Welcome to the Town of Taghkanic
in New York's Upper Hudson Valley

PUBLIC MEETINGS

All meetings of the Taghkanic town boards and committees are open to the public. Meetings are held in person at the town hall, unless labeled "Zoom-Only". The town makes every effort to post meeting times and locations in advance, along with the meeting agenda and any additional relevant documents.

Attend In-Person or on Zoom

All meetings are available on ZOOM and can be accessed by clicking on the camera icon on the Upcoming Meetings calendar on this page.

View / Download Zoom Recordings

Zoom recordings of town meetings can now be downloaded for viewing. To locate a recording, click here Zoom Recs .

MEETINGS CALENDAR
Meetings scheduled for this week & next week
Date Time Meeting Agenda Docs Zoom
Mar 24 7:00pm Zoning Board of Appeals
Mar 27 4:00pm Climate Smart Communities

A Look Back at 2024

In Memorium

2024 was marked by the loss of these friends who served the town of Taghkanic, though they were so much more than that.

  • Rob Burns - Taghkanic Highway Supervisor
  • Stephen Kling - Planning Board member, illustrator for many wonderful town posters.
  • Craig Surprise - Town Assessor

New Town Members

We welcomed in 2024 these new members of the Taghkanic community:

  • Eric Gaylord - Highway Supervisor
  • Brttany Santarelli - Town Assessor
  • Deborah Sweet - Court Clerk
  • Carol Callahan - Assistant Court Clerk
  • Eli Fieser - Assistant Building Inspector

Some Highlights

  • Short Term Rentals - After considering input from residents on all sides of the issue, the Board passed Local Law #3 2024 - Short Term Rental Law.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units - The Board passed Local Law #2 2024, allowing ADUs on residential properties. This update to the town's zoning code will make Taghkanic residents eligible for possible 2025 grant funding to support remodeling / construction of an ADU.
  • Highway Department - Our great Highway crew responded to calls from residents to improve Ronadale Ln and to create a turnaround for emergency vehicles at the end of New Forge II. They also made improvements to the following roads: Taghkanic-Churchtown, Livingston, Manor Rock, Tompkins, List By-Pass, Sheldon, Copake Lake, Copake Lake extension.
  • Fire Department - The Fire Department underwent significant change in 2024. It is now a Fire District governed by its own Board of Commissioners and responsible for its own finances. The Churchtown Fire Department is no longer an active department.
  • Copake Rapid Care - After being closed for a year and a half, the Copake Rapid Care reopened for patients in June. While not in Taghkanic, it's location makes it a primary choice for many Taghkanic residents.

Grant Funding

  • Climate Smart Grant - The town was awarded a $50,000 grant from NYSERDA. The money was used to install solar panels and heat pumps at the Highway Department garage, to purchase battery operated chainsaws for the Fire Department, and to buy various battery powered tools for the Highway Department.
  • Culvert Grant - The town was awarded a Climate Smart Grant of $136,435 to support the construction of a new culvert that will replace the deteriorating structure on Taghkanic-Churchtown Rd, near Cross St.

For Seniors

  • Taghkanic Senior Network - This newly formed committee has invigorated seniors and families with a variety of activities from fun BINGO nights to cookie decorating to informative presentations on health care and community services.

PUBLIC NOTICES

TAGHKANIC TALKS PRESENTS: THE FOREST IN YOUR BACKYARD: A HOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO MANAGING WOODLANDS

  • Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
  • Time: 10am – noon
  • Location: Taghkanic Firehouse, 631 Old Route 82, W. Taghkanic, NY

The Conservation Advisory Committees of Taghkanic, Gallatin and Copake, the Climate Smart Communities Committee of Claverack and the Columbia Land Conservancy, are pleased to announce the second in a series of presentations on forest stewardship for Columbia County landowners: The Forest in Your Backyard: A Homeowner’s Guide to Managing Woodlands.

On Saturday, March 29, CLC President Troy Weldy will present The State of Columbia County’s Forests. Weldy has spent more than 25 years working in and studying the forests of New York State. He will discuss the current condition of Columbia County’s forests, describe significant threats to their health and effective functioning, and provide information about how individual landowners can begin to assess the status of their own woodlots.

Over the course of the year we will continue to offer insights from forestry experts on the current condition of our forests, various threats to its continued health, what individuals can do to maintain and improve the health of their woodlands, and why it is important to do so.

ALSO AVAILABLE ON ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85036392021

We hope to see you there. RSVP’s for the March 29th presentation are requested to RSVP@taghkanic.org. Refreshments will be served.

