NH Town Crier

02/01/2025

Order Your Singing Valentine Now!
The quartets of the Mohawk Valley Chapter, Barbershop Harmony Society, are preparing for St. Valentine’s Day and will be delivering Singing Valentines to sweethearts throughout the Mohawk Valley from Thursday, Feb. 13, through Saturday, Feb. 15.
The Singing Valentines’ package includes two sweetheart songs-sung in Barbershop style, a personalized St. Valentine’s Day card, a flower, and a small box of candy. The cost of the Singing Valentine begins at $50.
The Singing Valentines program is one fundraiser that helps support the music programs of the chapter for community outreach.
For information and to order a Singing Valentine, call 315-269-4122 or 315-525-9621.

01/31/2025

For information on how to place a free article for your community event or local news, please call 315-723-4827 or email [email protected]
Our monthly paper is currently mailed to residents in the 13413 zip code. If you know someone who wishes to receive our publication, we will gladly add the address to our subscription list for a yearly fee of $ 25.
Please mail a check to The Town Crier, PO Box 876, New Hartford, NY 13413. The TownCrier is privately owned and not affiliated with the Town of New Hartford.

01/30/2025

25th Annual & Regional Legislative Forum
Participants include Elected Officials from Herkimer, Madison, Oneida and Otsego counties Friday, January 31, 2025 ~ 7:30am at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro Cost: $25 per person All are welcome! RSVP: www.TheGenesisGroup.org

01/29/2025

Town Clerk's Office Announces January Services and Tax Collection Deadlines
submitted by Cheryl A. Jassak-Huther, Town of New Hartford Clerk
The Town Clerk’s Office is gearing up for a busy January, as the deadline for property tax payments approaches and several important town services continue to be available to residents. Town Clerk Cheryl Jassak-Huther is urging all residents to take note of the key dates and offerings throughout the month to ensure smooth transactions and timely access to important services.
Property Tax Collection Deadline One of the most pressing tasks for many residents this January is the payment of property taxes. The first installment of the 2025 property taxes is due by January 31, 2025. To help residents meet this deadline, the Clerk’s Office will be offering extended hours and several convenient payment options
Tax payments can be made:
• In-person at the Town Clerk's Office, located a 8635 Clinton Street, New Hartford, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8am – 4pm or Adirondack Bank, 4697 Commercial Drive, New Hartford
• Online via the Town’s official website, where taxpayers can securely pay their bills using a credit or debit card. A convenience fee applies for online payments.
• By Mail: Payments can be mailed to 8635 Clinton Street, New Hartford, but must be postmarked by January 31 to avoid late fees.
• Drop-box: For added convenience, a secure dropbox is available outside the Town Clerk’s Office for after-hours payments.
The Town Clerk's Office encourages residents to avoid waiting until the last minute and to utilize online or drop-box services to prevent long wait times.
Other Services Available in January
In addition to tax collection, the Town Clerk’s Office offers a range of services for residents, including:
• Vital Records: The Town Clerk’s Office continues to process requests for certified birth, marriage, and death certificates. Residents can order records in-person, online, or by mail.
• Dog Licenses: Pet owners are reminded that dog licenses for the new year are due by January 31. Licenses can be obtained online, by mail, or in-person. Proof of rabies vaccination is required for all new registrations.
Recognizing that tax season can be busy for residents, the Clerk’s Office will extend its hours on the following dates:
• Wednesday, January 29: Open until 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, January 30: Open until 7:00 p.m. to accommodate last-minute tax payments.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these extended hours, especially if they need to make an in-person payment or require assistance with their property tax bills.
Assistance Available
For any residents who have questions about their property tax bills or need assistance with other services, the Town Clerk's Office offers phone and email support. Staff is available to explain tax assessments, payment options, and help with any forms or documentation required for town services. To contact the Clerk’s Office, please call 315-733-7500 ext. 2322 or email cherylj@ townofnewhartfordny.gov Staff is also available for in-person assistance during regular business hours.
A Message from the Town Clerk “We understand that January can be a busy and sometimes stressful month for our residents, especially with property tax deadlines approaching,” said Town Clerk Cheryl Jassak-Huther. “We are here to help make the process as easy as possible and encourage everyone to take advantage of our online services and extended office hours. Our goal is to provide efficient, accessible services that help our community stay informed and meet all necessary deadlines.”
The Town Clerk’s Office is committed to ensuring that every resident has access to the resources and assistance they need. Whether it’s tax collection, vital records, or other services, the office is ready to support the community through the start of the new year. For more information, please visit [http://]www. townofnewhartfordny.gov or call the Town Clerk’s Office at 315-733-7500 ext. 2322.

