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Congressman Hinchey Talks about Vets at Birchwood Village

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Kingston, NY 2.20.12 Today Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D, NY-22) spoke about the importance of affordable housing for Veterans. At Birchwood Village, the Congressman joined Senior Property Manager Judy Fitzpatrick in viewing apartments during the Presidents’ Day Open House held at 161 Colonial Drive, Kingston, NY. (click here for video)

Entrance to a 3-BR unit, dressed for the occasion.

About a quarter of attendees identified as a Veteran and they enjoyed the yellow ribbons – along with red, white and blue bunting – that adorned the apartments being shown to potential applicants.

Birchwood Village offers 2- and 3-bedroom apartments in this workforce housing community. Amenities include a

Community room features a full kitchen, internet and cable access.

community room with computer access, laundry and trash rooms conveniently located throughout the complex, plus heat and hot water are included in the rents, which are set by the state to keep them affordable.

For more information, call 845-331-8232. Preliminary applications may be downloaded at www.BirchwoodVillageKingston.com at the contact us tab.

A Sweet Treat

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

February 13, 2012
Residents of The Birches at Esopus celebrated Valentine’s Day in style with a delectable brunch of homemade treats, plenty of smiling faces and friendly hugs from a special guest. The Community Room was decked out in style for the event, which was organized by the residents of this premier affordable senior housing community which overlooks the Hudson River.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey & Fortunée Bennett.

Congressma Maurice Hinchey, who the residents lauded for his longtime support of and fight for seniors’ rights, dined with the residents, listened to their concerns and clearly enjoyed the delicious fare. He’s shown to the left enjoying a laugh with resident Fortunee Bennett.

Steve and Judy Aaron, who are responsible for this Birchez Associates community, praised those responsible for organizing the event, while delighting in the diversity of the scrumptious spread.

Bill & MaryAnn Banks

Longtime Valentines Bill and MaryAnn Banks, happily married for 35 years, spoke lovingly about the changes in their lifestyle since joining the Birches community and of the many activities and amenities offered at the facility. One of MaryAnn’s choices is the bus that comes to the door and takes her for excursions at the Mall (especially when Bill’s working or watching a game!).

Residents Eileen McGuire & Shirley Shumate

Spry and chic, the 91 year-young Shirley Shumate looked positively captivating in her red Valentine dress. For some seniors keeping in shape comes naturally, but many take advantage of the Fitness Studio, complete with instructor at no charge, at The Birches at Esopus.

Eileen McGuire, pictured with Shirley in the picture to the left, is president of the Residents Club at this award-winning facility.

Roseann Harominek spoke glowingly of her new life at the Birches at Esopus – as shown in the picture below, her smile speaks volumes. Many who attended were in their late 80s and 90s, fitting tribute to the aging in place philosophy of The Birches at Esopus and other Birchez Associates communities in the Hudson Valley.

Roseann Harominek

Seniors’ New Year’s Eve Ball

Sunday, January 1st, 2012

Kingston, December 31, 2011:

Thanks to the generosity of community supporters, Kingston NY area seniors danced the night away waiting for the 2012 ball to drop. The annual New Year’s Eve event was held at The Hillside Manor, a leading fine dining and events facility. Host Denni Demosthenes managed to get all guests to the table despite the many attendees who arrived up to an hour early! Over 350 seniors attended and enjoyed a full dinner and dessert, dancing to both live and DJ’d music, a champagne toast and, of course, New Year’s hats and noisemakers. The music makers mixed it up with the predictable old favorites and many contemporary hits that got everyone on the floor rocking.

For the third year, the main sponsors were Birchez Associates, the Bruderhof, and the Demonthenes family which owns The Hillside Manor. Other local purveyors also helped out. For example, Adams Fair Acres Farms donated beautifully prepared (and delicious) cookie platters for each table, Deisings Bakery provided the dinner rolls.

