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Gratitude & Updates

Posted on by Mike Wiley

Happy Holidays! 2020 is coming to a close soon, and we’re looking forward to a new year. This one has been very challenging, to say the least. To those who have endured losses this year, our hearts go out to you. And while Thanksgiving looks very different this year for most of us, we want to express our gratitude for our village and for each other. The Castleton-on-Hudson Main Street Association (COHMSA) team feels very grateful that we live in a welcoming community with kind neighbors, low crime, lovely homes and beautiful scenery.

We launched our annual membership drive at the end of October and we are grateful to those who have renewed their membership or joined for the first time. Your support helps us accomplish our goals of visible change and forward our efforts in the areas of economic growth and community pride. We are 100% volunteer and the support of the community helps keep us going. It’s not too late to donate for the 2021 year!

Those who donated $50 or more got a free “I Love Castleton-on-Hudson” face mask. We are also selling them for $12 each. If interested, please email info@castletonmainstreet.org and we’ll get one to you.

In addition, while we encourage buying local and shopping small businesses, if you do shop on Amazon, consider enrolling in their Smile program and choosing us as the charity to receive a portion of your purchase. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and it helps our organization.

SUPPORT COHMSA
Go to: Amazon Smile

We would like to congratulate Joe Keegan for his win as Mayor of Castleton and Jen Pratico and Lissa D’Aquanni as Village Board Trustees. We thank Marianne Carner for always being a great liaison between COHMSA and Village Board and we welcome Lissa to joining us. We thank Bob Schmidt for his service as Mayor and Gina Giuliano for her service as Trustee.

RIVERKEEPER SWEEP: On October 17, COHMSA, in partnership with Mayor Joe Keegan and village Trustees Sharon Martin and Lissa D’Aquanni, led Riverkeeper’s annual Sweep which had been postponed from May due to COVID-19. With strict COVID safety guidelines and safe track crossing procedures, we did a huge cleanup of Riverfront Park. Drive or walk by and check out the beautiful views!
Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who came out and helped and to the Castleton Department of Public Works. We represented Rensselaer County as one of more than 65 locations from Brooklyn to Watervliet with more than 900 volunteers who came out to care for the Hudson River. Together we removed 8 tons of trash, 1 ton of recycling, and 98 tires, and planted or maintained 500+ native trees and shrubs.

Here are some other updates:

HALLOWEEN PARADE: We were delighted to participate in the vehicle parade organized by the Castleton Public Library in conjunction with the Fire Department and attended by village trustees. What a joy to see all the families lining the parade route in their costumes, excited to get the candy being tossed their way. 

FALL DECORATIONS: Thank you to Swartz Dairy & Produce for their generous donation of corn stalks and pumpkins for decorating Main Street.

CASTLETON VIDEO: You might remember that COHMSA submitted a video for HGTV’s new show, Home Town Takeover, last February. We didn’t win, unfortunately, but for some reason, it has begun circulating widely recently and we are happy for the attention and positive feedback.

MAIN STREET PROPERTY OWNERS: We see you! Thank you to those who have recently made improvements either by painting, cleaning or repairing your property. Every little bit helps Main Street look nicer. 

NAUTICAL FLAGPOLE: The nautical signal flags, which spell “WELCOME HOME,” have been taken down for the winter. The American flag will continue to fly and will be replaced as needed. (Last year, the replacement was delayed due to shipping issues related to COVID.)

As always, we welcome ideas and suggestions.
Email:
 info@castletonmainstreet.org 
Website:
 www.castletonmainstreet.org 
Facebook and Instagram:
COHMSA 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season – 

Team COHMSA

2020 Riverkeeper Sweep

Posted on by Mike Wiley

Riverfront Park
2020



Castleton-on-Hudson

What a wonderful day Riverkeeper Sweep on Saturday, October 17th was! COHMSA, supported by Village officials, staff and volunteers, helped clean up 225 lbs. of garbage from the banks of the Hudson River. We also removed a massive amount of scrub trees and overgrowth from Riverfront Park, unveiling this hidden treasure and revealing beautiful vistas of the River.