Columbia County Office of Emergency Management MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: March 12, 2025
CONTACT: David Harrison Jr / Henry Swartz cceoc@columbiacountyny.com.

Columbia County Multi-Jurisdiction Mitigation Plan Update - Public Review & Comment

The Columbia County Office of Emergency Management (CCOEM), Public Works, Planning and other county departments and jurisdictions within Columbia County are working with Tighe & Bond Engineering to update the County Multi-Jurisdiction Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and is seeking public comment.

The Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Migration Plan is a FEMA prescribed effort which enables the County to obtain Federal Grants for planning and mitigation projects. The purpose of the Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan is to identify and profile the County’s risk and vulnerability to potential natural hazards, including all jurisdictions within the County. Specifically, this plan assesses the potential impacts of hurricanes, winter storms, extreme precipitation and flooding, earthquakes, drought/wildfire, and dam/culvert failure and identifies properties, resources, and critical facilities which may be impacted by these hazard events. The plan identifies mitigation strategies and actions aimed at reducing the loss of or damage to life, property, infrastructure, and natural, cultural, and economic resources. A corresponding implementation plan was prepared to address the prioritization and administration of the identified strategies and actions.

Public Comment Period - The public comment period is from March 15, 2025 to April 15, 2025. Public Comments may be submitted by email with the subject line: "2024 CCHMP Public Comments" to both: Dep Director Henry Swartz - cceoc@columbiacountyny.com & Haley Rivers - hrivers@tighebond.com.

View The Plan DRAFT - To view the plan DRAFT and learn more please go to the Columbia County web page: https://www.columbiacountyny.com.

Public Presentation - An update plan DRAFT public information presentation will be given by Tighe & Bond on March 25, 2025 at 6:30pm. The presentation may be accessed by web link or by phone, for the web link and phone number please go to the Columbia County web page: https://www.columbiacountyny.com.

For more information please contact, CCOEM Director David Harrison Jr or Dep Dir Henry Swartz at cceoc@columbiacountyny.com.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TOWN OF TAGHKANIC
COUNTY OF COLUMBIA

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Taghkanic Town Board will hold a public hearing on April 14, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Taghkanic Town Hall located at 909 Route 82, Taghkanic, New York, 12502 to hear all interested parties on:

Proposed Local Law No. 2 of the year 2025, entitled “local law modifying the hearing date of the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) of the Town of Taghkanic."

All persons interested in commenting on the proposed local law shall be heard at such time.

A full and complete copy of the proposed local law is available at the office of the Taghkanic Town Clerk during normal business hours. A copy of the document can also be downloaded by clicking HERE.

Dated: March 11 2025
Cheryl Rogers
Town Clerk

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Town of Taghkanic
2025 NEW FULL VALUE ASSESSMENT

(Please note deadlines in RED below)

Dear Property Owner:
As part of the Reassessment Update Project, the town’s assessment department has reviewed and analyzed all property assessments.

Why are you receiving this Notice?

According to NYS Real Property Tax Law, all property assessments must be valued at the same uniform percentage. To maintain this legal requirement, assessment updates must be performed periodically. By implementing this program, assessments remain fair and equitable.

What you need to know.

An assessment update does not generate more tax revenue for a municipality; it simply redistributes the tax burden fairly. NYS Real Property Tax Law §305 states that all properties must be assessed uniformly. Assessing properties at 100% full market value is the best way to ensure property assessment equity and reflects the current value of your property.

Keep in mind, the assessor does not determine taxes; this is the responsibility of each taxing jurisdiction. Assessments are merely the vehicle to determine the share of the property taxes owed.

What you need to do if you disagree with your new Full Value Assessment:

Go to: https://townoftaghkanic.prosgar.com to research sale and assessment data. Follow the instructions posted on the prosgar website to submit an informal review.

***Commercial Properties: Please include rent roll, operating expenses and/or recent appraisal, if applicable, with your informal review submission.

For questions or more information please call: 1-866-910-1776 NO LATER THAN March 19, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL Informal Review submissions MUST be received by March 31, 2025, for consideration.

When will the new assessments take effect?

The new full value assessments will be final July 1, 2025, and will be applied to the School tax bills September 2025 and the Town/County bills January 2026. Parcels with recently completed/active building permits may receive a second notice after May 1, 2025.

For further information about equalization rates, check out this Guide for property owners.

Sincerely,
Brittany Santarelli, Assessor
Posted March 10, 2025

Reservoir Road Closed Due to Safety Concerns

Taghkanic Highway Superintendent, Eric Gaylord, is closing the crossing of a culvert on Reservoir Rd effective immediately.