The smiles of the seniors were evident at the festively set tables in both the full rear ballroom and the restaurants front function room. Not to be outdone by the decor, many of the ladies were “dressed to the nines.” As one quipped, “Where else am I going to get the opportunity to get so dressed up. I love it!” Join the festivities via video (only a minute and a half in length) in which Birchez principals Steve and Judy Aaron welcome one and all.

Several political leaders stopped by to lend their support, most notably Congressman Maurice Hinchey who greeted many by name. Outgoing legislator Walter Frey and encumbent councilman Jimmy Bruno traveled from Saugerties. Majority Leader for the Kingston Common Council Tom Hoffay was in early attendance. Newly elected Alderperson Deb Brown, 9th ward Kingston, shared her thoughts on the video.

Seniors who attended and who would like to comment on the evening can contact us at birchezassociates@gmail.com. We’d love to share your thoughts as we enter 2012!

Holiday Party Has Seniors Rocking to the Beat

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Holidays can be lonely for seniors living on their own. But at the Birchez Associates communities, you’ll find many ways to celebrate the holidays. In addition to cosponsoring the Kingston area senior New Year’s Eve party (to watch video, click here), Birchez owners Steve and Judy Aaron also hosted a holiday party for all their senior residents and staff.

At The Hillside Manor, a popular dining and events destination in Kingston, Birchez took over . A decorated Christmas tree welcomed guests in the foyer, with holiday decoration throughout. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres started the event in the front ballroom. Then festivities moved to the full back ballroom (complete with its own Christmas tree and Menorah) for dinner and dancing.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey pictured with Birches at Chambers Resident June Diamond (left) and Hostess Judy Aaron

Special guests included Congressman Maurice Hinchey who spun at least one senior on the dancefloor. County Treasurer Eliott Auerbach and his lovely wife Judy, County Clerk Nina Postupak, County Legislators Peter Loughran, Hector Rodriguez and Walter Frey, as well as Town of Esopus Council members Kyle Barnett, Gloria VanVliet and Donna McAuley also joined the party.

The band leader of “Outside the Box” thought he was doing the right thing when he mentioned a 92 year old resident was on the dance floor, only to have other dancers raise their hands to say “I’m in my nineties too!” From the salad course through desert, the dance floor was in motion. Whether a classic melody or a cover of a contemporary song from Lady GaGa or Adele, guests were up and dancing. Chambers Court Resident and Centenarian Bill McDonough didn’t dance but had a front row table to watch others do so.

Host Steve Aaron (right) greets Centennarian Bill McDonough as Chambers Court Resident Dorothea Schwenk looks on.

Pointsetta centerpieces obtained through the local Boys & Girls Club were given to those residents who found a lucky penny underneath their place setting. In addition to peach melba for desert, plates of cookies from local Deising’s Bakery provided some extra energy for seniors to keep the dance floor full.

And for residents who no longer drive, A.N.N. Transportation provided a handicapped bus and van to get everyone to the event. After four hours of partying, there was even some grumbling when the announcement was made that the bus and van were ready for loading to take residents home. “Already?” some were heard to exclaim!

For additional pictures, see Holiday Party album on Facebook

The Birches gets ‘green’ recognition

Friday, July 15th, 2011

KINGSTON — As Ulster County’s population ages and energy resources grow scarcer and more expensive, there will be a need for more affordable housing, especially for those on a fixed income and the working public.

The Birches at Chambers in the town of Ulster is a 62-unit senior affordable housing complex and is the first multi-unit facility in the Hudson Valley to be given a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award for its green building technology.

Willie Janeway, regional director for the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said that as housing remains in demand for baby boomers and the workforce, The Birches at Chambers fits the bill.

“The state is encouraging and doing all it can to support housing such as the housing we are celebrating today that is affordable for seniors and is also built ‘green,’” he said.

Steve Aaron, founder and managing partner of Birchez Associates, which operated The Birches at Chambers, thanked U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, and Ulster County Executive Michael Hein for helping to create a climate that’s conducive to going green on a mass scale.

Hein, in turn, praised Aaron’s efforts to combine pressing needs to build more affordable housing that have minimal impact on the environment.

