Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns
Issue 24 | January 20, 2023
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Gas Stove Debate is Lit
If summer and fall are the Hudson Valley at its most beautiful and most widely coveted, then winter is when we really pay for that privilege. I am not speaking so much of the oppressive gray and wintry mixes, but of the actual cost of supplying and paying for energy demands that keep us warm throughout the season.
About ⅔ of my annual home energy costs (including both oil and electric) are accrued between December and March. With the rise in both heating oil costs and electricity supply, as well as the inconsistent and confounding billing practices of Central Hudson, living through winter has become a season of sizable outlay and significant depletion of resources.
This makes the prospect of energy independence all the more appealing. Searching for alternative, as well as more sustainable, sources to fuel our day-to-day energy needs, like the obvious wind and solar, as well as the more up-and-coming, like heat pump and geothermal, is beginning to feel like not only an environmental necessity, but an economic one as well.
As if there weren't enough elements to consider in our consideration of energy choices, enter two relatively new ones: personal health and politics. Last week, Richard Trumka, Jr., head of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), stated that the agency was considering regulation of gas stoves after alarming data emerged showing a link between gas stoves and unacceptable levels of indoor air pollution, as well as potential public health problems like childhood asthma. The danger of indoor air pollution emanating from gas stoves was not news to some: California, the state with the highest percentage (about 70%) of households using natural gas for cooking, had debated the issue years earlier, and in 2019, Berkeley, California, became the first city in the nation to ban gas hookups in most new residences and commercial buildings, mainly to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
A few key words to note in the above paragraph: California, climate change and Berkeley. Couple those with the looming threat of a potential ban on gas stoves, and you have a political hot potato in which individuals on one side of the political spectrum are hellbent on ridding their homes and their communities of the offending methane- (or propane-) spewing appliances, and the other side views such regulation as a government overstep and an infringement on personal consumer rights. Wherever you land on this topic, it might be good to take a broader view and look at the basics, which are multifaceted but largely economic. Those that are set to benefit the most from the choices we make are the energy providers. We, as consumers, have developed an unhealthy dependence on energy providers, whether it be fuel oil, propane, or coal-powered electricity, and we are just beginning to question the systems that keep the lights and the heat on.
This is too large of a topic to cover in this limited space, but in the coming weeks we will be discussing these issues, including the proposal for solar power pending at the Town of Rhinebeck, the status of the Central Hudson investigation and various initiatives throughout the area to address sustainability around energy usage and waste. We hope and trust you will be along for the ride.
Again, we thank you for being a part of our readership and continuing to encourage us and make us a part of your community conversation. We look forward to connecting with you each week and to offering you more and more conversation in the coming months.
Eric Steinman
Executive Editor
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We Reached Our Goal!
We hit our launch goal of $25,000!
Thank you to all who have contributed--local news will succeed only if we all work together.
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Cornerstone Accused of Intimidation in Zoning Dispute
Residents of Clinton say the addiction treatment center is trying to legalize an “unpermitted expansion” by threat of lawsuit against neighbors and the Town of Clinton.
Many of the residents of Clinton are taking issue with Cornerstone. Several previous increases to its residential capacity and a more recent lawsuit involving the same have neighbors concerned, not only about Cornerstone, but about democracy in their small town.
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Interactions: Local Youth Club Goes International
The Interact Club, a service organization for young people, effectively functions as the younger version of Rotary. While there are an estimated 15,000 Interact Clubs across the globe, Rhinebeck started its first chapter in 2006, and while “it took a few years to grow and catch on,” according to Rhinebeck Rotary President Joe Phelan, by 2010 the club had matured to the point that it became apparent that members were ready to take the message and action of service to a place beyond Rhinebeck.
In 2010 the Rhinebeck Interact Club went international. This year they are returning to Costa Rica to further their mission of service.
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LOCAL EVENTS!
The HV Pilot continues to grow and serve the community. Check out our new events page with local happenings updated continuously.
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Thank You for Signing Up
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Local news for local good.
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Have Ideas for the HV Pilot?
If you have suggestions for the HV Pilot, as far as coverage or stories, or would be interested in being a contributor, please contact editor@hvpilot.com
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"Correct me if I'm Norm"
Norm Magnusson chats with photo journalist turned commercial and film director, husband & father & old house restorer - Rhinebeck resident Roger Tully.
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BrineBeck // At a meeting of the Village Board on January 10th, Mayor Gary Bassett announced that the Village was following the Town’s lead and moving into an era of brine. The Pilot had reported on the practice back in December. According to Bassett, preemptively administering a water-based solution of salt brine to area roads before a storm has proven to be more effective, more cost-effective and more environmentally sound than relying on the standard practice of scattering rock salt on the road.
