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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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founded in 1808
BROOKS’ house of bar-b-q TABLE SERVICE IS BACK! page 3 VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 218, No. 13
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, March 26, 2026
Newsstand Price $1
Hartwick Town Passes Solar Moratorium By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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HARTWICK n a special meeting on Friday, March 20, the Town of Hartwick Town Board unanimously passed a six month solar moratorium—with the support of the developer for a proposed solar project in the town. For the six-month period, a broad range of solar projects will not be allowed to proceed in the town, including both solar farms and rooftop solar. Now, the Hartwick Town Board will work in conjunction with the town attorney and Planning Board to research and likely draft a law regulating solar energy in the town. SolAmerica, a Georgia-based solar energy company
whose inquiries earlier this year about building a solar farm set off widespread community opposition leading to the moratorium, had two representatives attend the public hearing for the moratorium. The company has not filed an application for the project yet. “I’m actually in favor of your moratorium,” Scott Temple, a permitting manager for the company, told board members during the public hearing preceding the vote. “I think it’s smart that you want to all be on the same page and protect your community. I will say, there’s nothing to protect it from. Solar is a very safe, passive resource.” “We’d love to be a partner if you’re willing to listen to Continued on page 11
Coop Teachers Union Calls Out District Board Discusses Regionalization and Emergency Notifications By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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COOPERSTOWN t the March 18 regular meeting of the Cooperstown Central School School Board, faculty members raised criticisms of district administration and called for more responsiveness. School board members also discussed emergency notification procedures for board members and regionalization discussions with other local school districts to share resources. Rebecca Burk-Sciallo, a Junior-Senior High School teacher and co-president of the Cooperstown Faculty Association, rose during public comment on behalf of the union “to express our frustration at what seems like intentional silence to questions, follow up, and clarification from our district office leadership.” CFA representatives have raised criticisms of district administration at multiple board meetings in recent months. Burk-Sciallo said, “Clarity makes fertile ground Continued on page 2 INSIDE ► tillapaugh triumphs, page 2 ► hats off to ccs hoopsters, page 4 ► A Composting conundrum, page 4 ► save the date: daffodil jazz brunch, page 5 ► the news in brief, page 6 ► scholarship round now open, page 6 ► art museum set to open, page 7 ► what to do? page 12 Follow Breaking News On
Hooray, Hawkeyes!
Photo by PhotoJoe Photography-Joe Harmer
COOPERSTOWN—Members of the Cooperstown Central School boys basketball team celebrate after winning the New York State Class C championship title on Sunday. Story on page 7.
Olski Winner of First Hugh MacDougall Essay Contest
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COOPERSTOWN ooperstown Central School junior Andrew Olski is the winner of the inaugural Hugh C. MacDougall Essay Contest. The writing competition, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cooperstown, is in honor of longtime Rotarian Hugh MacDougall. The contest is open to juniors enrolled at CCS and judged by faculty members, officials said. Olski was awarded a cash prize of $500.00 and attended a luncheon meeting hosted by the Photo by Jennifer Pindar Rotary Club. David Olski and Sarah Spross join their son, Andrew Olski, as he accepts the inaugural Jennifer Pindar, chair Hugh C. MacDougall Essay Contest award from Rotary President William Waller.
of the CCS History Department, explained the focus of the essays as “based upon history and life in Cooperstown in memoriam to town historian Hugh MacDougall.” MacDougall, a retired United States diplomat, settled in Cooperstown in 1986 and became deeply engrossed in local history, particularly the life and works of James Fenimore Cooper. He served as village historian from 2006 until his passing in 2021. He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Eleanore. During MacDougall’s Continued on page 8
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD