Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
Featuring Music Of The 1920s By Tune Travelers
submitted by Ingrid Schaaphok
On Saturday, March 1, from 7 to 9 pm, travel back in time to the era of flappers and prohibition and the birth of jazz. Join Tune Travelers as they transform the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center into a 1920’s speakeasy. Come hear the music that made the Roaring Twenties roar!
[Read more…] about Mardi Gras Celebration To Benefit Petersburgh Youth Program
by Kieron Kramer
The Grafton Planning Board meeting on Monday, February 24, was short and uneventful. A public hearing was held at 6:50 pm on the two-lot simple subdivision at 15 Brock Road at the intersection with Babcock Lake Road which was applied for by Marion Jeffries last month. An approximately 60 acre parcel, formerly owned by Mr. Aumond, will have a parcel of 9.8 acres separated for Marion Jeffries’ sister, leaving 49.9 acres. The sister said, “I grew up with that property, and I want to keep it.” She may build a home on her lot at a future date. Jeffries said that the family may log the larger parcel.
During the meeting last month Marion Jeffries said that the family may subdivide the 49.9 acre parcel in the future. Perhaps from reading this in the Eastwick Press last month or hearing something in the rumor mill, a neighbor, curious about the subdivision, had an informal discussion before the hearing with Planning Board Chairman Tom Withcuskey, who assured her that there were no plans at present for developing the larger parcel. If they subdivide the property more it becomes a major subdivision which has a more complicated application process, he said. The family will have to apply for a major subdivision, and a public hearing would be held on that issue. The neighbor said that she had the impression that Mr. Aumond wanted the property held forever wild. Since Jeffries said that she was the executor of the estate and has power of attorney from the heirs, this is a moot point. But, with her worst fears allayed, the neighbor left before the hearing. No interested party attended the hearing.
During the regular meeting Withcuskey said he had reviewed the Environmental Impact Statement, and he declared that there was no negative impact to the environment from the Jeffries subdivision. The Planning Board approved the negative declaration 3-0; Board Members Pete Gundrum and Jim Goyer were absent, as they announced last month that they would be. The Board then voted 3-0 to approve the two-lot subdivision on Brock Road. Jeffries must submit five copies of the plot map to be stamped by Withcuskey. Four will go to the County, and one will be filed in Grafton, Withcuskey said.
Yet To Come
At this meeting AT&T was to apply for a site plan review for modifications to its cell tower at 38 Radio Tower Way. Radio Tower Way runs off of Snyder Road. They want to place three new antennas on the tower to upgrade the signal to 4G LTE. AT&T is doing this upgrade throughout its nationwide system. Withcuskey announced that AT&T had withdrawn its application before the meeting because the lawyers for AT&T had not completed the paperwork. It will be on the agenda at the March 17 meeting if they have their paperwork done. The Town of Grafton Cell Tower ordinance requires that the change of use application must include the Long Environmental Assessment Form, Withcuskey said.
Hearing Nothing
Withcuskey also said that he had “heard nothing” about the site plan review required for the change of use at the R.J. Valente mine. The site plan review is required by Town law when there is a change of use. In this case the R.J. Valente Company, which has an approved site plan for mining to a depth of 850 feet, wants to mine its quarry on Route 2 near the Brunswick Town line to a depth of 950 feet and to increase its hours of operation. Last month the Planning Board passed a resolution requiring that a site plan review be filed. The Board also resolved to send a letter to the NYS DEC declaring itself the lead agency in the NYS Environmental Quality Review process (SEQR).
Grafton’s request to be lead agency was supposed to be given to the DEC Commissioner to adjudicate, and Withcuskey had expected a ruling before this meeting. He believes that Valente will not proceed with the application until the Commissioner decides whether the DEC or the Town of Grafton will be lead agency. Ever optimistic, Withcuskey hopes that the Commissioner will decide before the next Planning Board meeting on March 17.
by Bea Peterson
Orebed Road
On Monday, February 24, William Sparks appeared before the Hoosick Planning Board regarding a subdivision on Orebed Road in East Hoosick. Sparks is dividing a 60 acre parcel into two parcels. He has decided to put the house and five acres up for sale and retain the rest of the property as one piece. The Board declared the property a Simple Subdivision.
Automotive Repair
David Buckner appeared before the Board for its approval of an Automotive Repair Shop in the 22 x 24 foot, two car garage behind his home on Route 22. He explained there will be a lighted sign on the property near the road, but it will not be placed where it would block traffic view. He has met the requirements of the ZBA, and they have approved his use of the property. A public hearing was held, he said, and a representative of HFCS was there to discuss Buckner keeping the vegetated area between the garage and the school fence in place. It is his intention to do so, he said. Attorney Denis King and Board Chairman Jim Dunigan then read aloud the requirements in the Site Plan Review. A Public Hearing and many of the items in the Review were waived because they had been covered by the ZBA. Buckner will return to next month’s March 17 meeting with a new plat that defines the parking area and a designated handicapped spot, where the lighting will be and details regarding a storage container.