In the announcement, Mayor Bassett said a lightly used brining apparatus (which will fit onto the back of a Village of Rhinebeck truck) was purchased from Dave’s Tree Service for $2,000. The five-year-old contraption, which was said to be in good condition, is available now for the Village to use for “any winter storm that is applicable (not all storms are).” The Mayor elaborated in an email and said the Village is currently working on an IMA (InterMunicipal Agreement) with the Town of Rhinebeck for the purchase of brine at 20 cents per gallon, at a heavy discount, as brine usually costs about 80 cents per gallon. The Mayor stated that the IMA is waiting for approval from both boards. In addition, the new piece of hardware comes with a sprayer that could be used to brine sidewalks, but will likely only be utilized in front of the Village Hall and Fire Department, as Village residents and business owners are responsible for clearing the winter off their own sidewalks. So if you spy vague streaks of white on Village roads, you can trust that a storm is coming.
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Girls JV Grabs Some Attention // The Rhinebeck High School Girls JV Basketball team is bringing much needed excitement to an unremarkable winter season. Just this week the JV team, commonly known as The Hawks, picked up from two losses last week to Onteora and Highland to three consecutive wins; one against Ellenville and two against Spackenkill. Tonight (Friday) they are playing an away game against Highland and hoping to keep their winning streak going. We will be watching and rooting for them throughout the season.
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Tuesdays and Thursdays:
THE SENIOR VAN IS BACK!! Rides will be available to Tops, Starr Library, or elsewhere in the Village. Pre-registration is required and those wishing to ride must be able to get on the van without assistance, must live in Rhinebeck, and must be a senior. For more information call Joan Winne, Town Clerk, at 845-876-3409, or download the application from the Town website at https://rhinebeckny.gov/over-60-and-thriving-in-rhinebeck.
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Need support with substance abuse? Alcoholics Anonymous of Northeast New York sponsors several regular face-to-face and virtual meetings in our area – including in Rhinebeck and Red Hook – at various times of the day. For more information https://nenyaa.org/meetings.
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Amtrak has closed the Rhinecliff Station building for renovations. Ticket sales, restrooms, and waiting rooms will be relocated onsite. All train services will continue as before.
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Sunday, Jan. 22nd, 3:00PM - 5:00PM
Meet three Democratic candidates for Rhinebeck Village Board. At American Legion Hall, 6361 Mill St. (Rte. 9), Rhinebeck.
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Now through January 24: Applications for Absentee Ballots for the Rhinebeck Village Democratic Primary must be received by the Rhinebeck Democratic Committee, P.O. Box 635, Rhinebeck 12572. The ballot itself must be received at the same address by January 31 or dropped off at Rhinebeck Village Hall during the hours polls are open (Noon – 9:00PM) on Primary Election Day, January 31, 2023. More info here.
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Thursday, Jan. 26th, 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Seed Swap. Bring seeds to contribute if you can; a contribution is not necessary since there will be seeds for all. “A handful of seeds reaches many people.” Refreshments and homemade snacks will be served. At Morton Library & Community House, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.
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Friday, Jan. 27th, 7:00PM - 10:00PM
Interact Club fundraiser and reopening party at the historic Rhinecliff Hotel. Buy tickets @ $75 or make a donation for materials to help construct a community center on behalf of a women’s cooperative in northern Costa Rica. At the Rhinecliff Hotel, 4 Grinnell St., Rhinecliff.
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Saturday, Jan. 28th, 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Artist reception for Chuck Mishaan photographs, “Look At It This Way.” Exhibition runs through February 27. Upstairs at Montgomery Row, 6422-6423 Montgomery St. (Route 9), Rhinebeck.
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Saturday, Jan. 28th, 2:00PM - 4:00PM
25th Anniversary Meet-the-Artists Reception (Snow Date January 29, 2:00PM – 4:00PM) and Collectors Sale Weekend (Jan. 27-29). Albert Shahinian Fine Art, upstairs at 22 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Now through Feb. 4th
Call for artists! Rhinecliff’s Morton Library Talent Show and Art Opening is seeking visual artists’ work to accompany this year’s talent show. Contact Sandy@mortonrhinecliff by February 4th if interested in participating.
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Monday Jan. 23rd
Rhinebeck Town Board Meeting
Town Hall
6:00PM
Rhinebeck Town Board. Agenda will be available on the Town website prior to meeting. At Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, Jan. 24th
Historic District Public Workshop
Rhinebeck Village Hall
6:00PM
Workshop to discuss possible changes to Rhinebeck Village Historic District. At Village Hall, 76 East Market St., Rhinebeck.
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Tuesday, Jan. 24th
Rhinebeck School Board Meeting
Rhinebeck High School Library
7:00PM
Rhinebeck Central School District Board. Agenda will be available on RCSD website prior to meeting. At Rhinebeck High School library, 45 North Park Rd., Rhinebeck.
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Thursday, Jan. 26th
Starr Library Board Meeting
Starr Library
5:00PM
January 26, 5:00PM: Starr Library Board meeting. Agenda will be available on the library website on Tuesday, Jan. 24. At the Community Room, lower level, Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck.
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"Olive"
Olive lives in Rhinebeck and just celebrated her eleventh trip around the sun. She loves running through the woods, gifts wrapped in tissue paper and food of any kind. She dislikes thunderstorms, fireworks and trips to the vet.
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