The Perfect Christmas Tree Page 7 VOLUME 135 — WHOLE 7144
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2018
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Hydroelectric Plant To be Built at Cannonsville Reservoir Public Information, Q & A Sessions Dec. 14 in Deposit
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced plans to build a $34 million hydroelectric plant at the Cannonsville Reservoir. The 6-megawatt facility will generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 3,500 homes annually by harnessing the force of water that is continuously released downstream of the reservoir. DEP expects to complete the 4,400-square-foot hydroelectric facility by 2025. The revised proposal follows a 2015 engineering assessment at the site, which found an artesian aquifer downstream of Cannonsville Dam. Initial plans for a 14-megawatt facility, including a 9,000-square-foot powerhouse, were deemed not feasible after the initial examination of conditions at the site. For more than two years, DEP has worked with experts to study the aquifer and develop a revised plan for generating clean energy at the site. The project will help to meet a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City, officials said. The City hopes to reduce its carbon footprint 80 percent by 2050 and to eventually convert 100 percent of its energy use for
government operations to renewable electricity. The design of the hydroelectric plant is expected to cost $9.8 million and the construction is expected to cost $7 million. The DEP will host two public meetings on Dec. 14 to share additional information and answer questions about the revised plans for a hydroelectric plant at Cannonsville Reservoir. Those meetings will be held at the following locations and times: • 9 a.m. at the Deposit State Theater, 148 Front St., Deposit, NY 13754 • 12:30 p.m. at the Upper Delaware Council office, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY 12764 The proposed hydroelectric plant will include two 3-megawatt generators inside a 4,400-squarefoot powerhouse adjacent to the West Delaware Release Chamber. The turbines will generate an estimated 32,000 megawatt hours of electricity each year – enough to power 3,547 homes, or the equivalent of taking 5,068 passenger vehicles off the road. The plant will avoid the emission of 23,666 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Electricity proSee Hydro Plant page 4
Crystal Brook Residents Ask for More Road Maintenance from Hamden By Sara Andros There was a larger than usual crowd at the Hamden town meeting on Dec. 5, most from the Crystal Brook subdivision. They requested privileges of the floor to discuss the possibility of the town maintaining two short dead-end roads off Crystal Brook. As it stands now, everyone in the subdivision is paying a $250 per year association fee to have them plowed even if they are not directly impacted by the situation. Thirty-three parcels are paying for two short roads. The short length of the roads is where the problem arises. They
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are not long enough to meet the criteria to be maintained and they did not meet assessment criteria, either. Supervisor Wayne Marshfield said that as far as he knows, this is the only situation in Delaware County where there are two dead end roads off a main road. The subdivision was created in 1988 and the town took over the maintenance of all the roads in the subdivision in 2012, except for the two short roads in question. The residents of Crystal Brook are concerned that in an emergency situation, the roads would be impassable and the individuals who live there would not be able to get help if needed. Having the town maintain the roads would ensure they are cleared in a timely manner. After considerable discussion, it was determined that if the roads all had the same name, they would meet the requirements. However, the 911 addresses would need to be changed because they are currently not sequential. Marshfield suggested that as a first step, the group contact Steve Hood, the director of the Delaware County Department of Emergency Services. If he is willing to See Hamden page 5
Lillian Browne/The Reporter
Flanked by officers, Walton Fire Chief Bob Brown was presented with the department’s “2018 Firefighter of the Year” on Dec. 6. Pictured from left are Jim Jacob, Steve Condon, Bob Brown and Frank Wood. That is no longer the case, get out of the burning building. By Lillian Browne Brown said. Volunteerism is not Now, he said, the turnout gear what it used to be. In those days, gives a firefighter a sense of securiWALTON - Walton Fire Chief he said, a family consisted of a ty that makes them feel as though Bob Brown, who has led the de- mother, father and children in the they can stay in a “hot” situation partment for the past 10 years, same home. The father worked longer. stepped aside on Dec. 6 to allow a and the mother stayed home and Now, everything seems to have fellow volunteer to don the white cared for the children. When the some degree of electronic comhelmet which signifies to firefight- men (because it was typically men puterization, from the fire apers, emergency service crews, me- who were volunteer firefighters in paratus to the thermal imaging dia and police who is in charge at those days) had to go on a fire call cameras and drones that are used a scene. or to drill night, there was child to look for fire, hot spots or a lost Since he began with the depart- care available. Now, both parents person. Every year there seems to ment - at the age of 19 - nearly 40 work, sometimes different shifts be something new, Brown said. years ago, technology has evolved and not only is child care not as The Walton Fire Department and so has the way in which crews readily available, people have be- has held on to its original Hearst fight fires. come busier - their priorities have model “jaws of life” which are A lot of things have changed in changed. considered antiquated by today’s the world of fire fighting. Gone are So has firefighting gear. Now standards. the days of rubber hip-boots and firefighters are outfitted in fireThough many things have coats which would begin to melt in and heat-resistant turnout gear. changed, some things have stayed a fire. That is the type of gear fire- Of the gear, Brown said, “You the same. “You still have to put the fighters wore in his early days as a don’t feel the heat like you used wet stuff on the red stuff to put it fireman. That was back when his to.” That’s a good thing, to some out,” Brown said good-naturedly. father, also named Bob, was in the extent. The new gear protects the When Brown joined the fire dedepartment, and he was following firefighter but it also puts them in partment, he had to wait for a volunthe tradition of many young men, a position to take more risks. teer position to open. He waited one who volunteered in the local fire When the water running down year. There were 130 volunteers in department because their father, the back of your neck got hot, grandfather or uncle volunteered. Brown explained, it was time to See Firefighter of Year page 11
How a Community Can Help Its Own: The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign By Patty Lollot WALTON - Last Friday afternoon, in the vestibule of Walton’s Big M grocery store, Lois Hodge stood next to the familiar Salvation Army’s sign and its iconic red kettle, ringing her bell in hopes that it would remind those leaving with groceries that there are still many in need in their community. Shoppers pushed carts or carried bags out of the store, seemingly in a hurry brought on by the holiday season. It was a cold, raw afternoon, more in keeping with winter than late fall, but such is the mercurial weather of Delaware County. Occasionally, a shopper would stop at the kettle and toss in some loose change; others would pull out a bill placing it into the kettle and exchange a holiday pleasantry with Hodge. “My involvement with the Salvation Army goes back over 20 years,” said Hodge, who started as the Delaware County Salvation Army treasurer when she worked at what was the National Bank of Delaware County in Walton. “My predecessors as treasurers of the organization at the bank included Bob Griffith, Arby Swift and Katie Miller.” When Hodge retired from the bank after a 45 year career, she gave up the position, but not her interest and involvement in the Salvation Army’s purpose. She volunteered to manage the Red Kettle campaign in Walton which seeks donations to meet the needs in See Red Kettle page 5
local communities. Started in 1891, based upon Christian principles, the faithbased organization has many facets. The bottom line is to provide assistance for those who cannot make ends meet. The Red Kettle campaign is one facet, said
Hodge, and it begins on Black Friday, right after Thanksgiving. “There is no bell ringing on Sundays, but during the rest of the week, bell ringers (all volunteers) are needed. Hours are usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., she noted, but said, “If someone want to
Patty Lollot/The Reporter
Salvation Army volunteer bell ringer Lois Hodge, left, and donor Gail Longyar of Walton strike a pose for the camera in the lobby of the Big M grocery story. “I give every time I’m in here,” said Longyar.