The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Eastwick Press

McLaughlin Delivers State of the County Address

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Executive Touts Past Successes and Future Goals

by Doug La Rocque
Area lawmakers, officials and business leaders gathered at Franklin Terrace in Troy Thursday, January 27, to hear Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin deliver the annual State of the County Address. In the speech he pointed out many of the accomplishments of his administration over the past year, highlighting finances, the battle with COVID-19, infrastructure, Hudson Valley Community College and seniors. [Read more…] about McLaughlin Delivers State of the County Address

Grafton’s Cabin Fever at GLSP 

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by Amy Modesti
Extreme cold? Check. Swimmers in crazy costumes jumping into Long Pond? Check. Petting huskies, Newfoundlands, bloodhounds, exotic animals and horses? Check. What do all these things symbolize? Cabin Fever! 

Single digit temperatures didn’t stop visitors from attending and taking part in this year’s Cabin Fever at Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP). Gutsy swimmers dressed in costumes, active wear and bathing suits braved the elements to dive into [Read more…] about Grafton’s Cabin Fever at GLSP 

Man Charged With Drug and Weapons Possession in Brunswick

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Submitted by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office

On Tuesday, January 25, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 659 Church Street in the Town of Brunswick. The search warrant yielded an amount of methamphetamine, U.S. currency and several firearms. The Deputies report Kenneth R. Lozo, 36, was arrested and charged with: [Read more…] about Man Charged With Drug and Weapons Possession in Brunswick

Berlin Central School District Board Meeting

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Contradictory Information

by Chris Tergliafera

At the January 18 regular meeting of the Berlin Central School District Board, Superintendent Joseph Dhara discussed some contradictory information the District has received from the State of New York regarding contact tracing for COVID-19. The State is telling schools they no longer need to contact trace, however they also told districts they need to do their due diligence and notify parents when their child has come in close contact with someone who is infected, which would require contact tracing. The District will look to get some clarification on the matter.

In other COVID-19 news, the number of days required to quarantine after being in close contact with someone who’s tested positive has been reduced from ten to five. [Read more…] about Berlin Central School District Board Meeting

Grafton Town Council and RPA Go Face to Face

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by Doug La Rocque

After several members of the Town Council expressed surprise about the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance’s (RPA) plans to open a Community Forest on land situated between Stuffle Street and Foster Road, the Council invited RPA Executive Director Jim Bonesteel to their Workshop meeting on Monday, January 24 to explain what the Community Forest is and answer their questions. And many questions there were.

School Loses Out

As to whether the Town would lose tax revenue on this land purchase (the RPA is a not-for-profit entity) the answer is yes and no. While the 394-acre parcel would apparently go off the tax roles, the RPA’s governing body has voted to make annual payments to the Town in lieu of taxes. According to Mr. Bonesteel, these would be paid to the Town’s general and highway funds as well as the fire department. Not included in this so-called PILOT program are the Berlin and Brunswick School Districts or Rensselaer County. They would apparently lose their tax revenue on this parcel.

Traffic and Parking

One of the concerns brought forth at the regular Town Council meeting two weeks ago was [Read more…] about Grafton Town Council and RPA Go Face to Face

Agriculture Education Is Popular at HFCS

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by Alex Brooks

High School Teacher Brandon Trinkle gave a presentation on new agriculture education programs to the Hoosick Falls School Board at its January 20 meeting. Trinkle was hired as a business teacher, but has also offered agricultural classes this year, and the student response has been enthusiastic. 80 to 100 students are in agriculture classes this year. Trinkle has also revived the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Hoosick Falls and there are about 30 students involved in that. The District has secured a grant [Read more…] about Agriculture Education Is Popular at HFCS

Area Legislators Rail Against Proposed Wood Stove Ban

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by Doug La Rocque

District 5 County Legislators Bruce Patire of Eagle Bridge and Jeff Wysocki of Hoosick are proposing a resolution to be considered at the next County Legislative meeting, going on record as opposed to the NYS Climate Action Council’s potential ban on wood burning stoves. Legislators Patire and Wysocki point out in their resolution that electrical and natural gas prices are climbing around the region while wood burning provides residents with a more cost efficient way to heat their homes. They also point out that wood burning is a sustainable and carbon neutral way to heat and that modern technology has drastically limited emissions and as a result made this cheap energy source cleaner.

The Climate Action Council is a 22-member committee created to prepare a Scoping Plan to achieve a new clean energy and climate agenda for the State. Banning wood burning stoves is before the Committee for consideration.

[Read more…] about Area Legislators Rail Against Proposed Wood Stove Ban