“It’s an enormous undertaking that you’re meeting the highest standards of building (technology),” Hein said.

Birches At Chambers Affordable Housing Development Awarded LEED Platinum Certificate

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

BYVICKI DISTEFANO

KINGSTON – Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY 22nd district), Ulster County Executive Michael Hein, and others gathered on Monday, July 11 to celebrate the LEED Platinum certification of The Birches at Chambers affordable housing development here and to discuss the findings of a report on Green Housing & The Baby Boomers.

Discussion points included economics, health, affordability, population projections, and the local green connection. Others who spoke about the importance of green building, sustainability, and affordable living were Steven L. Aaron, founder and managing member of Birchez Associates LLC, Greg Watson, assistant commissioner for regional affairs for NYS Homes and Community Renewal, William C. Janeway Region III director, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Joseph Malcarne LEED AP and president of Malcarne Contracting.

Following the formal remarks outside The Birches at Chambers, the multi-apartment, affordable senior housing received its LEED Platinum certificate, the highest attainable green building label by the U.S. Green Building Council. Tours of the facilities, conducted by LEED knowledgeable guides, followed.

The Birches at Chambers is the only Hudson Valley multi-family to attain LEED Platinum certification. With 66 one- and two-bedroom apartments, it is the third largest low-rise multifamily affordable project in the US or Canada, and one of only two on the East Coast (the other being a 32-unit project). The building is also a NYSERDA Energy $mart Building. In addition, the cottages and caretaker’s unit that are part of this senior community achieved LEED Gold certification.

The Birches at Chambers is the fifth affordable community developed and managed by Birchez Associates LLC of Kingston. Completed in spring of 2010, the 66 apartments are for seniors age 62 and over, at up to 60 percent of area median income. The units are powered by solar thermal and photo voltaic (PV). All units are handicapped ready and many are handicapped accessible.

The Birches at the Chambers is one of five of Birchez developments. For more information about Birches at the Chambers or any other Birchez development visit Birchez.com

Maurice Hinchey salutes Hudson Valley LEED Platinum award winner

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

Kingston, NY, 7-11-2011 At a panel on “Green Housing & The Baby Boomers,” U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY 22nd District) spoke of the significance of healthy green buildings, especially so when it is provided at the affordable senior housing level. At the presentation held at The Birches at Chambers, Hinchey spoke with pride that his district now has a LEED Platinum award winner in the multifamily category, the only one in the Hudson Valley.

Hinchey is shown here with Steven L. Aaron, the Founder and Managing Member of Birchez Associates LLC, the developer and management company for The Birches at Chambers. Hinchey addressed an audience of elected officials, business and civic leaders during the presentation at Birchez’ latest senior community in the town of Ulster.

The event, “Green Housing & The Baby Boomers” covered issues of health and dignity for seniors, especially with the start of the impact of the burgeoning Baby Boomer wave upon the country and the county. Hinchey honed in on how important LEED Platinum is to The Birches at Chambers, a 66-unit community adjacent to Chambers Court, the 72-unit original Birchez’ senior housing community completed just seven years ago.

The Birches at Chambers is now in an elite international group that has achieved LEED Platinum, developed by the US Green Building Council. The largest East Coast affordable low-rise multi-family housing project, this is the third largest in the US or Canada to earn this certification. Additionally, The Birches at Chambers is:

One of only five multi-family Platinum projects in the state of NY.
Third largest affordable project in the state of NY.
Ninth largest low or mid rise multi-family (including custom and market rate) in the US and Canada.
Only multifamily project in the Hudson Valley to achieve LEED Platinum.

In addition to using local workers on the construction, Aaron pointed out the local sourcing of the solar panels which both helps the local economy and decreases the use of fossil fuels in transporting materials.

