New Paltz Real Estate Blog
New Paltz Ponders Consolidating Village and Town
The New Paltz Times is reporting that the Village of New Paltz and Town of New Paltz officials are considering applying for a $50,000 grant from the Department of State to study options, including a merger of the town and village governments. The Town of New Paltz has taken the lead in crafting the grant proposal. Officials emphasized, that if the grant were obtained, the grant would simply explore many potential options and suggest solutions when considering overlap between the two municipalities.
-Posted 2/17/09
New Paltz Requires Energy Star Standard for New Homes
The Town of New Paltz passed a resolution requiring all homes requiring a certificate of occupancy to pass a basic Energy Star inspection. This comes as no surprise as energy conservation and green living is a very popular movement among New Paltz homeowners and residents. An certified Energy Star inspector must visit the home and provide an approval at the owners expense before a certificate of occupancy can be granted.
-Posted 1/7/09
New Paltz Mortgage Tax Revenue Decreases
Tax revenue distributed to municipalities through a county mortgage tax has decreased in both the Village of New Paltz and the Town of New Paltz and the surrounding municipalities. The decrease in revenue as a result of the tax signals that the New Paltz real estate market is weakening. The Town of Lloyd saw one of the largest decreases in mortgage tax revenue with a 52.46% decrease. Here is the revenue data of area municipalities (for April 2008-September 2008):
- Town of New Paltz at $123,190.06 for a 24.88 percent decrease of $40,800.07.
- Village of New Paltz at $39,923.75 for a 23.36 percent decrease of $12,169.93.
- Gardiner at $140,330.74 for a 17.77 percent decrease of $30,324.34.
- Lloyd at $145,274.47 for a 52.46 percent decrease of $160,289.91.
- Rosendale at $73,946.51 for a 22.72 percent decrease of $21,743.59.
- Esopus at $104,631.47 for a 28.37 percent decrease of $41,443.46
- Marlborough at $117,962.23 for 31.64 percent decrease of $54,609.46.
- Plattekill at $108,825.62 for a 49.32 percent decrease of $105,886.09.
- Rochester at $133,961.18 for a 31.82 percent decrease of $62,530.01
- Marbletown at $132,736.90 for a 15.05 percent decrease of $23,516.52.
- Ellenville at $20,847.38 for a 21.10 percent decrease of $5,575.07.
-Posted 1/2/09
More Have Home Buying Plans
Work Progressing on Walkway Over the Hudson in Highland
The transformation of the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge into a Walkway Over the Hudson has begun on the Highland, NY side of the bridge. The goal is to have the walkway completed for the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson first sailing up the Hudson River.
When completed, the walkway will be a great asset to Highland and Poughkeepsie and a strong tourist attraction. This will no doubt, attract more to purchase homes and real estate in Highland, NY.
-Posted 11/22/08
More Outdoor Accolades for New Paltz
One can find a lot of great references to New Paltz by surfing around on the internet. The Outside Online website named New Paltz as one of the best outside destinations in the country as part of their best of list of 2006. New Paltz was selected due to the world-class climbing and hiking opportunities.
-Posted 11/15/08
Grant for Highland NY Waterfront Park
The Town of Lloyd has received a grant under the state Environmental Protection Agency Waterfront Revitalization Program. The EPA will award the grant based on 50/50 matching. The potential amount of the grant is over $900,000 and will be utilized to develop the Hudson River park.
-Posted 11/6/08
New Paltz Named One of the Best Places to Live and Play
I stumbled across an article on the National Geographic website that named New Paltz as one of the Top 50 adventure towns. New Paltz was lauded for the recreational opportunities available including rock climbing in the 'Gunks. Our town was called an 'athletic bohemia'.
-Posted 11/1/08
School Tax Rebates for New Paltz Homeowners: Who Really Benefits the Most?
New York State is preparing to issue rebates to primary homeowners who paid their school taxes. The rebate will total $400 for most homeowners. Those who received the STAR rebate last year need not apply to receive the rebate this year.
While I have to admit that checks will arrive at the right time to give a slight boost while the economy is looking for any type jump start, the rebate actually amounts to very little when the costs of issuing the rebates are considered.
Consider that New York State will spend millions of dollars to process and mail these rebates--a reduction on taxes could have been offered without this added cost in processing. Also consider that New York State has benefited from accruing interest on this money that in reality, they did not have to collect. When it comes down to the bottom line, the politicians who have promoted this rebate are the big winners, just in time for elections.
-Posted 10/25/08
Building Moratorium Suggested by Members of Planning Board
Two New Paltz Planning Board members are lobbying for a moratorium on building in the Town and Village of New Paltz. They cited the need to evaluate and revise master plans. The Town has recently put out a proposal for organizations to update the master plan.
SUNY New Paltz has unveiled a plan to reconfigure and expand the campus over a 20 year period. A few other proposals have been presented recently for large developments. The Crossroads at New Paltz is one such proposal to develop land near Rt. 299 and South Ohioville Rd. and near I-87 for commercial and residential use. A development called Stoneleigh Woods has been proposed for a large parcel behind Duzene Elementary School.
-Posted 10/9/08
Rosendale Street Festival is Underway
The annual Rosendale Street festival kicked off today and continues until tomorrow. The festival features street vendors and performances by 75 bands. 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the festival. Thousands of people turn out to stroll down Main Street for some delicious food and good music.
-Posted 6/19/08
Mohonk Mountain House Name One of the Top Resorts by National Geographic
National Geographic named the Mohonk Mountain House one of the top spas in North America, Mexico and the Carribbean. It was name on the 'Stay List' of '150 Hotels You'll Love'. The beauty and history of this great treasure in New Paltz is unparalleled.
-Posted 5/7/08
New Paltz Artists Make Good Use of Recycled Barrels
New Paltz Artist have put their talents on display by decorating 55-gallon barrels which will be used for recycling throughout the village. This thoughtful and useful decor is certainly in keeping with the Green and artistic atmosphere in New Paltz.
-Posted 4/23/08
Minnewaska Fire Out
The fire that closed Minnewaska State Park and Rt. 44/55 between Gardiner and Kerhonkson is finally extinguished. It is likely that a careless smoker started the blaze that burned about 3,000 acres of this great outdoor treasure. The segment of Rt. 44/55 that passes through Minnewaska is scheduled to re-open tonight. Minnewaska has always been a preferred place for city-dwellers to enjoy the beauty of the Shawangunk Mountains and the Hudson Valley.
-Posted 4/23/08
SUNY New Paltz has #1 Rated Masters Program in Fine Arts
US News & World Report gave the Metals & Jewelry Masters program within the College of Fine Arts at SUNY New Paltz the distinction of being the top rated program in the coutry in that category. This ranking is consistent with the renown art programs within the college and the flowering art community in the Village of New Paltz.
-Posted 4/9/08
Blog Archive
Click on any link below to read one of our past blog posts:
Walkway Over the Hudson Will Get a Big Commitment from Gov. Spitzer
Don't Miss Picklefest in Rosendale
Artist Advocate for Funding in Wawarsing
Election Day Today--Don't Forget to Vote!
Retail Complex Planned for Highland