The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

Stephentown Town Board Highlights 

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By Denise Wright
The Town Board of Stephentown worked hard on November 21, paying the bills, reviewing/approving minutes, and passing resolutions. 

Members highlighted two bills that involved purchasing a microphone in conjunction with the court from the general account, and a culvert replacement near Webster Hill Road. The microphone will come in handy for the court and Town to use on various occasions. 

The Board approved minutes from the budget workshops, solar energy public hearing, and Town Board. The preliminary budget and special meeting to adopt the budget on November 14 were also approved. The transfer station reported that workers had repaired the gate after a resident had run into it. It isn’t as pretty, but it does work. They also said they temporarily suspended the paint program until a lockable storage solution was in place. With inflation happening, officials decided that prices will not be increased this year. [Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Highlights 

Petersburgh Town Board Highlights 

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By Denise Wright
The November 21 meeting of the Petersburgh Town Board began with two presentations and concerned citizens hoping to hear information about the PFOA contamination in the community.

Dr. Erin Bell from SUNY Albany talked about the health study that has been open to all residents. She explained that they are at 50 percent of their goal of getting adults into the study. Individuals who have already had their bloodwork completed over the summer have their clinical results, which include information on cholesterol and thyroid function, mailed to them. Individuals with a 2-20ng/mL can have increased risks concerning cholesterol, blood pressure, and thyroid. The resident can then share the comprehensive report with their clinical provider. Bell said if any resident in the study does not have a clinical provider, they can contact her office, and they will connect residents to one. She stressed that individuals who lived in the area from 2005 through 2016 could join the study. [Read more…] about Petersburgh Town Board Highlights 

Eliminating Homelessness Among Veterans

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Submitted by Kathy Betzinger
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) has been working with veterans to eliminate homelessness among their population. The Elks National Foundation awards grants to support this effort. 

Dale Louks, past BPOE State Vice President, and Brunswick BPOE Exalted Ruler Mike Pendergast applied for an ENF Beacon Grant to help a local women’s homeless shelter. As a result, the Capital District Women’s Veterans, Christopher House, received a $5,000 grant to purchase a shed for their residents’ needs. The mission of CDWV.org is to provide supportive services, housing, and community, enabling women veterans in need to return to productive and independent roles in their communities and families.  [Read more…] about Eliminating Homelessness Among Veterans

Business Community Rallies for 2020 Vision Project

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Submitted by SVHC
55 local businesses have signed on to collect donations to support Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Vision 2020, from November 21 through January 2.

Many business participants will ask customers to round up to the nearest dollar to support the project. Others will offer the opportunity to make a donation by posting a QR code near their register or on their restaurant tables.

Additional businesses may join the program by contacting the SVHC Foundation at foundation@svhealthcare.org or 802-447-5017. They will be added to svhealthcare.org as they join. [Read more…] about Business Community Rallies for 2020 Vision Project

Solar Issues Come to the Forefront

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By Doug La Rocque
Solar Energy may not only light up homes and businesses, it continues to light up some controversy in Brunswick. Town officials are concerned about the number of solar farms either constructed, waiting to be built, or in the approval process for several reasons. These include visibility, proximity to residential neighborhoods, eventual decommissioning costs, and loss of tax revenue. It is enough of a concern that the Town has proposed a one-year moratorium on all solar construction [Read more…] about Solar Issues Come to the Forefront

Veterans Recognition Ceremony

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On Thursday, November 10, the Everett Wager Senior Center in Grafton held a ceremony, including a free lunch, to honor veterans. The veterans, including Town of Berlin Supervisor Rob Jaeger, were each recognized for their service. County Executive Steve McLaughlin, Legislator Dan Casale, and Assemblymen (and Senator-Elect) Jake Ashby were also on hand to help honor the veterans in attendance. The special guest speaker was President of the Albany Chapter of American Gold Star Mother, Carrie Farley, who is the proud mother of SSG Derek J. Farley, who was killed while serving our country.  [Read more…] about Veterans Recognition Ceremony

Motel Concerns Highlight Session

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By Doug La Rocque
Recent incidents involving residents of the Falls Motel across from the Hoosick Falls Central School have sparked concerns of area residents. Town Supervisor Mark Surdam indicated one instance involved the school going into lockdown, while the second did not. The new owner of the business spoke at the Monday, November 14 meeting, stating he is in the process of evicting some residents, planning to remodel the building, and is using a property management company to screen further residents to preclude any undesirable occupants. The Board thanked him for the update and asked to be kept in the loop. [Read more…] about Motel Concerns Highlight Session

Rogers Avenue Water Tank Concerns Linger

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By Doug La Rocque
To buy or not to buy? That is the question that faced the Hoosick Falls Board of Trustees at their Wednesday, November 9 meeting. The question involved a small strip of land adjacent to the Rogers Avenue site, which the Village might use in any replacement of the leaky tank. Hoosick Falls has twice been turned down in their efforts to obtain a New York State grant to pay for the work. The Board has received an appraisal on the parcel but by law would have to offer a fair market value for the land. [Read more…] about Rogers Avenue Water Tank Concerns Linger