Warren County property owners who are delinquent on property tax bills should contact Warren County Real Property Tax Services by Friday, July 14th, 2023 to discuss payment arrangements as deadlines approach for the annual tax foreclosure auction.
Warren County property owners who are behind on their taxes and would like to discuss a payment plan should contact Lexie Delurey, Warren County Director of Real Property Tax Services, at (518) 761-6466 by 9:00 AM on July 14th to avoid potential public auction of their property to recoup taxes.
The Warren County Board of Supervisors is considering doing away with the annual “last chance” public meeting for tax-delinquent property owners this year in light of dwindling attendance, so arrangements must be made with the Real Property Tax Services Office Director by July 14th.
In addition, Real Property Tax Services staff will be visiting tax-delinquent properties the week of June 5th, 2023 to begin the process of posting them for the annual property auction. This year’s auction has been scheduled for October 21, 2023 at Warren County Municipal Center.
The goal of “No Mow May” is to pause the mowing of lawns during the month of May… This pause in mowing allows flowers to bloom in your yard, and help early pollinators get an appreciable start after hibernation. Lawns cover 40 million acres of land in the United States, and are the single most irrigated crop that we grow… Lawns provide little benefit to wildlife, and are actually often harmful! Grass-only lawns do not have flowers or nesting sites for bees, and lawns are often treated with pesticides that are harmful to bees and other invertebrates.
The start of the growing season is an important time for native bees and other pollinators, as flowers may be hard to find… By allowing the flowers to grow, much-needed pollen can be harvested to help pollinators thrive. There are other benefits to mowing less as well – it can help to create habitats, and increase biodiversity in local wildlife.
By mowing the lawn less, there can be year-round benefits! Taller grass tends to have deeper roots, and less water evaporates from the soil. Reducing the use of lawn mowers reduces air and noise pollution, and mowing less frequently creates better conditions for invertebrates, including lacewings and fireflies.
Although “No Mow May” is beneficial to the environment, it can be controversial… Many people feel societal pressure to keep their lawns neat and clean. To offset this problem, there are signs that can be placed to explain that you are participating in “No Mow May”. It is also advised that although your grass will be longer, you should still consider trimming other areas of the lawn, and make sure that all debris is picked up so that the yard otherwise looks neat. Another solution would be to mow around the edges of the property, to help convey that you are maintaining the property.
If participating in “No Mow May” somehow isn’t an option, there are other ways to help the environment and pollinators – you could plant a variety of native plants that bloom throughout the season and provide natural nesting sites for bees. You could also reduce or eliminate pesticide use… And simply talking to friends and neighbors can help, too! Talking about the effect that we have on the environment, and the steps that we can take to reduce our impact on the environment, can inspire action on the part of others.
For more information about “No Mow May” Please visit beecityusa.org
Ever wonder how you can help the environment from the comfort of your own home? Think community solar farms! Community solar can be a great option for people who are unable to install solar panels or have insufficient solar resources.
Community solar is any solar project or purchasing program within a geographic area in which the benefits of the solar project flow to multiple customers. The Cornell Cooperative Extension is just starting up a program which would help lower carbon emissions by helping lower income households utilize solar energy. Solar, wind and other renewable resources will be increasingly utilized to deliver affordable and green electricity over the next decade. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERTA) clean energy agenda has a target of 70% renewable energy by 2030, and 100% by 2050.
People who live in apartments do not generally have the option of installing solar panels, but the Cornell Cooperative Extension is also working to connect people who live in apartments, as well as lower income families. By connecting people to community solar farms, there is a potential savings of 10% on their electric bill, and the service is still generated by the current utility company.
Bradley Towel – the Energy Program Manager with the Cornell Cooperative Energy Program – sees the importance of small steps in gaining momentum: “One of the small things that has been put into place is consolidated billing. Instead of two separate bills, they have consolidated the bill, which also shows the savings” he said.
There are pros and cons to community solar – it lowers electricity bills, reduces carbon footprint, and combats rising electrical fees, but at the same time, Solar farms take up a lot of space, and there is a lack of control over the output.
Community solar programs are fast becoming the preferred option when choosing a clean energy source. Community solar farms are often built on unused barren land or brownfields, which are tracts of land that have been developed for industrial use, polluted, and then abandoned. Community solar farms cover between 20 to 40 acres, and are connected directly to the electrical grid. The incentive to participate – up to a 10% discount on electricity costs – pairs nicely with the positive environmental impact, and even better, people don’t need a roof or to own their own property to participate. By opting into community solar, people can participate in helping the environment, and save money on their utility bill at the same time.
Heating bills are expected to increase this winter by 28% in nearly half of US homes. The cold days of winter are upon us… Energy and fuel costs are soaring as supply continues to tighten, but there are ways to save on your heating bill. One way is to seal up leaks. There can be air leaks in walls, windows, ceilings… Anywhere air can escape. Caulking and weather striping are helpful ways to seal up air leaks. Programming the thermostat can also be helpful; there can be as much as a 10% savings a year by dropping the thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. Shutting doors of unused rooms, wearing warmer clothing, cooking, and buying curtains and shades are also affective ways to lower your heating costs.
