Basics Nelsonville Denies Permit for Cell Tower
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[FREE] Serving Philipstown and Beacon Honoring Those Lost Page 24 JUNE 1, 2018 161 MAIN ST., COLD SPRING, N.Y. | highlandscurrent.com Nelsonville Denies Permit for Cell Tower Near Cemetery In 3-2 vote, majority cites the 110-foot, pole-like tower would have an “adverse visual impact” and conflict ‘adverse visual impact’ with village law that safeguards scenery. The two members who voted “yes” cited By Liz Schevtchuk Armstrong the possibility of improved wireless ser- nding 10 months of discussion, in- vice and the merits of making a decision cluding fierce public debate, the Nel- in Nelsonville rather than putting the vil- Esonville Zoning Board of Appeals lage at the mercy of a federal court if the voted 3-2 on Wednesday (May 30) to deny applicants file a lawsuit. a special-use permit for a cellphone tower Homeland Towers and Verizon Wireless overlooking the Cold Spring Cemetery. proposed the tower for a rocky hillside them to be hunted off again just like the The ZBA members who voted “no” said off Rockledge (Continued on Page 6) 1800s,” Rae Wynn-Grant, of the Ameri- Part 4: can Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, told Into the Wild The New York Times. “Except this time we have climate change to blame.” Nature is a big, tangled web, so one small change can have a cascading ef- fect. Species that once never interacted come face to face; others never see each By Chip Rowe other again. With less snowfall, deer will find enough food to survive the winter at f you’re a warbler or hummingbird the expense of smaller animals that de- The audience waits at Town Hall on Wednesday night for the Nelsonville ZBA to vote on spending the winter in Central pend on the same plants. Less snow will America, you figure out when to also mean less runoff and lower streams, the Rockledge Road cell tower application. Photo by L.S. Armstrong I fly thousands of miles to your summer which could affect fish. home in the Highlands by watching the Scientists are also now looking at how position of the sun. global warming is affecting oceans and Back to Basics The problem is, while the sun’s position inland lakes, and the creatures that live is reliable, global warming due to carbon in them. The higher level of carbon, dioxide (CO ) trapped in the atmosphere for example, has made seawater more Couple plans bookstore 2 has changed when your food arrives. Plants acidic, thinning the shells of oysters and in Cold Spring “green up” and the insect population peaks other animals. The effects can be unpre- By Alison Rooney sooner. The clock falls out of sync. dictable. In one study of mussels, one Climate change is already putting some species relaxed in water high in CO2, eidi and Michael Bender species at risk. A study published last year while another clamped shut. are eager to open the doors in Scientific Reports found that nine of 48 Insects love warm weather. It allows Hto Split Rock Books on species of songbirds weren’t able to reach them to grow faster, breed more fre- Main Street in Cold Spring — the their North American breeding grounds quently, become larger and make more village’s first bookstore since Mer- at the optimal time, because that time eggs. Tick nymphs that used to peak in ritt Books left in 2008 — but last was constantly shifting. Global warming June are showing up in mid-May. Within week were waiting on a crucial is moving too fast for them. a couple of decades, it may be early May. piece of equipment: Shelves. Among animals that hibernate, the Even the fall foliage could be at risk. Besides the carpenter, they also warmer temperatures fool them into Drought conditions stress trees out, and had an appointment on Wednesday thinking it’s later in the spring, but dry weather browns their leaves and (May 30) with the sign painter. when they emerge they find the food sends them to the ground before they “The hardest part [about the isn’t ready. American black bears, for in- can turn yellow or red and bring green preparations] has been not being stance, are waking too early, or having to the local economy. Heat also makes able to work in a bookstore every trouble hibernating in the first place. trees more vulnerable to disease and in- day,” says Heidi. “We can’t wait to Because of warmer winters and abun- fection, which also causes them to shed open.” dant food supply, they never get the their leaves before the fall. They expect that to happen signal to hit the sack. A 2017 study pre- In this, the fourth part of our