The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Walter Cottrell Baker

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Hoosick – Walter  Cottrell Baker, 89, died Saturday, August 16, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington after a brief illness.

 

Walter was a life-long farmer, living his whole life in the home where he was born on May 2, 1919.  He was the son of the late David Allen and Hattie Cottrell Baker and was also pre-deceased by his two sisters, Agnes P. Cornell and Lois F. Cornell.

Graduating from Hoosick Falls High School in 1935, he chose to farm with his father, enlarging and improving the home farm on Bovie Hill in Hoosick, NY, purchased in 1916. He had an egg delivery route during the late 1940s and 50s selling to many of the corner markets and customers in the Troy area, as well as doing errands, dropping off folks and  picking up supplies for some of the organizations of which he was a member.

He was a member of the Hoosick Grange for seventy-five years, most recently serving as chaplain at the time of his death. A life-long member of the First Baptist Church of Hoosick Falls, NY, he served in many roles, including those of Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Trustee. He also enjoyed being active in farming organizations, serving as an Agway committeeman, Rensselaer County Farm Bureau member, and he was on the Cornell Cooperative Extension Board, being named Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1964 and 1965.

The activities that gave him the most enjoyment were spending time with his family, hearing what his grandkids were up to,  working outside on the farm and seeing the results of his labor develop each year, as well as visiting with his farming neighbors to exchange what was the “news” in the area. If a neighbor needed some help, he was a member of that generation that was always there to lend a hand, never expecting anything in return.

Surviving him are his wife, Barbara Frisbie Baker, his sons, Kendal Frisbie Baker and his wife Florina Capistrano-Baker and Sherman Walter Baker and his wife Sandra Castro-Baker, all of Hoosick Falls, Larry Cottrell Baker and his wife Patty Kaminski Baker of Eagle Bridge, NY, and Elon Lee Baker of Hoosick Falls, and a daughter, Hattie Ann Baker of Delmar, NY.

Grandchildren are Jessica S. Baker of Plattsburgh, NY, Matthew J. Baker and Lucas H. Baker of White Creek, NY, and Phoebe Laura Baker and Julia Thankful Baker of Hoosick Falls.  He is also survived by his nieces, Arlene Davie, Geraldine Greene, Lorraine Brownell, and his nephews, David and Allen Cornell, and their children and grandchildren.

The funeral service was at the First Baptist Church of Hoosick Falls at 80 Main St. on Thursday, August 21, at 10 am. Calling hours were on Wednesday, August 20, from 2  until 4 pm and from 6 to 9 pm at the Robson Reinfurt Funeral Home at 72 Main St. Hoosick Falls.  Burial was at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Hoosick Falls immediately following the service. A reception followed at the First Baptist Church.  Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the First Baptist Church of Hoosick Falls or to the Hoosick Falls Health Center.

Mary Lou Cocco

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Petersburgh – Mary Lou Cocco, 74, of Route 22, Petersburgh, NY, died on Wednesday evening, August 6, 2008, at her home.

Born in Erie, PA, on January 25, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Luman and Agnes Dudenhoeffer DeLong. She was the loving wife of James M. Cocco whom she married on March 27, 1992, in Erie. They have lived in the Petersburgh area for ten years after moving from Twinsburg, OH. She was a communicant of St. John Francis Regis Roman Catholic Church in Grafton, NY.

A graduate of Strong-Vincent High School, Mary Lou worked at the Erie Maennerchor Club and Kaiser Aluminum in Erie until 1997. She was pre-deceased by her first husband, Ronald Swanson.

Survivors besides her husband James include a sister, Shirley Dion of Erie, three God-daughters, Sharon and husband Michael Crandall and Mary Crandall both of Grafton, Melissa and her husband Matthew Pace of Cleveland, OH, along with many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 23, at 10 am in St. John Francis Regis Roman Catholic Church, Grafton where Rev. Kenneth Gregory will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Erie Dawn, Inc. (a home for homeless and battered women), 330 East 10th Street, Erie, PA, 16503. Arrangements are under the guidance of Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home of Petersburgh.

School’s Out, And It’s Maple Syrup Season

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Monday March 11, 1850: This forenoon I and Geo P. went with oxen and sled over across by Philander Hatches on to West Hill to Mr. Horton’s to get a load rye straw and he would not let me have any unless I would take the short headings and I would not take it and we called to Mr. Ezekiel Knapp’s and got a load of eighty one bundles and paid one dollar and 62 and this afternoon Geo P. took the one horse wagon and carried 4 bushel ears corn to Hancock village mill and left to be ground to feed his fat sheep and I sent 20 cts to buy book to put with 80 cts worth small books that we had bought to Pittsfield, all for John F. to give his schollars the last day of school. This afternoon I tended to carrying up hams to H.P. Wylie’s and put in his smoke house to be smoked, and fetched away some that was smoked.

