Setting policy on solid waste is not something many of us dwell on, yet how society disposes of its trash has many ramifications to the environment, public health, wildlife and the quality of life of our communities.As a child growing up in the 1980s, I recall family vacations in the Adirondack Mountains where my parents would take us to visit the town dump (landfill) to observe black bears feeding on human garbage. Then one year the town dump was replaced with a transfer station. A similar policy shift in solid waste management was occurring in Dutchess County around this time as landfills around the county were similarly replaced with transfer stations. Henceforth the county garbage stream would be exported to out-of-county landfills while trash generated in a select few western towns would be burned at the new waste-to-energy plant in Poughkeepsie. That’s how the county Resource Recovery Agency (RRA) came into being.A few years later in the early 1990s, Dutchess County also adopted a policy on recycling, including mandatory curbside collection (although full implementation of recycling practices has always fallen short).Today, Dutchess County is at a solid-waste crossroads. At least that’s the message of the independent consultant that the Legislature hired to advise us. After 25 years and more than $32 million in government subsidiaries to the Resource Recovery Agency, the consultant’s report asks whether the future of solid waste in Dutchess County should continue to be under public ownership or privatized.The route of public ownership is outlined in the RRA-produced and December 2010-adopted Solid Waste Management Plan. This calls for an expanded RRA scope via a reimposition of flow control (government control of the waste-stream), imposition of a user fee revenue source (garbage tax), costly upgrades to the turbines, renovations to the recycling plant, construction of a new transfer station in southern Dutchess and possibly the development of an ash landfill. This would cost $80 to $110 million.State law requires that “planning, regulation and management” of solid waste governance resides in public hands, but whether the planning unit should remain with the RRA (a public authority) or be transferred back to the county is a question raised by the consultant’s report.The chief alternative to the expensive waste-to-energy practices as advanced by the consultant’s report is to disband the RRA, sell or renovate the waste-to-energy plant to a large-scale transfer station, and ultimately shift to waste export system to out-of-county landfills as practiced by 70 percent of New York state counties. This route is calculated to save $60 million over 16 years for which some of the savings can be spent to further develop recycling and organics diversion. Their plan seeks to enlarge recycling through strict new recycling laws and a new county recycling department at a cost of $666,000.The Legislature will be briefed by MidAtlantic Solid Waste Consultants at a special meeting of the Legislature on Monday, May 16. Then it will be up to us to determine the planning unit, mode and manner of county solid-waste collection for the years to come.Dutchess County has a heritage in which we can all be justly proud. From the county’s role in the American War for Independence to the Federalist/Anti-Federalist debates leading to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, to the election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) and the 1944 Presidential election with Dutchess County at the center that pitted FDR versus New York’s governor from Pawling, Thomas Dewey, Dutchess County’s history is one in which we can be proud. Thanks to a resolution passed this month in the County Legislature, which I authored, the achievements and milestones of our legacy will be remembered annually.My resolution declares a 10-day period each fall to be commemorated as Dutchess County Heritage Days with hopes that school groups and the arts community will embrace this annual celebration with appropriate activities that foster pride and education. From the environmental movement spurred on by groups like Scenic Hudson, to industrial achievements like Wassaic’s condensed milk, IBM’s computer manufacturing, Smith Brothers cough drops or Robert Livingston’s steamboat, Dutchess County has had quite an impact on the American landscape.The 10-day heritage commemoration period is sandwiched between two significant dates: Oct. 23 and Nov. 1. On the first day of November in 1683, the Province of New York was carved into 12 counties, including Dutchess. At the time, title to property was in transition from having been transferred from Native Americans to Europeans settlers into eight patents, including Oblong (1650), Rombout (1682), Schuyler (1688), Nine Partners and Poughkeepsie (both in 1697), Rhinebeck and Beekman (both 1703) and Upper Nine Partners (1706).Much deserves to be remembered about these settlements, as well as the preceding use of the land by the Iroquois, Delaware, Mahicans and the Wappinger “Indians.”Forty years after the lands of Dutchess were so named (which at the time included Putnam County and Clermont and Germantown of Columbia County), the population had grown so much that the decision was made that Dutchess “should have officers of their own.” In this first act of democracy, in that the people were to elect their own representatives, the New York Provincial Assembly voted to allow Dutchess to elect a supervisor, treasurer, assessor and a tax collector on Oct. 23, 1713.This month the Dutchess County Legislature voted to celebrate the 300th anniversary of democracy in Dutchess County with an Oct. 23, 2013, milestone celebration, as we did Nov. 1, 1983. The chairman of the Legislature will be setting up an ad hoc committee of historians and interested citizens to help plan appropriate activities.From the first slain general in the Revolutionary War (Richard Montgomery) to the first black female judge (Jane Bolin) to the 22nd U.S. vice president (also New York governor), Levi Morton (Red Hook), and the Beekman Arms tavern to the Stanford birthplace of the game of Scrabble or the Beacon-foundry’s molding of the National Korean War monument to our leadership in psychiatric developments, including the birth of suicide hotlines on bridges, Dutchess County’s contributions have been significant to the American way of life. Beginning this year, during the 10-day period from Sunday, Oct. 23 to Tuesday, Nov. 1 — and with special recognition in 2013 — Dutchess County will take time to remember and focus on our historic past and our proud legacy. Michael Kelsey represents Amenia, Washington, Stanford, Pleasant Valley and Millbrook in the Dutchess County Legislature. Write him at KelseyESQ@yahoo.com.