As costs rise, people naturally look for alternatives to heating. Ventless gas heaters are heaters that do not have a vent or chimney… These heaters are inexpensive and can be placed anywhere in a house or apartment; however, the indoor air quality can be compromised. Since the 1980s, all ventless warmers have been required to include an oxygen depletion sensor – this senses the oxygen in the room, and if the concentration of oxygen falls below a certain threshold, the heater is turned off. Ventless heaters are not meant for long-term use, or to be used to heat more than one room; they are designed to only be used when essential, and under parental supervision… And, because the heaters do not circulate air from the outside, it is essential to open a window when using them.
Ventless heaters also create combustion byproducts that are harmful to your health: these include Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Water Vapor.
Carbon Monoxide is hazardous, and can be lethal in high concentrations; in low concentrations, it can cause health issues. Nitrogen Dioxide can affect your immune system and make you more susceptible to respiratory disease. Water vapor can cause mold to grow, which can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. Ventless heaters do not have sensors for carbon monoxide or other harmful pollutants.
There are extensive safety warnings that accompany ventless gas heaters. These outline the dangers and potential hazards of the heaters.
There are other alternatives to help keep heating costs lower and your home safer – changing filters ensures that the systems are working as efficiently as possible. A ceiling fan set to clockwise can be utilized to help to push heat down in the room. Buying shades and curtains help keep the house warmer; about 30% of heat loss is through windows.
These are safe and easy ways to help keep your home a bit warmer this season. Although ventless heaters may seem like a great bargain, there are health and safety risks associated with them as well.
The environment and humanity’s impact on it has been a hot topic for decades now. Here are some simple tips to reduce your impact on the environment this holiday season and beyond…
Photo: Crandall Pond Crandall Park Glens Falls
One of the things that people look forward to during the holidays is seeing friends and family, but that quality time can potentially be spent with a lower impact on the environment. The key word? Carpooling! With so many people moving about during the holiday season, there can be concerns about traffic; Carpooling effectively reduces the number of cars on the road, to improve your own experience as well as those of other families. Another potential option is public transportation. If you take the time to research the public transportation options that are available during the holiday in your community, you may find it to be a safe and efficient way to travel during the holidays, which also reduces your carbon footprint.
Small substitutions on the holiday menu can also have a positive impact on the environment: adding a vegetarian or vegan option to your usual menu can lower the carbon emissions associated with your food. A great place to get vegetables for the holiday season is a local farmers’ market; this will help support your community, lower your carbon emissions, and make a high quality meal this holiday season. Supporting a local farmers’ market can also add a fun and festive outing with family and friends to your holiday calendar!
If the dessert course is more your speed, consider making a “no-bake” dessert this season; some excellent and delicious options in this category include peanut butter bars, puddings of all sorts, and candied (or caramel) apples!
Plan on controlling your recipe’s output to minimize food waste. If you do have leftovers, store them in a reusable container: try to avoid using single use plastic bags, plastic wrap and tin foil.
Another good option is to remember to lower your thermostat before you leave your house for the holidays. This – in addition to unplugging your devices, turning off lights (or putting them on timers) and making sure your windows are all firmly closed – can not only reduce your environmental impact this season, but lower your electric and heating bills too!
Finally, when stringing up those festive holiday lights, consider using LED bulbs to save energy and reduce emissions. Also, consider using a timer so that the lights are only on when you want them to be.
Whatever your choices this holiday season, keep the environment in mind; you’ll find that your options are just as festive and fun, and can have a positive impact, too!
Every year as the pages slip off the calendar we look forward to each new season in upstate New York. As the seasons change we change things around our homes and gardens. As fall gives way to winter the days are filled with the sounds of leaf blowers and rakes as people collect and bag up their fallen leaves. However, there is an alternative. If leaves are left on the ground to winter over there are benefits to the soil and to the insect population.
Every year lawns and gardens are tidied up and beneficial leaves end up in landfills. These leaves are essential for the survival of caterpillars,butterflies,moths,spiders and bees. Caterpillars and butterflies use leaf litter for protection against the cold and protection against predators. Bees that winter over 1-2 inches underground use leaves for an extra layer of heat. According to the Soil Health Institute, increasing soil health can increase biodiversity, and agricultural productivity.
Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, explained these benefits in an article Leave the Leaves! Improve Soil Health and Habitat by Leaving Leaf Litter posted to their website, “They (leaves) cycle nutrients back into the soil, improving soil health. The decaying leaves add organic matter to the soil, providing nutrients for the microbial communities and improving the structure of the soil. Organic matter is an important component of soil, along with minerals, water, and air. Having an appropriate amount of organic matter in the soil ensures that it maintains a healthy structure, with space for movement of air, water, and soil microbes. Fungi and bacteria in the soil work to break down plant matter, making the nutrients available to growing plants.”
When leaves and yard trimmings are bagged up and taken to landfill their nutrients do not go back into the soil. These trimmings take up space in landfills, and let’s not forget they add to the chore list. People do like to have their yards and gardens look neat and tidied. In this case collect the leaves and use them as mulch around your garden beds. This keeps the nutrients in the ecosystem where they came from.