Tuesday: This forenoon I and Geo P. went into my Rodgers swamp with the ox team and sled and chopped three small pine trees and drew home and this afternoon I dug out pine sap troughs.

Wednesday: I made pine sap troughs and began to soak barrels and pails for sap. Today John F. school is out.

Friday: I and John F. and Rensselaer Sheldon this forenoon tapped 31 sap trees and got a load of wood.

Saturday: I and John F. tapped sap trees and we gathered over three barrels of sap. Today Geo P. and his two sisters returned home from Sand Lake. While Geo P. was to Sand Lake he went to Troy and stayed to Orra Holcomb’s one night, he got his miniature taken and paid one dollar and 50 cents set in a frame, and he got boosums to Bennett’s and collars to Valkenburgh for our people and others to make.

Sunday: We gathered two half barrels sap and boiled sap and John F. boiled sap all night. Tonight Geo P. taken quite unwell.

Monday: Today quite a snow storm. I and John F. boiled sap and we drew three loads of wood out of the meadow that Patrick chopped when he worked for us.  Today Geo P. is quite unwell and we sweat him and give him phisic.

Bennington Paperboard Closing August 30

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by Gary Danforth

Bennington Paperboard will be closing August 30. Richard Forgea of the Newark Group, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials Andrea Dzierwa, an Environmental Engineer for the Division of Water, Barry Jensen, Division of Solids and Hazardous Materials, and Dan Rightsey, Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation, were all in attendance at Monday night’s Town of Hoosick Board meeting. DEC officials noted that there have never been any complaints regarding the Plant. Forgea said the company is hoping to sell the building to a non-competitor and would like to continue to hold some of its permits should a sale happen. DEC will oversee all the permits and make sure the closed plant meets all NYS standards. 

Supervisor Douglas said she is concerned about the two lagoons where sludge is pumped and where the sludge in the pits will be transported. She was assured that the Town will receive monthly reports about these issues. The plant will maintain 24 hour security after its closing.

Before the discussion of the Bennington Paperboard Plant, the meeting, which took place in the Hoosick Falls Armory, had been called to order by Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas at 7:03 pm. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, the minutes of last month’s meeting were approved without having them read. Councilpersons Mark Surdam, Kevin O’Malley and Bob Ryan were present as was Town Clerk Sue Stradinger. Councilperson Mark Cottrell was absent. Town Attorney Tom Kenney was present.

The Town Clerk’s report was accepted with 14 new dog licenses, 22 dog license renewals, ten death certificates, 11 building permits and 410 garbage stickers purchased being noted. Stradinger distributed a brochure to the Board containing phone numbers of the most asked for assistance agencies within the township. She put the brochure together for families in need at the request of Councilperson Surdam and the Board. Copies are available at the Town office. 

The Assessor’s report was in order.

Unfair Impoundment?

Scott Thompson addressed the Board and said he had been visiting in Hoosick and had his car impounded. He sought a public apology and restitution. His written complaint will be forwarded to the Town Attorney.

Unpaid Bills

James Martinez asked the Board for clarification as to why a person providing services to the Town had not been paid in over one year. Aimee Allen spoke on the same matter saying she had submitted a bill to the Town for $3,000 for the care and boarding of five dogs for an extended time in the Summer of 2007. She had removed the five dogs from a residence at 457 Hill Road. 

According to Douglas, the Town contract says the Town will pay ten dollars per day for dog care for seven days, plus thirty dollars per dog for dog food over that same period. For the five dogs that would amount to $500 before euthanasia was permissible. 

Allen said she kept the dogs for an extended time because she felt the Town gave her the impression they might fear reprisal from the dogs’ owner should the dogs be destroyed while an ongoing issue between the Town and property owner was in progress. Martinez asked why a person providing services to the Town had not been paid, even the smaller amount. The Town will work to  resolve the matter.

Bill Shiland, Superintendent of Highways, said the rainy weather had caused water runoff damage just this evening to a culvert on Wilson Hill Road and also damage to Cottrell Lane. The old Town garage had some flooding as did the new changing room at the Town skating rink. Despite the rainy weather the Town crew was busy patching potholes, though the weather had held up this activity. The  weather also prevented fill from being stockpiled at the Town’s usual sites due to wet conditions.