Other panelists were Greg Watson, Assistant Commissioner for Regional Affairs, NYS Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR), William C. ”Willie” Janeway, Region III Director, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Michael Hein, Ulster County Executive Officer, LaMar Hasbrouck, MD, MPH, Director of Public and Mental Health for Ulster County, Joseph Malcarne, LEED AP, member of the US Green Building Council and President of Malcarne Contracting, and the host of the event, Steven L. Aaron, Founder and Managing Member of Birchez Associates.

Following the panelists remarks and the presentation of the LEED Platinum award to Steve Aaron and his wife Judy who contributed to design work (both interior and exterior), attendees were treated to tours of the building including mechanical rooms to see how the solar thermal and photovoltaic panels, high efficiency condensing boilers and state of the art circulating pumps all came together to help towards the LEED Platinum designation.

The tours of the building included the fitness studio with a specially trained senior fitness instructor, crafts room, library/game room, computer lab, and much appreciated on a hot day, the state of the art theater which cooled visitors after spending time in the warmth of the mechanical room. To the left is a partial view of the array of solar thermal and photovoltaic panels on the roof of the main 62-unit building which received the award. (LEED Gold was attained for the cottage units and caretaker’s home.)

‘Green’ senior housing receives praise

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

KINGSTON, 7/12/2011 – As Ulster County’s population ages and energy resources grow scarcer and more expensive, there will also be a need for more affordable housing, especially for those on a fixed income, and the working public.

The Birches at Chambers, in the Town of Ulster, is a 62-unit senior affordable housing complex, and it’s the first multi-unit facility in the Hudson Valley to be given a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award for its green building technology.

Willie Janeway, regional DEC director, said as housing remains in demand for baby boomers and the workforce, this housing fits the bill.

“The state is encouraging and doing all it can to support housing such as the housing we are celebrating today that is affordable for seniors and is also built ;green’, Leadership in Energy and Environmental design (LEED), which is the gold standard for environmental green building,” he said. “It makes it more sustainable and in the long term it will save money.”

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-Hurley) said the project could serve as a model around the nation.

Steve Aaron, founder and managing partner of Birchez Associates, thanked Hinchey and other local officials like Ulster County Executive Michael Hein for helping to create a climate that’s conducive to go green on a mass scale.

Hein praised Aaron’s efforts to combine some future pressing needs to build more affordable housing that will have less impact the environment.

“It’s an enormous undertaking that you’re meeting the highest standards of building (technology),” said Hein. “We have to make sure places like this exist, so people can live with dignity regardless of their financial means.”

Hinchey Hosts Medicare Educational Forum

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Kingston, October 18, 2010: Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY 22nd) lead a panel of experts to discuss Social Security, Medicare, the new Health Care Plan and proposed legislation before an audience of seniors at The Birches at Chambers. The site, an affordable senior housing community completed this year by Birchez Associates, drew readily from its residents and those of the adjoining Chambers Court and Seven Greens complexes. Some residents from other Birchez communities also came for the forum.

The Congressman addressed concerns over seniors affected by the donut – having to pay full price for medications before supplemental coverage kicked in. He said close to 8,000 of his constituents fell into this category. Hinchey continues to work on legislations that he has proposed which he hopes to see passed after election to further help seniors both those trapped in the donut and on issues related to COLA (cost of living adjustment) — or lack thereof — as seniors see a second year without any increase. For a summary of Hinchey’s support in standing up for Seniors, click here.

Hinchey, who has served in the Congress since 1993, brings a historical perspective to many of the issues discussed. He spoke of proposals in the past to privatize Social Security. “Had we done that, can you imagine what would have happened to Social Security during the stock market of recent years?”

Speakers brought the message home to seniors. Kathy Dunphy, director from National Government Services (the contractor that handles all Medicare issues) spoke about the new benefits that Medicare enrollees would gain from the new health care bill

Dunphy also warned that healthy, working seniors often wait too long to enroll in Medicare. Then when they need it they may have to wait months without coverage. Ways of simplifying enrollment through internet signup were stressed, although with the local Social Security office nearby (809 Grant Avenue, Lake Katrine, NY 12449), visiting the office is also an option. Especially after hearing from Ed Sarkies, a Field Representative from SSA in Lake Katrine. Sarkies has been with SSA since 1966 when Medicare started.

