The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Hoosick

Fox Hollow Foxes Win Division III State Bowling Championship

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NYS Championship bowling team of (l to r) Michelle Hayner, Necia Crucetti, Joan Cipperly and Ginny Blinstrub. (Bea Peterson photo)
NYS Championship bowling team of (l to r) Michelle Hayner, Necia Crucetti, Joan Cipperly and Ginny Blinstrub. (Bea Peterson photo)

by Bea Peterson

The team of Ginny Blinstrub, Joan Cipperly, Necia Crucetti and Michelle Hayner won first place in the 2008 NYS Women’s Bowling Championship held in Albany on May 3, winning by one pin. They were first among 397 Division III teams. The team, sponsored by Dean Dubois, owner of Fox Hollow Construction and Daniel Boone Log Homes, bowls at Barbecue Recreation in Hoosick Falls in the Tuesday Women’s League. A second Fox Hollow Construction team of four placed 57th out of the 397 teams.

Crucetti First In Singles

Necia Crucetti also took first place for Division III in the singles event, beating 1,400 other bowlers. She was second out of 1,337 bowlers  entered in the All Events category.

In the Division III doubles event Michelle Hayner and Necia came in sixth among the 737 doubles entered.

This was the first time a women’s team from Barbecue Recreation has won the State title.

During the regular season Michelle and Necia bowl for the Schmigel team and Joan and Ginny bowl for Fox Hollow.  The women compete every year in the State Championships. They all laughed and agreed it’s their “weekend away!” The event is held all over the State. This year they bowled at Sunset Lanes on Central Ave. in Albany and Guilderland Town and Country Lanes.

Ginny has been bowling for at least 20 years; Joan has been a bowler since she was 18, about 36 years, she said. She has been bowling at Barbecue Recreation since the 80s. Necia is the newest bowler. She has been at it for only three years. Her teammates said Necia was their top bowler and pulled them through. Their lowest game in the Championship was 142. The team average was 186.

Fourth Hoosic River Ride Is August 23

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The Fourth Hoosic River Ride, a benefit bike tour for the Hoosic River Watershed Association, will happen on Saturday, August 23, no matter the weather. “We have provisions in place for shortening the course if we have a significant heavy-rain delay and will advise people on where it’s best to seek shelter in case dangerous weather moves in,” explained organizer Lisa Carey Moore. 

The one day event offers three routes of 13, 33 or 67 miles and cyclists can register online at bikereg.com or active.com or in person on the day of the ride. The longest ride, “The Watershed Challenge,” will depart the ride headquarters at Bennington College at 8 am and registration opens at 7 am. The 33-miler, “Two State Tour,” leaves at 9 am with the last group of riders for the “Monument and Bridges” 13 miler leaving at 10. Participants registering on the day should bring cash or checks, with the $40 (13-miler) or $50 (33 and 67 mile routes) fees covering a post ride lunch of burritos, assorted salads, baked goods, one free beer for participants 21 and over with many other beverages free of charge, too. The first 120 riders will receive an eco-tote and water bottle with the ride logo. Currently, just over 65 riders have signed up.

Town Of Hoosick Planning Board Action

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by Gary Danforth

The Town of Hoosick Planning Board meeting took place this past Monday evening, August 18, in the Hoosick Falls Armory with Interim Chairman Jim Dunigan calling the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Following the Pledge of Allegiance the minutes of the previous month’s meeting were approved, with three corrections noted.

First, Peter Schaaphok appeared before the Board and explained that he wanted to relocate his business from South Troy to Hoosick. The 10,000 square foot assembly plant would be a steel frame building with a metal roof. The applicant had previously submitted an application. The party said the proposed project is not going to take place in an agricultural district. Two neighbors to the project were present to listen to the proposed plan. The total acreage of the parcel is 13.84 with building to take place on 2.5 acres. No trees will be disturbed. Utilities will need to be installed with the site plan showing traffic flow, lighting, signage and handicapped parking and access areas. Test borings were also shown. The water table depth will not be known until a well is dug. The applicant and the Board are still trying to determine whether this site plan is within the parameters of the Town’s comprehensive plan. It is hoped that the answer will be resolved by next month’s meeting once the comprehensive plan is gone over by the Board and applicant. The Board declared the project to have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. The Board passed a motion that the application packet was complete with the application packet being sent to the Rensselaer County Department of Health for approval. The Board set a public hearing for this project for 7 pm on September 15 before the next regular monthly Planning Board meeting. Schaaphok will come back before the Board next month.

