The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

Brunswick Planning Board Meeting

By

Verizon Cellphone Tower Announcement Turns Heads

by Doug La Rocque

It wasn’t until the very end of the Brunswick Planning Board meeting on Thursday, February 17, that the item drawing the most interest from Board members came forth. Building Inspector Chuck Golden announced he had received an application from Verizon Wireless to extend the cell tower under construction on land at the corner of Creek Road and Menemsha Lane. It was the original tower application that was before the Planning Board for nearly a year, with the visual impact being the largest sticking point. Verizon originally requested a 105-foot high tower that met with [Read more…] about Brunswick Planning Board Meeting

4-H Fashionistas

By

The Fashionistas 4-H Club recently met to whip up a creative Valentine’s Day project: paper quilling. The girls found this project to be really enjoyable. For context, quilling is a bit of a time-consuming activity, but does create an adorable result in the end. It consists of folding and curling paper to make miniature pictures and decor. Coming up next, the 4-Hers will [Read more…] about 4-H Fashionistas

I-90 Corridor Plan Reviewed – Schodack

By

by Denise Wright

The Rensselaer County Industry Development Agency (IDA) held a public scoping meeting on February 15 at the Schodack Town Hall. All Schodack officials and public members could ask questions and comment on the draft generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) created for approximately 6,000 acres along the I-90 Corridor between exits 11 and 12 on Route 9. 

With the new Amazon complexes being developed in this area, the County realized that the site is increasingly attractive to development. With that in mind, [Read more…] about I-90 Corridor Plan Reviewed – Schodack

Hoosick Falls Village Police Officer Dies in Crash

By

Not on Duty at the Time

by Doug La Rocque

Hoosick Falls Police Officer Matthew Waldron succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning, February 15, following an auto-tractor trailer accident on NYS Route 67 in Schaghticoke. According to investigating NYS Troopers, Officer Waldron was traveling eastbound when he struck the rear of the truck. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured. Officer Waldron was not on duty at the time. Emergency Services transported Officer Waldron to Troy’s Samaritan Hospital, where he later passed. [Read more…] about Hoosick Falls Village Police Officer Dies in Crash

Responding to Emergencies Class Invites Local Volunteers

By

Submitted by Berlin Central School Communications

“The younger generation is the future of the Fire and EMS Service, and without classes like Responding to Emergencies putting an interest out there, the numbers would continue to dwindle,” said Stephentown Fire Chief David Corlew.

In 2019 Berlin Middle High School Health and Physical Education teacher Ms. Sandra Honsinger piloted an elective course at BMHS called Responding to Emergencies.

“We need more community members who are First Aid, CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) certified.” said Ms. Honsinger back in 2019. “I wanted to marry the interests and create relationships between the students and the emergency responding volunteers in our community. [Read more…] about Responding to Emergencies Class Invites Local Volunteers

Brunswick Town Council Looks to Extend Multi-Family Housing Moratorium

By

May Not Need Six More Months

by Doug La Rocque

It was a year ago when many Town residents and the Brunswick Planning Board expressed their concern to the Town Council about the number of two-family dwellings and apartment buildings proposed for construction. Some of these proposed sites were in areas where Town code allowed for such development, but perhaps did not conform with the tenure of the neighborhood. In response, the Town Council enacted a six-month moratorium on such development while they looked into amending the Codes. The first six months passed and last August it was extended for another six months. At the Council’s Thursday, February 10 meeting, a local law to extend the moratorium another six months was introduced, however Town Supervisor Phil Herrington stated those working on the revisions were nearly complete and did not anticipate needing the full extension. Once finished, the code changes must go to a public hearing before the full Board can consider adopting the revisions. [Read more…] about Brunswick Town Council Looks to Extend Multi-Family Housing Moratorium

Grafton Town Council Meeting

By

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

Hoosick Town Council Meeting

By

ARPA Money Decisions Put On Hold

by Doug La Rocque

The Hoosick Town Council came into the Monday, February 14 meeting expecting to “pull the trigger” on their plans for the use of the first installment of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, slightly more than $173,000, but ended up tabling the measure until another time for several reasons. Chief amongst them was the fact that Councilman Bill Hanselman was unable to attend the meeting, and the Councilors wanted his input. [Read more…] about Hoosick Town Council Meeting

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Opens Visitation, Expands Visitor Hours

By

Beginning Friday, February 11, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), will update its visitation policy for hospital visitors and medical practice patients as well as expand its visiting hours. The change follows a decrease in positive COVID-19 tests and the slow decline in the number of patients hospitalized with COVID.

“We track the state’s and Bennington County’s COVID-19 numbers closely, and the decline in positive COVID-19 cases supports re-opening visitation for our community,” said Pamela Duchene, PhD, APRN, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services. “We are happy to provide patients with the direct, in-person family support they need to recover.”

Visiting hours have been expanded to 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily.

Everyone—including patients, staff, and visitors—are required to wear a mask or face covering, regardless of vaccination status. Those who do not have a medical-grade surgical mask will be provided one. All masks must be worn over the mouth and nose for the entire duration of the visit. Those who do not comply will be asked to leave the premises.

Masks Stay On for Schools, Off for Others

By

by Doug La Rocque

Speaking at the State Capitol on Wednesday, February 9, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said she would let the mask mandate on businesses expire as planned on Thursday, February 10. These businesses could, if they wish, continue to require masks if that is what they are more comfortable with. She said she would extend the mask mandate for schools, shelters, jails, nursing homes, childcare centers and public transportation for now.

In her announcement, the Governor said she would re-evaluate masks in schools in March, when she has a chance to look at the metrics of COVID-19 (infection rates are now down 93% since the start of the year) and develop “some clear guidance” for schools as to how to deal with COVID-19 situations when the masks do come off. She also stated she “feels compelled” to continue to protect the most vulnerable of our population as an explanation as to why the mask mandate will continue in senior related facilities, child care centers and because of the “closeness” of people in mass transportation. [Read more…] about Masks Stay On for Schools, Off for Others