The Clarkstown Parks Board and Recreation Commission will start accepting applications from Clarkstown residents February 1, 2022.
Mid-Hudson Economic Development Updates
News From Governor Hochul
Governor Hochul Announces $70 Million in Federal Funding to Address Child Care Deserts
- Funding Will Support New Child Care Programs in Areas Without Sufficient Child Care Slots
- Applications Open Mid-April 2022
- Applicants must complete the OCFS online orientation before applying for the grant.
- Visit the OCFS website for more information.
- Info session with OCFS on Monday, February 7th. See below for more details.
Upcoming Events
NEW: Child Care Deserts Info Session with OCFS: Governor Kathy Hochul announced the exciting new Invest in NY-Child Care Deserts initiative, designed to create new child care slots all across the state. Join the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) next Monday to learn the following about this funding for new child care programs:
- To register click here.
- Visit the OCFS website to review the RFA materials in advance here.
- For assistance with registering or licensing a new program, click here.
REMINDER: Mid-Hudson Workforce Solutions Webinar Series: The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) has put together a webinar series for organizations to learn about workforce best practices and resources to help retain and attract talent. Register to attend any of the webinars below!
- 2/4, 9am – 10am – Mid-Hudson Workforce Solutions: NYS Workforce Development Funding
- 2/11, 8:30am – 9am – Mid-Hudson Workforce Solutions: Child Care Resources for Employers
- 2/16, 9am – 9:45am – Mid-Hudson Workforce Solutions: NYS Department of Labor Recruitment Resources
REMINDER: Office of Cannabis Management officially invites you to attend Cannabis Conversations
- A series of 11 regional discussions across the state about cannabis legalization – including one in Spanish
- The Office of Cannabis Management will start the conversation to inform people about the legalization law, health and safety, and goals to build an inclusive, equitable new industry.
- The Mid-Hudson event will be held on Wednesday, February 16th at 6pm. Register here. For all others, click here.
- Questions can be submitted in advance when you sign-up and will be answered live during the Conversation
- Go to cannabis.ny.gov for the latest information
- You can also sign up for updates from the Office of Cannabis Management here
REMINDER: NYS Career Center Events & Recruitments
- New York’s Career Centers offer a variety of classes, workshops, job fairs, job clubs including virtual career fairs and virtual workshops, including informational sessions on a variety of topics
- If you have any questions about attending any of these events or recruitments, be sure to contact your local Career Center
Economic Development Opportunity Highlights
NEW: Rural Business Development Grants
- This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.
- Eligible Applicants: towns, communities, state agencies, authorities, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher education, federally-recognized tribes, rural cooperatives (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation).
- Eligible Area: RBDG money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas here.
REMINDER: 2022 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim and Witness Assistance Request for Applications
- New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) is announcing a funding opportunity available to any nonprofit organization, hospital, law enforcement agency, coalition, or other entity that meets the application requirements. The goal of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to outline how to apply for funding to support direct services that meet the immediate and long-term needs of victims of crime under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim and Witness Assistance Grant Program.
- Proposals for this opportunity are due Thursday, March 24th, no later than 2:00 PM (EST) PM.
REMINDER: FuzeHub 2022 Manufacturing Grants – Round 1 – Awards up to $50K Each
- Deadline is February 4, 2022
LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF UPPER NYACK NOTICE OF TENTATIVE COMPLETION OF 2022-2023 ASSESSMENT ROLL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Assessor for the Village of Upper Nyack, County of Rockland, has completed the Tentative Assessment Roll for the current year and that a copy has been filed with the Village Clerk, 328 North Broadway, Upper Nyack, New York. A copy thereof is available on the Village’s website at www.uppernyack-ny.us where it may be seen and examined by any interested party until
FEBRUARY 17, 2022, and that on such day between the hours of four (4) PM and eight (8) PM, the Board of Assessment Review will meet at the Old Stone Meeting House, 347 North Broadway, Upper Nyack to hear and examine all verified written complaints in relation to such assessments, and the application of any person believing himself aggrieved thereby.
The RP-524 complaint form, as well as a publication containing procedures for contesting an assessment, are available on the Office of Real Property Tax Services website at www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property and must be filed no later than eight (8) PM on February 17, 2022. The equalization rate is 30.95% and the residential assessment ratio is 30.99%.
A person who does not have access to the Village’s website may call the Village Clerk at (845) 358-0084 between the hours of 9 AM and 12 Noon, Monday through Friday, except holidays to obtain the RP-524 complaint form or to make special accommodations to examine the Tentative Assessment Roll.
Dated: February 1, 2022
Heather Candella
Village Clerk
A Valentine’s Day Inspired Couple’s Cooking Class – RCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center Food Enthusiast Program Unveils First Class of 2022, Love is in the Air
Additional classes being offered March – May
(ROCKLAND COUNTY, New York) February 1, 2022 – RCC’s Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center is helping couples celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with a special Food Enthusiast class. Love is in the Air is the first in a series for 2022. Participating couples will be able to “stir up” romance in the kitchen by working together to prepare a love-inspired main course, side dish and delicious dessert. After preparing the meal, couples will be able to enjoy their dinner by candlelight in the main dining room and are encouraged to bring their own beverages to the event. This class is being offered Thursday, February 17 from 6:30-9:00PM.
