The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Front Page

BCS Watching The Grass Grow

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by Thaddeus Flint
Residents in the Berlin School District might notice this month that their abandoned schools in Stephentown and Grafton are looking, well, a bit more abandoned. The quick assumption might be that someone isn’t doing their job or that there is no money to mow the lawns at those buildings. Those assumptions, however, are far too simplistic for BCS, where just getting a lawn mowed is done by committee, or in the case of the Berlin School Board at the monthly meeting May 22, not done at all.
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Grafton Planning Board Action – Land For Kids

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by Kieron Kramer
The Grafton Planning Board met on Monday, May 20, and accepted the applications for two subdivisions, both on Edelmann Lane near the town line with Pittstown. One was the major subdivision of property owned by Clark Edelmann and his sister MaryLou MacNaughton into five parcels. The other was a three lot minor subdivision of the old Harbinger estate by Lawrence “Jamie” Meracle, Jr. [Read more…] about Grafton Planning Board Action – Land For Kids

Petersburgh Planning Board Action – Used Car Lot Approved

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by Alex Brooks
After a public hearing in which no one made any comments, the Planning Board granted approval for a used car lot at 572 Rabbit College Road to Josh Smith. The approval was for a sales area not to exceed 7 vehicles on a lot described as “less than a tenth of an acre.” The Board waived all fees except the $25 public notice fee.
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Richard J. Tregurtha

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Petersburgh – Richard J. Tregurtha, 63, of Lewis Hollow Road, Petersburgh, NY, died on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, after an extended illness under the care of Community Hospice of Rensselaer County.
Born in Stoneham, MA, on June 6, 1949, he was the son of the late Edward J. and Alice Copeland Tregurtha. He had lived in Petersburgh since 2001 after moving from Grafton, NY, where he had lived since 1992. He had worked for Confortex in Watervliet, NY, Troy-Bilt in Lansingburgh, NY, and most recently at RPI in their maintenance department. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Survivors include his former wife, Susan Clark of Glenmont, NY, a daughter, Alice Furbush of Ohio, a sister, Diane and her husband Joseph DeVito of Everett, MA, several grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A private gathering will be held for Richard at his home at a later date. To remember him in a special way, memorial contributions to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY, 12144, would be appreciated. The Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home of Petersburgh is assisting the family with arrangements.

Thomas B. Wheeler

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Stephentown –  On Friday, May 24, 2013, Thomas B. Wheeler, 85, passed away peacefully in the home where he was born on December 22, 1927. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, their seven children, their twelve grandchildren and his four sisters. Tom was in the US Navy. He taught school for many years at Onteora Central School in Boiceville, NY, and New Lebanon Central School in New Lebanon, NY. After retiring in 1989, he worked at Madden’s Garage in Stephentown, NY.
A Visitation Service was held on Monday, May 27, from 4 to 6 pm at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown.

Berlin Bank Goes For $73.5k

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by David Flint
Berlin’s bank building was sold at auction Wednesday for only $73,500. Although staff from Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Company were waiting, no one showed up at the bank to bid on the property. According to Norman Zimmer, Director of Operations at Max Spann, all of the bidding, by ten pre-registered bidders, took place either online or at their auction site in New Jersey.
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Local Veterans Honored On Armed Forces Day

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by Bea Peterson
Months of research and organizing went into the “Memorial Day – A Local Tribute” sponsored by Voice of a Vet and Heroes at Home at the HAYC3 Armory on Saturday, May 18. Spearheading the efforts were Gail Smith and Howie Wright. Much of the research was done by Tom McMartin and Charles Filkins.
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Stephentown ZBA Denies Motocross Use Variance

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by David Flint
The Stephentown Zoning Board of Appeals decided Wednesday in a split vote to deny a use variance to Howard Commander that would have allowed him to construct a Motocross park in a residential zone. Board Chairman Roland Barth joined with Board Members Freling Smith and Peter Ellard in voting to deny the variance. Board Members Joseph Champion and Richard Sime voted to grant the variance.
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