The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

Clark D. Edelmann

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Pittstown – Clark D. Edelmann, 73, a longtime resident of Pittstown, died peacefully in the comfort of his home Thursday, May 12, 2022.

Born in Honesdale, PA, November 7, 1948, Clark is the son of the late Frederick and Norma (Milligan) Edelmann, and husband for over 53 years of Mary A. (Borter) Edelmann of Pittstown, who survives. 

Clark was a graduate of Tamarac High School in 1966. Throughout high school he competed on the wrestling team. Later he became a force to be reckoned with on the arm wrestling table, competing in, and winning, several tournaments.   

Clark was employed right out of high school by the former Matzen Construction Inc. in Raymertown. During his 40 plus years of service at Matzen’s he was held in high regard with his coworkers and held the title of foreman for many years. Clark was well rounded in the construction field, but as time went on, his specialty became erecting large steel buildings.   [Read more…] about Clark D. Edelmann

John W. Crook Jr.

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Brunswick – John W. “Jack” Crook Jr., 86, a longtime resident of Brunswick, passed away peacefully Monday, May 16, 2022, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy with his family by his side, following a short illness.

Born in Liberty, New York, April 25, 1936, Jack is the son of the late John W. and Viola (Muthig) Crook Sr. and the loving husband, for over 66 years, of Joan M. (Rifenburg) Crook of Brunswick, who survives.

Jack attended Troy City Schools. He entered the workforce as a young man and worked at several area businesses, where he learned and honed his automotive and mechanical repair skills. Jack earned the friendship and appreciation of the many whose houses he kept warm while working as a service technician for the Hastings Oil Company in Albia. After more than 35 years of service, through all types of weather and seasons, he retired in 2004.

[Read more…] about John W. Crook Jr.

Hoosick Falls Police Chief Resigns

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Hoosick Falls Mayor Rob Allen has announced that Robert Ashe has resigned as Chief of the Village Police force. The resignation took effect on Friday, May 13. In making the announcement on Monday morning, Mayor Allen said “We wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors.

Our Village Police Officers stepped up and served with distinction and honor over the past several months. We are deeply appreciative of their efforts and dedication. Officer-in-Charge Paul Aleksonis will continue to lead the Village of Hoosick Falls Police Department while they provide their essential service to the Village of Hoosick Falls.

The Village will have no further comment at this time.”

Chief Ashe was currently suspended with pay as allegations of impropriety concerning absentee ballots for last Novembers general election are being investigated by state and federal authorities.

The Eastwick Press will have more on this development as it becomes available.

Grafton Town BBQ

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The Town of Grafton invites you to the 2022 Grafton Town BBQ, sponsored by the Town of Grafton and hosted by Greywacke Meadows (aka the wedding barn!).  This is a FREE family event with great food, entertainment and a beautiful venue. We will also have a covered dish and dessert contest so please bring an item to share. It will be held on Sunday, June 5, from 2 to 5 pm.  Hot dogs & hamburgs provided. 40 Dunham Rd, Grafton.

For Grafton residents only

Park Avenue Bridge in Berlin Closed

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The county bridge carrying County Route 36 (Park Avenue) over the Little Hoosic River in the Town of Berlin will be closed effective today, May 12, the Rensselaer County Highway Department announced.

The closure follows an inspection by the New York State Department of Transportation, which determined structural and safety issues necessitate closure.

The Rensselaer County Highway Department has monitored the condition of the CR36 bridge in recent years. County Highway has lowered the weight limit on the bridge in an effort to keep the bridge safely in operation.

Detours will be posted, and the detours for traffic are expected to be short. The county is now reviewing plans to deal with the bridge closure, said county officials.

Contamination Site Scheduled for Cleanup in Hoosick Falls

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by Doug La Rocque
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that Oak-Mitsui Technologies LLC (Oak), the owner of the property, will be executing the environmental cleanup work at the 80 First Street Site in the Village of Hoosick Falls. Their press release says the environmental cleanup action will be performed as an Interim Remedial Measure (IRM) under NY’s State Superfund Program and the provisions of an Order on Consent established between Oak and DEC. An IRM is a cleanup activity that may be implemented when the source of contamination or exposure pathway can be effectively addressed in the short term. The objective of this IRM is to prevent contact with residual levels of contamination in the soil.

Highlights and Key Components of the IRM: 

• Installation of a 2 foot thick cover system that consists of a 6 inch gravel underdrain placed directly over existing asphalt or concrete foundations and 18 inches of soil cover over the gravel underdrain.  [Read more…] about Contamination Site Scheduled for Cleanup in Hoosick Falls

Traffic Concerns Linger at Aldi Site in Brunswick

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by Doug La Rocque
David Leon’s representatives, MJ Engineering, were back before the Brunswick Planning Board on Thursday evening, May 12, with a new rendering of what the proposed addition of an Aroma Joe’s Coffee Drive Thru would look like. The problem the Planners have is that it is not just drive thru but has a walk up window as well. Several members of the Board voiced their concern about pedestrians crossing an increased traffic flow, particularly since the rendering did not show any crosswalks or other protective features leading to that walk up window. [Read more…] about Traffic Concerns Linger at Aldi Site in Brunswick

Improvement Projects Approved

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Submitted by City Council President Carmella R. Mantello
Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello announced the Troy City Council has approved neighborhood improvement projects totaling over $20,000.

The projects are through the City Council Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP), and initiatives range from gateway beautification projects to neighborhood Veterans Memorials. Funding was made available through the City Council’s annual budget and the Capital Resource Commission.

Hoosick Falls CSD Budget Vote Information

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Submitted by HFCSD Communications
On Tuesday, May 17, from 9 am to 8:30 pm, the Hoosick Falls Central School District will hold its budget vote in the high school gymnasium. The proposed budget of $25,348,933 will have a tax levy increase of 1.96%. Also on the ballot will be three seats on the Board of Education. The three candidates for those three seats are Jena Case, Joseph Patire and Brian Keegan. 

There will also be four propositions, which are general fund, bus proposition, expanded scope of capital project and student Board of Education member. Neither the bus proposition nor expanding the scope of the capital project will have any impact on taxes. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/37tqpD5.