The following paper shredding events will take place across Rockland County in 2022.
2022 Paper Shredding Events in Rockland
Join Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress in a series of four (4) live virtual events to address critical cybersecurity issues pertinent to municipalities, school districts, utilities, industries, and businesses.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
REGISTER TODAY! CLICK HERE
EVENT 1: CYBER ESSENTIALS – March 29, 2022
The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will share information that is essential to protecting computer systems, data and infrastructure for local government and businesses. CISA will also discuss its “SHIELDS UP” guidance for all organizations – big and small – to adopt a heightened posture as a result of Russia’s unprovoked attacks in Ukraine. Although there is no specific or credible cyber threat in the United States, CISA is encouraging organizations to practice extra vigilance and report unusual activities on their government, utility or business networks.
The Rockland County Department of Economic Development and Tourism and County Executive Ed Day encourage all to participate in this critically important series of informational seminars on how to prevent and protect our businesses and communities againsts cyber-attacks.
For more information, please contact Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress at (845) 565-4900 or visit www.pattern-for-progress.org.
Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy, planning, advocacy and research organization whose mission is to promote regional, balanced, sustainable, and equitable solutions that enhance the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley.
Hudson Valley Legislators Pressure O&R to Abandon Rate Hike Proposal
Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley), Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester), and Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski (D-New City) gathered outside the offices of Orange & Rockland Utilities (O&R) on Friday to demand the company immediately rescind its proposed rate hikes currently being considered by the Public Service Commission (PSC). O&R is seeking to increase its electric delivery revenues by $24.5 million, and its gas delivery revenues by nearly $10 million over the next three years.
Before a utility company can adjust electric or gas delivery rates for its consumers, it must receive approval by the PSC. Delivery rates cover the infrastructure required to transfer energy from its source to the consumer, as well as any surcharges or administrative fees a utility company may levy.
In recent months, neighboring utility Central Hudson got the green light from PSC in November on its own three-year rate plans, enabling the company’s electric delivery revenues to jump $16 million and gas delivery revenues to jump close to $12 million by 2024. Central Hudson’s rate hike approval comes on the heels of the company’s mishandling of a billing system transition that left the accounts of thousands of consumers in disarray, followed by crushing surges in global energy supply costs.
Due to mounting pressure from local legislators and Skoufis’ recent announcement of a formal Senate investigation into utility companies, power providers, and other stakeholders, O&R’s electric and gas rate cases, initially expected to conclude this week, have been delayed. Skoufis issued a letter to the Public Service Commission on March 4 urging commissioners to suspend any consideration of O&R’s rate hikes, and both Senator Reichlin-Melnick and Assemblymember Zebrowski have been in communication with the Governor’s office about the need for PSC to reign in rate increases.
“We’re here today to call on Orange & Rockland to read the writing on the wall: struggling Hudson Valley ratepayers can’t tolerate these surging bills and they shouldn’t be asked to bear an even larger financial burden,” said Senator Skoufis, who chairs the Senate’s investigations and government operations committee. “O&R must rescind its rate case immediately to ensure residents and small business owners won’t be asked to choose between keeping the lights on and feeding their families.”
“Our constituents are being squeezed by energy costs at every turn and New York State needs to step in everywhere we can,” said Senator Reichlin-Melnick. “Utility companies have a monopoly on electric and gas delivery. We are calling on O&R to reconsider imposing any rate hikes in this moment of unprecedented energy costs.”
“New Yorkers continue to feel the brunt of high utility rates, and the proposed hike from O&R will only create further financial difficulties for hardworking families,” said Assemblymember Zebrowski. “The proposal being considered by the PSC comes at a time when many are still facing overdue payments and trying to make up for those. Now is not the time to force even more pressure on ratepayers, it is time for O&R to withdraw this rate hike proposal and work to find more affordable options for customers.”
Office of Buildings and Codes Investigating Over 100 Violations
Faulty Smoke & CO2 Alarms, Exposed Wires, & Systematic Fire Alarm Failure Found
New City, NY, – The Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes is investigating over 100 Building and Fire Code violations at 101 Kennedy Drive in Spring Valley, owned by Country Village Towers Corp.
