The Hartford Volunteer Fire Co. like most rural Volunteer Fire Companies faces a declining membership, plus the existing members are not getting any younger. However, in the last couple months, Hartford has recruited 4 new members, 3 of which are experienced interior firefighters and 1 of those is even an EMT. HVFC President Kevin McCarthy attributes HVFC forward thinking strategy and recently upgraded apparatus as a major contributor in this recent development.  When you are volunteering to risk your life, the firefighters appreciate not having to rely on some antique equipment. A link to the HVFC can be found on this web site, upper left side under pages. Click on “Links”  Dana

On Feb 18th, I sent a letter to Congressional Rep. Scott Murphy requesting aid in the tune of $60,000 for the enlistment center. The masonry foundation under the center is failing and an engineering study estimated that would be what it would take to repair it. If the foundation goes the building itself will soon follow. The last time the foundation was worked on was in the 30’s and that was just a patch up job. The Hartford Museum and attached Enlistment Center belong to the Municipality, but all the contents belong to the Hartford Historical Group. The Historical Group, led by Peter Swano also acts as the Stewards of the buildings. On March 11th, at the request of Scott Murphy’s office, Peter and I traveled to the Rep’s. Saratoga office to see what can be done to raise the needed funds. Mr. Mark Luciano of the Congressman’s office listened to Peter and I and felt confident that they could help find the funding needed to jack the building up and replace the foundation. While Scott Murphy’s office has no money to allocate for us, they know the contacts and or grant sources to source the funding. We will keep our fingers crossed. The Post Star had a front page story on 3/10/10 about the Enlistment Center and the condition of the foundation. The paper also had another smaller story in the local section on 3/11/10 about the mound of dirt in the Baptist Church cemetery that acts as the Civil War Memorial.  This Civil War Enlistment Center is the only remaining Civil War Enlistment Center in the entire state. Once the foundation crumbles away and the building fails it will be too late to preserve our cultural heritage.

I sent the below letter to the Editor of the Eagle Newspaper.

Editor,

After I recently became Hartford’s Supervisor, I began getting your newspaper in the mail. I am sorry to say that I had never heard of your paper before then. I was even more surprised to read on the inside cover that your newspaper is the Official Newspaper for Washington County. If it is the official paper of the county how could I have never heard of it before? It is a really nice weekly paper, but do you place it in any outlets north of the Mason Dixon Line? It is chock full of stories from Cambridge, Jackson, Shushan, etc. but the only time one of the northern towns are mentioned is when one of our citizens is arrested. Just so that we do not feel like you are picking on us can you try to distribute your paper up into the frontier (north of Greenwich)?

Dana Haff – Hartford Supervisor

Mr. Nick Marschhauser, a local recruiter for the U.S. Census Bureau has asked me to put the word out that the Bureau is hiring.  Many diff job titles are available with diff pay rates. For example, if you are over 18, have a car you can go out into the field and help residents fillout the survey for $13 per hour.  They need enumerators, crew leaders, etc.  If interested contact Nick and he can give you a test in the Town Hall. Nick assures me that the test is very easy.  Nick’s phone numbers are; Home 642-0506  Cell 744-1894 email [email protected]     Tell him Dana sent you and your test score will start out with 50% just for putting your name on the test.

On August 8th, over 2000 touring Canadian bicycle riders will be passing thru Hartford. Velo Quebec with assistance from “Lakes to Locks Passage” has come up with a bicycle tour starting in Queensbury going all the way to St. Jean Riche, Canada. The route has the bikers starting in Queensbury, going thru  Hartford and then up Washington county towards Ticonderoga and Plattsburg and finally ending in St. Jean Riche. Hartford’s section of the tour will be on State Rt 149 and County Rt 17.  The path comes over the Rt 149 Kingsbury Barge Canal bridge,  follows Rt 149, then takes a left onto County Route 17 going towards Deweys Bridge Road in Ft. Ann.  The riders may stop and rest for a minute while enjoying Hartford’s scenery.  Please welcome the riders and show them some good old Hartford country hospitality.  Dana

During the recent campaign, I stressed that Hartford could use a Farmer’s Market. Our location, being dead center in the county makes Hartford a perfect venue for this. I have an agreement with the HVFC whereby a Farmer’s Market could be located in their back parking lot as long as there is a provision to keep the restrooms clean. The HVFC will donate access to their property free of charge. Mr. Pat Imbimbo of Granville has been the South Salem (Westchester Co.) Farmer’s Market Manager for the past 7 years and is willing to become the Manager if Hartford creates a Farmer’s Market. If we can do this, I think Sunday 10am-2pm would be a good schedule for the Market. The Market should be a “Producer Only” market meaning that you need to either grow it or make it to be a vendor. This will prevent the Market from becoming an undesirable Flea Market.  If you are interested, Pat will put on a presentation at the 3/9/10 7pm Town Board meeting. Dana

Welcome,

As Supervisor, I feel that the most important function I can perform is to represent the citizens of the town. Often times, the same old faces show up at Town Board meetings and are the only ones heard. Perhaps with the internet mode of communication, a more diverse citizen audience can now be heard as well.  Bloggers often sign on with anonymous “handles”. However, to better represent Hartford’s citizens it is imperative to know who you actually are. Therefore, please use you real name. The incoming comments will first be reviewed for content before they are posted on this site…. so please do not “shout” or use offensive language. Negative comments about me or local government are allowable as long as they are civil.    Dana