01/28/2025

Updates from the Town Supervisor‘s Office submitted by Paul Miscione, Town of New Hartford Supervisor
In a significant move to bolster animal welfare and address growing concerns about animal neglect, the Town of New Hartford has officially announced the creation of a new Municipal Humane Society. The animal control office which will operate under the oversight of the police Department, aims to provide comprehensive services to protect and care for animals while educating the public about responsible pet ownership.
The formation of the Municipal Humane Society comes after months of discussions, community feedback, and increasing demands for more proactive animal care solutions in New Hartford and surrounding areas. Town officials are hopeful that the new organization will play a pivotal role in reducing the number of stray and abandoned animals, increasing adoption rates, and promoting cruelty-free practices.
A Collaborative Effort for Animal Welfare
I have expressed enthusiasm about the creation of the Humane Society, emphasizing its importance as a public- partnership. “Our commitment to animal welfare is stronger than ever,” This initiative brings together our community, animal rescue groups, veterinarians, and volunteers to create a sustainable model that will improve the lives of countless animals in need.”
The society will focus on several core areas, including: Adoption and Rehoming Programs: The Humane Society will expand adoption services to help more animals find permanent homes, reducing the strain on local shelters.
Spay and Neuter Clinics: A major component of the society's mission will be to offer affordable spay and neuter services to prevent unwanted litters and reduce pet overpopulation.
Animal Rescue and Emergency Response: The society will work closely with local law enforcement and rescue teams to respond quickly to reports of abuse, neglect, or injured animals.
Public Education: Community outreach will be a key focus, including campaigns to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, training programs for pet owners, and initiatives to curb animal cruelty.
Addressing Overpopulation and Animal Cruelty
The new society is designed to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing local animals. In recent years, local shelters have faced overcrowding due to the high number of abandoned pets, while cases of animal cruelty have remained a concern for local authorities. By providing additional resources and support, the Humane Society aims to ease the burden on our local shelters and offer a long-term solution to these issues.
Community Impact and Support
The formation of the Municipal Humane Society has been met with widespread support from local advocacy groups and animal lovers. “This new society will provide much-needed resources to both the animals and the people who care. Volunteers will play a crucial role in supporting the Humane Society's programs, and fundraising efforts will be essential to maintaining and expanding its services.
Looking Ahead
As the Humane Society prepares to open its doors, Town officials are working to secure funding and finalize operational plans. It is anticipated that the society will be fully operational by February 1, 2025 with a grand opening event scheduled to celebrate its launch. “We are excited to see the positive impact this new initiative will have on our community and on the animals we serve,”. “This is just the beginning of a new chapter for animal welfare in town of New Hartford and we’re committed to making a real difference.” The Municipal Humane Society promises to be a game-changer for animal lovers and advocates across the area, offering a comprehensive, collaborative approach to safeguarding the well-being of animals for generations to come. For more information or to learn how you can get involved contact my office at 315-733-7500 or via email at [email protected].

