^{Serving Rhinebeck and Neighboring Towns}

Issue 184 | August 6, 2024

Central Hudson Wants EVEN MORE $ //

By Michael Frank

As we reported in our newsletter a few weeks ago, on July 18 Central Hudson won an increase in its rates through June 30 of 2025. That decision by the state Public Service Commision (PSC) means the average customer’s electric bill is going up by an effective 7.85%, according to the utility. FYI, that’s on the “delivery” charge, which is about 45% of the average customer’s total bill.

But the fine print is important. Central Hudson had wanted a 31.9% increase in consumer electricity delivery rates. The PSC said no, and held them to 16.5%. But that’s not the effective rate bump. Because the PSC took a pile of cash—about $22 million in fines and fees levied against the utility for its bungled billing fiasco during the pandemic—and applied that money to the bills of the utility’s 309,000 customers, making 16.5% feel like 7.85%. 

And now, on the very day that rate increase went into effect, Central Hudson asked the PSC for yet more money from customers. The utility wants a rate increase of 4.6% for electricity and 5.8% for gas to go into effect on July 1, 2025. 

The argument: “It’s for infrastructure…”

The utility said in a statement that it needs the increases in part to “replace infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life,” and to “...

facilitate the interconnection of locally-owned solar generation, electric vehicle chargers and electric heat pumps by…increasing system capacity by 449 megawatts.” That’s enough juice to power 75,000 homes and is critical for the state to reach its 2030 goal of greening the grid. Interconnectivity costs have sunk multiple renewable projects in the region because the costs of getting solar energy to the grid are too high for municipalities to bear. 

Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha and Senator Michelle Hinchey both called the request brazen and disingenuous. Both have backed the creation of a new, non-profit entity to replace the utility, called the Hudson Valley Power Authority.

“This shows that the corporate monopoly has no interest in evaluating the outcomes made possible by the last rate case before making decisions that will drive rates higher,” Shrestha said. Her office will challenge the request and said “our constituents are tired of time-consuming and costly rate cases that are unlikely to fully address the conflict between shareholder profits and the public’s well-being.” 

Hinchey’s office also called the request “...a slap in the face to Hudson Valley families….This is Central Hudson’s way of trying to fool customers and the PSC into getting what they originally wanted.” Hinchey’s office ended their statement by saying, “We will fight this every step of the way.”

New Crosswalk on Montgomery/Rte. 9 //

While Ruge’s Subaru service and repairs is set to move north to their new location on 9G later this year, their existing service location at Chestnut and Rte. 9 will be turned into another sales location with a crosswalk to be installed on Rte. 9 between Chestnut Street and Platt Avenue connecting the two sales offices across the street from one another. The Rhinebeck Village Board approved the crosswalk last month. It will be located about 30 feet into the block from the south and will be lighted for pedestrian safety and fully ADA compliant, according to Mayor Gary Bassett. The new crosswalk is expected to make its debut before the end of the summer and will provide another way to safely cross Rte. 9.

This Week

And More Movies….and Ice Cream!

Tuesday, August 6th, 4:00PM - 5:00PM

Make Your Own Ice Cream, Library Adventures for Kids. Registration requested. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.

Wednesday, August 7th, 8:00PM

“Wonka” movie presented by Movies Under the Starrs and sponsored by Williams Lumber & Home Centers. FREE. Movies begin at dusk and the series will continue with other films through August. On the lawn at Thompson-Mazzarella Park.

Thursday, August 8, 5:00PM

“Where do Butterflies Go at Night?,” presentation and book-signing with Cara B. Hochhalter, with refreshments and optional art activity. All ages welcome. At Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff..

Saturday and Sunday, August 10th and 11th

“Kubo & the Two Strings,” next in the “Yes &” FREE Film Series for all ages. RSVP at upstatefilms.org. Please limit request to maximum of four tickets. Next films are “Ernest & Celestine” (8/17-18) and “Wallace & Gromit” shorts (8/24-25). Presented by J. Mak Hospitality, Saugerties Kiwanis, and Mighty Donuts. At Upstate Films in Rhinebeck (Saturday 1PM) and Saugerties (Sunday 1PM).

Saturday, August 10th, 11:00AM - 12:30PM

DIY Silkscreening, Postcards & Button Making. All ages welcome. Registration requested. At Starr Library, 76 West Market St., Rhinebeck.

