The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Petersburgh

Letter To The Editor – Solution To A Non-Existent Problem?

By

To the Editor:

I respectfully oppose the transfer station moving to Petersburgh. Priscilla and I are very happy with the Berlin/Petersburgh situation and wish it to continue. Having used it since its inception, we have found it to be convenient, economical and have found the staff highly professional and helpful.

Although we do not have the figures to prove it, it seems to us that simple math would dictate that the present solution is far more economical than splitting the collection up into two units, each of which has its own overhead. Furthermore, we shudder at the thought of turning the “downtown” Petersburgh area into a garbage facility.

Furthermore, splitting the collection up into two when one was working just fine goes against the recent State of New York push to consolidate facilities whenever possible. There is a reason for that policy – namely to save taxpayers money.

We have seen the figures as put forth in The Eastwick Press by our [Petersburgh Town] Supervisor. Although we do not doubt his sincerity, we are hesitant to exclusively rely on them and would certainly not want to move for change without an independent audit and assessment of costs and benefits.

In short, we believe that the present proposals for change are solutions to a non-existent problem and should not be adopted.

Respectfully,

Barton McLean

Coon Brook Road , Petersburgh

Cribbage & Pitch Tournament At PVMCC

By

There will be a Cribbage and Pitch Tournament at the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center, 17 Main Street, Petersburgh on Friday, August 8, from 5 to 8 pm.

A covered dish supper will start at 5 pm followed by the card tournament and other card or board games.

All skill levels are welcome; lessons will be given. There is no admission fee. For more information, call Mary Lou at 518-658-0136.

Petersburgh Library News

By

“Fizz, Boom, Read” the 2014 summer reading program at the Petersburgh Public Library draws to a close next week. Adults are reminded to enter all the books they have read this summer into the prize cans by Monday, August 11, at 6: pm. Children and youth also need to turn in their book lists by then. Young adults may also enter books they have read into prize cans.

The reading celebration will take place on Wednesday, August 13, between 4 and 6 pm when children and youth may stop by the Library to pick up their prizes and certificates and enjoy some cotton candy.

At 6 pm the drawings for the can prizes will take place and any winners present may take their prizes home. Those not present will receive a phone call letting them know what they have won.

Derek Montanye Promoted By Army National Guard

By

Derek Montanye from Petersburgh, serving with the Company C, 2-108th Infantry was promoted to the rank of Private First Class in recognition of his capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability and development potential.

Local Students Named To Dean’s List At Paul Smith’s College

By

 

Two local students were named to the Dean’s List at Paul Smith’s College during the spring 2014 semester. Each earned a semester average of 3.3 or higher to receive this distinction. They are:

• Paul Garrison of Petersburgh, who is majoring in environmental studies, and

• Llewellyn Palmer of Berlin, who is majoring in parks, recreation and facilities management.

Nancy L. Carr

By

Petersburgh – Nancy L. Carr, 69, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, July 31, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Woodbury, NJ, Nancy was a daughter of the late Lewis and Delta Cassel. She honorably and valiantly served her country in the United States Army. Nancy received her Bachelor’s Degree in teaching and was qualified to teach kindergarten up to sixth grade. She retired from working for various health service companies as a home health aide. Nancy enjoyed knitting, crocheting and gardening.

Survivors include her beloved husband, Charles E. Carr, her loving daughter, Christine and husband Terry Sprague, her stepsons, Charles P. Carr and Christopher A. Carr, her beloved granddaughters, C’Anna, Darian and Abigail, and her adoring stepgrandson, Denver Divens. She is also survived by many wonderful friends. Nancy is pre-deceased by her first husband, Russell Smith, and her son, Kenneth Smith.

Interment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy’s memory to the Petersburgh Fire Department, P.O. Box 109, Petersburgh, New York, 12138.

To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.parkerbrosmemorial.com.

Taconic Expansion Approved

By

by Alex Brooks

The Petersburgh Planning Board held a Public Hearing on July 28 on Taconic’s application to expand their plant on Coon Brook Road. They plan a one story building of 10,600 square feet, about 140 feet by 82 feet, and a new 92 space parking lot across the road from the plant. It will be the same height as the existing building and the same color.

[Read more…] about Taconic Expansion Approved

A Message From The Petersburgh Town Supervisor

By

submitted by Ann Crisp, Secretary to the Supervisor 

Since the July 21 Public Hearing regarding trash/recycling for the Town of Petersburgh, there seems to be some misconceptions about the three options presented to the taxpayers.

Proposal #1: Remain with the Town of Berlin at an estimated yearly cost of $39,400, to be included as a line item in the budget.

Petersburgh has been paying half of all the expenses of the Berlin Transfer Station, plus an additional $1,000 per month charge, for a total budget figure of $68,400 for 2013-14. Berlin’s actual cost for running the Transfer Station was $112,800 last year. Petersburgh paid Berlin $56,400, half of the actual cost for running the Transfer Station (which would include any future improvements such as repairing or replace dumpsters, paving the road, etc.) plus $12,000 (the additional monthly charge), for a total budget figure of $68,400. Petersburgh’s estimated revenue, which includes the sale of permits, tickets and recyclable items, amounts to about $29,000 per year, resulting in a yearly cost to Petersburgh of $39,400. The Petersburgh Board is in favor of completely eliminating the $1,000 fee, which Berlin has proposed to reduce to $700 per month, which would lower Petersburgh’s yearly cost to $35,800.

2013-14 Petersburgh Budget: $68,400 ($1,000 monthly fee plus $56,400 half of operating cost) – $29,000 (revenue from sale of tickets, permits, recyclables) =  $39,400 yearly cost to taxpayers.

Proposal #2: Establish a Transfer Station for the Town of Petersburgh at the old dump site at an estimated yearly cost of $22,000, to be included as a line item in the budget.

After extensive research of all aspects of this proposal, the estimated initial start up cost would be $30,000 and the estimated cost to operate this facility would be $51,000 per year. After deducting the estimated revenue of $29,000 from sale of permits, tickets and recyclables, the total cost to Petersburgh taxpayers would be $22,000 per year, which would be included as a line item in the budget. The EPA has been contacted and has assured us that they will issue a permit should Petersburgh decide to go this route.

Proposal #3: Trash pickup by County Waste at each household, including hazardous waste, tires and construction waste.

This would cost each household approximately $350 per year, and this amount would appear as a separate line item on each tax bill.

The goal is and has been to reduce taxes for the residents of Petersburgh. The Town Board encourages all Petersburgh residents to indicate their preference of the three Proposals by casting a non-binding ballot at the Town Hall until August 9. The final decision regarding recycling/trash disposal hopefully will be made at the regular Town Board meeting on August 18.