01/27/2025

The Hidden Cost of Convenience: American Fast Furniture
submitted by Cassie Grace Miles
In the pursuit of convenience and affordability, Americans have embraced the fast furniture phenomenon. Much like fast fashion, fast furniture prioritizes low cost, mass production, and aesthetic appeal at the expense of durability and sustainability. While these pieces offer a quick and inexpensive solution for furnishing homes and offices, the environmental and societal costs of this trend are proving to be staggering.
Fast furniture has become an integral part of American consumer culture, fueled by the desire for trendy designs that align with modern tastes. Companies such as IKEA, Wayfair, and other big-box furniture retailers dominate this market, offering budget-friendly options. For millennials and Gen Z consumers—many of whom are renting or moving frequently—the appeal of lowcost, disposable furniture is undeniable. However, this very affordability and disposability contribute to the core issue: a growing cycle of waste and environmental degradation.
Fast furniture is typically made from inexpensive materials such as particleboard, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), and laminate, all of which are challenging to recycle. Additionally, the manufacturing process for these materials often involves toxic glues and finishes, which further complicate disposal and recycling efforts. The result is a product with a short lifespan, destined for the landfill.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that furniture waste accounts for approximately 12 million tons of municipal solid waste annually in the United States. This figure has more than doubled over the past few decades, reflecting the rise of disposable consumer goods. Landfills are not only overwhelmed by discarded furniture but also emit greenhouse gases, such as methane, as materials like wood decompose.
Beyond the environmental repercussions, fast furniture perpetuates social inequities. Many of these items are produced in factories overseas, where workers often face poor labor conditions and low wages. The race to the bottom on price not only undermines fair labor practices but also diminishes the value of craftsmanship, eroding the market for locally made, sustainable furniture. For the past 85 years, Grace Furniture has taken pride in collaborating with skilled American craftsmen who utilize techniques like the eight-way hand-tied spring system to create durable, long-lasting furniture.
Addressing the fast furniture crisis requires a cultural shift towards more sustainable consumption. The concept of “slow furniture”—a movement that emphasizes quality, longevity, and sustainability—is gaining traction. Companies like Grace Furniture that prioritize ethical sourcing, durable materials, and timeless designs are challenging the status quo. While these products often come with a higher upfront cost, their longevity can result in long-term savings for consumers and a reduced environmental footprint. Retailers can play a pivotal role by adopting transparent practices and offering take-back or recycling programs. At Grace Furniture we embody this value by uprecycling retired furniture removed from customers homes and donating to a local veteran’s charity.
While the journey toward a more eco-conscious approach to furnishing homes and offices may require shifts in both mindset and habits, the potential rewards—reduced waste, a healthier planet, and fairer labor practices—are well worth the effort. By prioritizing quality over quantity and embracing sustainable alternatives, consumers and industries alike can help transform the fast furniture paradigm into one that values longevity and responsibility.

01/26/2025

Learn to Weave a St. Brigid’s Cross Join us at The H.A.R.P. Museum at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. as we celebrate Ireland's St. Brigid's feast day by learning to weave the cross named in her honor. Materials from Ireland and instructions included.
Brigid's cross or Brigit's cross is a small cross usually woven from rushes. Typically it has four arms tied at the ends and a woven square in the middle. Brigid's crosses are associated with Brigid of Kildare, one of the patron saints of Ireland. The crosses are traditionally made in Ireland on St Brigid's feast day, 1 February, which was formerly celebrated as a pagan festival (Imbolc) marking the beginning of spring. Many rituals are associated with the making of the crosses. Traditionally they were set over doorways and windows to protect the home from any kind of harm.
In Christianity, St Brigid and her cross are linked together by a story about her weaving this form of cross at the deathbed of her father, a pagan lord, who upon hearing what the cross meant, asked to be baptized.
You can attend this presentation at the H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica. All are welcome to attend this program and the museum is wheelchair accessible. The $10 fee includes materials and instructions for you to weave a cross to take home with you. Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult.

Please register at this link, https://bit.ly/4f0VRFr, or visit our events calendar at https://www.iccmv.org/cultural-events .a54yndy5v796 or leave a message at 315- 733-4228 ext.6

01/25/2025

New Hartford Volunteer Fire Department Elected Officers for 2025
Thomas A. Bolanowski II was reelected Chief. Other line officers elected include: First Assistant Chief, James H. Monahan; Second Assistant Chief, Brian D. McCormick; and Third Assistant Chief, Richard E. Alexander, Jr.; First Captain, Kevin J. Monahan; Second Captain, Michael J. Galligano, Jr; and Third Captain Steven G. Karrat. First Lieutenant, Mark A. Turnbull II; Second Lieutenant, Joshua C. Famolaro; Third Lieutenant, Jonathan E. Reese; and Fourth Lieutenant, Matthew S. Bailey. Fire Police Captain, William H. Randall; Fire Police First Lieutenant, Charles J. Obernesser and Fire Police Second Lieutenant, Peter L. Rebisz. The above elected Line Officers represents over 318 years of combined experience of serving our neighbors within the New Hartford Fire District. The department’s 2025 Benevolent Association Officers were also elected. President, James P. Toomey Jr.; Vice President, Frank J. Basile Jr.; Financial Secretary Daniel J. Monahan; Recording Secretary, James F. Luley; and David M. Reynolds. was elected Director for 2025– 2026 -2027. The positions of treasurer, assistant treasurer, and assisting recording secretary, according to the department By-Laws, will be appointed and announced at the January meeting. The line officers combined with the benevolent association officers represents over 448 years of experience serving our community. The above officers will begin their responsibilities on January 1, 2025, marking this the 124th year of the department. Visit us on the web at: www.nhfd.com all year long.

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01/24/2025

01/24/2025

The February issue of the New Hartford Town Crier is now available online!
https://nhtowncrier.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/February2025_Web.pdf

01/24/2025

HARP Museum January 2025 Youth Lunch & Learn Program
The H.A.R.P. Museum at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley will host two Lunch & Learn sessions for area youth on Saturday January 25, 2025.
The Gaelic festival of Imbolc is celebrated in Ireland on February 1st or 2nd and marks the feast day of Ireland’s patroness St. Brigid. Our two programs will be based on the life and legends of Brigid the saint and Brigid the goddess.
The morning session starts at 11:00 AM and will feature a Zoom call discussion on the life of St Brigid with author Síne Quinn. Quinn is the commissioning editor at Merrion Irish Academic Press and creative writing facilitator with the Bookmarks program at Trinity College Dublin. Her first book 'Holy Shocking Saints' with Margaret Anne Suggs was published in 2020. ‘Holy Shocking Saints’ is an introduction to twelve remarkable Irish saints, including St. Patrick and St. Brigid. You will be surprised at what you will learn about these saints that you never knew before.
The afternoon session starts at 1:00 PM and will be spent learning how to weave a St. Brigid’s cross from both pipe cleaners and traditional rushes from Ireland. Volunteers from our program committee are experienced weavers and will assist our novice weavers.
There is no charge for these classes, which is being offered to children of all ethnicities aged 8-14. As each class has limited seating, advance registration is required, at https://bit.ly/4izjl7N.
Lunch will also be included for the students. Parents/ guardians are welcome to attend any of the events (they won’t count against the cap, but will have to pay for their own lunch). This youth programming series, aimed at introducing young people of our area to the history and culture of Ireland, is funded through the auspices of a Legislative Initiative Program grant, secured by Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, and is being administered out of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

The Gaelic festival of Imbolc is celebrated in Ireland on February 1st or 2nd and marks the feast day of Ireland’s patroness St. Brigid. Our two programs will be based on the life and legends of Brigid the saint and Brigid the goddess.The morning session starts at 11:00 AM and will feature a Zoom ...

