Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper
by Thaddeus Flint
The February Town Board meeting Tuesday night in New Lebanon was a full house. Was it the proposed noise ordinance? Was it the latest sequel of Covenant Road? Or maybe it was just February cabin fever and there was nothing else happening in town. It’s difficult to say.
The proposed noise ordinance is starting to make a lot of noise. [Read more…] about New Lebanon Town Board Action – Noise Begets Noise
by Bea Peterson
At the Hoosick Falls Village Board meeting on Tuesday, February 11, Trustee Bob Ryan said he was pleased with how responsive residents were to the Snow Emergency policy recently re-established throughout the Village. He said he was told by members of the Highway Department that the cleanup after the most recent storm was the easiest it had been in years. [Read more…] about Village Of Hoosick Falls Board Action – Residents Responsive To Snow Emergency
by Bea Peterson
Former Hoosick Town Supervisor Keith Cipperly was arraigned before Schaghticoke Judge Jamie Thomas on Monday, February 10. [Read more…] about Cipperly Arraigned In Schaghticoke Court
by Alex Brooks
There was a special Town Board meeting held on February 7 to talk about the Water District. Water District Superintendent Ben Krahforst said the January meter readings have been taken, and he found that there are many water meters that are not working properly. [Read more…] about Petersburgh Water District Special Meeting
by Steve Bradley
It was a tough week in the Town of Hoosick. The life of a young man, Stephen Colvin, loved by all who knew him, was lost in a tragic skiing accident. In the midst of all the grief, an evening of great joy was enjoyed by many of the same people who were awash in the sadness. Ironically, the two events combined to create one of the most touching moments to ever occur in the Hoosick Falls Central School gymnasium.
[Read more…] about A Moment Of Silence And The Panthers, Undefeated In League Play, Clinch Title
To the Editor:
The current Transfer Station contract between Petersburgh and Berlin is not fair to Petersburgh. In addition to paying 50% of the total operational expenses, the current contract also includes a $12,000 annual transfer station access fee to Petersburgh. I believe Petersburgh has been paying this fee for over 20 years. $240,000 should be enough for the infrastructure.
The following facts show why this is unfair to Petersburgh. According to the 2010 US Census Bureau, Berlin has 1,880 citizens, 1,100 housing units, 789 occupied households and Petersburgh has 1,525 citizens and 661 family households. According to County Waste, 324 Petersburgh households have curbside pickup; whereas, Berlin has only 78.
The combined Berlin/Petersburgh household total utilizing the transfer station is 1,048. (1,450 total households minus 402 total curbside pickups). The 661 Petersburgh households minus the 324 curbside pickups equal 337. The 337 divided by 1,048 equates to 32.1% of Petersburgh’s citizens using the Berlin transfer station. Petersburgh only issued 151transfer station permits in 2013 so the 337 number is probably very high. In 2013, Petersburgh paid Berlin $60,925.21 in total fees and only collected $21,791.29 in revenue, leaving a deficit of $39,133.92 for the taxpayers of Petersburgh to unfairly subsidize the Town of Berlin.
THE TOWN OFFICIALS OF PETERSBURGH KNOW THIS! Have they notified the citizens of Petersburgh of this inequality? Bet not! Don’t sit on your couch and accept this! Join me at the next Town Board Meeting on February 24 and express your dissatisfaction of this unfair agreement. If the shoe was on the other foot, do you think Berlin would accept this?
If the Town of Berlin will not enter into a fair agreement, there are many options available. Attend the Town Board meeting to learn/discuss the available options. The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) states, “The people’s right to know is basic to our society.” It is the responsibility of the Town Board to inform its citizens of all issues the Town is facing as well as its financials. It’s time for the Town of Petersburgh to shine a light on the functions of our Town and its spending. Healthy, well-functioning democracies fully embrace transparency. Let your voice be heard on February 24 at, 7 pm.
Thomas Berry
Canfield Road, Petersburgh
Dear Editor,
I feel compelled, as the Town Supervisor, to respond to the letter entitled, “Genuine Intentions” that appeared in the Eastwick Press last week. The comment that I most strongly resent is the statement that the taxes will again be raised in 2015. This false prediction was assumed without any facts, opinions or information from the Town being taken into consideration. As the Financial Officer for the Town of Petersburgh, it is my intention to have a zero tax increase this year.
Additionally, in regard to the Youth Program finances mentioned in the article “PVMCC Starts Raising Funds For Youth,” the amounts quoted were incorrect as well. The total amount cut from the budget equals $4,665, not $6,000; also the amount allotted for 2014 is $3,000 not $1,600. This total amount includes $1,500 for salaries, and $1,500 for all contractual expenses. As for the State and County monies received, these figures are reimbursements, not additional funding for the budget. This fact was explained previously to Mrs. Bowman-Kluck, yet was still incorrectly accounted for within this particular article. Again, these statements were made incorrectly without making any sort of attempt to verify correct information with the Town.
I regretfully agree that this was a substantial amount cut, and would like to see the former budget amount from 2013 reinstated next year if possible. The current financial situation of the Town has forced many budgetary cuts in various important areas; although the Youth Program is an important asset in our Town, the fact is that our Town is struggling to function in light of so many drastic budgetary reductions. The functionality of all Town departments are at risk due to forced operation on minimal finances, and I hope that the taxpayers will take the entire situation into consideration and realize that these cuts were a very difficult decision to make.
Siegfried Krahforst, Supervisor
Town of Petersburgh
Editor’s note: Bowman-Kluck has since revised her figures and her revised article on the PVMCC fundraising will appear next week.
by Jen Burhans
The Mountaineers started the week off right with a win over New Lebanon. The first quarter set the pace for the game with Berlin getting 23 points. Berlin got another 23 in the 2nd quarter to finish the half 46-24. Berlin stayed in charge of play adding 18 and 17 points in the last 2 quarters ending the game with 81 points. [Read more…] about A Split For BCS Boys Basketball
by Steve Bradley
Last Thursday, in a game postponed by Wednesday’s snow storm, the Lady Panthers played the Stillwater Warriors in the Panther Den. The Panthers got off to a slow start and trailed at the end of the first quarter 14 – 11. In the second quarter, the Panthers clamped down on defense, holding the Warriors to eight points and gaining a seven point lead at the half. It was a lead the Warriors could not overcome the rest of the game. [Read more…] about Panther Girls Basketball Moves Into Sectional Play
