The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Grafton Residents and RPA Discuss Community Forest

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by Chris Tergliafera

On Monday, February 28, the Grafton Town Council hosted a public forum for residents and the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) to discuss plans for property the RPA recently purchased in Grafton. As it stands now, plans to have a trailhead and parking lot at the end of Foster Rd. are not sitting well with Foster Rd. residents. 

More than one person raised the question: if the RPA is creating a community forest, and want to have a good relationship with the community, but the community is making it clear they don’t want them there, isn’t it disingenuous for them to continue saying they care about the community?  [Read more…] about Grafton Residents and RPA Discuss Community Forest

Robust Discussions at East Nassau Budget Workshop 

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by Denise Wright

The East Nassau Board of Trustees held their Budget Workshop on February 24 to review the draft budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The plan will reduce the property tax rate from $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $1.66 to avoid exceeding the state-mandated tax cap. Mayor Adam Acquario reported that the Village’s total assessed valuation went up this year following a year where it decreased. 

A 3% stipend/salary increase for the Clerk, Treasurer, DPW Superintendent and Building Inspector was included in the budget. No elected Village official has received a stipend increase since 1998.  [Read more…] about Robust Discussions at East Nassau Budget Workshop 

Brunswick Planning Board Meeting

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Verizon Cellphone Tower Announcement Turns Heads

by Doug La Rocque

It wasn’t until the very end of the Brunswick Planning Board meeting on Thursday, February 17, that the item drawing the most interest from Board members came forth. Building Inspector Chuck Golden announced he had received an application from Verizon Wireless to extend the cell tower under construction on land at the corner of Creek Road and Menemsha Lane. It was the original tower application that was before the Planning Board for nearly a year, with the visual impact being the largest sticking point. Verizon originally requested a 105-foot high tower that met with [Read more…] about Brunswick Planning Board Meeting

4-H Fashionistas

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The Fashionistas 4-H Club recently met to whip up a creative Valentine’s Day project: paper quilling. The girls found this project to be really enjoyable. For context, quilling is a bit of a time-consuming activity, but does create an adorable result in the end. It consists of folding and curling paper to make miniature pictures and decor. Coming up next, the 4-Hers will [Read more…] about 4-H Fashionistas

I-90 Corridor Plan Reviewed – Schodack

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by Denise Wright

The Rensselaer County Industry Development Agency (IDA) held a public scoping meeting on February 15 at the Schodack Town Hall. All Schodack officials and public members could ask questions and comment on the draft generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) created for approximately 6,000 acres along the I-90 Corridor between exits 11 and 12 on Route 9. 

With the new Amazon complexes being developed in this area, the County realized that the site is increasingly attractive to development. With that in mind, [Read more…] about I-90 Corridor Plan Reviewed – Schodack

Hoosick Falls School Board Meeting

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Budget Season Begins

by Chris Tergliafera

At the February 17 regular meeting of the Hoosick Falls Central School District Board of Education, the first draft of the 2022-2023 budget was presented. The proposed budget would see a spending increase of $1,133,950, up 4.7% over last year. Numerous things factor into this number, such as increases in staff and support service, state and federal mandates, contractual expenses and more. As of now the estimate on the school tax levy increase is [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls School Board Meeting

NL-B Swimmers Finish Strong

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Submitted by Coach Tim Christiansen

Top 8 finishes were achieved and school records broken for the New Lebanon-Berlin Varsity Swim Team who competed in NYS Sectionals this past weekend at Shenendehowa High School. Junior Alex Sotek, Sophomore Alison Slater and eighth grader Lance Schroder competed in individual events while Carol Kirsimagi, Riley Schwartz and Jordan Sotek rounded out the relay teams. Alex Sotek led the way with an outstanding meet finishing with two school records and two top 8 finishes, which hasn’t been done by a New Lebanon-Berlin swimmer in over 14 years. Alex finished 7th in the 100 Butterfly with a time of 58.78 and 5th place in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 1:01.50. Alison set a new school record while [Read more…] about NL-B Swimmers Finish Strong

Hoosick Falls Village Police Officer Dies in Crash

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Not on Duty at the Time

by Doug La Rocque

Hoosick Falls Police Officer Matthew Waldron succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning, February 15, following an auto-tractor trailer accident on NYS Route 67 in Schaghticoke. According to investigating NYS Troopers, Officer Waldron was traveling eastbound when he struck the rear of the truck. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured. Officer Waldron was not on duty at the time. Emergency Services transported Officer Waldron to Troy’s Samaritan Hospital, where he later passed. [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls Village Police Officer Dies in Crash