01/23/2025

New Hartford Highway News submitted by Superintendent Richard Sherman
Today is December 13th 2024, and as I write this article for Jan 1st 2025, we have little snow on the ground. The town received a few inches from the couple of storms we have had. The leaf trucks are officially finished, I still have one leaf truck out picking up stragglers.
Our holidays are here, which means the highway crew will be out on both shifts picking up Christmas trees after the holidays. Once we pick them up, we mulch them in the brush chipper. Please try to put them out in a timely manner when you are finished with the holiday festivities, so that we can pick them up before they get buried in snow at the curb.
No all-night parking is in effect, so please don’t leave your car in the streets. It makes it easier for the plow trucks to maneuver around and plow.
The FEMA project at the Athletic Park in Washington Mills is about 85% finished. Construction is shut down for the winter months and will resume again in the spring as the weather breaks.
The Chadwicks Project has been shut down for the winter months and will resume in the spring with sidewalks, curbs, street lights, tree plantings and street paving.
The Roman Rd Detention Drainage Project has been shut down for the winter months and will resume in the spring. The project has been left in a safe condition and will work properly to hold water back and drain the storm water in the ditches that have been built for this purpose.
The Town of New Hartford Highway Department has changed the rear and plow markers on the front plows to the color green. The flashing green lights on the rear are intended to improve visibility and safety during winter operations, particularly in low-light conditions and poor weather like blowing snow or heavy snow fall. The front plow marker allows the on-coming traffic to see the nose of the front plow. Please slow down safely when approaching a plow. The snow plows travel 25mph or less on our town roads and the county roads in the town of new Hartford.
Please see the attached photos showing the newly installed green safety lights on the front and rear of our plow trucks. The other photos show our plow trucks waiting for the next snow event. Our town and county roads consist of 10 plowing routes. Each route takes on average, 3 hours to plow.
The town of New Hartford Highway Department currently has 2 full time permanent positions available as Maintenance Equipment Operators (MEO). You must have a CDL license, either class A or B. You can apply on line at www.townofnewhartfordny.gov/ employment-opportunities.
Again, hope you had a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. Your Highway Crew is here if you need them in an emergency any time of the day and night. Please call me at 315-534-2998 with any questions or e-mail me at [email protected]

01/22/2025

20 Activities to do on a Snowy Day with your kids
1. Have a dance party
2. Paint a picture
3. Play with play dough
4. Use your imagination
5. Color pictures
6. Bang on pots and pans
7. Enjoy some singing time
8. Shoot some hoops
9. Get goofy
10. Make a craft
11. Read a story to your kids
12. Have a scavenger hunt
13. Play a game
14. Put on a puppet show
15. Have an exercise regimen
16. Play in the shaving cream
17. Make a town
18. Take pictures
19. Bake cookies
20. Go out in the snow