A recent inspection of the culvert under Reservoir Road that directs water from the reservoir spillway downstream revealed structural problems. Town Engineer Patrick Prendergast, brought in for consultation, indicated "The headwalls are in poor condition. The east wall is severely undermined from erosion. One of the down-stream wing walls has fallen in the stream." He concluded, "The culvert should be repaired or replaced but should not be lift in service as is."

As a result, Reservoir Road has been closed to through traffic. The town board will discuss plans to address this situation at the monthly board meeting, Monday, March 10 at 7:00pm at the Taghkanic Town Hall. Interested parties may attend in person or via Zoom (see link above in Meetings Calendar).

NOTICE CONCERNING THE EXAMINATION OF ASSESSMENT INVENTORY AND VALUATION DATA

(Pursuant to Real Property Tax Law section 501)

Notice is hereby given that assessment inventory and valuation data is available for examination and review. This data is the information that will be used to establish the assessment of each parcel, which will appear on the Tentative Assessment Roll for the Town of Taghkanic, which will be filed on or before May 1, 2025.

The information may be reviewed by appointment in the Assessor’s office at the Taghkanic Town Hall located at 909 State Route 82, on Thursday’s, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. An appointment may be made to review the assessment information by telephoning the Assessor’s office at (518)851-7501.

For information regarding the Town's 2025 Reassessment Project, please click HERE.

Dated 1st day of March 2025
Brittany Santarelli
Assessor
Town of Taghkanic

KEEPING IDENTITIES OF SENIORS SAFE

  • Date: 3/10/25 — 3/21/25
  • Time: Tuesday 2-5pm, Wed 9-noon;Thurs & Fri 9am - 3pm
  • Location: Taghkanic Town Hall
identity theft happens

What Documents Should I Shred?

Bank Statements - Copies of Birth Certificates - Pay Stubs - Canceled/Voided Checks - Credit Card Bills/Receipts - Credit Reports & Histories - Expired Credit Cards & Identification Cards - Expired Passports & Visas - Legal Documents - Insurance Documents - Tax Forms - Medical & Dental records - Utility Bills (phone, gas/electric, water, cable) - Transcripts - Investment, Stock & Property Transactions - Employment Records - AND: ANYTHING with your Account Numbers, Passwords, PINs, Signatures, Social Security Numbers and your Date of Birth !

Download Flier

Sponsored by the Columbia County Clerk’s Office, Holly Tanner, County Clerk

Cheryl Rogers
Town Clerk

Property Tax Exemption for Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Personnel

As a reminder, property owners who have been enrolled members of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service, or such enrolled member and spouse residing in the Town of Taghkanic who provides such volunteer services to a neighboring city, village, town, county, or school district for a minimum of two years, can apply for exemption RP-466-a-vol. Forms and certificate issued by the authority must be mailed to the Assessor’s office by 3/1/2025. Please mail documents to Town of Taghkanic Assessor’s Office, 909 Route 82 Ancram, NY 12502.

Dated February 18, 2025
Brittany Santarelli
Town Assessor

The SENIOR SCOOP

Check out the January edition of the Senior Scoop - the newsletter from the Columbia County Office for the Aging.

Click HERE to download the newsletter.

PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWN OF TAGHKANIC

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town Board of the Town of Taghkanic will be accepting letters of interest to fill the following open positions:

Clerk Secretary for the following two boards:

  • Planning Board
  • Zoning Board of Appeals

Open seats for the following Boards:

  • Planning Board Alternate
  • ZBA Alternate

All letters of interest for the above positions should be sent to Cheryl Rogers, Town Clerk, 483 County Route 15, Elizaville, New York 12523 or emailed to crogers42857@gmail.com.

Cheryl Rogers
Town Clerk

TOWN OF TAGHKANIC
NOTICE OF RECEIPT
OF TAX ROLL AND WARRANT

TAKE NOTICE that I, Cheryl E. Rogers, the undersign Collector of Taxes of the Town of Taghkanic, County of Columbia and State of New York, have duly received the tax roll and warrant for the collection of taxes within the Town of Taghkanic for the Year 2025, and that I will receive said taxes at 483 County Route 15, (Taghkanic) during regular business hours Monday thru Friday 9am to 4pm, and for the month of January only, Saturday 9am to 11am.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that taxes may be paid on or before February 1, 2025 without charges or interest. On all taxes received after such date, there shall be added interest of 1% per month until such taxes are paid or until returned of unpaid taxes to the County Treasurer pursuant to law.

