It was Grange Night on March 13. Master, David Cornell presented the business. Many issues were brought up and discussed. One of these was the legislature needing a raise, and another was the water issue. At our last meeting Natalie Ryan announced on August 27, Shelburn Falls Grange will celebrate its 75th anniversary, in Shelburne Falls, Mass. We are all invited to attend. Natalie is a Grange member of both Hoosick and Shelburne Falls Grange.
[private]Martha Babbitt was in charge of the lecturer’s program, which was on the water problem. She talked about PFOA in the water. These synthetic chemicals were used by the Saint Gobain Company and Honeywell years ago and are now found in a lot of the Hoosick Falls water. When people are exposed to water with elevated standards of PFOA, they have a higher chance of getting kidney cancer, diabetes, damage in the cells of the human liver, thyroid disease and bladder cancer. PFOA is resistant to environmental degradation and can cause potential adverse effects to the environment and human health. These chemicals are man-made problems. A carbon filter can remove all or most of the contaminant. The DEC and the state will monitor and maintain filter systems in the Village and on private wells in the Town.
Martha also mentioned Teflon, non-stick coating material on pans, and Teflon tape used in industerial adhesives and tapes. Tape is used in water leaks and repairs. The Food and Drug Administration closely monitored the cooking equipment and said the products with nonstick coating are safe today, but if you are concerned there are precautions you can take or don’t use it. The lecturer thanked Martha for tackling a very complicated subject.
David Cornell had an article on the 1996 flood and how it affected the Pittstown area and George Scott Farm and barn. The water was so high they has to swim in the barn to get the cows out, and his bulk milk tank floated in the milk house to the ceiling.
April 27 meeting: Bring Food Pantry donations. Refreshment Committee is Mary Remancus.[/private]