The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Front Page

HVCC No Cost Summer Courses for HS Students 

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Submitted by Hudson Valley Community College

Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) will offer more than 50 college-level courses for rising high school juniors and seniors this summer with an added incentive: tuition and fees will be completely funded through a college scholarship, and textbooks will be provided at no cost for students. The scholarship offer covers up to eight credits.

The same incentive was offered last year, and nearly 1,000 students from around the Capital Region took advantage of the opportunity.

“We want to do everything in our power to make our summer College in the High School courses even more accessible,” said President Roger Ramsammy. “By offering a full scholarship on tuition and providing open educational resources or free textbooks, we are offering an incredible opportunity for students to get a jump start on their college career while still in high school.” [Read more…] about HVCC No Cost Summer Courses for HS Students 

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

Darel G. Manchester – Obituary

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Petersburgh – Darel Gregory Manchester, 37, died suddenly Friday, March 25, 2022. He was born in Bennington, VT on August 26, 1984, the beloved son of Colleen S. Walker Manchester of Petersburgh and the late Gregory Neil Manchester.

Darel was raised in Petersburgh and was a graduate of Berlin Central School. He was previously employed by Callahan Industries and was the owner of his own landscaping business, Above & Beyond for over 10 years. Currently he was employed as a plant operator for Westway Feed Products at the Port of Albany where he has worked since being hired in June, 2013, in a job that he loved, with coworkers he loved.

Darel loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, kayaking and skiing with his daughter. Darel was an artistic oil painter. He had an eye for detail and created many beautiful paintings. His paintings can still be seen on Facebook at Country Life Free Hand Oil Paintings by Darel Manchester. [Read more…] about Darel G. Manchester – Obituary

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