The Weir-Reynolds swimming pool will close August 29. Seasonal memberships increased this year to 54. Last year there were 42 memberships.

The Building Inspector’s report was in order. The Town re-passed a motion to put clean up costs of $15,423.44 for removing a condemned trailer and restoring the land at 457 Hill Road and back taxes and water bills in the amount of $5,847.62 onto the owner’s tax bill. The same motion was passed last month, but the Board had not waited the required 30 days after notice of the action was delivered to the owner. 

The Court Clerk’s report was in order though the Board noted that revenue is being lost when County Sheriff and State Police officers don’t show up for Court appearances after issuing tickets, thereby negating prosecutions.

History Picture Board

From the Supervisor’s report, Town Historian Phil Leonard, with assistance from Charlie Filkins, submitted a picture board showing recreational areas within the township in the 1930s. Santo’s, Pickerings on Route 22 and the Ehmler’s estate, which housed a zoo, pond and tea rooms were noted. Leonard noted that boxers once trained at Ehmler’s. Also, Leonard had a newspaper clipping of when buffalo got loose from the zoo and had to be rounded up.

Plans for the reconstructing the covered bridge over the Walloomsac River, adjacent to the Barnett Homestead, have been put on hold since the cost of a new bridge has jumped to $950,000 from the original $750,000 estimate.

Upcoming Events

Douglas said there will be a band concert by William Gaillard and the Community Band at the Barnett Homestead.  

The Corn Maze at Tammy’s Candy Kettle on Route 7 in Hoosick will open this coming weekend with an official opening on September 6. There will be a Community Day, a Farm Appreciation Day and, on September 28, a Blue Grass music festival. The Corn Maze will be the largest on the east coast. 

The Hoosic River bicycle ride will take place over some Town roads on August 23 with the Town receiving a certificate of insurance for liability coverage. 

Other Business
Douglas said she had received a letter from Senator Chuck Schumer’s office concerning posters for school districts. Also, the Town and Village of Hoosick Falls have joined the Lakes to Locks organization with a meeting planned in Lake George at 10 am on September 16.

Cable TV Negotiations
Councilperson O’Malley said there is ongoing negotiation with Time Warner Cable over programming and where service might be provided. Usually, 20 houses within one mile is what the company looks for to make the cable available in a particular area. O’Malley said the cable company said it would cost $729 per household for 11 households on a .55 mile stretch of South Street in Hoosick for cable to be installed and $758 per household for cable to be installed on Cottrell Road for a three mile stretch with 28 households.

Grant To Protect Farmlands
The Board passed a motion to have the Agricultural Stewardship Association write a farmland protection implementation grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The grant would be to develop a plan for participating farms to keep their agricultural rights while selling developmental rights within the township. The latest such farm interested in doing so is the 135 acre Philpott parcel on Route 95.

The meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.

Flooding Brings A Deluge Of Complaints In Hoosick Falls

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A fire fighter sloshes through the water overflowing from Wood Brook behind homes on Hall St. Three and a half inches of rain fell in Hoosick Falls between Sunday and Monday evenings. (Bea Peterson photo)
A fire fighter sloshes through the water overflowing from Wood Brook behind homes on Hall St. Three and a half inches of rain fell in Hoosick Falls between Sunday and Monday evenings. (Bea Peterson photo)

by Bea Peterson

Winnie Restino and Pam Benkoski were at the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting again Tuesday evening, August 12, to complain about the Wood Brook flooding behind homes on Hall St. They asked if the engineering report had been completed. Mayor Laura Reynolds responded there will not be an engineering report from Clough Harbour because there are no funds to cover any work to be done. She said she and Trustee Mike Hickey have been trying to reach Tom Sanford of the Rensselaer County Soil and Water Conservation District to put his previous recommendations in writing so they can act on them. She will ask him to come out again and give them a letter quickly. Benkoski said branches from the trees on the other side of the brook are leaning over much further than they were and she is concerned the roots won’t hold and the trees will topple. Both women were grateful for the help of the Village and the Fire Department in removing debris from the culvert to relieve the flooding Monday evening. However, no one moved the debris from the yard, they said. They were both disappointed there will be no engineer’s report. “This is a dangerous situation,” Benkoski said. “Someone should step in and do something.” Mayor Reynolds responded that because the trees are on private property there is a whole legal process to go through before anything can be done. And because it is private property, many grants are not applicable. Restino said, “When you see water coming on each side of your house it’s scary.”

