The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Grafton Resolution 62 Sparks Debate, Passes 4-1

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By Chris Tergliafera
The major point of interest at the Monday, December 12 regular meeting of the Grafton Town Board was resolution 62, which admonished Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum for alleged ethical misconduct, and urged her to immediately resign. At the meeting, attorney for Supervisor Gundrum, David Gruenberg, read a letter he wrote, claiming the findings by the Ethics Board should not be considered because when the Towns Ethics Board laws changed in 2021, a new Board was never appointed, meaning the current Board shouldn’t have existed past December 31, 2021. Rensselaer Plateau Alliance Executive Director Jim Bonesteel also submitted a letter saying he believes there was no ethical misconduct. Both letters are available for view on the Town’s website, in the packet for the December 12 meeting, as is the letter from Kevin Luibrand, of Luibrand Law Firm, PLLC, that was the catalyst for the creation of resolution 62.

Several residents spoke up in support of Supervisor Gundrum, others stated they just wanted the matter resolved, as they feel it’s dividing the Town. When all was said and done, resolution 62 [Read more…] about Grafton Resolution 62 Sparks Debate, Passes 4-1

Sheriffs’ No Shave November Continues

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By Amy Modesti
From November 1 through February 1, at 7 am, Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) employees can grow beards, mustaches, and goatees to help raise money for START Children’s Center Inc. and the Rensselaer County Department for Youth (RCDY). 

On Friday, December 2, Sheriff Patrick Russo, Undersheriff P.J. Higgitt, several members of the Sheriff’s Department, and Santa Claus presented RCDY’s Youth Service Worker Debbie Flemming and Deputy Commissioner Pierce Hoyt with a check for [Read more…] about Sheriffs’ No Shave November Continues

The End of an Era

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On Saturday, November 26, the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary, with Santa Claus in attendance for the kids, held their final monthly breakfast. The breakfasts, held at the Grafton Fire Hall, were a tradition on the last Saturday of each month for over a decade. Over the years the breakfasts became an event that the community really looked forward to, somewhat of a meeting place for those in and outside of the Grafton community. 

Organizers and volunteers within the Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary did all they could to continue the monthly tradition, but food costs, and inflation in general, just became too much to allow them to do so.  [Read more…] about The End of an Era

75th Turkey Trot Results

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Submitted by Ed Parham
More than 5,500 participants braved the cold this past Thanksgiving morning to participate in the 75th Troy Turkey Trot, the nation’s 12th oldest road race. Below is a list of event winners, along with their respective race completion times:

10K Men’s Winner – Sean O’Brien (30:44)
10K Women’s Winner – Charlotte Richman (34:14)

5K Men’s Winner – Alex Hislop (15:01)
5K Women’s Winner – Amanda Chambers (17:13) [Read more…] about 75th Turkey Trot Results

Legislature Passes 2023 County Budget

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Submitted by the Office of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin and the Rensselaer County Legislature Office of the Minority

At a special meeting on Tuesday, November 29, the Rensselaer County Legislature approved the 2023 County budget by a vote of 16-2, earning strong bi-partisan support. The budget provides a one-percent property tax decrease, marking the fifth straight year with such a reduction. The spending plan will upgrade important services for public safety, seniors, and transportation, as well as supporting the Reimagine Rensselaer initiative. The County will also be able to continue upgrades to its road network, and the equipment used by the Highway Department.  [Read more…] about Legislature Passes 2023 County Budget

Structure Fire in Petersburgh

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On the evening of Sunday, November 27, at approximately 5:30 pm, the Petersburgh Fire Department, along with mutual aid from the Berlin, Center Brunswick, Hoosick, Grafton, Eagle Mills, and Pittstown Fire Departments, as well as Taconic Emergency Medical Services, responded to a structure fire at 1351 State Route 2 in Petersburgh. Crews battled the fire for several hours, a task that was made difficult due to severe weather. All residents of the home got out safely. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Photo provided. [Read more…] about Structure Fire in Petersburgh

New Lebanon Holiday Gift Drive

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Town Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling is organizing the seventh annual holiday gift drive for New Lebanon families in need. If you would like to adopt a child or children this holiday season, please contact Supervisor Houghtling at the number below, or by stopping by the Town Hall on Tuesdays from 9 am to 2 pm, or Thursdays from noon to 5 pm. You will be provided a detailed list of toys and items the child likes. If you would prefer we do the shopping, you can make a monetary donation at the Town Supervisor’s office, or by mailing it to:

Town of New Lebanon Holiday Gift Drive
PO Box 328
New Lebanon, NY, 12125 [Read more…] about New Lebanon Holiday Gift Drive

Stephentown Town Board Highlights 

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By Denise Wright
The Town Board of Stephentown worked hard on November 21, paying the bills, reviewing/approving minutes, and passing resolutions. 

Members highlighted two bills that involved purchasing a microphone in conjunction with the court from the general account, and a culvert replacement near Webster Hill Road. The microphone will come in handy for the court and Town to use on various occasions. 

The Board approved minutes from the budget workshops, solar energy public hearing, and Town Board. The preliminary budget and special meeting to adopt the budget on November 14 were also approved. The transfer station reported that workers had repaired the gate after a resident had run into it. It isn’t as pretty, but it does work. They also said they temporarily suspended the paint program until a lockable storage solution was in place. With inflation happening, officials decided that prices will not be increased this year. [Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Highlights