Sarkies provided practical information for the assembled seniors: when to sign up for Medicare, the Medicare Prescription Drug plan and the Extra Help feature for lower income people.

Ronnie Hauser from National Government Services and MaryJo DeForest of the Ulster County Office for the Aging were also on hand to help seniors with specific questions after the forum. Several attendees kept the forum participants “after school” for one-on-one sessions to answer individual questions.

For video coverage of the forum from YNN.com, click here

In the picture to the left, Congressman Hinchey listens to concerns over Veteran Benefits and how senior Vets are affected as expressed by Joe Vanacore, a World War II vet.

Pictured above right, Congressman Hinchey at the podium with a partial shot of the Community Room at The Birches at Chambers.

Sharp Hinchey Aide Foils Medicare Scam

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

Carmel Wilson, who works as an aide to Rep. Maurice Hinchey in his Middletwon office, was one of the first people to notice the proliferation of Medicare recipients complaining of procedures they said they never received, in places they had never been.

Photo credit: STEVE BORLAND/Times Herald-Record

By Stephen Sacco

Times Herald-Record 10/15/2010

MIDDLETOWN — Right made might in the three-year hunt to get to the bottom of who was responsible for absurdly suspicious Medicare charges that began to appear on medical statements of people in the Hudson Valley in 2007.
A modest public servant and Orange County mother of two played a huge role in bringing down what the FBI says is an international crime organization that bilked Medicare out of millions with bogus claims.
Carmel Wilson, a longtime aide to Rep. Maurice Hinchey who works in his Middletwon office, was one of the first people to notice the proliferation of Medicare recipients coming into her office with charges for procedures they said they never received in places they had never been – like California or Arizona.
118 sham clinics
On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney General unsealed two indictments, charging 44 alleged members and associates of an Armenian-American crime organization with Medicare fraud.
Wilson provided information used against 40 of the defendants, according to officials in Hinchey’s office. The mobsters worked out of New York City and Los Angeles, but many of the identities used for the claims likely were obtained from a 2005 data breach at Orange Regional Medical Center, authorities said. Hospital spokesman Rob Lee said the hospital has reached out to law enforcement officials to help them determine if the breach occurred within the hospital or at another site.
The FBI said Armenian mobsters billed more than $163 million in false claims to Medicare, making this the largest, single Medicare fraud case in history. Medicare paid out over $35 million in U.S. taxpayer money to at least 118 sham clinics in 25 states, according to the indictment.
Wilson is a shy, sweet woman with short red hair who roots for the Mets. She says she loves her job as a liaison between ordinary folks and the federal government because she can help so many people. Before working for Hinchey she worked for former Rep. Ben Gilman.
She’s an unlikely candidate for striking a blow against what the FBI says is a Mafia-like organization complete with a Tony Soprano-like boss, called a vor, which is roughly the equivalent of a Mafia godfather, who once threatened to “disembowel” a man who owed him money and to kill an associate who failed to show him proper respect.
Wilson goes to FBI
Wilson, nevertheless, relentlessly documented each suspicious billing incident. Then she would send out letters with the support of her boss to both the Medicaid fraud division and the Medicare billing contractor.
Since states usually contract their Medicare billing out to other states — New York’s billing is done in Minnesota, for instance — there was a fair amount of red tape involved.
When Wilson didn’t see enough movement to resolve the issue, she contacted the FBI.
Warren Smith of Middletown says he estimates about $50,000 was billed under his name in fraudulent claims. At first, he tried to report the fraud to Medicare himself. “Have you ever called Medicare?” Smith asked. “You wait forever.”
Medicare asked Smith to contact the provider to see if it was a clerical error. It was pretty hard to contact nonexistent clinics, he said.
Frustrated he turned to Wilson. Subsequently, he was involved in the FBI investigation. “I was glad to learn about the indictments,” Smith, 76, said. “(Wilson) is awesome.”