29 July Help New York Vote: Become a Poll Worker (English) July 29, 2025 By Town Clerk . Community News, General 0 Help New York Vote: Become a Poll Worker (English) Related Articles Help New York Vote: Become a Poll Worker (Spanish) Help New York Vote: Become a Poll Worker (Spanish) Poll Worker Flyer Poll Worker Flyer Poll Worker Flyer - Spanish Poll Worker Flyer - Spanish DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Annual Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Starts March 16 Spring Burn Ban Reduces Wildfire Risks, Protects Lives, and Property New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to help prevent wildland fires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires. “While we’re seeing record breaking fires in Texas right now, we’re also at a higher risk here in New York,” Commissioner Seggos said. "Before the annual burn ban goes into effect next month, we’re encouraging New Yorkers who burn woody debris to do it carefully, don't burn on windy days, and have water or equipment ready to extinguish it if needed. All fires must be attended until completely out.” This winter season did not provide typical snow cover across much of New York State, leaving dormant vegetation from last year’s growing season exposed where it is susceptible to the daily fluctuation of spring weather. DEC is advocating extra vigilance before the burn ban goes into effect, as Forest Rangers and local firefighters have already responded to early fires in multiple counties. These fires were caused by debris burning with wind carrying the fire to grassy and wooded areas. Since the ban was established, the eight-year annual average number of spring fires decreased by 42.6 percent, from 2,649 in 2009, to 1,521 in 2018. Warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions. Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC will post the Fire Danger Map for the 2024 fire season on DEC's website once there is a moderate risk anywhere in New York. New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires. Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State. For more information about fire safety and prevention, visit DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage. Some towns, primarily in and around the Adirondack and Catskill parks, are designated "fire towns." Open burning is prohibited year-round in these municipalities unless an individual or group has a permit from DEC. To find out whether a municipality is a designated fire town or to obtain a permit, contact the appropriate DEC regional office. A list of regional offices is available on DEC's website. Forest Rangers, DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs), and local authorities enforce the burn ban. Violators of the State's open burning regulation are subject to criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. For search and rescue, reporting a wildfire or illegal activity on state lands and easements, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264). ORANGE & ROCKLAND HELPS CUSTOMERS MANAGE ENERGY COSTS ORANGE & ROCKLAND HELPS CUSTOMERS MANAGE ENERGY COSTS Payment Plans, Energy Efficiency Programs & Savings Tips All Available PEARL RIVER, NY Feb. 13, 2023 9 a.m. – Orange & Rockland (O&R) offers its customers relief from the volatility of energy prices with its Budget Billing program, energy savings tips and more. “Helping customers manage their energy costs is one of the most important things we do,” said Janette Espino, O&R’s Vice President – Customer Service. “We are here to help customers select the right payment options and the energy efficiency upgrades that are right for them.” Payment Assistance The company offers Tips for Lowering Your Energy Bill and a number of Payment Plans and Assistance, including Budget Billing, which smooths customers’ costs out throughout the year. The company also encourages customers to check out its energy efficiency incentives for upgrades customers make to their homes. Rebates, Incentives, and Tax Credits Also, the company offers help for customers who are struggling with their bills. Orange & Rockland offers payment plans Payment Plans and Assistance, so that customers can pay off balances over time, rather than all at once. Bill Relief Customers who receive benefits from certain government programs may qualify for discounts on their monthly energy bills. Orange & Rockland offers information on these and other Payment Plans and Assistance it has available for customers. Manage Energy Use The best money-saving strategy on the monthly energy bill for Orange & Rockland’s approximately 233,000 electric and 130,000 natural gas customers is to carefully manage their usage. Customers can save money on energy by using these tips: Set thermostats at the lowest comfortable temperature. Whether you are using a gas furnace or an electric heat pump, each degree lower decreases heating costs. Make sure heating vents are not blocked by furniture, carpeting or anything else that could obstruct the flow of heat. Have a qualified contractor clean and inspect your heating system. Insulate hot-water pipes and warm-air ducts that pass through unheated areas. Clean or replace filters for your hot-air furnace and heat-pump. Swap out window shades seasonally. Light-colored window coverings reflect the sun's energy, while darker ones absorb it and release heat. Replace conventional light bulbs with LED bulbs, which are up to 10 times more efficient and are widely available and affordable. Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) (NYSE: ED), one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. Orange & Rockland is a regulated electric and gas utility that serves approximately 244,000 electric customers and 131,460 natural gas customers in New York. For additional information about O&R, please visit O&R’s Web site at www.oru.com. Orange & Rockland serves the following communities in New York: Airmont, Bloomingburg, Blooming Grove, Chester Town, Chester Village, Chestnut Ridge, Clarkstown, Crawford, Deerpark, Florida, Forestburgh, Goshen Town, Goshen Village, Grand View, Greenwood Lake, Greenville, Harriman, Haverstraw Town, Haverstraw Village, Highland Falls, Highlands, Hillburn, Kaser, Kiryas Joel, Lumberland, Mamakating, Middletown, Minisink, Monroe Town, Monroe Village, Montebello, Mount Hope, New Hempstead, New Square, Nyack, Orangetown, Otisville, Palm Tree, Piermont, Pomona, Port Jervis, Ramapo, Sloatsburg, South Blooming Grove, South Nyack, Spring Valley, Stony Point, Suffern, Tuxedo Town, Tuxedo Park, Unionville, Upper Nyack, Wesley Hills, Wallkill, Warwick Town, Warwick Village, Washingtonville, Wawayanda, West Haverstraw, Woodbury, Woodbury Village, Wurtsboro. # # # Energy Prices Are Rising Across the U.S.: Here’s a Guide on How Customers Can Manage Their Winter Bills Spread payments out evenly across the year. A Budget Billing Plan Payment Plans and Assistance allows you to avoid large month-to-month changes in energy costs. Consider a payment agreement. A Payment Agreement can help you pay down an outstanding balance in manageable, monthly installments. Check your benefits. Find information about governmental assistance programs, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Customers enrolled in assistance programs may be eligible for discounts on their energy bills through Payment Plans and Assistance Go energy efficient. Upgrade your lights, thermostats, and other appliances through our Rebates, Incentives, and Tax Credits exclusive to our customers. Manage your use. Register for My Account and log in via oru.com.com or oru. mobile app for an in-depth look at your hourly energy use. Get customized tips. Estimate Your Energy Usage can give you personalized tips and suggestions to help you improve efficiency and control costs this winter— and all year long. Choose your energy supplier. Orange & Rockland does not generate energy. We provide customers their energy at the same wholesale rate that we pay for it and don’t make a profit on supply costs. Customers can research and Shop for Energy Suppliers DEC Announces Hunting and Trapping Licenses are Now on Sale Expanded Hunting Opportunities Continue for the 2022-2023 Season New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the 2022-2023 seasons are now on sale. Expanded hunting opportunities offered last year are also available to hunters this year. "Half-a-million New Yorkers enjoy hunting each year and DEC is excited to increase hunting opportunities again this season for long-time hunters and new participants to the sport," Commissioner Seggos said. "As always, safety is a top priority and I remind all hunters to follow the key principles of hunter safety before heading afield." Licenses and permits can be purchased online, at license-issuing agents, or by phone at 866-933-2257. The new hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2023. Annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. New York's habitat serves a vital role in maintaining healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife resources. Purchasing a hunting, fishing, or trapping license helps support DEC's conservation projects and ensures the future of natural resources for generations to come. DEC also encourages outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat and Access Stamp each year. Funds from the $5 stamp supports projects to conserve habitat and improve public access for fish- and wildlife-related activities. This year's Habitat and Access Stamp features a red eft, a juvenile eastern newt. Expanded Call Center Hours Beginning this week through Nov. 30, the DEC Call Center is accessible from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Regular call center weekday hours will resume Dec. 1. Individuals should have the following items ready when buying a license: Complete contact information (e.g. name, address, email address, telephone number); DEC customer ID number (if applicable); Proof of residency (e.g., driver's license or non-driver's ID with a valid New York State address); and If purchasing by phone or internet, a valid credit card. If not already entered in DEC's automated licensing system, individuals are required to provide proof of hunter or trapper education certification or a copy of a previous license for all hunting and trapping license purchases. For additional information, visit the General Sporting License Information webpage on DEC's website. Deer Management Permits (DMPs) DMPs, the tags issued for antlerless deer, are available at all license-issuing outlets, by phone, or online through Oct. 1, 2022. DMPs are used to manage the deer herd and are issued through an instant random selection process at the point of sale. The chances of obtaining a DMP remain the same throughout the application period; hunters need not rush to apply. The 2022 chances of selection for a DMP in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through license issuing agents, or by calling the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Detailed information on Deer Management Permits and this fall's Deer Season Forecast is available on DEC's website. The 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which provides an easy-to-read collection of pertinent rules and regulations, is available on the DEC hunting regulations webpage. Copies will be available at license-issuing agents. Online and In-Person Hunter Education Training Courses All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must pass one or more courses before they can purchase a license. Online and in-person courses are available. In-person courses include a field day where new hunters can get hands-on experience. All in-person courses are free of charge, but space may be limited. Courses fill quickly, so participants are encouraged to sign up early. Visit DEC's website for more information, including a list of courses, registration instructions, and how to obtain study materials. The requirements to earn a New York