New York City briefs

Composer: New album reflects 9/11

A dozen years after 9/11, an American composer has turned memories of grief into survivor songs -- some of them surprisingly joyous.

Composer Jake Heggie said yesterday that his new album, "Here/After (songs of lost voices)," is meant to create a sense of hope.

The singers on the album reflect the stories of 9/11 survivors from around the country. Their songs express thoughts about lost loved ones as they sort belongings left behind. One set of songs is called "Pieces of 9-11."

Grammy-winning songwriter Gene Scheer used real people's spoken words for the lyrics. Adults and children shared sometimes whimsical stories about dead spouses, fathers and friends.

One song asks the emotionally tricky questions: "What's beyond your anger? What's beyond your sorrow?"

The album will be released Oct. 21.

NYC water supply hearing in Ulster

Upstate leaders in Ulster County are planning a public hearing on the state's plan to let New York City continue to maintain its water supply system there without a filtration plant.

County Executive Mike Hein and other officials are angry about the state removing a part of the filtration waiver that involves the lower Esopus Creek.

The city periodically discharges muddy water from a reservoir into the creek to keep the water from reaching New York City. Shoreline property owners say their land has suffered as a result.

The Environmental Protection Agency has designated the lower Esopus an impaired water body because of the muddy water.

Officials have set a hearing for Sept. 25 in Kingston.

Compiled with

wire service reports