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.
Though she takes in dogs of all ages, including some with disabilities — and one resident cat — the rescue’s motto is “Giving old dogs new lives.”
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Sadie, a sweet Carolina dog, was the first to greet visitors.
“She could really use a home,” Meade said.
Then came Bonnie and Clyde, rat terriers; Negra, a small terrier mix; Sampson, a blind hound mix; and Jay Z, a terrier mix who was emaciated when Meade took him in and has since filled out, with fur regrowing over previously bald patches. Wesley, a young, shaggy mix whom Meade calls “a very good boy,” is also in need of a home.
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Meade began rescuing dogs after going to Waterbury to adopt one and learning that, by the end of the three-day weekend, the dogs she was looking at would be euthanized to make room for others.
She went home and started her rescue in New Preston, Connecticut. After five years there, she moved to California, where she rescued dogs from overcrowded pounds for 13 years.
Meade, a busload of dogs and her cat moved back to the Northeast a little more than a year ago.
Ninety-nine percent of the dogs at the rescue come from pounds, both locally and in California and New York City.
“We are more than happy to place dogs with older people, and we are also willing to give support after the adoption,” Meade said, noting that some rescues will not adopt to people over 60.
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
For those who cannot adopt, the rescue needs donations of old blankets, dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, puppy pads and dog treats. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made through the rescue’s website. Meade also welcomes volunteers to help with the dogs.
Contact Meade at 805-239-4004, 860-866-7986 or 4dots@att.net to arrange a visit or drop off donations. For available dogs and more information, visit meadecaninerescue.org.
Newtown Veterinary Specialists
For Berkshire County residents, VCA All Caring Animal Hospital, 440 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, can be a nearby first call. The full-service hospital offers diagnostics and hospitalization and asks clients with an emergency or a pet requiring immediate attention to call rather than use its online contact form. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital, however. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Call 413-528-8020.
Poughkeepsie also has several options for urgent care. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, 64 Pine St., is a full-service veterinary hospital offering emergency and critical care during regular business hours. The hospital treats dogs and cats as well as birds, reptiles and other exotic pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, the hospital refers patients to regional emergency facilities. Call 845-625-2474.
Community Animal Care, 269 Titusville Road, offers urgent and emergency care during operating hours and asks pet owners to call ahead. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Urgent care is available daily by calling ahead, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The practice also offers after-hours veterinary triage by video to help owners determine whether a pet can safely wait or should be taken to a 24-hour facility. Call 845-471-7459.
When an animal needs care in the middle of the night, on a holiday or for a potentially life-threatening condition, the options become more limited.
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, 4 Hardscrabble Heights in Brewster, is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its emergency department is staffed around the clock, with on-site imaging and laboratory services. No appointment is necessary for an emergency, although calling ahead is encouraged when possible. Call 914-704-3400.
Provided
Newtown Veterinary Specialists, 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, Connecticut, also provides emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is required for emergency care, although the hospital recommends calling ahead when possible. Call 203-270-8387.
Pet owners should remember that emergency veterinary hospitals operate much like human emergency rooms in that patients are triaged according to the severity of their condition, so animals with less critical problems may have to wait.
The best preparation is simple. Keep the number of your regular veterinarian and at least one 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone, and know roughly how long it will take to get there. If circumstances allow, call before leaving home to confirm where your pet should be seen.
When something goes wrong at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, knowing where you’re headed can make a frightening situation a little less overwhelming.
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