
Roeliff Jansen Community Library has a Dark Sky Explorer Backpack that can be checked out for two weeks.
Provided
Roeliff Jansen Community Library has a Dark Sky Explorer Backpack that can be checked out for two weeks.
HILLSDALE — Susan P. Bachelder, a resident of Egremont, Massachusetts, and member of DarkSky International, gave a presentation “Saving the Night Sky: Dark Skies and Light Pollution” at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library on Thursday, May 2.
Bachelder began the discussion by reminding the audience to Save the Date of Aug. 12 when the Perseids meteor shower will occur. Bachelder noted that meteors are best observed after midnight, when the they are moving in the same direction as the Earth’s rotation.
Bachelder has been a member of DarkSky International (DarkSky.org) for more than 10 years. DarkSky, originally a small Arizona based nonprofit founded in 1988, has worked for more than 30 years to restore the night-time environment and protect communities and wildlife from light pollution.
Light pollution, defined as “the inappropriate or excessive use of outside artificial light,” is having serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife and our climate.
DarkSky International is now comprised of more than 70 chapters worldwide. DarkSky International works to certify and help conserve starry sky parks, communities and other outdoor places. The group also certifies commercial, industrial and residential outdoor lighting with an aim to reduce light pollution by working with communities, governments and professionals to prioritize quality low impact, outdoor lighting.
The talk was comprised of two parts. First, the short film “Dark Sacred Night,” a 15 -minute overview created by filmmaker Jared Flesher for the Princeton University Department of Sustainability. The film features astrophysicist Gaspar Bakos and his quest to reduce light pollution by raising awareness of the dangers of light pollution on the Earth and its inhabitants.
Filmed on location at Princeton University and the Las Campanas Observatory in the southern reaches of Chile’s Atacama Desert, Bakos speaks of the necessity to direct lighting downward to protect the night sky.
According to Bakos, “80% of the U.S. has lost the vision of the Milky Way and light pollution has increased 50% over the last 25 years…due to the conversion to LED lighting.” While it has been observed that light pollution threatens many animal species, from migrating birds to hatchling turtles, the negative impact on humans is less well documented.
The interruption of natural sleep patterns in humans can easily be linked to light pollution. Bakos stated it has only been within the last 20 years that the effects of light pollution upon the Earth have only been studied. A 2016 study conducted on “Artificial Light at Night and Cancer” concluded “artificial light at night is significantly correlated for all forms of cancer including lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers individually.”
A 2020 study linked the “association of outdoor artificial lighting at night with mental disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders in adolescents.”
According to Bakos, 40% of outside lighting is wasted. Lights point up into the sky, wasting about $3 billion per year by converting carbon into photons. That is the equivalent of 21 million tons of carbon dioxide emitted every year. Bakos stated that light pollution goes unchallenged because the effects are generated far away from the source therefore there is a failure to connect the cause to the outcome.
According to Bakos, the solution to light pollution is simple.
— Exterior lighting should be useful, installed only when and where it is need.
— Lights should be shielded so they only shine down upon the ground.
—Lights should be no brighter than necessary and when possible controlled by dimmers, timers or motion sensors.
— Mostly importantly, outdoor lighting should be composed of warm colors, especially red light, rather the current use of harmful blue wavelength lights.
The second part of the talk featured Bachelder’s discussion of the “Constellations of the Northern Summer Sky.” . Bachelder started by asking who in the audience had observed the recent solar eclipse on April 8. An audience member stated that he observed the eclipse “but hadn’t travelled to see it.” Bachelder responded, “Luckily in this part of the country the eclipse was 97% observable so there was no need to go anywhere.”
Bachelder, an advocate of viewing the night sky with the naked eye, pointed to the constellations observable in our region and demonstrated how to navigate from The Big Dipper (observable in this region all year long) arcing down to the Constellation of Bootes (roughly the shape of an ice cream cone) to get one oriented in the summer night sky.
Bachelder explained that although we use the term “Constellation” as a standard, many star patterns are Asterisms. Asterisms are a star pattern that makes up part of a constellation or that include more than one constellation. An example of an asterism is the Big Dipper which is part of the constellation Ursa Major.
Bachelder, a classics major, is currently studying Persian star charts. She explained people in the audience are most likely familiar with Hellenic astronomy and the constellations named by the ancient Greeks (and their Latin counterparts). She introduced participants to the Persian named constellation, Al Thuraya, Al Thurya is a bright constellation, clearly visible to the human eye in the summer night sky, and is represented by a woman with outstretched arms.
Bachelder ended her presentation briefly discussing the need for governmental agencies to regulate exterior lighting. Currently, exterior lighting is rarely if ever, regulated by site plan.
Dark Sky Backpack
Tamara Gaskell, Director of Roeliff Jansen, located at 9091 Route 22 in Hillsdale, introduced a new acquisition to the library: The Dark Sky Explorer Backpack. The backpack, donated by the Mid-Hudson Chapter Adirondack Mountain Club (www.midhudsonadk.org) contains everything needed for exploring the night sky. The backpack, which can be checked out for 21 days by Mid-Hudson library card holders, contains: sky quality meter in pouch and plastic case with Globe at night card; night vision LED flashlight; night sky planisphere; book Let There Be Light, book Lights Out; and instructions and brochures.
With robust voter turnout throughout the region, proposed 2025-26 education budgets passed handily, along with their additional propositions, in the polling held on Tuesday, May 20.
