Funding for Our Libraries Is in Danger
The Trump Administration has placed the employees of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on leave in an attempt to eliminate the Institute. The New York State Library receives $8.1 million from the IMLS, which they use to support New York's 7000 public libraries. The loss of these funds will affect all of New York's 72 library systems, including Clinton-Essex-Franklin and its member libraries. The services supported by the IMLS include technology classes for people seeking jobs and library delivery for older Americans. It also provides grants to support special library programs, as well as basic library operations. Funding for libraries comprises less than 0.003% of the federal budget, but is critically important for libraries.
Several states, including New York, have filed a lawsuit aimed at stopping the elimination of the IMLS; however, citizens need to get involved as well. Please read this information on the American Library Association's website to learn what you can do to help stop this action and preserve all of the current services at the E.M. Cooper Library and our other local libraries.
A New Program to Convert Short-Term Rentals to Long-Term Rentals
On January 1, 2025 Adirondack Roots, AdkAction, and LivingADK launched a program to convert short-term rentals to long-term rentals. This is an effort to increase affordable housing in the ADKs. The program is supported through $20,000 in grants from the Adirondack Foundation and the Hudson Headwaters Upstream Fund and also from "individual supporters." Preference will be given to landlords with rental units in Elizabethtown and surrounding towns, but the program may be expanded in the future.
The program will provide $2000 (one time only) to STR owners who convert their properties to long-term rentals. It will also provide educational resources and one-on-one support to help with the conversion to a long-term rental. Some STR owners find that operating an STR costs more in time, money, and energy than they expected. Benefits to STR owners include a steady and predictable source of income. Also, long-tern rentals can cost less to operate because renters pay the utilities. For more information about housing related issues, check out our new Housing page here.
Wilmington No Longer Has a NY State Trooper Based Part-Time in Wilmington
Approximately 12 months ago, Wilmington lost the NY State Trooper based part-time in Wilmington. According to the State Police, there is a State Trooper assigned to Wilmington, but that Trooper is based in Ray Brook. The substation in Wilmington is now used for administrative purposes. Two Wilmington residents, Jon and Kate Hensley, are concerned about this and have started a petition to ask that the station again be manned part-time. If you would like to sign the petition, you can email Jon at jonz67ss@gmail.com. You can view a copy of the petition here.
Wildlife Refuge Closed and Listed for Sale
The Wilmington Wildlife Refuge is closed and listed for sale for a price of $799,000. In an article in the the Adirondack Explorer Steve Hall stated he was planning to divide the 47 acre property into one 7 acre property and one 40 acre property. He was quoted as saying he would like for a builder to purchase the property. The real estate listing states it has great potential to be divided for the development of residential lots. A link to the article in the Explorer can be found here.
Wilmington Planning Board Approves Hardy Road Subdivision
On January 7, the Planning Board voted to approve a six lot development on Hardy Road. As planned, four of the five lots on the north side of the road were to have their own driveway onto Hardy Road. Hardy Road is a popular biking destination. One person attending the meeting expressed his concern about having that many cars exiting onto Hardy Road, given the number of bicyclists. He asked that the Planning Board require the developer to have one road which would be shared by all of the driveways. With the exception of one Board member who supported the idea, the rest of the Planning Board would not agree to require this change. However, one of the Board members asked if there could be a compromise, and the developer voluntarily agreed to reduce the number of driveways to three. In our article on the NYS Pro-Housing Certification Program, we noted that the Town Board adopted the Pro-Housing Resolution and took the Pro-Housing Pledge. A principle of the Resolution reads: “we believe that infill development that reduces sprawl and supports walkable communities has significant environmental and public health benefits.” The Planning Board’s actions are not consistent with this principle when it continues to approve subdivisions far outside the Town center.