Next, a land owner appeared before the Board wanting to subdivide his land located at 29 East Hoosick Road. There are eleven total acres to this parcel. They were present before the Board last month. The Board passed a motion that this would be a simple subdivision.

Then, Robert Breese, representing the Hoosick Fire District, appeared before the Board to discuss the Fire District acquiring the former Haynes Ford auto dealership lands, which would result in the land being used for a different purpose. Two disclosures had been made in the previous meeting concerning this proposed project. First, Stan King, the Town planning Board attorney, disclosed that he had agreed to represent the Hoosick Fire District in this matter prior to the Planning Board meeting and this could be a potential conflict of interest, but he believed this would be up to the Board to decide. Second, Jim Dunigan, the Interim Planning Board Chairman, disclosed that he was a Hoosick Fire District commissioner. Both of these disclosures could be potential conflicts of interest, with the latter not being able to vote on any Planning Board matter concerning this change of use. The residents of Hoosick will vote on whether the District will acquire the Haynes property in an election on August 26. The Board agreed that the Town Building Inspector will need to decide whether the potential new land owners of the former Haynes Ford parcel, potentially the Hoosick Fire District, would even need to come before the Planning Board for a site plan application process, based on the change of land use. A preliminary site plan was gone over with existing lighting, utility and septic systems, along with any impact on local schools discussed. The Board would waive having a site plan on linen along with lighting, floor elevations, a topographic map, grade contours, landscaping planning, parking plans, a survey, an engineer’s stamp on the project, interior design, a seating plan, service and storage areas and a scale of building heights. Handicapped parking and access to the existing building and traffic flow patterns would need to be shown. A short form environmental assessment form would need to be filled out. Breese said two additional overhead doors would need to be installed on site and two existing overhead doors would need to be enlarged. Breese and other fire department officials will be back before the Board next month if the Hoosick voters approve the department’s move to the Haynes Ford property.

Finally, Tim Holt, appeared before the Board wanting a boundary line adjustment to his 25 acre parcel in the vicinity of Bardee Road. He wanted to deed over a thirty foot parcel so a neighbor could have road access to a now land locked parcel. The Board approved this as a boundary line adjustment with language in the deed stating that this thirty foot strip of land could never be a stand alone parcel.

The warm, stuffy meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.

HFCS Tax Unchanged From Budget Vote

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by Alex Brooks

The Hoosick Falls Central School set its tax levy and tax rates at its meeting this week. The tax levy is $8,526,995, which is an increase of 3.5% over last year’s levy. It has not been changed from the figures presented to the voters at the time of the budget vote. The tax rate for Grafton is $202.77 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, an increase of 3.6%, for Hoosick $61.52 per thousand, an increase of 2.9%, for Petersburgh $29.40 per thousand, an increase of 4%, for Pittstown $27.68 per thousand, an increase of 1.1%, and for White Creek $29.10 per thousand, an increase of 1.8%.

The new principals, Patrick Dailey for the Elementary School and Steven Leunig for the High School, made

Elementary School Principal Patrick Dailey. (Alex Brooks photo)
Elementary School Principal Patrick Dailey. (Alex Brooks photo)

presentations on trends in student academic achievement over the last few years. Superintendent Ken Facin said he had asked them to do so to “give them a snapshot of what they’re inheriting,” and to start thinking about setting academic goals and the means to achieve them.

Patrick Dailey presented the numbers from tests given in the elementary school over the last few years, which showed steady improvement in a number of areas. Superintendent Ken Facin thanked him for the presentation, and remarked, “We have seen positive gains in every assessment in the elementary, but we have a long way to go.”

