The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Hoosick Falls CSD Budget Taking Shape

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by Chris Tergliafera

At the March 17 regular meeting of the Hoosick Falls Central School District Board, the 2022-2023 budget, introduced during last month’s meeting, continued to take shape. The School Tax levy, which currently sits at 3.5%, is already far lower than it was during the initial presentation. It was explained that the tax levy would more than likely already be under the 2.65% allowed increase, if it weren’t for the increasing costs of fuel and electricity. The current tax levy of 3.5% is not final, and work will be done in the coming weeks to bring it down further. 

In addition to the budget, the upcoming vote will also see three School Board seat vacancies and a number of propositions. The first proposition has to do with adding to the existing capital project approved in 2019. No further funds are needed — approval would allow for adding to and changing the scope of the project, while remaining under the previously approved amount.

Next is the bus purchase proposition, which would [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls CSD Budget Taking Shape

Hoosick Town Board Unveils ARPA Spending List

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At their March 14 meeting, the Hoosick Town Board gave final approval to the organizations and projects they plan to spend their first installment of American Rescue Plan Act funding on. The largest expenditure will be $30,000 toward a Capital Improvement Project planned for the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad building. Hoosick employees will also share in the monies, with each non-elected full time employee receiving $1,000 and non-elected part-time office employees slated to receive $500.

Here is a list of the remaining distributions:

[Read more…] about Hoosick Town Board Unveils ARPA Spending List

A Little Snow Can’t Keep a Good Parade Down

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Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day Parade Rescheduled for Saturday

by Doug La Rocque
What COVID-19 could not do this year, Mother Nature did: cancel the annual March St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Village of Hoosick Falls. But you cannot keep a good parade down. Returning in September last year made over as a Halfway Hooley, there was great anticipation for the parade’s reappearance on Saturday, March 12. What was not anticipated was a winter storm, initially forecast to drop up to as much as a foot of snow. Too much snow was afoot to think about safely holding a parade, so once again the March date met its fate. But like the little leprechaun standing there with his dukes up, this year’s parade is not going down without a fight. The organizers are hoping for a little “luck of the Irish” and have rescheduled the event for Saturday, March 19, even though Mother Nature looks like she might “rain on the parade.” [Read more…] about A Little Snow Can’t Keep a Good Parade Down

State to Study Route 7 Traffic

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Long Awaited Review May Include Smart Lights in Brunswick

by Doug La Rocque
For many years, and in particular during public hearings about three new major developments now under construction along Hoosick Road (NYS Route 7), members of the public have been very vocal in their complaints about traffic along that road including the many stop and goes, volume, lengthy backups and the almost daily accidents. When the addition of another signal light at the intersection with Lord Avenue was proposed, several started calling for a NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) traffic study. Research at that time indicated the last DOT study was about 20 years ago, and so much has changed since then. [Read more…] about State to Study Route 7 Traffic

Hasselwander Indicted on Murder and Strangulation Charges

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Remanded Back to Jail Without Bail

by Doug La Rocque
22-year-old Ian Hasselwander was arraigned Tuesday afternoon, March 15, in Rensselaer County Court before Judge Jennifer Sober on one count of Murder in the 2nd Degree and one count of Strangulation in the 1st Degree. Hasselwander pled not guilty to both counts. Judge Sober set April 29 as the tentative date for further proceedings and remanded Hasselwander back to the Rensselaer County Jail without bail until such time. Hasselwander was arrested by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office on March 4 in connection with the disappearance and subsequent death of 20-year-old Morgan Bates of Eagle Bridge. [Read more…] about Hasselwander Indicted on Murder and Strangulation Charges

Poestenkill ARPA Information Sessions

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Poestenkill has received $230,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act fiscal recovery funds, some of which has been used for the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and the highway department. An additional $230,000 is anticipated later this year.

This is a lot of money for a small town. It needs to be used town-wide, fairly, sensibly and responsibly. Although deciding how to allocate the funds is ultimately the Town Council’s responsibility, the community’s thoughts and views are really important. [Read more…] about Poestenkill ARPA Information Sessions

Rensselaer County Legislature

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March Meeting Report

Submitted by the Rensselaer County Legislature Office of the Minority

Environment
The Minority Office submitted a resolution supporting the NYS Expanded Bottle Bill to include additional beverage containers, such as sports drinks, iced teas, wine and liquor, as well as dairy products. The resolution was rejected by the Republican Majority.   

Opioid Settlement
After declaring the opioid epidemic a public health crisis in 2018, Rensselaer County, in concert with other counties, initiated a lawsuit against [Read more…] about Rensselaer County Legislature

Arrest Made in Bates Murder

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by Doug La Rocque

The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office on Friday evening, March 4, announced the arrest of 22-year-old Ian J. Hasselwander of Petersburgh for the disappearance and death of 20-year-old Morgan Bates of Eagle Bridge. Bates was reported missing on Tuesday, February 22, with sightings reported early that morning in both Eagle Bridge and Petersburgh. Her body was subsequently located on Sunday, February 27 in a remote area of the Cherry Plain State Park near Black River Road. [Read more…] about Arrest Made in Bates Murder