The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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New Lebanon Farmers Market Catches a Congressional Eye

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by Doug La Rocque

On Friday, March 25, Congressman Antonio Delgado stopped by the New Lebanon Farmers Market for a first hand look at what he labeled as a great example of how “local and family farms are being empowered to drive the country’s economy.” He made note of a large piece of farm oriented legislation he is attempting to move through Congress, but lamented some of the legislation currently coming out of Washington is making it more difficult for small local farms to survive. He claims his fellow lawmakers must realize the economy of scale, noting “people love to buy local.” He feels Congress must understand the need to feed the community as well as the agricultural bottom line. [Read more…] about New Lebanon Farmers Market Catches a Congressional Eye

Schodack Planning Board Highlights

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by Denise Wright

The March 21 Schodack Planning Board meeting highlighted several development projects for the Town. The meeting began with a public hearing on some proposed timber harvesting on Kraft Road. Chandler Forestry services from Greenfield Center will be supervising the 25-acre project. The timber harvesting was approved for a year. 

After approving a lot line adjustment on Berzin Road, Schodack Golf presented an update about the 12-lot subdivision on Schuurman Road. The developers have been addressing items that LaBerge engineering consultants have questioned. The SEQRA was completed in January, and a 900-foot water extension is underway. Since there is a 16- to 36-week delay in getting materials for the water extension, there was some discussion about creating a bond to keep the project progressing.  [Read more…] about Schodack Planning Board Highlights

New Lebanon – What to Do With the Gravel Pit

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by Doug La Rocque

For 24 years the Town has been mining its own bank run gravel out of the Sherman Pit located on Old Post Road, but that pit has recently been sold to one Harry Williams, which is a concern to Highway Superintendent Jeff Winestock. The Town has had exclusivity on the location, and he is afraid that may no longer be the case and expressed fears of liability concerns. He asked the Town Council for an emergency meeting on Monday, March 28, to put out bids for Bank Run Gravel. Also in attendance was Carl Clemente of Troy Sand and Gravel, who was representing Mr. Williams. He told the Town Council his client plans to hold to all the current terms of operation and pricing, and would even take over the mining permit from the Town if they wished. The would save the Town reclamation costs if or when they should give up the permit. [Read more…] about New Lebanon – What to Do With the Gravel Pit

Cute, Unless You’re a Gardener

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The Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) lives in deciduous woods and parks in eastern North America, preferring rocky areas, log piles and shrubs for cover. They construct underground nests with extensive tunnel systems often with several entrances, and line their burrows with leaves, rocks and sticks, making the nests hard to spot. They like to eat bulbs, seeds, fruits, nuts, mushrooms, insects, worms, bird eggs and any plant in the garden. This chipmunk was seen under the bird feeders at Grafton State Lakes Park. Photo by Trix Niernberger. [Read more…] about Cute, Unless You’re a Gardener

Petersburgh PFOA Class Action Settlement Is Official

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by Doug La Rocque
In early October last year, a settlement in a class action lawsuit against Taconic was announced that totaled $23.5 million, the money to cover damages from the alleged PFOA contamination of the Town’s water supply and that of some residents with private wells. On Monday, March 21, State Supreme Court Justice Patrick McGrath held a fairness hearing, where no objections to the settlement were voiced. He then signed the document. A portion of this money is to be set aside for medical monitoring for 15 years for residents with PFOA levels in their blood greater than 1.86 parts per billion. 

Stephen Schwarz of the firm Faraci Lange was the lead attorney in the case. He tells The Eastwick Press “This is one of the largest settlements per capita in the country involving PFOA contamination. Homeowners in Petersburgh will now be compensated for their loss of property value caused by the contamination as well as receive payments for the loss of the use of their private well water before filtration systems were installed.” [Read more…] about Petersburgh PFOA Class Action Settlement Is Official

We Sure’nuff Had a Parade

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by Doug La Rocque
As The Eastwick Press pointed out last week, what the pandemic couldn’t do this year Mother Nature did (postpone the St. Patrick’s Day parade), but a week later even she was in a much more benevolent mood, holding off the Saturday rain showers until later in the day so revelers could march down Main and Church Streets in all their Irish finery. 

Last year the parade organizers were able to hold a “Halfway Hooley” in September, and while enjoyable, many commented it just did not feel like St. Patrick’s Day. That was not the case this past Saturday, March 19, when almost all of the bands and floats scheduled to take part the previous Saturday were able to return. [Read more…] about We Sure’nuff Had a Parade

Petersburgh PFOA Health Study Begins

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by Chris Tergliafera
At the March 21 regular meeting of the Petersburgh Town Council, the PFOA health study was discussed. The seven site nationwide study has begun and Petersburgh residents should be receiving  information about it in the mail by mid-April. To enroll, potential participants will be given an eligibility screening, followed by a clinical visit. Once enrolled they will receive an identification number and remain anonymous throughout the study. The goal for enrollment is 1,000 adults and 300 children. 

Bridge Update
The Rt. 2 and 22 bridge project has received an increase in budget from $3 million to $4.5 million. The current plan will see the bridge height clearance increase [Read more…] about Petersburgh PFOA Health Study Begins

Verizon Cell Tower Extension Placed on Hold in Brunswick

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by Doug La Rocque

The application by Blue Sky Towers III, representing Verizon Wireless, to increase the height of the cell tower under construction on property at the corner of Creek Road and Menemsha Lane has been deemed by the Planning Board and the Brunswick Building Department to be incomplete. That determination was made prior to the Board’s March 17 meeting, important because under Federal Communications Commission guidelines, the Planners had only 30 days to act on the application. By deeming it to be incomplete, that so called shot clock is suspended.

The original tower application was for a 105 foot structure, but meet with vehement opposition from area residents, and the Planning Board eventually approved an 85 foot tower, placed in a stand of pine trees, and disguised to look like a tree. It has been indicated that any extension back to 105 feet would have to face another public hearing. [Read more…] about Verizon Cell Tower Extension Placed on Hold in Brunswick