Don’t Trash The Neighbors Place
by Michelle Van Horn
Business owner Alan Stuart from the New Scrub Board, Stephentown’s laundromat & car wash spoke to the Stephentown Town Board at its Monday, November 16 meeting, to say he has had a bit of trouble with people dumping their personal garbage in trash cans provided for the car wash, but not washing their cars. Stuart suspects that this may have to do with out-of-towners not being able to dump their trash at the transfer station Monday mornings since the transfer station is closed on Mondays during the winter (and open 3 to 7 pm on Mondays in June, July, and August only). Stuart is stuck with full trash cans, and no place to dump them come Monday morning. Council member Bill Jennings proposed that the transfer station swap 2-3 of their Wednesday hours (Noon to 7 pm) to Monday morning since Wednesdays are historically super slow. Another thought is that Jennings would open the doors to the transfer station himself if the need is great for Monday morning hours. So, Stephentowners, and other neighboring community members, would you benefit from Monday morning transfer station hours? Jennings wants to know! The best way to get your way is to speak up! You can contact him on his cell at 518-860-0673 or email him at eastcupcake@fairpoint.net.
Oops, We’re Not Supposed To Be Here
Speaking of Wednesday hours changing, this past November 11 the transfer station planned to be closed in observance of Veterans Day but that didn’t turn out to be the case. Superintendent Larry Eckhardt mentioned that he sent his guys to the transfer station to dump, forgetting that it was closed. Transfer station attendant Agnes Hoffman and Bob Olson apparently had written down the closing on the calendar – in fact, on both calendars that hang in the station, but forgot about the closing also. Eckhardt said he got a call from Agnes who said “Bob’s as mad as can be. We’re supposed to be closed – It’s Veteran’s Day!” Perhaps next year will be different. In the spirit of what it means to be a veteran, here’s a big shout-out to Bob Olson and Agnes Hoffman for going above and beyond the call of duty – thank you for your service!
Library News
Everything is still COVID-19 style business as usual, at least for now. Library director Kim Roppolo expressed concern about having to close down again since COVID-19 is on the rise. The library hopes to maintain its status quo of by-appointment-only entry into the library, as well as its curbside pick up services.
In brighter news, the library received 80 carved pumpkins from Stephentown carvers this past Halloween season, which were displayed on both Friday and Saturday evenings. The lined-up, lit-up carved pumpkins were a thrilling, smash hit, especially on COVID-19 Halloween evening. You can still check out some of the pumpkin detail work on the library’s website. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: After their debut, the pumpkins were donated to some local pigs to chow down on.
Lastly, look out for more information on the holiday bake sale coming soon, as well as more craft programs in the near future.
Going Out to Bid:
• Materials to complete town road construction/repairs – Sealed bids are being accepted no later than Monday, December 20, which can be delivered or mailed to 26 Grange Rd. in Stephentown.
• Town Hall Cleaning bids for the 2021 year are being accepted no later than Monday, December 21, which can also be delivered or mailed to 26 Grange Rd. in Stephentown.
We Shall Gather Again – Virtually
Stephentown’s next regular Town Board meeting will be on Monday, December 21 at 7 pm and the Organizational meeting will be held on Monday, January 4 also at 7 pm. Both meetings will be online on Zoom. Check the Stephentown website for the link and follow the instructions!