Joint Meeting
Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam attended the meeting and addressed the Board suggesting that the Town Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board and Town Building Inspector Ed King hold a joint meeting to better open communication between them. “Things are going better,” he noted. “In 2001 a Site Plan Law was created. A new plan has been written and reviewed and needs to be discussed,” he said. Surdam said he had attended the last ZBA meeting, and he would like to see a couple members of the two Boards work with the Town Board to update the Law. “I’m here to open the door to a coordinated meeting,” he said. “I don’t want politics to get involved,” he added, noting, “this is a lengthy process, and it should be done.
submitted by Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe
I have received a few complaints concerning phone calls being made to the area residents concerning donations for the Police Department. It is a fund raising company that is calling the area and requesting donations. The Hoosick Falls Police Department is not fundraising and is not involved with any fundraising company.
Any resident receiving any phone call of this nature should not send any money nor give any information to the caller. The resident should advise the caller that he or she does not wish to donate and should end the conversation. They then should call the Hoosick Falls Police Department and report the call.
Too many times, residents, especially older residents, receive this call and feel pressured into providing the caller with personal information. Please do not. End the conversation and then call the Hoosick Falls Police Department.
submitted by Peter Schaaphok
On Saturday morning March 15, the Petersburgh Library and the Town Historian will be hosting a photo scanning session at the Town Hall from 10 am to noon.
While the Berlin Petersburgh Library and the Historian’s office have an extensive collection of photographs dating from the 1880’s to the present and covering everything from pastoral scenes to houses and buildings to families, we are still always amazed at how many old photos exist in private collections that few have ever seen.
It is our hope that long time Petersburgh families might be willing to share some of their old photos by bringing them to the Town Hall on the 15th where we can scan them while you wait. That way the photos never leave your possession, and you don’t have to worry about them being either lost or misplaced. In addition, once a photo has been scanned, it can be saved in multiple locations thus making the image’s future preservation much more secure.
We are especially interested in landscapes, farm scenes, views of houses, streets and roads and images of Town residents involved in various activities from parades to public gatherings.
So help us in our continuing quest to preserve Petersburgh’s history by bringing your old photos to the Town Hall on March 15.
submitted by Jim Martinez
The Board of Directors and Jim Martinez, President, of the Hoosick Federal Credit Union at 28 Church Street in Hoosick Falls invite all to join them for the annual meeting and election of Board members to be held at the Hoosick Falls Central School High School Cafeteria on Wednesday evening, March 5, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Come enjoy a nice dinner catered by the top-notch HFCS dining staff while you hear the “State of the Credit Union,” detailing what happened in 2013 and what we have in store for 2014. The meeting will conclude with an abundance of door prizes. Positive things are happening. Don’t miss this opportunity!
We hope to see you all there. Please RSVP at 518-686-4504 by Monday March 3. Seating is limited to the first 125 who respond.
If you are reading this ad, you are likely able to join the Hoosick FCU. If you live, work, worship, attend school, belong to an organization or volunteer in Hoosick, Eagle Bridge, Buskirk, Petersburgh, Berlin, Grafton, Stephentown or Pittstown, you may become a member of Hoosick Federal Credit Union. Businesses and not-for-profits are also welcome and encouraged to join.
Kenneth James will give a talk about efforts to bring back the American chestnut tree at the Stephentown Historical Society meeting on Monday, March 3, at 7:30 pm. The meeting will be at the Stephentown Heritage Center on Garfield Road (County Route 26) in Stephentown. The program is free and open to the public. The building is handicapped accessible. For directions or information, phone 518-733-0010.
When Europeans began to settle the American colonies, they found a tree that possessed very useful properties growing throughout the forests. The American chestnut tree had high tannin levels that made its wood rot resistant and valuable for homes, outbuildings, fence posts and poles, and, eventually, railroad crossties. In the forest it grew straight and tall, making excellent lumber and beams. Its nuts were an abundant and nourishing food for both wild creatures and a farmer’s pigs and family. However, in the early 20th century Asian chestnut trees were imported, and they carried a blight to which the American species had no resistance. By 1940 the American chestnut was destroyed as a commercial species and no cure has yet been found.
