Grafton
Grafton Town Council Meeting
Further Discussion Required
by Chris Tergliafera
At the April 11 regular meeting of the Grafton Town Council, EMT Services NY LLC (EMTS) gave a presentation in which they detailed their current partnership with the Grafton Rescue Squad (GRS). The agreement between the two is currently on a consultation basis, for such things as assessing best practices and bylaws in order to make sure the ambulance station is in compliance. EMTS also discussed the possibility of extending the agreement with GRS to include staffing services, mentioning some of the reasons this would be beneficial, such as alleviating pressure on current volunteers so they don’t get burned out. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Council Meeting
Mrs. Kent Honored as Principal of the Year
Submitted by BCS Communications
Congratulations to Berlin Elementary School Principal Mrs. Tracy Kent, who was awarded the 2022 Principal of the Year honor by the Greater Capital Region Principal Center and the Capital Area School Development Association (CASDA).
The Principal of the Year award recognizes a principal for exemplary leadership qualities (highlighted by the unique challenges of the pandemic) who has made a difference in the lives of their students.
Tracy Kent has been in the field of education for 29 years. For 18 of those years Tracy was a classroom teacher. She transitioned into administration 11 years ago and has spent the last eight years as the principal of Berlin Elementary School. [Read more…] about Mrs. Kent Honored as Principal of the Year
Grafton Fire Chief’s Car Stolen/Crashed
28-year-old William Stata III stands accused of stealing Grafton Fire Chief Jim Goyer’s official vehicle from a locked garage on March 29, and crashing it into a tree, before driving off. The vehicle sustained significant front end damage.
Stata was arrested the following day by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office and arraigned on two counts, Burglary 3rd and Grand Larceny 3rd, both felonies. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to reappear in Grafton Town Court on May 10.
Grafton Residents and RPA Discuss Community Forest
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
Grafton Town Council Meeting
Two Resolutions Passed
by Chris Tergliafera
At the February 14 regular meeting of the Grafton Town Council, two resolutions were passed. The first was to schedule a public information meeting to discuss the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance’s (RPA) proposal to place an entrance and parking area on Foster Road. The meeting will take place on February 28, in lieu of the Town’s monthly workshop meeting, and will be held at the old Grafton Elementary School, 13 Babcock Lake Road. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Council Meeting
Dam Update
Statement Courtesy of the NYS Department of Parks and Recreation
In the January 7 edition of The Eastwick Press, our front page story was a report on four area dams and their recent designation by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as unsound. As we initially reported, this designation doesn’t mean there is a threat of imminent failure, and a recent statement from the New York State Department of Parks and Recreation reads as follows: [Read more…] about Dam Update
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s District has Grown
Under new redistricting maps released today the towns of Hoosick, Pittstown, Schaghticoke, Grafton, Petersburgh, Brunswick and Poestenkill will move to Rep. Elise Stefanik’s district. The rest of the county will be represented by Congressman Antonio Delgado except the City of Troy which remains with Rep. Paul Tonko.
Grafton’s Cabin Fever at GLSP
by Amy Modesti
Extreme cold? Check. Swimmers in crazy costumes jumping into Long Pond? Check. Petting huskies, Newfoundlands, bloodhounds, exotic animals and horses? Check. What do all these things symbolize? Cabin Fever!
Single digit temperatures didn’t stop visitors from attending and taking part in this year’s Cabin Fever at Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP). Gutsy swimmers dressed in costumes, active wear and bathing suits braved the elements to dive into [Read more…] about Grafton’s Cabin Fever at GLSP
Berlin Central School District Board Meeting
Contradictory Information
by Chris Tergliafera
At the January 18 regular meeting of the Berlin Central School District Board, Superintendent Joseph Dhara discussed some contradictory information the District has received from the State of New York regarding contact tracing for COVID-19. The State is telling schools they no longer need to contact trace, however they also told districts they need to do their due diligence and notify parents when their child has come in close contact with someone who is infected, which would require contact tracing. The District will look to get some clarification on the matter.
In other COVID-19 news, the number of days required to quarantine after being in close contact with someone who’s tested positive has been reduced from ten to five. [Read more…] about Berlin Central School District Board Meeting