The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Petersburgh

Berlin School Board Invites Community To Participate In Meeting On Use Of School Facilities

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The Berlin Board of Education is interested in pursuing use of its various school facilities by community residents.  The Middle School/High School has state of the art rooms, including a fitness center, a distance learning laboratory, a computer lab, an information center  (library), a gymnasium and an auditorium as well as numerous classrooms for meetings and general instruction.

As the BOE plans for the 2014-2015 school budget, it wants to hear from residents and invites them to participate in a roundtable discussion on Thursday, February 6, beginning at 7:15 pm.  The Berlin Central School District will be holding this informational meeting in the MS/HS Library. Ideas generated by community members will be used to determine interests and possible future continuing education program offerings.

Any person interesting in providing suggestions for community use of schools should attend and join this open discussion or contact the Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen Young at syoung@berlincentral.org.

The Berlin Central School District 2014-2015 Kindergarten Registration

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The Berlin Central School District has begun the process of registering kindergarten students for the 2014-2015 school year.  If you have a child who will be five years of age on or before December 1, 2014, please call 658-2127 from February 3 through February 14 or from February 24 through February 28 between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm to make sure your child is listed on our kindergarten register.

This will ensure that you will receive the kindergarten registration packet by mail.  All registration paperwork, including a copy of your child’s Birth or Baptismal Certificate and proof of residency, must be hand-delivered to Berlin Elementary School by March 28.  Drop-off times are between 8:30 am and 3:45 pm, Monday through Friday.

The office will be closed from February 17 through February 21 for Winter Recess.

Letter To The Editor – An Act Of Kindness

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To the Editor:

I wanted to publicly thank Gene Kluck of Petersburgh and spread the word of his kindness in stopping to help me on Wednesday, January 22.  My car had died on Route 22, in a particularly cold and windy spot, and he pulled up ahead of me and tried to find out what had happened.  When we couldn’t get it started, he then drove me all the way home so that I could call AAA from the warmth of my house.

It was a wonderful, selfless act, and I am very much appreciative, as I might have been frozen in place – along with my car – had he not stopped to help.

Sincerely,

Susan Womersley

Watson Road, Petersburgh

Leo Bartoski

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Hoosick Falls/Petersburgh – Leo Bartoski, 74, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at the Bennington Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bennington, VT. He had resided on William Jones Road in Petersburgh, NY.

Born on January 31, 1939, in Albany, NY, Leo was the son of the late Rosella Bartoski. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls, NY. He worked at the former Wood Flong and at Speciality both in Hoosick Falls and later with the N.Y.S.D.O.T. out of the Petersburgh garage until retiring. Leo was a dedicated member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls, where he attended daily Mass and after gathered with friends at Bagels & Brew for their breakfast conversations.

Leo was always interested in the youth in Hoosick Falls, especially the sports programs where he coached numerous St. Mary’s Academy and town teams. He was much more than a coach, mentoring the youth throughout life’s situations.

Leo was also known as the “Detroit Anything Fan” – Tigers, Lions or Red Wings. He was a member of the Hoosick Falls Country Club where he enjoyed playing rounds with his many friends. He was also a member of the St. Stanislaw Society and the Elks. Leo was known for giving you a “good debate” on any subject. Leo is survived by several cousins and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Wednesday, January 29, at 11 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.

Calling hours were Tuesday, January 28, from 4 to 7 pm at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either St. Mary’s Academy, the H.F. Country Club or HAYC3 through the funeral home.

Broken Wheel Campground Raises $1,000 For Camp Good Days

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Money Raised To Benefit Kids With Cancer

submitted by Suzanne Bixby 

After tallying all the figures, Campground Owners of New York (CONY) recently announced that Broken Wheel Campground in Petersburgh, operated by Ruth Seel, raised $1,000 in donations for Camp Good Days and Special Times as part of CONY’s second annual statewide fundraising event for charity held throughout 2013.

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Petersburgh Library News

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The Petersburgh Public Library is joining in a nationwide “Take Your Child to the Library Day” on Saturday, February 1, from 10 am to 12 pm.  You are invited to bring your child of any age to the Library.  There will be a variety of building activities, stories and snacks.

Younger children are encouraged to visit the newly arranged picture book city.  Picture books have been rearranged according to topic so that books are grouped according to what the story is about.  Children age 5 or in kindergarten and older are invited to sign up for a library card if they do not already have one.  At 11 am there will be a “Build” story hour.   Older children will have the opportunity to build whatever they want using Legos, magnetic blocks and Lincoln logs.  There will also be a wooden railroad track to construct into different shapes in order to drive the train around the track.  For older kids we will have a marble race track which can be built to race marbles from start to finish.

Every child will be able to select a book they may take home and keep as well as signing out library books.

Adults who have not visited the Library are invited also to come in and see the materials that are available.  Free downloadable ebook and audiobook instructions are available for those who received new devices for the holidays.  There are many electronic books available through the library system.

Story Hour

Pre-school story hour continues Tuesday mornings at 11.  The letter “Q” for quiet will be featured on January 28.  All pre-schoolers and their caregivers are invited to attend.

Book Discussion Group

The Petersburgh Public Library book discussion group is reading the book The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The book will be discussed at the next meeting on February 12 at 7 pm. Copies of the book are available at the Library. New members are welcome.

Adult Game Night At PVMCC

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The Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center will have an adult game night on Friday, February 7, from 5 to 8 pm. Bring a covered dish or snack at 5 pm if you wish to share a meal. Otherwise drop in anytime.

