Short Term Rentals Debated
by Michelle Van Horn
The proposed local law #2 was a topic for debate as it impacts New Lebanon’s B & B owners, as well as short-term rental property owners, with most of the Zoning Rewrite Committee members favoring the new proposed law. One concern was that short-term rental properties would need to go through a site plan review, however Proposed Local Law # 2 apparently will not require such. One change for new short-term rentals is that special permits will need to be applied for, as old short-term rentals are grandfathered into the old laws, which do not need special permits. Proposed Local Law #2, which council member Deb Gordon says is “about as minimal as it can possibly be” was passed, and is now Local Law #3.
A resolution passed for the Community Solar Project to move forward, with New Lebanon’s Climate Smart Task Force laying the groundwork. A 10% savings is available for residents who choose to participate, and the town’s building and street lights will be powered using Community Solar.
The Free Store will be set up at the Lebanon Valley Protective Association on November 22 at 11 am. A Pop-Up event will take place on December 11. Both events will follow strict social distancing and mask-wearing. The town is looking for volunteers to support the good cause.
A motion was carried to apply for the $8,000 grant available for 6 New York State Climate Smart Communities. A project known as the ‘Local Champions’ seeks to support the hiring of Climate Smart Coordinators who will go through a six-month technical support training program to lead their respective Climate Smart Communities to reach their target goals.
The town is looking into charging a fee for operating permits and certificate of occupancy since most other towns choose to do so. More information will follow as it is forthcoming.
Stephentown has taken the lead on writing a letter that requests Albany Medical Center to set up a satellite/outpatient Clinic within the surrounding area and they have asked New Lebanon to sign it. Currently, the shortest distance to medical support is 32 minutes away. Before COVID-19 hit, a bus was scheduled to pick up residents for a social services day. The town board understands the need and has agreed to sign the letter.
Committee Reports:
The Chair of the Business & Economic Development Committee, Monte Wasch, reports the November 2 meeting saw a fear expressed that a few long-standing community businesses are closing their doors, while a few new ones are on their way in. New Lebanon can look forward to a new thrift and jewelry store coming soon.
The Town Board will provide resources for next year’s design competition to promote local businesses in New Lebanon. Next month’s meeting, which will hopefully be at Town Hall on December 2 at 6:30, will talk about what the world was like before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Twenty thousand pounds of food are distributed to NL residents and beyond every other week. As the need continues, food will continue to be distributed.
New Lebanon Representative Bruce Shenker, for Columbia County’s Environmental Management Council, reports that Columbia County is adopting the Climate Smart Communities pledge-the same pledge NL took at the beginning of 2020.
Check out the New Lebanon Library bulletin board for programs, like the Virtual Reader’s Theater on November 24 at 7 pm. Fairy Tales from Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson will be read. The Zoom meeting link can be found on the library’s Facebook page and website on November 23.
The Columbia County Department of Health is offering free water testing for residential wells. Contact the DOH for further information.
Town Supervisor Houghtling encourages residents to wear marks, wash hands, disinfect areas used, and don’t go to large social gatherings, as cases are rising in Columbia County. “It may be the difference between going into another lockdown or not,” says Houghtling.