Riverkeeper, who organized this Sweep event in more than 65 sites along the Hudson from Brooklyn to the Capital Region said that with only half the sites reporting results, 27,801 lbs. of garbage was cleaned from the River. Thank you to everyone who helped maintain one of our most precious resources. 

Riverkeeper #RiverkeeperSweep

To learn more about the efforts of Riverkeeper in protecting the Hudson River visit: https://www.riverkeeper.org/

We would like to thank The Home Depot in Rensselaer and Country True Value Hardware & Rental for their generous donation of garbage bags and work gloves. We greatly appreciate your support!

Work gloves donation

WHY TREE CITY USA?

Posted on by Mike Wiley

Special thanks to Mike Martin and team who was instrumental in helping Castleton in being recognized as a Tree City USA community.

You may have noticed the signs are up at the village entrances. Castleton has demonstrated a commitment to the public trees by managing them and caring for them. Below are a few key benefits of the TREE CITY USA program:

  • Boost property values across your community. Properly placed trees can increase property values from 7–20%. Buildings in wooded areas rent more quickly, and tenants stay longer.
  •  Build stronger ties to your neighborhood and community. Trees and green spaces directly correlate to greater connections to neighbors.
  • Improve community pride. Participation in the Tree City USA program helps residents feel good about the place they live and work. Annual recognition shows visitors and prospective residents that trees, conservation, and the environment are important to your community.
  • Honor your community and demonstrate your commitment to a healthier environment through Arbor Day celebrations and Tree City USA recognition.

Did You Notice? New Trash Cans Along Main Street!

Posted on by Mike Wiley

The Village of Castleton purchased five new trash cans. The old cans had been in service for many years and were heavily dented, rusted, and in poor condition. The old trash cans detracted from the pride and appearance of the sidewalks along Main Street. COHMSA helped support the effort to replace the cans by pushing for this improvement, researching what to purchase, and providing additional funds to the village to help offset the purchase price. These trash cans should look great along Main Street for years to come!

USS Slater

Posted on by Mike Wiley

Did you know the USS Slater-766 is the last destroyer escort afloat in the America? It traveled past Castleton on July 5, 2020 around 9 am on way for service at the Cadel Shipyard on Staten Island. Here are a few pictures as it was pushed down river by the NYS Marine Highway Tugs: Sarah D. & Nathan G. taken near the flagpole on Main Street. The Slater will be undergoing mast restoration work at the shipyard.

You can read more about the USS Slater and restoration efforts here: https://www.ussslater.org/

Call on Amtrak to Protect Hudson River Access

Posted on by Mike Wiley

NY members Tonko, Delgado & Maloney, request Amtrak work with state & local municipalities to promote & uphold Hudson River access

“Our Hudson River serves as an important cultural, economic and environmental boon for so many of our New York communities,” Congressman Tonko said. “Unfortunately, highways and railroads block access to much of our beautiful riverfront, leaving precious few locations for families to enjoy. I urge Amtrak to collaborate with municipalities and local organizations in order to ensure that New Yorkers do not lose out on this national treasure. We can work to ensure public safety without sacrificing access for our communities.”

Numerous state and local officials and organizations have expressed their support for the letter including:

Ned Sullivan, Scenic Hudson President

“When it comes to the Hudson River, the people of the Hudson Valley want to have access to it. It’s also a key goal of New York State’s Coastal Management Program. Working with Amtrak, we can find common sense, 21st century ways to reduce risk without losing already scarce river access. Thank you Representatives Tonko, Delgado and Maloney for recognizing that through collaboration we can solve problems in ways that meet the needs of all.”

Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County Executive

“Rensselaer County is a proponent of protecting and promoting public access to the Hudson River. We have enjoyed a long history of boating, fishing, birding and hiking in and along the river. The Hudson River plays an important role in our tourism industry, with recreational activities for visitors as well as its historical significance. We recognize that residents want more safe access points to the river throughout our county, and encourage efforts to strengthen connections between our residents and this majestic waterway,”

Bob Schmidt, Mayor, Village of Castleton-on-Hudson

“I would like to thank our Congressional Representatives for bringing the Village’s 25-year long dream of Hudson River access at Riverfront Park closer to reality.”

