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Saturday,ÊA ugustÊ13 ,Ê2016
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www.SunCommunityNews.com
In FEATURES | pg. 4
‘The Moose is Loose’
Schroon Lake resident writes book
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In NEWS | pg. 13
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In NEWS | pg. 12
CCC presents Local sales tax spending plan revenue declining 2016-17 proposes elimination of jobs
Low gas prices continue to curb collections
Back to the drawing board for Champlain FD expansion Voters disapprove new facility 94-101 By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
CHAMPLAIN — Voters shot down a $3 million proposed project to expand the Champlain Fire Department 94-101 last month. Administrative Secretary Tammy Barker believes the increase in taxes played a major role in the defeat. If approved, over $200,000 would’ve been taken out of the fire department’s savings — leaving the remainder to be paid by selling municipal bonds. Taxpayers would’ve seen a 43 percent increase, with the rate jumping from $1.35 per $1,000 in assessed value to $1.93. “There are so many things going on in the town right now
Celebrating Champlain
affecting the taxes,” Barker said, referring to current projects like the new water system. “It’s a lot for the community to take in.” Commissioner Mike Tetrault said he believed a lack of publicity led to the low voter turn out, just a sliver of the town’s 1,600 residents. “We’re highly disappointed,” Barker said. “The needs are necessary.” CURRENT CONDITIONS Following a two-year assessment, department officials found the current size of the 30-year-old building, 4,600 square-feet, to be inadequate for housing its equipment and vehicles.
>>See Champlain Celebration | pg. 11
Photo by Teah Dowling
>> See Champlain FD | pg. 13
Public briefed on area code expansion
Live music, food, athletic events on tap for this weekend
CHAMPLAIN — There’s a lot going on in the village this weekend. Festivities will start early Saturday morning with a free 5k fun walk/run starting in Bill Earl Park — kicking off the annual Village Fest. Teah While running throughout the village, Dowling Writer participants can stop at the Champlain Telephone Company, where the local biz will be providing live entertainment, kids games, bounce house, food and more. The organization will also be participating in the townwide garage sale, in which all of its proceeds will go toward local food shelves. In the afternoon, guests can walk down the road to the Village Fest in Bill Earl Park, where residents and visitors can immerse themselves in games, boating on the Great Chazy River and an ice cream social. Due to popular demand, organizers rolled out an antique car show. The Samuel de Champlain History Center and farmer’s market will also be open.
If approved, 4,600 square-foot building would have had a 6,000 squarefoot addition, which will contain three vehicle bays, a kitchen, public toilets, meeting room and a community room for public use.
518 area code projected to be depleted by 2019 By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
The 5th annual Champlain Village Fest will take place this weekend. The festivities include a 5k, games, live entertainment and free ice cream. Photo provided
PLATTSBURGH — The region is running out of phone numbers with 518 area codes and state officials are attempting to find a solution before the projected expiration date of 2019. Telecommunications industry officials asked the state Public Service Commission to establish a second code that would supplement the current one, which has been in use since 1947 over a span of 17 counties. PSC reps briefed the public and local officials last week at the Plattsburgh Town Hall. The options include geographic split and overlay. A geographic split would divide the traditional 518 region into two, with one being assigned a new area code. Everyone on the 518 side would get to keep their area code, current phone number and seven-digit dialing. On the other side, phone subscribers would be required to adopt a new area code but keep their original phone number. The capital district, counties and municipalities could be split >> See Area Code | pg. 15