By a margin of 173 to 103, voters approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $28,665,850, an increase of 5.96% over the current year. After expected revenues are factored in, the amount to be raised by local taxes is $19,403,307, a 5.27% increase over the current year.
Also approved by a margin of 185 to 92 was a vehicle purchase proposal totaling $249,190 to cover the cost of acquiring one 65-passenger school bus and two Chrysler Voyager vehicles to serve the students’ transportation needs.
Two School Board candidates seeking re-election were unopposed. Nichole Reyes received 260 votes and Anthony Robustelli, 234.
“Thanks to the community for supporting our children’s programs,” commented School Superintendent Raymond Castellani, immediately after the vote count was announced. “Thank you to the voters,” he added. “It makes the work so gratifying when you have the support of the voters.”
By a margin of 816 to 331, voters approved the proposed school budget for 2025-26. The budget totals $35,649,651, a 3.1% increase of $1,074,576over the current year. Of the total, the amount to be raised by taxes after expected revenues are deducted, is $27,782,136, a 2.61% increase over the current year.
Extensive repairs and renovations to maintain and improve the middle school and high school at a projected cost of $37,381,383, defined as Proposition 2, passed by a margin of 748 to 399.
Proposition 3 to cover upgrades to the elementary schools at a cost of $1,883,099, passed by a vote of 706 to 439.
“With these results we will be able to ensure the safe and health upkeep of our facilities as we plan for the future of our district,” said Superintendent Caroline Hernandez-Pidala, commenting on the vote. She went on to thank the voters for having come out to vote.
Hernandez Pidala also thanked the students and constituents who helped share information within the community about their schools’ needs and the importance of voting.
Unopposed candidates for re-election for three-year terms as members of the school board were Dena Ghobashy and Jennifer Carnecchia. Voters also approved the election of Perry Hartswick, seeking to continue his service as Board President.
By a margin of 294 to 102, voters turned out to approve the proposed school budget totaling $38,712,336, a 2.71% increase of $1,022,592. The amount to be raised by taxes is $27,885,802, an increase of 3.2% over the current year.
A proposition that will create a Capital Reserve Fund to aid with future expenditures passed by a vote of 309 to 87, and another proposition to purchase two new 71-passenger school buses and an eight-passenger Chevy Suburban passed by a vote of 284 to 110.
Total cost for the two buses and the van is estimated at $396,369. The proposition also added $118,911 in anticipated tariff costs. The proposition costs are to be supported by the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund that had been approved by voters in 2022.
Re-elected to serve three-year terms on the school board were Fred “Chip” Couse with 333 votes and Amie Fredericks with 330 votes. There were 16 write-in votes.
“We greatly appreciate the support of our community and are looking forward to a successful 2025-26 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Timm, commenting on the positive vote result.
A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.
AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.
An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.
“Aware of the dangers but responding to the call of duty,” Woodard spoke of those who bravely served and ultimately sacrificed their lives. On behalf of those gathered, he extended deepest respects and “the highest tribute we can offer.”
VFW Post Chaplain Rick Butler offered a prayer asking for help in supporting families of those who gave their lives for their country.
“How far back are the losses,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, reflecting on the losses over centuries of battle. He spoke of the ongoing historical society project to erect signs at each local historic cemetery where Revolutionary War veterans are buried.
The ceremony included donation of a defibrillator by former local Fire Chief Bob Boyles to VFW Post #5444, Auxiliary President Charlene Mayville.
Closing prayer was offered by Fr. Andrew O’Connor of Immaculate Conception Church who read Psalm 127.
In closing the ceremony, Commander Woodard thanked all who contributed to the ceremony, including the local fire departments, the Honor Guard of the Wassaic Fire Company, the Community Enhancement Committee for Fountain Square floral planting, Vicki Doyle, Leo Blackman and the Honor Guard and Auxiliary of Post #5444.
Jay Dacey of the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 took an unexpected detour to the Village of Millerton on Friday, May 23 to capture footage of a rural American town.
The stop was one of the last on a 10-day trip to the United States to film a piece on American politics.
Other filming locations included Washington, D.C., New Haven, and Shelter Island in eastern New York.
Red, white and blue Memorial Day planting by Townscape’s volunteers ahead of Memorial Day ceremonies.
The Townscape team was out in force in time for Memorial Day in its 25th year of flower planting.
Planting were place throughout the village, and they can be found at the War Memorial in Veterans Park, in the boxes and planters on the bridge on Main Street, and at the Rail Trail crossing. As always, Tracy Hanselman and Jim Lambertson gave Townscape assistance with their expert horticultural direction, and they will maintain and water the plants throughout the season.
This year, Paley’s Farm Market has supplied Townscape’s colorful assortment of flowers: red and white geraniums, blue salvia, Dusty Miller, yellow petunias and many others.
Over the summer, Townscape will be hosting a Raffle Tent on Saturdays at the Millerton Farmers’ Market on Dutchess Avenue from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Raffle tickets (5 for $20) to help raise funds - not only for flowers, but also for Townscape’s many other community beautification initiatives such as tree plantings, holiday lights, benches, park tables and chairs.
Townscape volunteers Catherine Fenn,left, Teri Goetz, center, and Claire Goodman,withstood the cool temperatureson W ednesday, May 21, in Millerton as they placed planters along Main Street in advance of Memorial Day activities.Photo by John Coston
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