Saturday, August 10th, 11:00AM - 3:00PM

Chinese Brush Painting Workshop, plein air in a setting influenced by Chinese aesthetics. $75 including materials and admission to the garden. Demonstration, $15 including garden admission. Registration requested. At Innisfree Garden, Millbrook.

Saturday, August 10th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Opening reception for Printmaking Show, with original handprinted work by local artists. Show will run through Sept 8. At Tivoli Artists Gallery, 60 Broadway, Tivoli.

Sunday, August 11th, 2:00PM

“The Gilded Age Black Community of Staatsburg,” a presentation by staff of the Staatsburgh State Historic Site. FREE. Reservations required. At the site, off Rte. 9G, Staatsburg.

Sunday, August 11th, 6:30PM - 7:30PM

NOTE CORRECTED TIME – Brazilian Bossa Nova concert. Bring a picnic. FREE. Sponsored by the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association. At the garden at the FDR Historic Site, Hyde Park.

Tuesday, August 13th, 8:00PM

“Arthur the King,” movie presented by Movies Under the Starrs and sponsored by PorchFest 2024. FREE. Movies begin at dusk and the series will continue with other films through August. On the lawn at Thompson-Mazzarella Park.

Thursday, August 15, 5:30PM - 7:00PM

Summer Speaker Series featuring State Sen. Michelle Hinchey and just added Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, presented by the Rhinebeck Democrats Club. Sen. Hinchey will discuss the bill to create a publicly owned power authority to replace Central Hudson; including Q&A and “meet and greet.” Registration suggested because seating is limited. At the Community Room at Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck.

Thursday, August 15th, 8:00PM

“If,” movie presented by Movies Under the Starrs and sponsored by the Town of Rhinebeck. FREE. Movies begin at dusk and the series will continue with other films through August. On the lawn at Thompson-Mazzarella Park.

Saturday, August 17th, 4:00PM - 6:00PM

Opening reception for “Ideas,” photographs by Yoram Gelman. Show runs through September 2. At Gallery 71, 71 East Market St., Rhinebeck.

Monday, August 19th, 6:30PM

“Gentrification in New York,” a roundtable discussion moderated by Nona Willis Aronowitz, with David A. Banks, Kwame Holmes, Richard Ocejo, and Pastor Rob Sweeney. Presented by Starr Library. At Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall St., Kingston.

Now through Sunday, August 11

“Guys and Dolls,” presented by the Center for Performing Arts. Fridays and Saturdays at 8; Sundays at 3. Tickets $29. At the Center. 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck.

The pond is now open for swimming at Fran Mark Park, 11AM-6PM. At the park, 337 Clinton Hollow Rd., Town of Clinton.

October 15 is the deadline for submissions to the First Annual Photography Contest sponsored by the Friends of Rhinebeck Cemetery. Two categories: adult and under 18. Send digital entries to FRCPHOTOS12572@gmail.com. Details at friends of rhinebeck cemetery.org.

Now through August 2025: “Redefining the Family: The Livingstons and the Institution of Slavery in Early America,” a new exhibit recognizing the Black descendants of the Livingston family. Details at Friends of Clermont.org. At the historic site, Rte. 9G, Germantown.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is now available for age- and income-qualifying seniors to support local farms. For details, contact the Dutchess County Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555 or ofa@dutchessny.gov.

Rhinebeck Rotary is looking for host families, three to four months each starting December, for 16-year-old Turkish exchange student who will attend Rhinebeck High School. One family has already committed to host the student from the start of the school year to early December. If interested, contact michaelfrazier@earthlink.net.

Saturday August 13th, and 17th, 2:00 - 4:00PM

General Richard Montgomery House is open to the public. Also open by appointment. FREE. At 77 Livingston St., Rhinebeck.

Now through August 20th

“Kibbitz and Nosh; New York City’s Vanishing Cafeterias,” photographs by Marcia Bricker Halperin. Exhibit at Morton Library, 82 Kelly St., Rhinecliff.

Now through August 31st

"An Artist’s Alphabet,” an exhibit of the work of the late artist Tom Blackwell, a painter in the photorealist genre. At Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck.

Now through September 8th

“Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence,” showcasing a new form of bead art developed by a community of women in South Africa. Complemented by a small display of four beaded costumes. At The Loeb gallery, Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie.