Two town board members are already in opposition, with one, Josh Beers, saying he feels the savings is too minor and that it could be motivated by political vendettas. Supervisor Matthew Kryzak, who made the proposal and said there had been conversations about this as far back as 2021, denies this. A public hearing is scheduled for June 18 at 6 p.m.

Homeowners who are interested in installing solar panels on their property have access to a number of state and federal incentives that make the switch a little cheaper, making the savings from reduced energy costs more accessible up front. The Enterprise has compiled the specific incentives available, as well as zoning codes for residential solar for each municipality in its coverage area. 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has finalized new rules for previously unregulated legacy ash landfills like the one at Beacon Island, in Glenmont, that are no longer in use but still pose a risk to human health. 

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education has chosen its secondary school principal Bonnie Kane for superintendent, and elementary school teacher Mark Tidd to replace her as high school principal. 

Activist Mary Finneran and Delhi Village Board member Janet Tweed are each hoping to be Democrats’ pick to take on Republican Assemblyman Chris Tague of the largely rural 102nd District in November.

BERNE — The Department of Environmental Conservation agreed to extend the dam repair permit held by the Helderberg Lake Association, which had an original deadline of October, 2023. 

Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s proposed budget, with a 5.09 percent tax increase that required it to be passed with a 60-percent approval rate, failed to reach that threshold by a mere eight votes. The district will have to decide whether to have residents vote on a new budget in June, or move directly to a contingency budget. 

The United States Postal Service had issued flyers earlier this year about a potential relocation and was seeking input from the community about what sites might be suitable. 

The Carey Institute for Global Good had jettisoned much of its core programming during the pandemic years while it figured out its own future. It has now changed its name to Hilltown Commons, and partnered with three different local organizations that now call its Rensselaerville campus home. 

Over his nine-plus years as Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s superintendent, Timothy Mundell has led the district through significant challenges, helping to establish a much stronger foundation for the next superintendent than he had coming in.