series on this month. The couple, who were Heidi and Michael Bender in front of the future dicted that by 2050 black bears could be climate change in the Highlands, we will married last year in Garrison be- home of Split Rock Books at 97 Main St. awake 15 to 39 more days per year, lead- look more closely at how global warming fore moving to Cold Spring from Photo by A. Rooney ing to more interaction with humans, will affect the animals, plants and trees Brooklyn, have no illusions about and more conflicts when food is scarce. that live around us. As temperatures the challenges of owning a bookstore in a “Some people love books and have great “My prediction is we will have fewer rise, we’ll say goodbye to some and hello small village, or anywhere. Both are expe- intentions, but it’s a lot of hard work, nav- cubs survive the winter, and so many to others, but we don’t get to choose. igating people and situations,” says Mi- rienced booksellers. bear conflicts that residents will want (To Page 12) chael. People (Continued on Page 8) 2 JUNE 1, 2018 The Highlands Current highlandscurrent.com NEWS BRIEFS Taconic Outdoor Center to Five Questions: TINA TOBIN Get Rehab State awards $2.5 million for park By Michael Turton 5 project ina Tobin has been a volunteer s part of its 2018-19 budget, New York firefighter for 10 years with North A State will distribute nearly $13 mil- THighlands Engine Co. No. 1 in Phil- lion to 10 parks in the Mid-Hudson Valley, ipstown. including $2.5 million to rehab the High- What are the challenges of being a land Lodge at the Taconic Outdoor Edu- firefighter? cation Center at Fahnestock State Park in Fires are physically demanding. Climb- Philipstown. ing a ladder is torture for me; I don’t like Fahnestock will also receive $250,000 heights but I’m able to address my fear. to install a potable water system for the You also deal with people in bad situa- beach complex and campground, which tions. I hate seeing people get hurt, but I will be closed this year for construction. enjoy helping them. Hudson Highlands State Park will receive $400,000 for energy and sustainability How do you manage having a improvements and Bear Mountain will family and being the company get $120,000 to enhance the Appalachian treasurer, a railroad supervisor and Trail at the Trailside Museum and Zoo. a Philipstown Ambulance Corps volunteer? I function much better when my plate is Putnam County Names overflowing. Sometimes it’s a little too full, Seniors of Year but I get everything done. My kids are used Tina Tobin Photo by M. Turton to it and my husband, Chris, was the fire he Putnam County Office for Senior chief in Cold Spring. We’re all involved. ing with has your back. A proposal in Albany would require TResources has named Donna Ander- all state laws to refer to firefighters son (below left) of Garrison as one of its North Highlands has seven female How do you unwind after a serious instead of firemen. What do you two Seniors of the Year. She was presented firefighters. What is the dynamic house fire or traffic accident? think? with the award by County Executive Mary- between the men and women? We decompress at the station. If it’s It’s ridiculous. Personally, you can call Ellen Odell in a ceremony on May 23 at the It’s good. Women are a big part of this really bad, counseling is available. I go me anything you want. I get the job done Putnam County Golf Course. Mary Bodor firehouse. No one gets treated differently. home, enjoy my kids, watch TV, play with just like anybody else. I’m not at all of- of Patterson was the other recipient. Once you’re in your gear, gender doesn’t my dogs and think of something happy. fended being called a fireman. Anderson, 77, is a longtime volunteer in matter — as long as whoever you’re work- Philipstown, and has been particularly active pushing for the senior center that is expected to open this year in the Butterfield redevelop- ment. A Peekskill native, she moved to Garri- son with her husband, Paul Anderson, in 1975. Married for 55 years, they have two children, Christine and Paul III (both of whom are nurses) and five grandsons. When asked her advice about volun- teering, Anderson said, “Don’t slow down — stay involved.” Haldane to Test Traffic Pattern Access via Craigside Drive will be restricted he Haldane school district plans to ex- Donna Anderson Tperiment with a new traffic pattern on HUDSON RIVER EXPEDITIONS Join us on the water this Memorial Day Weekend via kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard! Visit www.HudsonRiverExpeditions.com for more information.