By Krystle S. Morey Granville has opted out of the state’s solar tax exemption, which means solar installations being built in the town are no longer eligible for tax breaks. The town board voted 5-0 to pass the local law last week, opting out of section 487 of New York State Real Property Law, which […]
Haff’s long battle against eminent domain

By Dan King Hartford Supervisor Dana Haff says he “hates” eminent domain and he’s long been the lone voice against it at the county level. That was affirmed during a vote of the Washington County Board of Supervisors last Friday to allow “the chairman to sign petition of condemnation” and “execute on behalf of the […]
Poverty rampant in northern Washington County

By Dan King and Christina Scanlon Poverty is rampant in northern Washington County. Data compiled in 2013 and recently released shows the levels of poverty in Washington County and the 17 towns in the county. The three with the highest percentage of poverty all fell in the northern part: Dresden with a rate at 28.3 […]
Washington County residents smoke more, weigh more

By Derek Liebig County residents smoke more, weigh more and have limited access to exercise and medical care in Washington County, which a study ranks in the lower third among all 62 counties in New York. Those are the findings of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings. The rankings, a collaboration between the […]
Hampton to join county on savings plan

By Derek Liebig The Town of Hampton will join Washington County on a regional government efficiency plan. Supervisor Dave O’Brien said the town approved a resolution last week that includes Hampton on the county’s plan. County Administrator Kevin Hayes has been visiting local towns and asking them to consider piggybacking on the county’s plan. Hayes […]
Eldridge Lane property closes
By Jaime Thomas Nearly ending a long dispute between the town of Hartford and Washington County, the closing of the Eldridge Lane landfill property took place Wednesday afternoon. Following years of litigation between the two entities, during which the town sued the county over money it felt it was owed for the county-owned spot, Argyle […]
U.S. Supreme Court to decide fate of Whitehall supervisor’s prayer in spring
By Lee Tugas The wording of Whitehall Supervisor George Armstrong’s prayer at the start of county supervisor meetings may be pared or scrapped altogether by the U.S. Supreme Court come spring. In fact, the wording of a lot of opening prayers of local government bodies nationwide may be pared or scrapped by the Supreme Court. […]
Whitehall officials meet with new Washington County economic director
By Lee Tugas Securing private and public monies, and consolidating services, were the two main topics at a recent meeting of Whitehall town and village officials and Laura Oswald, the new economic director for Washington County. Meeting with the new director were town Supervisor George Armstrong and Councilwoman Stephanie Safka; village Mayor Peter Telisky and […]
Birders may nest but not pay rent in Whitehall Visitor Center
By Lee Tugas A Washington County birding group may nest in the Whitehall Visitor Center, but it’s unlikely they will pay any rent. Supervisor George Armstrong told the town bard that Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area will nest seven days a week in the Canal Corp Visitor Center. But the expectation that the bird […]
Booth elected president of Washington County Fair
The Washington County Fair announced last week the election of R. Harry Booth as 2014 President of the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs. Booth’s presidency was confirmed at the NYSAAF annual convention held at the Rochester Convention Center, in January. Booth has served as the Washington County Fair president. In a letter to […]