Ken James is one of many searching for a disease resistant strain of American chestnut. He moved to southwest Stephentown in the 1970s and planted 200 small trees thirty years ago. He has been growing them and grafting the most promising scions onto root suckers, looking for the strongest and healthiest results. His largest tree is now 60 feet tall. He will tell about his quest for a disease resistant variety as well as some history of this tree.
The weather was good but cold on February 1-2, and Hoosick Grange had its first meeting of the year. Master David Cornell conducted the business part of the meeting. The Lecturer presented her program. She had several Grangers read about famous African-Americans like Frederick Douglass, Shirley Chisholm, Thurgood Marshall, Wilma Rudolph and Garrett A. Morgan, who invented the three-way automatic traffic light. Do you know if the green is on the top or the bottom of the light? The Lecturer read about Martin L. King Jr., born January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He had simple beliefs – that all people should be kind to one another and no one should be denied the right to fair treatment. After Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person, she was arrested. Dr. King organized a bus boycott, that no black people would ride the buses. After many problems the rule about black and whites sitting together on buses was changed. Dr. King taught the principle of peaceful resistance instead of arguing. The Lecturer read about “The Buffalo Soldiers.” These soldiers were African-Americans who distinguished themselves in battles. They marched with George Washington and fought with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans and also the Civil War. Over 33,000 gave their lives during the Civil War.
The Lecturer talked about Abraham Lincoln. Born on February 12, 1809. He loved to read. He had about one year of formal schooling and didn’t go to law school. He didn’t have military experience but did serve as a volunteer in “The Black Hawk War.” He passed the Illinois Bar. It required only evidence of moral character, though Lincoln was well read in the law. He became the sixteenth President. He freed the slaves in the Confederate Territory, not under Union control, with the Emancipation Proclamation. Full emancipation came in 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment. Abraham Lincoln’s simple rule, his wish: “Die when I may, I want it to be said of me, by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”
The Lecturer read about St. Valentine and “Is It Love or Infatuation?” She told about George Washington, the Father of Our Country. He was a redhead and covered his head with a powdered wig. Some say he had false teeth. He was a farmer ahead of his time in rotating crops. He was shy and had a bad temper. People tried to make him king. His reply was “Banish the thought from your minds.” He submitted to the Constitution, and, with Congress, launched a republic Under God, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The Grange had delicious refreshments by Berta Burr. Our next meeting is March 12 with David Filkins in charge of the program, and Helen Filkins in charge of refreshments. It is also Photo Contest Night and Apple Pie Contest. Let’s have lots of entries.
submitted by Monica Shupe
The Third Annual Berlin Free Town Library High School Art Show will run from March 5 to March 24 with an opening reception on March 11 from 5 to 7 pm. [Read more…] about The Third Annual Berlin Library High School Art Show
• Movie Night – Friday, February 28, at 6:30 pm in the Stephentown Memorial Library Community Room. Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Come to the SML for a movie. This month we are showing a newly released film about a god with a hammer and his devious brother. The movie is rated PG-13, and the running time is 112 minutes. Free popcorn and drinks will be served.
• Computers for Beginners Series – on Wednesdays at 1:30 pm – March 5, March 26 and April 2. Farid Gruber will help new computer users understand how to use a computer and get connected to the internet. This class is for anyone just beginning to learn how to use a computer. We will briefly go over the physical computer parts, how to turn the computer on and off, the desktop, start menu, and how Windows® works. We will also spend time learning how to use the mouse. Depending on time and interest, the class may move forward to internet use and email. If you know someone who will benefit from this class, help spread the word and invite them to join. Attend one session or all three! Farid Gruber is a retired early childhood educator and administrator with a new career as a technological consultant. He combines his patience, honed through working with preschoolers, and his many years of experience working with computers and various media, to offer quality support. Please call ahead to register, as space is limited. If you have your own laptop computer, please bring it along to the class. Laptops will be on hand for those who don’t have their own. This program series is made possible through an Outreach Mini-Grant from the Upper Hudson Library System.
• Parenting Support Class – Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) method of parenting with Bruce Weiner. Classes will meet on Tuesday evenings – April 1, 8 and 22 and May 6, 13 and 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Participants should plan to attend all sessions in the class cycle.The course will consist of the basics tenets of Parent Effectiveness Training, the positive character education focus on problem solving with children and other issues brought up by parents during the course. Bruce Weiner is the head of Psychological services for the Berlin School District and an experienced parent educator. He lives with his wife in Hancock, MA, and is the parent of two grown sons. The only cost will be $15 for course workbooks and this can be waived for those with financial need. Stephentown Memorial Library invites you to join us for this helpful class. All are welcome! Reservations are required, as space for this class is limited. Please call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 518-733-5750 to reserve a space.
For more information, call the SML at 733-5750, or check our website, www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates.
