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Saturday,ÊNo vemberÊ12,Ê2016
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In SPORTS | pg. 19-21
NAC, NCCS play for titles
Volleyball sectional crowns awarded
www.SunCommunityNews.com
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In opinion | pg. 6-7
What a wild election
Voters recovering from a political hangover
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In NEWS | pg. 3
CCC building to receive uplift
College receives funding for $12 million project
Ellenburg residents to see tax increase in 2017 Hike attributed to much-needed investments in highway department, says supervisor By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
ELLENBURG — Town residents are going to see an increase in taxes next year due to expenditures for the highway department. According to the 2017 preliminary budget, the overall tax rate increased by $1.37, to $13.50 per $1,000 in assessed value, because of an additional $132,536 going toward highway operations. Supervisor Jason Dezan said those extra monies will go toward the purchase of equipment, like a snowplow truck, and
tackling the aging infrastructure of the town roads. “The previous board cut costs and it’s hurting our roads,” he said. “Now our goal is to fix the highway department and get everything up to par.” Dezan said for the past few years, only a portion of a road would be fixed each year. The town contains 50 miles of roads. With the increase, the goal is to repair at least two roads each year. This jump in funding was the main cause of total appropriations rising by $176,019 up to $1,993,543. Another factor was health insurance costs increasing by 10 percent, a spike affecting every municipality not only in Clinton County, but throughout the state, to varying degrees. While most municipalities are witnessing an increase of 5
Chazy to make town hall ADA compliant
Clinton County Legislature signs off on multi-use trail network
Teah Dowling Writer
plain. The idea of the trail came about in the late 1960s when Clinton County Legislature Chair Harry McManus worked at Northeastern Clinton Central School and noticed the dangers of children walking and biking on the roads. Over time, McManus said the public safety concern turned into a possibility for another recreational opportunity to help bring in new households. “People are more tune to recreation now,” he said. “Ultimately, we would love for people to come and stay here.” With the incorporation of the new water district and the expansion of the North Country Family Health Center, Champlain Town Supervisor Larry Barcomb said this recreation trail
Photo by Teah Dowling
>> See Ellenburg Budget | pg. 18
Northern TierÊ Path CHAMPLAIN — County, town and village officials are taking the next steps toward developing the Northern Tier Multi-Use Path. Last month, the Clinton County Legislature unanimously approved to go out for bid for the proposed 5-mile path from the village of Rouses Point, through the town of Champlain and into the village of Cham-
Ellenburg residents are going to see a tax increase due to an investment in the highway department. Additional money will be put toward fixing more town roads each year and updating equipment.
Changes to improve accessibility into town court, offices and bathrooms By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
is the icing on the cake toward a brighter future. “We’re in the right direction to making people want to come here,” he said. For the past year, the village of Champlain has been making several efforts to improve recreational offerings. Starting the rowing program on the Great Chazy River and hosting several community events at the Champlain Meeting House on Main Street are a few examples. Village of Champlain Mayor Greg Martin said the trail will only heighten those offerings. “We fully support this great endeavor,” Martin said. “It’s a
CHAZY — Town officials are continuing their efforts to make town hall more accessible to residents. Last month, the board approved making several renovations to the facility, including new flooring for the lobby and two new handicap bathrooms. Supervisor Mark Henry said for the past few years, the town has been making efforts to be more ADA compliant so that people with walkers and wheelchairs can have an easy time accessing the town offices and court. “People come in here to get their handicap stickers,” Henry said. “We want to make sure everybody can access this building.” Several ramps have been added both outside and inside the building. Hardwood flooring was installed in the boardroom and the courtroom, leaving the lobby the only area with carpeting and rugs.
>> See Northern Tier | pg. 18
>> See Chazy Court | pg. 4
The Northern Tier Trail is going to go from the village of Rosues Point, through the town of Champlain and into the village of Champlain. The trail is going to be 10 feet wide and about five miles long. File photo