Marlboro, NY

The tax man cometh to Marlboro. If you live in the Marlboro Central School District like I do, you'll soon be getting some bad news in your mailbox. The district is raising school taxes an average of 37%.

This couldn't come at a worse time for me and many of my neighbors. Many homes are in foreclosure, the unemployment rate is high and the price of everything from gas to groceries is out of control. Now this.

The school district was sued by Dynergy, a power company that owns 2 power plants in the Town of Newburgh. A court found that the school district had over assessed the power plants by $565 million, now the other property owners in the school district are left picking up the difference. Homeowners who live in the Town of Newburgh and the Marlboro School District are getting hit twice as hard, because the town also over assessed the power plants.

I've been thinking of putting my house on the market. I know it's an awful time to sell, but my 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1200 square foot house is just too small for a family of 4 and 2 dogs. But this is going to make homes in Marlboro tougher to sell, the low school taxes have always been a major selling point. I think for now, I'll try to sell more houses and my husband will continue working 2 jobs and looking for another- to help make ends meet!!! And of course we'll keep the faith that God will take care of us.

If you have questions for the school district about the tax hike, you can submit them through the district's website. Residents' questions will be answered at district wide meetings scheduled for this fall.

Barbara Carter and Becky Cook

Mother/Daughter Team Real Estate Two Together For You

ExiT Realty Services 10 Main Street Suite 424 New Paltz, NY 12561

Barbara (845) 505-3160 Becky (845) 853-4210 Office (845) 255-HOME

On the web: www.UlsterNYHomes.com e-mail: UlsterHomes@yahoo.com

Elementary and intermediate schools in Marlboro School District are starting 15 minutes later this year. Classes at Marlboro, Milton and Middlehope Elementary Schools and Marlboro Intermediate School will begin at 8:45.

School administrators decided to make the change to give school buses more time to get kids to school on time. Last year buses were often late, because of all the rush hour traffic on Route 9W during the morning rush hour. School administrators had the choice of adding more buses or changing the start time. They decided it made more sense to start classes 15 minutes later.

The School Breakfast Program will still be available for students when they arrive at school. The first day of school in Marlboro is September 3.

Barbara Carter and Becky Cook

Mother/Daughter Team Real Estate Two Together For You

ExiT Realty Services 10 Main Street Suite 424 New Paltz, NY 12561

Barbara (845) 505-3160 Becky (845) 853-4210 Office (845) 255-HOME

On the web: www.UlsterNYHomes.com e-mail: UlsterHomes@yahoo.com

The 12th annual Bounty of the Hudson will be held this year on July 26 and 27th.

This wine and food festival is sponsored by the 10 wineries of the Shawangunk Wine Trail and several othe area wineries. The Trail is 90 miles north of New York City, and located between the Shawangunk Mountains and the Hudson River. This year's fesitval will be held at Benmarl Winery in Marlboro NY.

The Ten Family owned wineries follow the tradition of wine making of the early French Huguenots.

Taste wines from all ten wineries on the Shawangunk Trail, local food, cooking workshops, fresh produce and live music. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Designated driver tickets are available. Bus transfers will be availble to and from Metro North in Poughkeepsie.

If you would like to see properties for sale or rent in the area please call Barbara Carter 845 505 3160 or Becky Cook 845 853 4210 or email UlsterHomes@yahoo.com.