Hickey had a letter from the US Army Corps of Engineers stating it could take up to ten years for them to do the work. Trustee Ric DiDonato explained that some of the properties above Main St. have changed the course of the brook. “I understand your frustration,” he said. “If it were me I would feel the same.” If the brook were damaging the road area the Village could take care of it, but it’s a different issue with private property. Bonnie Smith, another Hall St. resident said this is an old problem left to worsen. It is her understanding that a dam was removed 50 years ago and the water has been left to erode the brook. Who should be approached to fix the dam, she asked. Part of the brook runs on Town property and part of it on private property. Congresswoman Gillibrand’s office is aware of the problem. Federal funding is out there, but it’s not available yet. Hickey will make more calls to see where else the Village or homeowners can go. Mayor Reynolds reminded everyone they can’t legally make any changes to waterways without Army Corps of Engineers approval.

DiDonato said, “This is our biggest problem, but it is not the County’s biggest problem and not the State’s biggest problem.”

Truck Damage
Beverly James who lives on the corner of River St. and McCaffrey Ave. complained bitterly about the trucks ruining her lawn. They’ve widened the curb, she said and they’ve knocked off the wall. She wants to put up a six foot high fence. “I pay taxes and I want to put up a fence!” Mayor Reynolds told her that the Board has been advised by the Village attorney to delay issuing permits for six foot fences until a case before the Judge regarding such a fence is resolved. James was not at all pleased with the response.

Donna Parker complained about the garbage and trash around the house next to her. Building Inspector Dick Weeden said the owner has been cited and the case is in process. The Mayor added, “We have to go through the process.”

Loud Music
Daniel Brandy of Church St. complained about the loud music coming from the Youth Center. When he complained to the Center he was told that concert would be the last one, and then they had two others. “I can’t take it any more,” he said. “And the police say they can’t do anything. Three times is enough!” He said the music was so loud he couldn’t even hear his television. Mayor Reynolds told him the Youth Center is a private entity and the Village can’t do anything, but they would talk to the Director about his concerns.

Let The Buyer Beware
Michael Hyde recently purchased a HUD property at 71 Wilder Ave. as a two family dwelling. Trustee Ann Bornt told him Village records show the property to be a one family home. Hyde responded that it had been a duplex for 20 years! He said it has two kitchens, two bathrooms, two water tanks and two furnaces. Bornt said anyone buying a home in the Village should check in the Clerk’s office to see the status of that property. The Village has had a law since 1992 that single homes cannot be turned into doubles or more.  Hyde said, “This slipped past everyone.” Bornt said this has happened with many, many places. Hyde threatened to take the issue to Court. The Mayor suggested his first step should be to go before the Planning Board for a variance.

Jessie Stevens came before the Board for a third time regarding tying into the Village water line. Trustee Matt Monahan said he had reviewed the problem with Jim Hurlburt and Hurlburt will work with Stevens to see the connection is made.

Railroad Land Purchase Finally Underway
Trustee Ric DiDonato reported that the signing for the railroad property for a River Walk is coming up very soon and so far only one encroaching property owner has signed off. The Board agreed to hold to its previous resolution for the Village to purchase the property with funds gifted to it by the Hoosick River Watershed Association (HooRWA). The latest 60 day purchasing extension ends August 17. DiDonato is also interested in finding a use for the old water treatment building. Mayor Reynolds said they recently received a final $50,000 grant for the River Walk from Senator Bruno. She has requested a change in the grant to use some of the funds to purchase a new police car. Indications are that will be possible. 

DiDonato reported he had been invited to be on the Lakes to Locks Board to represent Rensselaer County. He has not made a decision yet.

Monahan reported that a new computer has been purchased for the Village office and the Village website should be up this week.

DiDonato reported that road work has been done on Rowley Ave. and this week work has started on Abbott St. The Board approved his request to rent an excavator from Capital Tractor for $3,300 to help with road projects. The Board also approved advertising for a leaf picking-up machine with bids to be in by 3:30 pm on September 9.

The Board approved putting out an RFP for clearing bunkers and culverts for flood control. Bids are to be in by 3:30 pm on Friday, September 5.

Congratulate John Luke
DiDonato and the Board extended congratulations to John Luke on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. They hoped John would be at the meeting, but he was working at the Boy Scout Camp and next month he will be off to college.

Progress On The Corner?
When asked, Mayor Reynolds said that now that work on the wall on the Main St. building near the empty John St. corner is completed and the scaffolding removed the Village can work to make something happen on that corner. She hopes the land can be purchased by the Village and progress made to clean it up.

