Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM — The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation has recognized the town of Bethlehem as a Silver Certified Climate Smart Community, joining 20 other municipalities across the state that have achieved the certification.

Bethlehem earned the certification for its work on sustainability, including:

 “This grant is a major win for our community, not just for preserving a piece of our past, but because it helped us reimagine the space for the future,” said McCoy.

GLENMONT— A 32-year-old man was killed on July 14 when, police say, a vehicle driving south on Route 9W near Corning Hill Road in Glenmont crossed over the center line, hitting a motorcyclist traveling north.

The town received a grant from the New York State Department of Transportation in 2024 to replace a culvert on Wemple Road that carries a tributary to the Vloman Kill. 

The Bethlehem Town Board last month approved funding for its Delaware Avenue Complete Streets project — moving forward with a project that once was controversial but, after some revisions following a permissive referendum defeat, now has the backing of business leaders. 

The Bethlehem Democratic Committee has put up a slate of incumbents for three town board positions, including supervisor, as well as town clerk, highway superintendent, and one justice seat. Republicans are challenging them for all but the justice seat. 

Developer WAWEB LLC is proposing a 90-unit senior facility at 152 Rockefeller Road in Bethlehem, with a number of updates revealed in its May appearance before the planning board. 

The Bethlehem Central School District’s $116.6 million budget for the 2025-26 school year passed by a 76-percent margin. It will raise taxes 1.1 percent.

The Bethlehem Public Library’s $5.2 million budget was passed by voters, who will see their library taxes go up 2.61 percent. Meanwhile, trustee Laura DiBetta was re-elected for a five-year term and newcomer Jill Adams won a seat as well. 

A 5-megawatt solar facility at 354 South Albany Road in Selkirk has been largely constructed after getting town approval three years ago, but the developers ran up on their deadline for the special-use permit and needed approvals for some unanticipated changes to the project.