State hunter education certificate can also be met by completing DEC's online hunter education course and passing the exam. Upon passing, participants will receive a hunter education certificate to purchase a hunting license. Participants must be New York State residents. The cost of the course is $19.95. The online course can be accessed at DEC's website. New York State is also offering an online bowhunter education certification course. Upon passing, hunters will receive a bowhunter education certificate. Participants must be New York State residents. The cost of the course is $30. The online course can be accessed at DEC's website. Additional Hunting Opportunities Continue Additional deer hunting opportunities initiated last year will continue in 2022. A special early season for antlerless deer runs from Sept. 10 to 18, 2022, in select Wildlife Management Units. Twelve- and 13-year-old hunters may pursue deer with a firearm or crossbow under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter in counties that opt in to the program (see Junior Big Game Hunting map and details), and the new holiday deer hunt provides a second portion of the late bow and muzzleloader season from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 in the Southern Zone. These opportunities contribute to deer management, allow for young hunters to be mentored by experienced adults, and enable families and friends to hunt together during the holiday season. Opportunities for Junior Hunters and Trappers To foster the next generation of responsible hunters and trappers in New York, DEC expanded opportunities for junior hunters (licensees aged 12-15) by designating special youth hunts for deer, wild turkey, pheasants, and waterfowl, as well as opportunities for junior trappers (younger than 12 years old) by establishing the trapper mentoring program. These opportunities allow young hunters and trappers to spend time in the field with experienced adults and gain the necessary knowledge and skills to become safe and responsible members of the hunting and trapping community. More information about these programs and other opportunities for junior hunters and trappers is available on DEC's website. Remember: Hunt Safe, Hunt Smart! The number of hunting-relating shooting incidents is declining, but even one incident is too many. Hunters can prevent injuries and fatalities by following the rules of hunting safety: Assume every gun is loaded; Control the muzzle in a safe direction; Keep your finger off the trigger until firing; Be sure of your target and beyond; and Wear hunter orange or pink. Tree stand falls are a major cause of hunting injuries. These hunting-related injuries and fatalities are easily preventable. Hunters are advised to use a full-body harness and fall-arrest system and stay connected from the time they leave the ground until the time they return. Hunters are advised to check stands (including straps and chains) every season and replace worn or missing parts. The proper use of tree stands and full-body harnesses helps prevent injuries and fatalities. Recently-enacted legislation established new requirements for the purchase and transfer of ownership of semi-automatic rifles and the purchase, possession, storage, and transport of firearms and ammunition in New York. See the Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Recent Changes to New York State Firearm Laws (PDF) on DEC's website for initial guidance. More detailed information will be coming soon. Keep Chronic Wasting Disease Out of New York Hunters should take the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) seriously. CWD is always fatal to deer, elk, moose, and caribou. If introduced, CWD could spread rapidly and be practically impossible to eliminate once established, threatening the future of New York's deer population, hunting tradition, and many of the other benefits associated with deer. The most effective disease management strategy is to prevent CWD from entering New York. Hunters can help protect New York's deer herd from CWD by following these tips: If hunting any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou outside of New York, debone the animal before bringing it back, and follow the law about importing carcass parts from outside of New York. See CWD Regulations for Hunters. DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported carcasses and parts; Avoid products containing real deer urine, like scent lures. Prions are shed in the bodily fluids (saliva, feces, urine) of infected deer before they appear sick. Prions bind to soil and plants where they remain infectious for years. There is no way to ensure that products containing deer urine are free of prions. Instead, choose synthetic alternatives; Dispose of carcass waste in a landfill, not on the landscape; Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles; and Report any deer that appears sick or is acting abnormally. Hunters: Want Older Bucks in New York? It's Your Choice Many deer hunters dream of seeing and shooting a large buck, but there is great temptation for a hunter to take the first buck they see, often a young buck, when the opportunity presents itself. New York hunters can increase the likelihood they will harvest an older, larger buck, simply by choosing to pass up shots at young, small-antlered bucks. Older bucks create more rubs and scrapes, are more challenging to hunt, and yield more meat -- all things that may enhance the deer hunting experience. Many New York hunters are already voluntarily choosing to pass on young bucks. As a result, the availability and harvest of older, larger-antlered bucks is increasing. To see and take more older bucks, DEC encourages hunters to work with neighbors and hunting partners to cooperatively reduce harvest of young bucks, improve habitat conditions, and ensure adequate harvest of antlerless deer. For more information, go to DEC's website. https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html Comments are closed.