Agenda:

• Introduce new members
• Vote on Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary
• Update from Town Board Liaison
• Old Business –  

- Parking  - follow up with Dan about draft prepared by Pam R Nov 2009 - as starting point
- Play areas for children in Rhinecliff – report on response from Fire Co
- Announce town board meeting in Rhinecliff in April
- Water (ground water, storm runoff) – report on walkabout
- Ferry Service – any further info
- Request to zoning and planning to add RAC to list of those notified of actions affecting Rhinecliff

• New Business
• Adjourn

The Empire Corridor, which links New York City, the Capital Region and Buffalo/Niagara Falls, will be one of the biggest recipients of high speed rail money.

We'll get about $151 million to finally get going on a plan that’s been talked about for decades.

A trip to and from the Rensselaer Train Station could be a bit easier, and a bit faster, thanks to hundreds of millions of dollars in stimulus money New York is going to get for improvements to make high speed rail travel a possibility.

Sen. Charles Schumer/D-New York: “The places they chose to actually build the rail are places where we can get shovels in the ground because the work is already done, and the number one place in the state that needed change to make high speed rail happen was the Albany/Schenectady corridor.”

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FROM THE MID-HUDSON NEWS SERVICE:

KINGSTON – The Kingston Common Council approved two measures that could get a Kingston-Rhinebeck ferry up and running.  The council, Tuesday night, approved a ferry service feasibility study and an inter-municipal agreement with Rhinebeck

The feasibility study will assess the plausibility of bringing large scale ferry service to several locations along the Hudson River. Council President James Noble said the study will take a broad look at the possibility of implementing full-scale ferry service to locations all along the Hudson River such as Kingston, Rhinecliff, Hudson, and many other areas.

He said that the study will address everything from potential ridership to issues with docking at each location.

The study, according to Noble, could possibly cost as much as a few hundred thousand dollars but large scale ferry service would definitely be good for tourism because “it would get people here” to enjoy what the waterfront has to offer.

“Tourism brings sales tax and sales tax helps the city, bottom line. So anything we can do to foster that we’ve in favor of it.”

The idea of doing a ferry feasibility study was proposed most recently in November 2009 and, as a result of the common council’s decision Tuesday evening, the city will now begin the process of engaging in the necessary research.

The other measure passed by the  Common Council gives the go-ahead for an inter-municipal cooperation agreement between the city and the Town of Rhinebeck to install and utilize a docking area on the Rhinebeck side of the Hudson River so that ferry service can be extended to communities in that region.

According Noble, Rhinebeck will be providing the funds and materials while the City of Kingston will provide the manpower to seasonally install a docking area on the opposite side of the river to generate local commuter and tourism traffic.

“Trying to alleviate traffic but at the same time if you don’t have a vehicle to be able to get back and forth and get to the city.”

Noble said commuters will have the ability to park in the Rondout area and take the ferry to the Rhinecliff Ferry Station where access to trains servicing New York City is readily available.

Noble added that the future ferry service to Rhinebeck will be seasonal and will consist of passenger boats that Kingston already has in place.

The first meeting of the year for the Rhinecliff Hamlet Advisory Council usually meets the second Thursday of the month.

Due to schedule conflicts and reorganization decisions yet to be made, the meeting is being postponed until January 21. The meeting will be held at 7 pm at the Morton Library.

Join Drinking Liberally tonight as they mark the 4th gathering of Drinking Liberally Rhinecliff.

"Come out to toast the decade gone by & drink while discussing the decade to come with your local progressive social club.

While it's true the Farmers Almanac predicted a “numbing” winter, with below-average temperatures for at least two-thirds of the country, we can still warm ourselves with the company of fellow progressives.

Rhinecliff gatherings take place on the first Sunday of every month from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at The Rhinecliff Hotel. Last weeks regularly scheduled meeting was moved to tonight due to the holiday weekend.

Drinking Liberally Rhinecliff is the first and currently the only Dutchess county chapter of DL."

Click HERE to read previous articles on Drinking Liberally Rhinecliff or READ Drinking Liberally Rhinecliff's site.

(Tonight is also a Tweetup for Drinking Liberally Rhinecliff and rhinecliff.org. #DLrhinecliff http://twtvite.com/ih1awd)

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports the recent investigation into numerous residential and commercial burglaries throughout Dutchess County, as well as the arrests of two people in connection with them.