The press release from Congressman Paul D. Tonko’s office can be viewed here.

Main Street Planters are Back

Posted on by Mike Wiley

The Meet Me on Main planters are back out on Main Street for Memorial Day. We added a new metal planter this year that was donated by our friends at The Castleton Tractor Supply Store. We would like to thank them for their donation of the planter to be used on Main Street. The COHMSA team planted each of the planters and added flags.

Donated Planter

With the current circumstances of COVID-19 that we are facing as a Nation we all can use some strength to get through this. To show we are all in this together and everything will be alright, COHMSA has placed Castleton Strong signs along Main Street. Keep thinking Castleton Strong!

Castleton Strong Sign at River Rest Park
Planter at Prins Insurance Agency
Planter at Cherrybrook Cafe

2020 Hudson River Access Plan

Posted on by Mike Wiley

The complete Hudson River Access Plan Final Report commissioned by Scenic Hudson can be viewed here.

The plan outlines access points along the shoreline of the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie to Rensselaer. The report provides a list of recommendations along with specific time frames to focus on preserving and maintaining access, amending laws, seeking funding, pilot programs, safe access, and revitalization of communities by using river access as an economic driver.

A case study of Castleton-on-Hudson is included in the report as well as recommendations for the village access to be used as a safe access corridor pilot project.

WM. CURTIS NOYES ENGINE HOUSE

Posted on by Mike Wiley

Another step closer in the rehabilitation of this historic building. Please see the building condition survey report prepared by Landmark Consulting. The report funding was possible due to the Village of Castleton securing a Preserve NY Grant. This provides a baseline survey of the building envelope and architectural condition. Treatment and repair recommendations are also provided for the Village to use as a outlined plan to preserve this building to ensure it’s future.

The report can be viewed here: https://www.castleton-on-hudson.org/document-center/building-condition-surveys/647-noyes-engine-house-building-condition-report/file.html

Spring 2020

Posted on by Suzanne Cecala

We hope the start of the new decade has brought you renewed energy and enthusiasm. The Castleton-on-Hudson Main Street Association (COHMSA) is excited for the future!

Coming this year:
COHFAM Spring Fest on Friday, March 13 at 4:30 to 7:30 pm – Come stop by our table at the Castleton Fire Department, visit https://www.facebook.com/COHFAM/ for more information.

First annual open meeting for membership and interested others – COMING SOON!

Spring Cleanup Day – volunteers greatly appreciated!

Fourth Annual Main Street Day

Fun Halloween Event at the Village Inn – Sunday, October 25

Announcements:
COHMSA received a grant for three dog waste stations. We gifted them to the Village and they’ve been installed on and near Main Street. Please use them to clean up after your dog.

The signal flags that hang from the nautical flagpole and spell WELCOME HOME will be raised again in April and flown throughout the spring, summer and early fall.

“Meet Me on Main” flower boxes are coming back!

We submitted an entry to the upcoming HGTV show, Home Town Takeover! We agreed with the other applicants that more is better. Cross your fingers, everyone! Please view our submission video on our You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvZ6ih5wCDVfMT3p8oF_4vg

Membership: We would like to thank our members for their support. We are working on our email list to communicate better with you. If you haven’t received any emails from us in the past 6 months, please send your email address to: info@castletonmainstreet.org

Sponsors: We would like to welcome our 2020 sponsors: D’Lish Catering, Becker’s Farm, Flair for Hair, Maple Hill Trees, Sacred Heart Church VanDeWal Coating Company, and Schodack Podiatry. Thank you for supporting our efforts!

For information on becoming a member or sponsor, please visit our website.

Contact us: info@castletonmainstreet.org
Website: castletonmainstreet.org
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: COHMSA