01/21/2025

Memories of Growing Up in New Hartford by Rick Giffune
Throughout my life, I have lived in a few different places, but always called New Hartford home. As the Baby Boom era of World War II was coming to an end, my father purchased a house on Leard Road. As a Vet, Uncle Sam guaranteed him a mortgage. So, on July 4th weekend, 1962, we said goodbye to West Utica and hello to New Hartford.
My initial meeting of my new neighborhood friends, being the new kid on the block, was kind of bumpy. But after a few skirmishes and perhaps a bloody nose or two, I proved myself worthy to “hang” with them and soon they began to teach me a few things about my new “hood”. At this point in my life I had never eaten a cucumber (nor did I want to) but this new group of “hooligans” taught me the fine art of gobbling down some fresh ones from our neighbor’s gardens. And with a sprinkle of salt from the salt shakers snuck off the kitchen table, they weren’t half bad! The next thing they schooled me on was the art of sneaking onto the Yahnundasis after supper and going swimming in their pool. Later, when we were a little older and one of us could drive, we would go to the Kallet Drive-In. They charged per person so one or two of us naturally rode in the trunk.
Now everything we did was not mischievous, but as Tom and Huck used to say “Melons stolen from a garden for some reason taste sweeter than the ones your mom bought”. You can apply the same logic to the apple orchards on Middlesettlement Road. Although it sounds like our gang was heading for a stretch in Attica, I will share with you a few of the constructive things we did as well. The sporting opportunities in New Hartford were endless. From Pop Warner football, to Minor and Little League baseball, the summer programs at the playgrounds and school sanctioned sporting events. Along with those we had the swap on the old Levitt farm (now Sangertown Mall). When it froze during the winter it became our hockey rink. The Aurora Bowling Alley on Campion Road gave us hours of fun and along with the drive-in, New Hartford had two indoor theaters.
As we entered our early teens, the New Hartford Shopping Center became our main hangout. It was the place to be on a Saturday afternoon. Back then, there were two newspapers delivered to your doorstep. A morning paper and an evening paper. This was also my first taste of employment as a newspaper boy. Later I would work for Daddy’s Hamburgers on Seneca Turnpike and at the Car Wash located behind Sears in the N.H. Shopping Center. Also, after I entered the Junior High, I met a few kids from local dairy farms so I got hired as a farm hand.
At the time I was in Junior High, it was only 7th & 8th grades. The wing for the 9th grade was still under construction. My class (1972) was supposed to be the first freshman to use the new wing but construction was behind schedule so we were sent down to Oxford Road. Oh nuts! What a disappointment.
I could go on for hours about growing up in New Hartford but space here is limited. If you enjoyed this little walk down memory lane, let us know. And if not already a member of the Historical Society, please consider joining. If you would like to share your memories, we’d love to hear from you!

01/20/2025

NYS Approved Defensive Driving Course Offered
New York State approved defensive drivers course for insurance and point reduction programs to be given by AARP on Tues. Jan. 28th and on Tues. Feb 18th New Hartford Public Library from 9am to 3:30pm. For registration and other information please contact Mary Merritt at (315)724-0096. Call early classes fill up fast. Open to all ages.

01/18/2025

New Hartford Youth Employment Program Kicks Off the Winter Season
The New Hartford Youth Employment program is looking for industrious young men & women ages 14- 19 to be matched with local residents & businesses that need seasonal or part-time work done. This program matches youths with residents or businesses that need odd jobs done such as babysitting, lawn maintenance, painting, cleaning, copying, filing, organizing, party set up & clean up, cellar and/or attic clean out, moving, snow shoveling, holiday decorating, wrapping of presents etc. Jobs are often short term and the rate of pay is at the discretion of the business or resident.
Residents and local businesses are encouraged to contact the Youth Employment Director if they have a job to offer.
Youths may sign up in person with the Youth Employment Director in the Town Clerk’s Office located at 8635 Clinton Street, New Hartford, NY 13413 or call 733-7500 ext. 2322 or email [email protected]
Once registered, the Program Director will try to match the skills offered by the youth, with the appropriate employment opportunity. When a match is found, the youth and employer will be given the name and contact number to reach each other, and at that time the youth will be asked to initiate contact with the employer to determine the rate of pay and hours of work for the job to be completed. The Youth Employment Director will follow up each referral with a phone call to the employer to ensure that there was a satisfactory conclusion to the match, and determine whether a youth will be given additional job referrals. It is important to know that youths will not be employees of the Town, but rather working for individuals within our community.
It is the intent of the program to fill a need in the community by providing a part-time work force in the Town, and to help youths communicate with potential employers and be responsible for constructively planning out the arrangements of employment.
The program runs year round! If you are between the ages of 14 to 19 and have time to offer your energies and skill to residents and/or businesses of New Hartford, or you are a Town Resident and/or Business in need of work done around your home or business, please consider contacting the New Hartford Youth Employment Director Cheryl A. Jassak-Huther at 315- 733-7500 ext. 2322 or stop by the Town Clerk’s Office between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Monday-Friday, holidays excepted, for more details.