  • 1% if paid before February 28
  • 2% if paid before March 31
  • 3% + $2.00 if paid before April 30
  • 4% + $2.00 if paid before May 31

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that pursuant to the provisions of law the tax roll of the Town of Taghkanic will be returned to the County Treasurer of the County Columbia on the 1st day of June 2025.

Cheryl E. Rogers
Town Clerk/Collector
Town of Taghkanic

DID YOU KNOW? The Highway Dept can accept metal for recycling throughout the year. Please e-mail Highway Superintendent Eric Gaylord at taghkanichighwayone@yahoo.com to arrange a time to drop off your recyclable metal waste at the town garage. Items for metal recycling must be at lease 75% metal.

TAGHKANIC TALKS

2025 - The Year of the Forest


Taghkanic Talks is a program developed by the Taghkanic Climate Smart and Conservation Advisory Committees to host public presentations on a variety of topics of interest to the Taghkanic community. Past presentations have spotlighted community solar programs, heat-pump technology, and programs to assist with home weatherization. Another series focused on pollinators and native plant species, highlighting small but meaningful actions individuals can take to restore and preserve the ecology of our beautiful county.

In the upcoming months Taghkanic Talks will host a series of presentations we're calling The Forest in Your Backyard. Taghkanic and Columbia County reside within a vast stretch of contiguous forest stretching from Dutchess County to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. This forest provides essential habitat for a wide variety of plant, bird, insect, amphibian, aquatic, and mammalian species - and plays a critical role in providing clean drinking water for all of us.

If you own property in Taghkanic, chances are you own a portion of that forest. We hope you will join us for these presentations - and conversations - about what we can do to preserve and restore our forest resources.

Zoom Recordings from this Series

Feb 8 - History of CoCo Forests - Will Yandik

Energy Tracking - Town Hall

Poster highlighting the heating and cooling capacity of heat pumps In June 2022, four Mitsubishi air-source heat pumps were installed at Town Hall to replace the existing oil-based heating and window air conditioning units. In the summer of 2023, the lighting system at Town Hall was converted from a combination of incandescent & fluorescent fixtures to all LED fixtures. A recent analysis by the Climate Smart Committee shows how these changes affected energy use and energy costs at Town Hall. The results indicate an annual cost saving of around $1076 and an annual reduction in energy use equivalent to 5.8 metric tons of CO2. This corresponds to the CO2 emitted by 1.3 average gasoline powered cars over a 1-year period.

But how much CO2 is that? It's not easy to visualize, right? Well, imagine a block of Dry Ice measuring one meter high X one meter deep X 3.72 meters wide, weighing over 12,000 pounds - that would be 5.8 metric tons of CO2 in its solid form. See full article.

TAGHKANIC SENIOR NETWORK

Taghkanic Senior Network announcement

If you are interested in helping Taghkanic's seniors and caregivers, please contact TSN co-chairs Celine Kagan and Susan Silverman at taghkanic60plus@gmail.com.

2024 Zoning Amendments

STRs & ADUs in Taghkanic

In 2024 the Town Board passed two local laws updating the town oning Code. Local Law #3 2024 permits and sets forth the regulations for Short Term Rentals in Taghkanic. Local Law #2 2024 defines and allows for Accessory Dwelling Units. The permitting of ADUs was enacted so that Taghkanic residents would be eligible for NY State grant funding to help residents with the costs of building or restoring these structures. The county has applied for the grant and will be notified of the outcome in 2025.

Taghkanic Community Fridge

Free-fridge guidelinesThe community fridge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can't miss it - the cheery yellow building sits alongside the back door of Town Hall. The fridge and pantry are stocked with all manner of foods, including meals prepared by Columbia County Recovery Kitchen.

We welcome food donations - click on image to download full-size PDF of Guidelines. If you'd like to join our brigade of fridge volunteers and help manage, clean and stock the fridge, please contact Betsy (betsyalbertfortaghkanic@gmail.com).

Here are three ways to donate directly to the Fridge: Venmo (@taghkanicfridge); PayPal (@TaghkanicFridge); or drop a donation in the box at Town Hall. Donations are NOT tax deductible. However, if you'd like your donation to be tax deductible, OR if you have a matching donation program through your employer and would like to double your impact, you can make a donation to the Purpose Cooperative. The Purpose Cooperative is a 501c3 through which we receive our Shared Plate stipend. You can send a check to Purpose Cooperative, 95 Main Street #546, Philmont, NY 12565 and ask that it be earmarked for the Taghkanic Fridge.

Official Town Newsletter