Clifton Park - Halfmoon Public Library Press Release.

September 7, 2005

Archaeology Review Completed at Library Site

The Board of Trustees of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library have been informed that the on-site phase of the mandated archaeological review of the new Library site on Moe Road has been completed. Artifacts that were found during the survey and excavation phases are now being catalogued and a final report is being prepared. The survey and findings have not interfered with the construction progress for the new Library.

The Archaeological Review was conducted by Landmark Archaeology, Inc. of Altamont, NY under the supervision of the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. An Archaeological Review is mandated on any project that requires a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR). The cost for the Library Study is expected to be around $100,000 dollars. A portion of those costs were anticipated in the original construction budget with remaining costs expected to be covered by savings in other areas.

Phase I of the study was conducted in the fall of 2004 and identified evidence of a pre-historic archaeological significance. Phase II, conducted this spring, uncovered several stone artifacts that date back to the Middle Archaic Period 4,000-6,000 BC. Sites dating to this time period are rare in this region and these findings are anticipated to provide important information regarding occupations and life-ways of the Upper Hudson Valley during the period. These artifacts, along with pertinent information coming out of the Phase III investigation and report, will be available for future research and education purposes.

The new Library construction remains essentially on schedule with steel expected to be erected in the next few weeks. Completion is scheduled sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2006.

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