The class will start with snacks and RCC provides all food, equipment, and supplies. Couples will make the recipes after the demonstrations, and instructors will be on hand to offer assistance throughout the class. Guests will select their choice of entrée in advance from the menu below.
MAIN COURSE
Beef Wellington with Mushroom Duxelles
or
Salmon Wellington with Lemon Herb Goat’s Milk Cheese
SIDE DISHES
Confetti Quinoa
Grilled Asparagus
DESSERT
Dark Chocolate Ganache with Fresh Fruit and Grand Marnier or Kirschwasser
The community cooking classes are taught at the Rockland Community College Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center, located at 70 Main Street in Nyack, NY. The cost is $75 per person. Class will run from 6:30 – 9:00 pm and beginner and experienced cooks are welcome. The Food Enthusiast Program has limited space and those interested are encouraged to register early.
RCC’s Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center is offering additional classes during the next few months.
Schedule:
Pasta Making – Thursday, March 10
Holiday Appetizers and Hors D’ oeuvres – Thursday, April 7
Spring Special – Thursday, May 12
Registration for all classes is available on line at rccculinarycenter.com. For questions, contact the RCC Hospitality & Culinary Art Center’s director, Mark Davidoff at 845-875-7571 or mdavidof@sunyrockland.edu.
Masks are required, and for more COVID-related safety instructions and information, visit the College’s coronavirus webpage.
The RCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center was created in response to the burgeoning growth in restaurants and tourism in the Mid-Hudson Valley and the resulting need for more qualified workers. The curriculum focuses on New York artisanal food, craft beverages and agriculture. It offers fast-track culinary arts certificate programs, workforce-ready training for veterans and under-served populations, a state-of-the-industry teaching kitchen and a market store with freshly prepared foods for take-out or delivery. More information can be found at www.sunyrockland.edu.
Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes Update
Proposed Budget, Director Appointment and Intermunicipal Agreement Submitted to County Legislature
New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day submitted the proposed $1.5 million budget for the Office of Buildings and Codes to the Rockland County Legislature for their approval. The budget includes funding for staff, contractors, equipment, computer software and printed materials. Projected revenue for the budget comes from the fees associated with code enforcement inspections. The budget is intended to be revenue neutral and could be amended in the future to include possible New York State aid funding.
“This budget prepares for all eventualities, and we have already had discussions with our State Senators and Assembly Members about securing New York State aid to ensure that no county tax dollars go towards fixing Spring Valley’s issues. While we have been Ordered by the New York State Department of State to undertake this unprecedented task, it would not be right to ask county taxpayers to foot the bill,” said County Executive Ed Day.
The County has identified a need for at least 12 Full and Part-time Building and Fire Inspectors and 5 support staff who will work under the supervision of the Director of the Office of Buildings and Codes to clear Spring Valley’s backlog of outstanding inspections. Additional contractors could also be hired as part of this process. The Director of the Office of Buildings and Codes will report directly to the County Executive’s Chief of Staff and will be closely supported by the Office of Fire and Emergency Services and the Law Department.
The Office of Buildings and Codes main office will be on the 2nd Floor of Building A in the Robert Yeager Health Complex in Pomona. This space had been vacant and is currently being remodeled and upgraded.
“We will soon be empowered to ensure strict enforcement of New York State Building and Fire Code within Spring Valley. The County will not hesitate to issue fines to those in violation of State codes. But fines are not the goal, they are just another tool we will use to ensure compliance and correct dangerous conditions that threaten the lives of residents, visitors and first responders,” said County Executive Day.
Former NYPD Police Officer and Suffern Mayor Ed Markunas is being appointed (pending County Legislature confirmation) to serve as the Director of the Office of Buildings and Codes. During his time as Mayor Ed Markunas oversaw the Village’s Building Department and developed and implemented the Village of Suffern Code Initiative (modeled after the incredibly successful Rockland Code Initiative) which combatted code, housing, and fire safety issues.
“Ed Markunas is incredibly qualified to oversee this new Office and serve as its Director; he is a man of impeccable character. He has served in the NYPD, the US Coast Guard and directly managed Suffern’s Building Department while he was Mayor. Ed Markunas has been involved in our update calls with NYS and Spring Valley for weeks, helped to develop the budget and determine staffing needs and has already provided significant insight. I have full faith in his ability to manage this situation and resolve many of the issues facing the residents and businesses of Spring Valley,” said County Executive Ed Day.
Also submitted to the Rockland County Legislature was an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) between the County and the Village of Spring Valley. The proposed IMA lays the groundwork for the transfer of control of the Building Department back to the Village without delay after the issues within Spring Valley have been corrected as Ordered by the New York State Department of State (NYS DOS). However, NYS DOS has not yet detailed under what specific circumstances control of the Building Department will be returned to Spring Valley.
The IMA focuses on four main areas which will reduce County costs; allow staff and code enforcement personnel of the Village to work under County oversight while remaining employed by the Village; borrow equipment and vehicles from the Village; allow the County access to the Village’s recordkeeping software (Municity); any revenue (fees or possible fines) collected that surpasses the operating costs incurred by the County will be returned to the Village.
“All staff performing inspections will be operating under the direct oversight of my Administration and Director Markunas with a strict zero tolerance policy. Any Village employee who does not comport entirely with the rules and regulations of New York State will be removed from participating in our effort. The true bad apples of the Village Building Department which are under indictment, have not and will not be part of this process,” said County Executive Day.