Town grants tax exemption for volunteer firefighters, medics

The Dryden Town Board recently adopted a local law that gives volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers a 10% break on their property taxes.

The measure started out as legislation passed by New York state in December. The approved legislation then moved to the counties, with Tompkins County one of many to also approve the exemption.

On Feb. 16, the town board followed through by approving its local law for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who are town residents.

As stated in the new law, town residents are granted an exemption once they achieve a minimum of two years as a volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker. Once a volunteer reaches more than 20 years of accumulated service, the exemption will continue for the rest of their life.

“It’s great. We’re happy about it,” said Bill Ackroyd, public information officer and chairman of the board of directors for Neptune Hose Company of Dryden.

Along with Neptune Hose Company, which is Dryden’s combined not-for-profit volunteer fire and ambulance service, the property-tax exemption also benefits the Varna Volunteer Fire Company and the Etna Fire Department.

Ackroyd noted that the exemption helps local fire and ambulance services with recruiting new volunteers and retaining active members.

“It’s certainly going to help with both,” Ackroyd said, noting that Neptune Hose Company has about 40 active volunteers. “The [firefighters and medics] are volunteering for absolutely nothing. Anything that can help them financially, or some reward for the work they do, is going to be beneficial.”

Village of Dryden Deputy Mayor Debbie Fisher said that a public hearing on granting the exemption for volunteers within the village will be held at the March 15 board of trustees meeting. Fisher noted that the village board will consider the resolution for approval shortly thereafter.

The Village of Freeville Board of Trustees has also considered the exemption, said village Clerk Heather Murray. Details of the village board’s decision remain to be seen, but Murray noted that property taxes in Freeville are not billed until June 1.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Village of Dryden falls short in bid for NY Forward grant

The village of Dryden fell short in its pursuit of a $4.5 million award through the first round of the NY Forward grant.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Feb. 22 that the villages of Montour Falls and Waverly each won a $4.5 million NY Forward grant in the Southern Tier region.

The NY Forward program 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 as a result of the success of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The state has allocated $100 million for the first round of the NY Forward program.

Details of Dryden’s future plans have yet to be determined.

Dryden Central School District to hold ‘Dr. Seuss Night’ on Friday

Dryden Central School District (DCSD) will hold “Dr. Seuss Night” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday March 3 at Dryden Elementary School.

Friday’s event, part of DCSD’s Dr. Seuss week, which started on Monday, will include face painting, Dr. Seuss games and crafts, free books, cupcakes and more.

Registration is open for 10U softball and youth track

The Dryden Recreation Department recently announced that registration for 10-and-under softball and youth track & field is now open.

Ten-and-under softball will play in the Cathy Stage League. Games will be played at 6 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday between May 9 and June 22.

Practice will be held every Tuesday and Thursday until games begin. Times for practices have yet to be determined.

The cost to join 10-and-under softball is $35. 

Youth track & field comprises kindergarten through sixth grade. The program will teach basic fundamentals of track & field, including relays, short and long distance running, hurdles, discus, shot put and long jump.

The program will be held 6 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday between May 3 and June 7 at the Dryden High School track. The program will not meet on May 17 because the track will be unavailable that day.

The cost to join the youth track program is $15.

To register for 10-and-under softball or the youth track program, go to drydenrec.recdesk.com. For more information, contact the recreation department at recreation@dryden.ny.us.

Southworth Library to hold ‘Paws to Read’ program on March 18

A “Paws to Read” program will be held 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 18 at the Southworth Library on 24 W. Main St. in the village of Dryden.

Those interested in the program can come and practice reading with dogs from Cornell Canine Companions and Ms. Diane’s dog, Zeus. The program will also provide opportunities to win prizes and a free book.

For more information on the program, go to southworthlibrary.org.