The investigations began in mid-November and quickly expanded as more burglaries were committed and reported to police. A total of 12 burglaries have been investigated and closed by these arrests so far with more suspected, and the burglaries span throughout the entire county of Dutchess and even into other jurisdictions including Ulster County and Connecticut. The arrests were followed by the execution of four (4) search warrants at various locations within Dutchess County, after which numerous stolen items were recovered. The recovered proceeds include electronic items such as large screen TV’s and computers as well as jewelry, all of which total in the many thousands of dollars.

The identity of the defendants is being withheld in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. The defendants will only be described at this time as being male and female, and they are charged at this time with Burglary in the 2nd Degree (Class C Felony). Both defendants were arraigned and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. In addition to the burglary charges the male subject is also wanted on a NYS Parole warrant, and the female subject is wanted on a warrant in Connecticut.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by many other agencies including the New York State Police, Connecticut State Police, Town of Poughkeepsie Police, Town of Hyde Park Police, and the Town of New Paltz Police. The investigation is ongoing and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Due to the New Years Holiday weekend tonight's meeting has been moved to next Sunday.

Drinking Liberally Rhinecliff normally meets at The Rhinecliff Hotel on the first Sunday of every month from 7:00pm - 9:00pm.

Click HERE to read previous articles on Drinking Liberally Rhinecliff or READ Drinking Liberally Rhinecliff's site.

From The New York Times:

Bannerman’s Castle was already an enigmatic ruin in the middle of the Hudson River, a dreamy landmark for passing train travelers and a passionate cause for preservationists.

But then in the silence of last Saturday night, a large chunk of history suddenly disappeared when the castle’s stone, brick and cement sighed under a century’s weight of weather. Overnight, two-thirds of the eastern tower was gone, as well as one-third of the adjacent southern wall, leaving a gaping hole and concern over how to stop the crumbling.

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From the Daily Freeman:

The Town Board on Tuesday adopted changes in the town zoning law, comprehensive plan, and subdivision regulations intended to serve as model for preserving rural community character.

The action ending an eight-year process was followed by handshakes and hugs during a Town Board meeting, where Comprehensive Plan Chairwoman Sally Mazzarella said the laws take advantage of zoning designations that were not available when outgoing laws were adopted 12 years ago.

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By Clement Clarke Moore
(not Henry Livingston)

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

December 21,

A final vote to approve the Rhinebeck Comprehensive Plan was delayed this evening. Citing the need to comply with Public Notice requirements, the Town Board delayed their vote until December 29th or the 30th in the event of a snow storm. 

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office is advising residents to be aware of burglaries this holiday season. The Sheriff’s Office has noticed a surge in burglaries that are occurring during the daytime hours when residents are typically not home.

Homeowners are encouraged to report any out of the ordinary or suspicious vehicles that are seen near their homes. If you come home to see an unfamiliar vehicle in your driveway, call the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 845-486-3800.

It’s very important to memorize the vehicle’s license plate number, as well as any other identifying information, such as vehicle make and model, color, damage, aftermarket accessories, etc… If the vehicle flees, we need the description as well as the direction of travel. If you can get a description of the operator, including height, weight, sex, race, and dress, that is important as well.

RHINEBECK — The Town Board expects to vote Dec. 21 on town comprehensive plan and zoning law updates that will require gun clubs to try to reduce noise, but won’t force them to make changes if the cost is prohibitive.

The meeting will be 6:45 p.m. in Town Hall, 80 E. Market St.

A Town Board meeting is also scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Monday, when officials expect to be given final versions of the comprehensive plan, zoning law, and wetlands regulations.

READ MORE at The Daily Freeman

Friends Of Morton presents a special concert to benefit Morton Library, featuring Boston-based Acoustic Singer/Songwriter Chris Trapper.

Chris brings his special brand of witty and heartfelt songs to Morton Hall in the quaint hamlet of Rhinecliff.

The former front man from the beloved alternative rock group The Push Stars, Chris continues to advance in his solo career. 

Trapper has put out a new album, entitled Til the Last Leaf Falls.

One of his latest songs, This Time, emerged as the number one selling tune on the Grammy–nominated soundtrack August Rush.

Trapper has spent much of 2009 on the road playing all over the United States and Canada, and we look forward to having him play the intimate setting of Morton Hall.

Erin Hobson, a Rhinebeck native with some serious songwriting and guitar playing chops, opens the show.

Tickets are $25.00 and available through Marks Music Center, Rhinebeck, NY 876-1006.