by Bea Peterson
It was a short meeting for the Town of Hoosick Planning Board on Monday, April 15. The entire Board was in attendance.
The only person to come before the Board was Keith Cipperly. Board member Daryl Cipperly recused himself from the Board for the discussion. Keith Cipperly told the Board that in 2001 he had applied to the Board for a one acre simple subdivision of property owned by his parents Paul and Joyce Cipperly on Cipperly Road in Hoosick. He never pursued the application. Since then the laws have changed and Cipperly requested the Board approve instead a two acre piece of the property as a family subdivision.
He will appear before the Board again in May.
Local News
Volunteer Firefighter Recruiting Day
On April 27 volunteer fire departments across New York will open their truck bays and doors to local residents as part of the annual RecruitNY campaign to increase the number of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel statewide. Started two years ago, RecruitNY is part of a coordinated effort to boost membership in volunteer fire departments.
As part of RecruitNY, the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department will hold a recruitment drive at its fire station on Saturday, April 27, from 10 am to 2 pm. The event will allow the Fire Department a chance to highlight the duties and rewards that come with being a volunteer firefighter.
The Stephentown Department responds to all types of emergency situations including fires, vehicle accidents, Hazmat, rescue and emergency medical. Our volunteers serve in various capacities. Some members become Fire Police and control traffic during incidents; others assist with scene support and patient care while others are interior firefighters or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) responding to illness and injuries of all sorts. There are many different opportunities to volunteer and training is provided.
Every member of the Stephentown Department is a volunteer. There are no paid members. Filling the ranks with volunteers keeps taxes low for the entire community.
Small towns have historically been community minded, with neighbor helping neighbor. Modern life puts a strain on that concept. Joining the fire department is an excellent way to integrate back into the community-family ideal.
For more information, visit www.recruitny.org or www.svfd1.org or contact Bob Adler at 733-5749.
A list of participating fire departments by county can be seen at http://www.recruitny.org/opendoors.php.
Hoosick Grange News
The Hoosick Grange had a food drive for the Food Pantry on April 10. The Grange had its business meeting first with Master David Cornell presiding. Norma Brenenstuhl was in charge of the Lecturer’s program. She told us how a person making an application for food has to give his or her name and address, proof of residence, how many people in family, infants, infants under 18 months, children over 18 months and under 18 years, adults 18 to 65 and seniors over 65. The amount of food they get relates to how many in the family. The applicant has to fill out the different food they could use for breakfast, lunch, dinner, beverage and etc. Service is limited to one food request per 30 day period. If extreme needs exist, upon a referral, further food may be provided. Bread and bakery goods and fresh fruits and vegetables, when available, will be given any day the Food Closet is open. Food Closet hours are Monday and Friday – 10 am to 12 pm and Wednesday evenings 6:30 to 8 pm.
Food is brought in from the Capital District – 4,000 pounds a month. Also, people bring in food. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, churches, organizations, school children who filled the bus with 6,000 pounds of food. They have about 100 volunteers who help unload the food and help in other ways. They did back packs for school and around 225 taxes for people. Norma had a word game on different foods. She closed her program with a saying, “The world is composed of givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.”
The Lecturer thanked Norma for a very informative program. Our next meeting is on April 24. It’s Grange Week all over the United States. It is awards night, and we will be having a covered dish supper at 7 pm.
A Lost Dog In Grafton
A black Lab named Pearl was last seen on Crandall Road in Grafton on April 7. She is your quintessential black Lab so she can’t be missed. If found, please call Liz or Dan at 658-0328.
New Lebanon Grievance Information
Kimberly Cammer, Assessor for the Town of New Lebanon, has announced that the Tentative Assessment Roll for the Town of New Lebanon is completed and a copy may be seen at the Town Clerk’s Office, 14755 Route 22 North, New Lebanon, during normal business hours.
An assessor will be in attendance with the Tentative Assessment Roll on Monday, May 6, between 9 am and 1 pm, Saturday, May 11, between 9 am and 1 pm, Monday, May 13, between 10 am and 2 pm and Thursday, May 16, between 4 and 8 pm.
The Board of Assessment Review for the Town of New Lebanon will meet to hear and examine all properly filed complaints in relation to assessments at the New Lebanon Town Hall meeting room from 4 to 8 pm on Wednesday, May 29. A publication containing procedures for contesting an assessment is available at the Assessor’s Office or the Columbia County Real Property Tax Office as well as online at http://www.tax.ny.gov/pubs_and_bulls/orpts/publications/handouts.htm.
