completion of all site work. Nevelhaus Company will be assuming responsibility for completion of the job as required under the subdivision application. The resolution also allows the town supervisor to accept the subdivision replacement bond. The resolution was carried, 4-0.
Dale Robbins, a member of the Marbletown Preservation and Investment Commission, presented a proposed bill that would create a new real estate transfer tax in Marbletown. The one-time tax would be paid by buyers purchasing homes in the township. The percentage would be determined by the town – up to 2%. As Robbins describes it, the county issues a median home cost and that becomes an
See Tax, page 3
MES sweet faces again! Photos by Heidi Racioppo
Masks off (optional) at school After almost two years of Covid, teachers and students get to see and hear one another Jeff Slater BSP Reporter “Not having to wear masks has certainly been exciting and historic here in our school. To finally see faces is quite liberating,” said Lee Cutler, principal of Rondout Valley Intermediate School. “We do have a
number of staff and students who still are choosing to wear masks, and we made it clear to everyone that a person’s decision to wear a mask should never be questioned or berated.” According to a press release by the state on “The impact of COVID on School Administrators,” 28% reported a significant loss in learning across the general student population. This loss of learning might be eased because of the recent changes in protocol regarding wearing masks. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Morgan put out a letter stating that, as of March 2, “Masks will be optional in all Rondout School Buildings and on buses.
The decision of an individual to wear a mask (or not) while inside our buildings will be respected by all students, staff and guests. In our classrooms, seating arrangements, partnerships and grouping will not be adjusted based on an individual’s mask choice.” The reaction of students and staff to this change in protocol has been significant. “Not having to wear masks has been awesome,” said Allegra Smaldone, grade 5 teacher. “There is no longer the need to constantly remind students to pull up their masks. Also, soft-spoken students can finally be heard again.” Sixth-grader Aliza Theetge said, “It’s
been good not wearing a mask because you don’t have to worry about teachers telling you to keep a mask over your nose. I’m sure teachers appreciate not having to do that also. I can finally breathe again!” “We can actually hear teachers now … it was hard hearing them over the mask,” said sixth-grader Carlee Avery. “Now teachers can talk louder and students can listen more.” Heidi Racioppo, longtime kindergarten teacher at Marbletown Elementary, said, “For me at the K level … not having a mask
See Masks, page 2