A New York State Designated "Quality Community"

Supervisor's Updates
Latest Update: 20 Jan 11

Updated, 20 Jan 2011: Vote on sale of the old Town Hall

Unofficial results show Schodack's voters have confirmed the Town Board's approval (by resolution 2010-327) of a proposal for an Option Agreement for sale of former Town Hall and the 2.1 acres where it's located.

The vote in this "permissive referendum" was 293 Yes and 276 No.

My thanks to all who turned out, regardless of which way you voted.

A state law which went into effect in 2010 requires carbon monoxide alarms in essentially all Schodack homes, both new and existing except in a very few isolated cases.

Called "Amanda's law," it's named for a West Seneca teen who was found unconscious because of carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty boiler and later died.

Amanda's law requires existing one- and two-family residences to have at least one carbon monoxide alarm installed on the lowest floor of the building having a sleeping area. The alarm must be clearly audible in all sleeping areas over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.

Under Amanda's Law, homes built before January 1, 2008, are permitted to have battery-powered CO alarms, while homes built after this date are required to have the alarms hard-wired into the building. Previously, only homes built or bought after July 30, 2002 were required to have these devices installed. Additionally, Amanda's Law will require contractors in New York State to install a CO alarm when replacing a hot water tank or furnace if the home is not equipped with an alarm.

The law provides an exception for dwelling units which have NO "appliances, devices or systems that may emit carbon monoxide" nor an attached garage. However, most homes in Schodack do have a gas range, a fireplace or heating system the burns coal, wood, oil, propane or natural gas and thus fall under the law's provisions.

You can get more information from the NY Department of State website or from your fire department (for phone numbers for the Fire Departments serving Schodack, see Fire Departments on this website). The full text of the law is posted at the NY State Senate website.

"Cold War Veterans - Limited Town Tax Exemption."

Town residents who served in our nation's armed forces between September 2nd 1945 and December 26th 1991, or their surviving spouses, can receive a 10-percent reduction in the assessed value of their home up to an $8,000 total reduction in assessed value.

Qualifying veterans must apply through the Assessor's office to receive the benefit. Schodack Assessor, Sharon Martin, may be reached daily between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Schodack Town Hall located at 265 Schuurman Road or by telephone at 477-7932.

Town Board actions

Agendas for Town Board meetings are generally posted 24 to 36 hours before the meeting. You'll find them linked from the front page and the the calendar page. The actions taken at Town Board meetings are on this website, linked from the front page and the Town Board page. You may also instantly access the Town Code, including Zoning, by clicking on E-Code from home or office.

We also welcome your suggestions and want to hear about your questions or concerns. Please send postal mail to the Town Hall or call me.