The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Eastwick Press

Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshall Announced

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Dennis Casey has been selected as the Grand Marshall for the 2022 Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Parade to be held Saturday, March 12, at 1 pm.

Dennis is a lifelong resident of Hoosick Falls, except for a few years after college. He returned because he missed his hometown and he understood and appreciated the value of living in a small town surrounded by farms, woods and hills. He attended 12 years at St. Mary’s Academy, graduating in 1960 with the last class from the old building.

Dennis, or Casey, as many know him, has contributed to his community in many ways. He worked [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshall Announced

Schodack Town Council Highlights 

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by Denise Wright

After the public hearing on Golf LLC’s Consolidated Water District 101 Extension No. 7, the February 24 Schodack Town Council meeting focused on a long list of topics ranging from parks to the police department. 

The Council approved Golf LLC’s proposed project of installing 850 feet of 12 inch water mains, two hydrants and 11 curb boxes that will be paid for by the developer and supply 11 residences and the clubhouse for the golf course.  [Read more…] about Schodack Town Council Highlights 

Grafton Residents and RPA Discuss Community Forest

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by Chris Tergliafera

On Monday, February 28, the Grafton Town Council hosted a public forum for residents and the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) to discuss plans for property the RPA recently purchased in Grafton. As it stands now, plans to have a trailhead and parking lot at the end of Foster Rd. are not sitting well with Foster Rd. residents. 

More than one person raised the question: if the RPA is creating a community forest, and want to have a good relationship with the community, but the community is making it clear they don’t want them there, isn’t it disingenuous for them to continue saying they care about the community?  [Read more…] about Grafton Residents and RPA Discuss Community Forest

Robust Discussions at East Nassau Budget Workshop 

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by Denise Wright

The East Nassau Board of Trustees held their Budget Workshop on February 24 to review the draft budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The plan will reduce the property tax rate from $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $1.66 to avoid exceeding the state-mandated tax cap. Mayor Adam Acquario reported that the Village’s total assessed valuation went up this year following a year where it decreased. 

A 3% stipend/salary increase for the Clerk, Treasurer, DPW Superintendent and Building Inspector was included in the budget. No elected Village official has received a stipend increase since 1998.  [Read more…] about Robust Discussions at East Nassau Budget Workshop 

An Unidentified Female Body has been Found

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The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office confirms the body of an unidentified female has been located in the area of Cherry Plain State Park, under suspicious circumstances, on Sunday, February 27, 2022.

The victim’s identity will be released following an autopsy, which will be scheduled for later this week.

There are no further details at this time. Updates on this investigation will be provided as information becomes available.

“It’s a Mortal Blow”

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by Doug La Rocque

That is how Brunswick Town Supervisor and co-owner of Herrington Farms in Brunswick describes the recent decision by the NY Farm Laborers Wage Board to reduce the overtime threshold for farm laborers from 60 to 40 hours per week. The decision has yet to gain the approval of NYS Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. Mr. Herrington was joined on Thursday, February 24 by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who noted she and six of her colleagues have sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to reject the Wage Board’s decision. [Read more…] about “It’s a Mortal Blow”

“A Weak and Ineffective Leader”

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by Doug La Rocque

Those were the words used by 21st Congressional Representative Elise Stefanik to describe President Joe Biden, as she made her first visit to Rensselaer County on Thursday afternoon, February 24. Ms. Stefanik was visiting Herrington Farms in Brunswick to critique the pending lowering of farm worker overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours. The talk, however, quickly turned toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine, her thoughts on it and what she would like to see done.

She pointed out she does not think the United States should be putting “boots on the ground” in Ukraine at this time but called for the immediate imposition of new sanctions that “will cripple the Russian economy.” She also called upon European countries, whether members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or not, to follow suit.

The Congresswoman stated that Republican members of Congress, only a month ago, called for the imposition of sanctions on Russia, only to be shot down by the Democratic House and Senate members and President Biden. Ms. Stefanik also said Europe needs free and open democracies which is something Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want to see.

Congresswoman Stefanik is the House Republican Conference Chair, the third highest ranking Republican in Congress.

Brunswick Planning Board Meeting

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Verizon Cellphone Tower Announcement Turns Heads

by Doug La Rocque

It wasn’t until the very end of the Brunswick Planning Board meeting on Thursday, February 17, that the item drawing the most interest from Board members came forth. Building Inspector Chuck Golden announced he had received an application from Verizon Wireless to extend the cell tower under construction on land at the corner of Creek Road and Menemsha Lane. It was the original tower application that was before the Planning Board for nearly a year, with the visual impact being the largest sticking point. Verizon originally requested a 105-foot high tower that met with [Read more…] about Brunswick Planning Board Meeting

4-H Fashionistas

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The Fashionistas 4-H Club recently met to whip up a creative Valentine’s Day project: paper quilling. The girls found this project to be really enjoyable. For context, quilling is a bit of a time-consuming activity, but does create an adorable result in the end. It consists of folding and curling paper to make miniature pictures and decor. Coming up next, the 4-Hers will [Read more…] about 4-H Fashionistas