Town of Dryden receives Climate Smart Certification 

New York State recently recognized the town of Dryden with a Climate Smart silver certification.

Climate Smart Communities (CSC) is a state program that helps local governments “take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate,” according to a description. 

The program offers grants, rebates for electric vehicles and free technical assistance.

The town of Dryden joins communities such as the village of Nyack and the town of Bethlehem to receive silver certifications for the first time.

“Achieving New York State Silver Climate Smart Community Certification is a proud moment for the Town of Dryden, which has a long history of environmental advocacy,” Town Supervisor Jason Leifer said. “We thank our climate smart coordinator and the volunteers on the Climate Smart Task Force, and all the town staff who worked on the high-impact actions that have helped our town reduce its carbon footprint and prepare for the effects of climate change.”

According to a release, communities certified as part of the state’s Climate Smart Communities program “accumulate points for planning and implementing actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve community resilience.”

“I applaud the commitment and accomplishments of the newest certified Climate Smart Communities as they work to inspire others across the state to take action to mitigate and adapt to climate change at the local level,” said Amanda Lefton, commissioner of the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). “New York’s more than 160 certified Climate Smart Communities are essential partners in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and helping boost resilience as our state faces more and more extreme weather and the costly climate impacts amidst proposals to slash environmental protections at the federal level.”

Village of Dryden schedules next NY Forward meeting

The village of Dryden has scheduled its third local planning committee (LPC) meeting as it continues the planning for the NY Forward funding the village received.

The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 at the Dryden Village Hall on 16 South St.

In February, the village secured $4.5 million through the third round of the NY Forward grant program.

Spearheaded by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the NY Forward program launched in 2022 and was created “to invigorate and enliven downtowns in New York’s smaller and rural communities, the type of downtowns found in villages, hamlets and other small, neighborhood-scale municipal centers,” according to the state’s website.

NY Forward was formed from the success of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Both programs have brought the total amount of funding allocated to $1.2 billion.

Dryden was one of three municipalities within the Southern Tier region to receive grant funding. The village of Bath also was awarded $4.5 million in NY Forward funding, while the city of Binghamton got $10 million from the DRI program.

The July 22 meeting is open to the public. Community members will have an opportunity to comment toward the end of the meeting.

The meeting will include the NY Forward planning process and engagement updates, finalization of the village’s funding vision and goals, and an update on ideas and suggestions submitted through the open call option for projects.

The open call application deadline is July 18, as the village seeks “transformative local projects” for potential inclusion in its NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan. The application serves as an initial expression of interest in the program.

Once an application is submitted, the NY Forward consultant team will reach out to confirm that the information is complete and provide assistance as needed. Application forms are available at the village hall, Southworth Library and drydennyf.com.

Potential project sponsors with a value greater than $150,000 should complete the project form, while sponsors with a value less than $150,000 should fill out the small project fund interest form.

For more information, go to drydennyf.com or reach out to NYF.Dryden@gmail.com.

Community engagement opportunities will be available over the next few months. Upcoming meeting times and locations, as well as information on submitting project proposals will be posted on drydennyf.com.

In brief:

Lineup for ‘Music in the Hollow’ 

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department recently revealed the lineup for this year’s Music in the Hollow series.

Each show is free of charge and begins at 6 p.m. at the Ellis Hollow Community Center at 111 Genung Rd.

The lineup is as follows: 

July 22: Bob Keefe & the Surf Renegades

July 29: Terrapin Station

Aug. 5: The Makers

Aug. 12: SingTrece & Stone Cold Miracle

Aug. 19: SCUBA Jerry

Aug. 26: Joe Crookston & the Ellis Hollow All-Stars

Shows for ‘Music on the Hill’ 

The Music on the Hill series will be held every week in July at the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home at 2272 Dryden Rd.

Each show will begin at 6 p.m., and food and beverages will be available.

The series lineup is as follows:

July 16: Ghost Train

July 23: Sydney Irving

July 30: Crystal Vision