In other business the Board:
-Tabled the appointment of Jerry McAuliffe as Trustee to fill Robert Becker’s seat.
-Accepted the resignation of part time police offer Ryan St. Gelais.
-Approved Village Clerk Marie Bushey and Village Treasurer Denise McMahon attending COM fall training at Lake Placid September 15 to 19.
-Approved NY Leak Detection proposal to look at Clay Hill area gas and water lines. Estimated cost was from $3,700 to $5,050. The same company looked at the wastewater line for the Wastewater Plant project.
-Approved a request by Village Court Clerk Jan  Kimball to apply for a 2008 Justice Court Assistance Program grant.

The Board concluded the meeting with an executive session to discuss the Police Dept. Union contract.

The 23rd Run For The Roses

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Perfect weather conditions brought out 164 runners for the 23rd Annual GLSP Run for the Roses. (Bea Peterson photo)

Local Runners Perform Well
by Bea Peterson

Nine o’clock Sunday morning, August 10, was an absolutely beautiful time for the 23rd Annual Run for the Roses 5k Race at Grafton Lakes State Park. For a change the sky was clear. The temperature was in the low 60s, and there was little, if any, humidity. Walkers covered the 2.5 mile Shaver Pond Trail before the race and after the 5k, youngsters, many accompanied by a parent, participated in the 1 mile Fun Run. It was a great family day. The Race included many parent/child or sibling combinations. 

First across the finish line was Joel Frost-Tift of Averill Park, a full two minutes ahead of his nearest competitor. First woman across the line was Chelsea Trant of Niskayuna. One hundred sixty-four runners participated. Monies from the Walk, Run and Fun Run benefit the Grafton Community Library and the Courtney Carelli Foundation for Literacy.

Olivia Gundrum came in second in the female 1 to 14 age group. Connor Hoyt was the first male in the 1 to 14 group. In the 15 to 19 female group Megan Derby was first and Dan Bulson and Philip Hartshorn were first and second for the males. Theresa Sime was second in the 20 to 29 female age group and Brett Thomas was third in the male group. Anne Strock and Christine Rojas were first and second in the 40 to 49 female group and Douglas Swank was third in the male group. Rick Hartshorn was third in the male 50 to 59 group and Elizabeth Miller was first in the female 60 to 69 age group.

The winning times for Frost-Tift and Trant and runners in the Eastwick readership were:

Name Age Town Time
Joel Frost-Tift 20 Averill Park 16:29
Chelsea Trant 16 Niskayuna 19:52
Dan Bulson 19 Cropseyville 18:43
Philip Hartshorn 19 Petersburgh 19:08
Aaron Estabrooks 17 Cropseyville 19:43
Douglas Swank 40 Petersburgh 20:20
Jessica Dunton 24 Lebanon Springs 20:24
Connor Hoyt 13 Cropseyville 20:33
John Sestito 44 Johnsonville 20:46
Brett Thomas 27 Hoosick Falls 20:53
Nicholas Conrad 49 Cropseyville 21:27
Anne Strock 44 Petersburgh 21:47
Theresa Sime 23 Stephentown 22:06
Megan Derby 19 Cropseyville 22:10
Rick Hartshorn 53 Petersburgh 22:12
Anthony Hindes 16 Petersburgh 23:46
Marie Sime 18 Stephentown 23:47
Kevin Weber 17 Stephentown 23:59
Kimberly Blank 17 West Lebanon 24:14
Matt Kelly 51 Petersburgh 25:12
Olivia Gundrum 11 Grafton 25:38
Michael Crandall 47 Cropseyville 25:53
Christine Rojas 40 Petersburgh 26:28
Leo DiPierro 58 Cherry Plain 26:36
Sara Magin 16 New Lebanon 27:24
Brad Bortnick 33 Cropseyville 27:24
Ency Burhans 17 Grafton 27:57
Nicole Stagnihi 33 Petersburgh 28:09
Jackson Burhans 10 Grafton 28:29
Fred Boughton 19 Lebanon Springs 28:33
Francesca Gundrum 13 Grafton 28:48
Cristi Lamontagne 40 Berlin 28:45
Judy Henderson 51 Johnsonville 29:39
Colin Carelli 26 Grafton 30:12
Jessica Minbiole 30 Cropseyville 31:01
Richard Hartshorn 23 Petersburgh 32:03
Jodi Smits-Anderson 41 Petersburgh 35:20
Uriah Burhans 18 Grafton 36:34
Elizabeth Miller 62 Berlin 36:47
Becky Watson 32 Hoosick Falls 36:50
Derek Burhans 56 Grafton 42:09