After the meal there will be corn holing (beanbag toss) games and card games of your choice. There are quite a few people who are planning to play pitch. Last month the domino game Mexican Train was popular. Bring other games if you wish. There is no charge to attend. Call Mary Lou Walters with any questions at 518-658-0136.

Petersburgh Organizational Meeting 2014

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by Alex Brooks

The Town of Petersburgh held its organizational meeting for 2014 on January 9. There were many new faces, as Supervisor Krahforst is the only member of the 2013 Town Board who’s still in office. Newly elected Town Board members Jack Barnhill and Denise Church took their places at the table, and the first order of business was to appoint two more members to the Board. They appointed Neil Geary, who ran for a seat on the Board in November and came in third, and Alan Webster Sr., who has served on the Town Board before. Two others offered to serve but were not chosen. These were Rossie Knight and Gene Kluck. Votes were taken for Geary and Webster’s appointments.  Krahforst and Church voted in favor, and Barnhill abstained.

There was a shakeup in the secretarial arrangements. Callie Crisp will continue as Town Clerk, Town Secretary and Registrar of Vital Deeds, but she stepped down as Court Clerk and Water District Tax Collector. Allison Oswald was appointed as Court Clerk, and Callie Crisp was appointed Deputy Court Clerk so she can train and assist Oswald.

Brigitta Schmidt was appointed as Water District Tax Collector, Deputy Town Clerk, and Deputy Registrar. Ann Crisp was appointed as the Supervisor’s Secretary, a position held last year by Schmidt.

Doug Hull let the Town know that he wanted to step down as Building Inspector at the end of 2013. Martin Conboy applied for the job, and will be the new Codes Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector, but while he is getting the required training, Doug Hull agreed to stay on temporarily to ensure that legal requirements are met.

Resolution #1 For 2014

RESOLVED, that the salaries and/or wages of Town Officers, Officials and Employees be as follows:

Town Supervisor: Siegfried Krahforst…………………$ 9,000 per year

Town Councilmen (4)………………………….$1,704.50 (each) per year – Jack Barnhill, Denise Church, Alan Webster and Neil Geary.

Town Clerk: Callie Crisp………………………………….$12,130 per year

Registrar of Vital Statistics: Callie Crisp……………….. $500 per year

Deputy Registrar: Brigitta Schmidt

Superintendent of Highways: Ray Harrison………..$41,257 per year

Deputy Highway Superintendent: Steven Harrison..hours + $950 per year

Highway Department Employees’ pay –  range from $16.13 per hour to $10 per hr

Town Justice (2)…………………………………….. $4,850 (each) per year – Richard Snyder and Amy Manchester

Court Clerk: Allison Oswald……………………………… $7,500 per year

Deputy Court Clerk: Callie Crisp………………………..$10.50 per hour

Tax Collector: Emily Harrison…………………………… $3,500 per year

Assessor: Craig Surprise…………………………………..$15,200 per year

Assessor’s Clerk: Helen Hemendinger………………….. $11 per hour

Board of Assessment Review…………… $100 (each) per year – Dennis Smith, David Miller, Anne Bossoni, Brandon DeWaal, Barbara Snyder

BAR Secretary: Callie Crisp…………………………………$110 per year

Dog Control Officer: Lynne Torello-Burns…………..$3,000 per year

Code Enforcement Officer: Martin Conboy………….$7,500 per year

Town Attorney: Sal Ferlazzo…………………..as req’d up to $4,000/yr.

Town Hall Custodian: Emily Harrison………..$50 per week as req’d

PVMCC Custodian: Katie Dastoli………………$60 per week as req’d

Water District Superintendent: Ben Krahforst……… $9,000 per year

Water District Tax Collector: Brigitta Schmidt………$1,200 per year

Town Secretary: Callie Crisp…………………………….. $8,710 per year

Bookkeeper: Charles Guntner……………………………. $7,800 per year

Other Appointments:

Deputy Supervisor: Mario DiDomenicantonio

Deputy Town Clerk (1): Brigitta Schmidt……… $10.50 per hour

Deputy Town Clerk (2): Barbara Snyder………. $ 9.50 per hour

Town Historian: Peter Schaaphok

Veterans Service Officer: David Alderman

Official Newspaper: The Eastwick Press

Official Funds Depository: Pioneer Bank

Hit And Run Driver In Death Of Petersburgh Man Sentenced

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by Bea Peterson

On Monday, January 6, Becky Goodermote of Hoosick Falls appeared before Rensselaer County Judge Debra Young. Instead of going to trial on more serious manslaughter charges in the death of Matthew Ratelle, Goodermote pled guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving a Death, with a sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison and Criminally Negligent Homicide, with a sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years. Acting District Attorney Art Glass said the sentences will be served concurrently. Goodermote’s sentence began immediately following conviction.

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Petersburgh Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Derby

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submitted by L. Jensen 

The Petersburgh Rod & Gun Club will be holding its 3rd Annual Ice Fishing Derby on February 1 at Dyken Pond. Parking is available at the Dyken Pond Educational Center.

The Fishing Derby runs from 6 am to 3 pm. You may register starting at 5 am at the dam or you may register at one of our sponsors. Our sponsors are Papa’s Pizza, Rt.2 Petersburgh, Hewitt’s Market, Elm Street, Berlin, or Vonadeau Wine & Spirits, South Main Street, Berlin.

Prizes will be awarded for perch, pickerel and walleye. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for youth (12 and under).  Youth is a separate division. Cash prizes are based on the number of entries. For more information, please call 518-207-7518  Good Luck!