Next, High School Principal Steven Leunig gave a powerpoint presentation on academic achievement in the high school over the past three years. The data showed improvements in most areas but some were up and down.  Leunig remarked that seventh and eighth grade English test results are improving but

High School Principal Steven Leunig. (Alex Brooks photo)
High School Principal Steven Leunig. (Alex Brooks photo)

are not yet up to the state average. He called science and foreign language test results “very nice numbers.”  The number of students passing Regents tests went up from 06-07 to 07-08 from 79% to 87%, and the number of students taking the tests increased as well.

 

The graduation rate has improved over the last three years, from 68% in 06 (2002 cohort) to 82% in 07 (2003 cohort) to 91% in 08 (2004 cohort).

The rest of the topics covered in this week’s School Board meeting will be published next week.

Hoosick Grange News

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It was booster night and hot dog roast at Hoosick Grange on August 13. Families and guests had been invited, and we had a good turnout. Everyone enjoyed the dinner with corn on the cob. After the delicious meal, the Bingo Game was set up. They had lots of prizes and lots of happy winners. After the games the Lecturer had a reading about a little boy who wanted a brother and what he did about getting one. She also had a story on mud time and about getting stuck in the mud. She had a closing poem titled “Kindness.”

Our next meeting is Election of Officers on August 27. Betty Kipp is in charge of the program and Marion Brenenstuhl is in charge of refreshments. The CFA committee was in charge of the dinner for the evening.

Hunter Safety Course In Hoosick

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The Pioneer Fish & Game Club on Route 7 and Potter Hill will be holding a Hunter Safety Course beginning September 18. All sessions must be attended. Sessions will be Thursday and Friday, September 18 and 19, from 6 to 9 pm and Saturday, September 20, from 8 am to 2 pm. You must pre-register by calling Gary at 686-4072 (after 6 pm) or Dan at 686-4767 as limited spaces are available.

Bennington Paperboard Closing August 30

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by Gary Danforth

Bennington Paperboard will be closing August 30. Richard Forgea of the Newark Group, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials Andrea Dzierwa, an Environmental Engineer for the Division of Water, Barry Jensen, Division of Solids and Hazardous Materials, and Dan Rightsey, Division of Hazardous Waste Remediation, were all in attendance at Monday night’s Town of Hoosick Board meeting. DEC officials noted that there have never been any complaints regarding the Plant. Forgea said the company is hoping to sell the building to a non-competitor and would like to continue to hold some of its permits should a sale happen. DEC will oversee all the permits and make sure the closed plant meets all NYS standards. 

Supervisor Douglas said she is concerned about the two lagoons where sludge is pumped and where the sludge in the pits will be transported. She was assured that the Town will receive monthly reports about these issues. The plant will maintain 24 hour security after its closing.

Before the discussion of the Bennington Paperboard Plant, the meeting, which took place in the Hoosick Falls Armory, had been called to order by Town Supervisor Marilyn Douglas at 7:03 pm. After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, the minutes of last month’s meeting were approved without having them read. Councilpersons Mark Surdam, Kevin O’Malley and Bob Ryan were present as was Town Clerk Sue Stradinger. Councilperson Mark Cottrell was absent. Town Attorney Tom Kenney was present.

The Town Clerk’s report was accepted with 14 new dog licenses, 22 dog license renewals, ten death certificates, 11 building permits and 410 garbage stickers purchased being noted. Stradinger distributed a brochure to the Board containing phone numbers of the most asked for assistance agencies within the township. She put the brochure together for families in need at the request of Councilperson Surdam and the Board. Copies are available at the Town office. 

The Assessor’s report was in order.

Unfair Impoundment?

Scott Thompson addressed the Board and said he had been visiting in Hoosick and had his car impounded. He sought a public apology and restitution. His written complaint will be forwarded to the Town Attorney.

