The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Eastwick Press

Hoosick Falls Village Board Meeting

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Suspended Police Chief’s Son Calls for Mayor’s Resignation

by Doug La Rocque

Justin Ashe, the son of the presently suspended with pay Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe, rose to read a letter to the Village Board during the public comment section of their meeting on Tuesday, January 11, in which he accuses Mayor Rob Allen of several improprieties involving both his father, another member of the police force and the officer first placed in charge when Chief Ashe was suspended, as well as misuse of department equipment. He also accused Mayor Allen of [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls Village Board Meeting

A Year Later, Bail Reform Is Still a Hot Topic

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by Doug La Rocque

Members of the Republican New York State Senate Caucus were joined at the New York State Capitol by representatives of the Law Enforcement Community as well as some NYS Assembly members on Monday, January 10, to express their ongoing displeasure with what was labeled as bail reform, enacted as part of the State’s 2019-20 budget process and now law. They criticized this law for taking away critical decision making for judges when it came to setting cash bail for alleged offenders. Specifically the law eliminated cash bail for [Read more…] about A Year Later, Bail Reform Is Still a Hot Topic

Grafton Town Council Meeting

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Community Forest Announcement a Bit of a Surprise

by Chris Tergliafera and Doug La Rocque

During the public comments section of the January 10 regular meeting of the Grafton Town Council, a resident mentioned concerns over an upcoming project by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) on Foster Road that they believe could lead to increased traffic and other potential issues. The RPA’s project, involving approximately 300 acres on land situated between [Read more…] about Grafton Town Council Meeting

Brunswick Planning Board Meeting

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Mine Expansion To Be Discussed

by Doug La Rocque

Following their Thursday, January 6 meeting at which only subdivisions were on the agenda, the full Brunswick Planning Board was informed that the Valente Quarry, currently mining in the Town of Grafton but with land that reaches across the border into Brunswick, is considering crossing that border with their mining operation [Read more…] about Brunswick Planning Board Meeting

Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh PFAS Health Study

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Submitted by the NYS Department of Health

The New York State Department of Health and the University at Albany School of Public Health have announced that residents in the Hoosick Falls area (including Petersburgh) are invited to take part in a national Multi-Site PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Health Study. This by-invitation-only effort seeks to recruit eligible adults and families who will then be invited for a health clinic visit for blood and urine testing along with [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh PFAS Health Study

Hoosick Falls Board Village Board Meeting

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Cops, Copiers and All Things Water Related

by Doug La Rocque

Mayor Rob Allen announced up front at the Tuesday, January 11 Village Board meeting that there has been a change in the Officer in Charge position for the Village Police Department. As of that evening, Officer Paul Aleksonis will assume the department’s top spot during the suspension of Chief Robert Ashe. He replaces Officer Bernie Davock, who was appointed to the position on December 16. Officer Davock will assume the position of 2nd in command.

According to the Mayor, Officer Aleksonis has been with the Police Department since 1995 and has been Officer in Charge many times in the past when the Chief was on vacation. He is also available to work several shifts per week.

Chief Ashe’s son Justin also attended the meeting and during public comment read a letter expressing his displeasure with Mayor Allen and some other members of the Police Department [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls Board Village Board Meeting

Alfred Eberle – Obituary

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Hoosick Falls – Alfred John Emmanuel Smith Eberle, 93, a lifelong resident of Hoosick Falls, passed away peacefully at his home on December 26, 2021, following a short illness.

Born June 27th, 1928, in Albany, New York, Alfred was the son of the late John and Margaret (O’Brien) Eberle. He received his early education and graduated in 1947 from St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls. On May 10th, 1952, he married the late Anne Croteau at Sacred Heart Church in Bennington, Vermont. 

Alfred served as a corporal in the Army National Guard for a few years following World War II. His service to his country was something he was quite proud of. Following his military service and the start of his family, Alfred was employed as a production worker at the Wood Flong Corporation in Hoosick Falls. He held many jobs during his life, as hard work and supporting his family was very important to him, so important that he didn’t retire until he was 89 and a half.

Alfred attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and was a 4th degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus Council #457. He was elected to be a town trustee for Hoosick Falls. He also loved apple pie and saying his catchphrase “EGBAR” which stands for “everything’s gonna be alright.” 

He is described as a true gentleman, who was selfless, giving, and kind. He also had a terrific sense of humor and a spectacular smile that was always present. Alfred was the sweetest father, and our everything according to his children. He will be so deeply missed by all those that knew and loved him. 

At the time of his death, Alfred was the oldest living Eberle. Even during his last hours, he had no complaints, as complaining was never his style. He also was a few hours shy of celebrating being 93 and a half.

Survivors of Alfred include his children: JoAnne Brown (William) of Hoosick Falls, Mary Douget (Bobby) of Basile, Louisiana, Carol Eberle of Latham, New York, Alfred Eberle (Carlos) of Sacramento, California, and Yvonne Mendelson (Mike) of Unicoi, Tennessee. Alfred is also survived by eleven grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren, soon to be eighteen, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. 

Another important survivor of Alfred is his calico cat, Baby, who was a loyal companion for the last few years of his life. 

He is predeceased by his wife of over 65 years Anne Eberle and their son John Eberle, as well as his thirteen siblings. 

Contributions in memory of Alfred may be made to the Karen and Molly Mcgovern Fund, through the office of the E.P. Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main street, Bennington, Vermont 05201.

Guestbook Condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.

Elsie Risedorf – Obituary

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Grafton – Elsie Risedorf, formerly of Grafton, and Morris Plains, NJ, passed peacefully on January 6. She turned 95 on February 5. During the past five years she had been enjoying life in the Dallas area. Her two younger children, family and friends kept her busy. Always upbeat, the COVID-19 shutdown was just a temporary annoyance. Elsie patiently waited for her adventures to continue; during the past months she attended many events and family gatherings.

Elsie and husband Ken bought the former Mountain Top in 1987 and renamed it The Grafton Inn, where they catered or hosted hundreds of parties, celebrations, weddings, conferences, coffee hours, wine tastings and picnics during their twenty years of retirement. Ken passed away in 2010, but Elsie carried on. Soon after her 90th birthday at the Wager Sr. Center in Grafton, Elsie packed up some boxes and flew off to Dallas. She missed her life and friends in Grafton but happily settled into her new home.

Elsie was proud of her 100 percent Swedish heritage and was a lifelong member of the Vasa Order of America, a Swedish fraternal organization. Many of her cousins from Sweden have been to the Grafton Inn, and she had been to Sweden to keep the connections with her family there of over 100 cousins.

For the past few years Elsie lived in a beautiful care facility just a few miles from family. The staff there, along with her friends and family members, all made her life sweeter and richer in every way.  

Elsie is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous cousins in the United States and Sweden.

Rest in peace, Elsie.

[Read more…] about Elsie Risedorf – Obituary

Hoosick Town Council Meeting

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Updating Assessment Values

by Doug La Rocque

Assessor Tony Rice told the Hoosick Town Council on Monday evening, January 10, it’s time to look at property values again, noting overall property values are up by about 10 percent. He is very quick to emphasize this is not a reassessment, simply an update to keep the Town’s equalization rate at 100 percent. This means homes are assessed at their true value, not a percentage of it.

Mr. Rice said during the last year, many homes in the Town are selling at $100,000 higher than their assessed value. He also indicated these updates should take place [Read more…] about Hoosick Town Council Meeting