Belle Comes To The Cheney Library
The Friends of Cheney Library are bringing Belle from Beauty and the Beast to the Library on April 27 at 10 am. Belle will read and talk with the children. As a part of this exciting day all children who are currently five, six and seven years old will be able to get their own Cheney Library card. Because several children wondered why they couldn’t have their own card the Trustees of Cheney Library discussed the issue and voted to lower the age of getting a card from 8 years old to 5. Please be sure to bring your child to this wonderful event.
The following weekend, May 4, at 10 am we will have a Master Gardener here at the Library to talk about and demonstrate The Beginner’s Garden. Marilou Town will talk about what is needed for a first garden, how to decide what to plant, how to plant the seeds and how to care for the plants. This program is aimed at older children and adults.
After this program you can head on over to the Hoosick Falls Fire House for Books are Fun. This event is also sponsored by the Friends of Cheney Library. Beverly White will bring a very nice display of books and spring items. Beverly will generously donate the proceeds of this sale to the Friends group. Mother’s Day is May 12 and this is a great time to buy something for moms and grandmothers.
Petersburgh Library News
Story Hour
The Petersburgh Public Library pre-school story hour continues to meet on Tuesdays at 11 am. We are reading our way through the alphabet and will be continuing with Q, R, S and T in the next four weeks. Pre-schoolers and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, activities and crafts.
Book Group
The book discussion group will meet on Tuesday, May 14, at 7:30 pm to discuss the book The Tender Bar by J. R. Moehringer. Copies of the book are available at the Library, and new members are welcome to join in the discussion.
Summer Reading Program
Plans have begun for the summer reading program. The schedule will be out in a few weeks. Save the date on Thursday, June 27, at 7 pm when The Puppet People will be back in town with the performance of The Firebird. Youth ages 10-16 are invited to sign up for a special program, Take a DIP (Digital Instagram Photographs) This Summer. There is room for eight participants in this workshop which will be held from 1 to 3 pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, June 24, 26 and 28 and Tuesday, July 2, at 6:45 pm. Jordan Elmowitz, Assistant Director, The Photography Center of the Capital District, LLC, will be teaching the workshop. Everyone will learn how to take the best pictures, edit them and prepare them for printing as well as learning the best way to use Instagram. Sign-up is required since space is limited.
This program is supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Horseshoe League Meeting
There will be a horseshoe meeting on Tuesday, April 23, at 7 pm at the Barbecue Recreation lanes for anyone interested in pitching horseshoes this year. Call Jack at 518 686-5751 for more information.
Land View Farm Captures Friday National Bowling League
Surdam Rolls Back To Back Perfect Games
The Land View Farm team captured the championship in the Friday National League at the Barbecue Recreation this past Sunday with a win over Sykes’ Store in the roll-off. Sykes’ Store earned a chance at the title by defeating the defending two time champs, The Hoosick Fire Department, in the first round of play by the total pintail score of 3040 – 3022. Land View defeated the Beck Farms team in their preliminary round by the score of 2873 – 2827.
In the first match, Jason Sykes rolled 217, 234, 226 for a 677 series, and Richie Bennett had 203, 207, 219 for a 629 for Sykes’ Store. The highlight of the day was when Steve Surdam Sr. rolled back-to-back perfect 300 games for The Hoosick Fire Department. Steve had a 215 his first game, finishing with the last six strikes in that game, and proceeded to throw twenty-four more in a row to finish with an 815 series!
In the Beck Farms vs. Land View Farm match, Rich Grey led Land View to the win with a 239 game and 607 series. Josh Case had 239, 657 and Don Goodermote shot 237, 633 for Becks in the loss.
In the championship round, it was Rich Grey leading the way once again with score of 205, 193, 222 for a 620 series. The remaining bowlers for Land View are Mike Stone, John Ruggles Sr., Jay Lacroix and Ray Gates. The final tally in the championship round was Land View 2808 and Sykes’ Store 2722.
The Friday National League will hold its banquet on Friday, April 26, at the Barbecue Recreation.
Berlin Rescue Squad Fish Fry
On Friday, April 19, the Berlin Rescue Squad will be holding its monthly, delicious Fish Fry Dinner. For $10 you can come enjoy a hearty helping of fried cod on a roll, French fries, coleslaw, a brownie and soda or water. Eat in or take out, it’s up to you. Call in orders are welcome; the Firehouse number is 658-2890. The dinner will be held from 5 to 7 pm at the Berlin Firehouse. Please call Stan at 658-0088 or 269-8646 if you have any questions.