Unpaid Bills

James Martinez asked the Board for clarification as to why a person providing services to the Town had not been paid in over one year. Aimee Allen spoke on the same matter saying she had submitted a bill to the Town for $3,000 for the care and boarding of five dogs for an extended time in the Summer of 2007. She had removed the five dogs from a residence at 457 Hill Road. 

According to Douglas, the Town contract says the Town will pay ten dollars per day for dog care for seven days, plus thirty dollars per dog for dog food over that same period. For the five dogs that would amount to $500 before euthanasia was permissible. 

Allen said she kept the dogs for an extended time because she felt the Town gave her the impression they might fear reprisal from the dogs’ owner should the dogs be destroyed while an ongoing issue between the Town and property owner was in progress. Martinez asked why a person providing services to the Town had not been paid, even the smaller amount. The Town will work to  resolve the matter.

Bill Shiland, Superintendent of Highways, said the rainy weather had caused water runoff damage just this evening to a culvert on Wilson Hill Road and also damage to Cottrell Lane. The old Town garage had some flooding as did the new changing room at the Town skating rink. Despite the rainy weather the Town crew was busy patching potholes, though the weather had held up this activity. The  weather also prevented fill from being stockpiled at the Town’s usual sites due to wet conditions.

The Weir-Reynolds swimming pool will close August 29. Seasonal memberships increased this year to 54. Last year there were 42 memberships.

The Building Inspector’s report was in order. The Town re-passed a motion to put clean up costs of $15,423.44 for removing a condemned trailer and restoring the land at 457 Hill Road and back taxes and water bills in the amount of $5,847.62 onto the owner’s tax bill. The same motion was passed last month, but the Board had not waited the required 30 days after notice of the action was delivered to the owner. 

The Court Clerk’s report was in order though the Board noted that revenue is being lost when County Sheriff and State Police officers don’t show up for Court appearances after issuing tickets, thereby negating prosecutions.

History Picture Board

From the Supervisor’s report, Town Historian Phil Leonard, with assistance from Charlie Filkins, submitted a picture board showing recreational areas within the township in the 1930s. Santo’s, Pickerings on Route 22 and the Ehmler’s estate, which housed a zoo, pond and tea rooms were noted. Leonard noted that boxers once trained at Ehmler’s. Also, Leonard had a newspaper clipping of when buffalo got loose from the zoo and had to be rounded up.

Plans for the reconstructing the covered bridge over the Walloomsac River, adjacent to the Barnett Homestead, have been put on hold since the cost of a new bridge has jumped to $950,000 from the original $750,000 estimate.

Upcoming Events

Douglas said there will be a band concert by William Gaillard and the Community Band at the Barnett Homestead.  

The Corn Maze at Tammy’s Candy Kettle on Route 7 in Hoosick will open this coming weekend with an official opening on September 6. There will be a Community Day, a Farm Appreciation Day and, on September 28, a Blue Grass music festival. The Corn Maze will be the largest on the east coast. 

The Hoosic River bicycle ride will take place over some Town roads on August 23 with the Town receiving a certificate of insurance for liability coverage. 

Other Business
Douglas said she had received a letter from Senator Chuck Schumer’s office concerning posters for school districts. Also, the Town and Village of Hoosick Falls have joined the Lakes to Locks organization with a meeting planned in Lake George at 10 am on September 16.

Cable TV Negotiations
Councilperson O’Malley said there is ongoing negotiation with Time Warner Cable over programming and where service might be provided. Usually, 20 houses within one mile is what the company looks for to make the cable available in a particular area. O’Malley said the cable company said it would cost $729 per household for 11 households on a .55 mile stretch of South Street in Hoosick for cable to be installed and $758 per household for cable to be installed on Cottrell Road for a three mile stretch with 28 households.

Grant To Protect Farmlands
The Board passed a motion to have the Agricultural Stewardship Association write a farmland protection implementation grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The grant would be to develop a plan for participating farms to keep their agricultural rights while selling developmental rights within the township. The latest such farm interested in doing so is the 135 acre Philpott parcel on Route 95.

The meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.