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The
Village of Kinderhook
VILLAGE OF KINDERHOOK CLIMATE SMART
COMMUNITY TASK FORCE
The Climate Smart Task Force in the Village of Kinderhook, Columbia County was formed in 2016 with the support of our Mayor, Jim Dunham and the Village Trustees. At first we had lofty goals in mind, a kind of “change the world” attitude. As a registered Climate Smart Community, the next step was to become a bronze certified community. As we soon discovered, that is not easy for a small village in Columbia County. The conclusion was to take small, practical actions focusing on two main objectives:
1) To provide educational events and regular communications that offer practical ideas and information to community members on what they can do to preserve and improve our environment.
- In collaboration with the Kinderhook Memorial Library, Hannaford, CLYNK and local community groups and businesses, we have held annual Earth Day events in the Village.
- During the 2019 spring and summer, we introduced the use of reusable shopping bags at the Village Farmers’ Market. The bags were donated by our local Hannaford and a number of Village residents. We are looking at ways to expand this idea as the plastic ban takes effect statewide in 2020.
- Working with the Library and Hannaford, we are currently holding a six week Meatless Monday initiative in the Village. At its conclusion, we have a raffle. Raffle winners will receive gift coupons courtesy of Hannaford in Valatie.
- In the spring of 2020, we are planning composting workshops for children and adults in partnership with the Library and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
- We regularly publish updates of our activities and achievements on the Village website and in the bi-annual Village bulletin. We also post information and tips on social media outlets like Nextdoor Kinderhook and IMBY.
2) To work with the Village Board to foster environmentally sound policy and actions
- After registering as a Climate Smart Community, we participated in the Clean Energy Community program completing the four action items needed for certification.
- During the Village budget process, we advocated for and received a separate line item in the budget for our committee’s work. We also contributed to plans on the use of funds received from NYSERDA and DEC. (EVCS installation, solar installation on Municipal buildings, and upgrade of Village Hall HVAC).
- In the past year, we have presented and the Board has passed Climate Action, and Carbon Fee and Dividend resolutions. They are currently considering adopting our Climate Crisis resolution
- Currently, we have worked with the Board to include the Village along with thirteen of municipalities, including the Towns of New Scotland, Bethlehem, Guilderland, Knox, Niskayuna Villages of Voorheesville and Altamont the Cities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Watervliet and Glens Falls, as a member of the Capital Region Community Choice Aggregation program administered by MEGA.
Suggestions and assistance from all residents regarding other environmental initiatives are welcome by the Task Force. Contact information is listed below.
The Task Force currently consists of five community members:
Warren Applegate
Bill Mancini
Aileen Leventon
Ann Birckmeyer
Sandra Tolosa
The Mayor and a Village Trustee liaison are active participants at many of our meetings. A senior planner from the Capital District Regional Planning Commission also attends our meetings offering valuable suggestions and assistance.
Meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month at 7PM, in the Village Hall. Meetings are open to the public. To join the Village Task Force or offer suggestions, you may attend a meeting or call Bill Mancini at 518-758-9584 or The Village Hall, at 518-758-9882.
MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED -- $60,000+ VILLAGE BENEFITS FROM CLIMATE SMART TASK FORCE
2010 Regional GHG Inventory Report
2023 Minutes
2022 Minutes
April 12, 2022 - Cancelled
June 8, 2022 - Report to Village Board
November 9, 2022 - Report to Village Board
2021 Minutes
September Meeting Cancelled
October Meeting Cancelled
Click here to view past years' minutes.
Village of Kinderhook Annual Energy Benchmarking Report
Farmers Market