On Wednesday March 9, 2022, a fire broke out inside an apartment on the 7th floor of 101 Kennedy Drive resulting in multiple people trapped and requiring the rescue of a 2-year-old child.
While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, an immediate inspection following the incident by the Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes resulted in more than 100 violations being discovered including:
- No fire extinguishers in hallways (one is required every 75 feet)
- Combustible materials in hallways
- Flammable caulking
- Corroded fire pump
- Exposed wires throughout the building
- Faulty smoke alarms & CO2 detectors
- Systematic failure of the fire alarm system
- Doors not closing properly
- Illegally converted & overcrowded apartments
- No elevator certificate of inspection
Inspectors found 25 illegally converted apartments with living and dining rooms transformed into makeshift bedrooms, but this number could increase because at least 19 apartments were locked during this incident, with inspectors unable to access them.
None of the inspected units had smoke alarms in each bedroom, as required, and of all the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested nearly all failed, didn’t activate, and were outdated. Additionally, there was a systematic failure of the fire alarm system, with no audio or visual alarm sounding at the time of the fire.
“It’s properties like Country Village Towers that underline exactly why New York State has directed my administration to assume full control of the Building Department in the Village of Spring Valley. As a former first responder, I’m outraged knowing this fire could have easily taken a turn for the worst claiming who knows how many lives. It is critical that we see ongoing cooperation from the Village of Spring Valley to remediate these issues,” said County Executive Ed Day.
The last inspection performed at Country Village Towers was in 2019 with 11 violations noted. The Village of Spring Valley did not reinspect the property following that inspection to ensure the violations were remedied and it appears none of them ever were. The violations discovered in 2019 include electrical hazards throughout the building, apartment and stairwell doors not latching properly, no elevator inspection and issues with smoke and fire alarms.
“One thing is certain following this current investigation, it will take time for my office to correct years, really decades, of mismanagement and negligence by the former Building Department in the Village of Spring Valley. Failing to conduct a follow-up inspection in 2019 on the violations discovered is a failure to protect the health and safety of residents, visitors, and first responders. We will hold this property owner responsible and make sure these egregious violations are remedied immediately,” said Office of Buildings and Codes Director Ed Markunas.
Other hazards spotted included black mold in several apartments and deteriorating stairways and balconies.
The Office requests that the public submit complaints regarding Building and Code violations within the Village of Spring Valley to 845-364-3700 or by email to BuildingsAndCodes@co.rockland.ny.us.
Regular Meeting of the Upper Nyack Board of Trustees (hybrid), Thurs. March 17, 2022, 7 p.m
The Upper Nyack Board of Trustees will hold a hybrid meeting on March 17, 2022 at 7 pm.
The public can attend in person, by Zoom, or by phone.
To participate in person, come to the Old Stone Meeting House, 347 North Broadway, Upper Nyack, NY 10960
To participate virtually:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82857606336
Passcode: 068855
To join by Telephone:
Dial: 312 626 6799, 929 436 2866, 301 715 8592, 346 248 7799, 669 900 6833, or 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 828 5760 6336
Passcode: 068855
AGENDA
March 17, 2022
- Minutes – Meeting of February 17, Meeting of March 10
- Police Report
- Code Enforcement Officer Report
- Treasurer’s Report
- Resolution – Amend Minutes of 12/16/21 to correct Holiday dates
- Resolution for Approval – NHS Ecology Club clean up event at River Hook 3/19/22
- Discussion – Tax Grievance Recommendations
- Discussion – Annual Organization Meeting Monday, April 4, 2022
- Discussion – Renovation Proposals for VH Conference Room and OSMH
- Discussion – Public Record Proposal for Design of River Hook Visitor Center
- Set Public Hearing date for changes to the Village Ordinance 2.2 Parking of Vehicles
- Set Public hearing date for adoption of Uniform Code Enforcement Law
Executive Session – Pending Legal Matters
And any other business that the Mayor or Trustees may wish to bring to the Board