The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Petersburgh

Little Hoosic Watershed Association Activities Update

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The Little Hoosic Watershed Association is pleased to announce that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be performing a survey of the river and preparing plans for rehabilitation projects. This design work will be performed as a free service by the agency. Implementation of the USF&W designs will: 1) help alleviate river bank and farmland erosion, 2) provide enhancement of trout habitat, 3) help to reduce the build-up of debris, and 4) slow down the rate of water flow during storms.

With the help of U.S. Fish & Wildlife and other government agencies, the Association is exploring sources for grants to help pay for implementation of the design. For more information or to help support our work, contact a member of the Board of Directors.

Members of the current Board, elected at the July 2008 Annual Meeting, are:

Carl Greene, President

Pat Sweeney, Vice President

Claudia Kavenagh, Secretary

Tim Allen

Derek Burhans

Len Clapp

New York Army National Guard Promotes Petersburgh Man

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Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, The Adjutant General for the State of New York, announced the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capabilities for additional responsibility and leadership.

Jeffrey Hammond from Petersburgh, serving with 206th Military Police Company has been promoted to the rank of Private.

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

These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.state.us or www1800goguard.com.

Petersburgh Library Ice Cream Party For Readers

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The Petersburgh Public Library celebrated the completion of the summer reading program with an ice cream sundae party for all the readers.  For the first time readers could log in the books they read on the library website.  This was a feature enjoyed by many readers.  A total of 47 children completed the reading requirements with 25 younger children reading or being read to a total of 536 books and 22 independent readers having read a total of 15,247 pages.  All the readers received a certificate, a T-shirt featuring the theme “Catch the Reading Bug,” and books to take home.  Those readers who were unable to attend the party are invited to stop in at the library to pick up their certificates, T-shirts, and books.

 

Other Library News

The book discussion group welcomes new members and begins the fall season on Monday, September 8, at 7:30 pm.  Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh will be the topic of discussion led by Gene Bogucki.  Copies of the book are available at the Library for you to pick up and read before the night of the discussion.

Pre-school story hour will resume at the Library on Tuesday, September 9, at 10 am.  All pre-schoolers are invited to join us for stories, songs, activities and a snack.  Anyone interested in volunteering to help out with story hour please speak to Sharon Hodges who is preparing the fall schedule.

Charter Cable Complaint Group Forms In Petersburgh

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submitted by Barton McLean

 Some of us subscribing to Charter Cable in our Eastwick area have suffered through a series of frustrating intermittent problems over the past month. Due to the inability of Charter Cable to resolve, or apparently to even understand the nature of the problems, an informal group has been formed with the sole purpose of coordinating and facilitating cable complaints and, if necessary, approaching the supervisors of the towns involved to solicit their help.

The Problem

During the past month, cable subscribers in Petersburgh (and perhaps the other towns as well) have had daily problems where the cable signal would be weak, be subject to a pulsing where the signal would go in and out, snow noise, static and the impression that another channel is imposing itself on the selected one. A small group in Petersburgh have gone through the complaint process via the Charter complaint line, to no avail. 

The basic problem is that Charter has a widespread, systemic problem that they fail to recognize as such. This is combined with a trouble reporting approach that treats every call as if the problem is in the individual home, not in the system.

A typical situation will go like this: When having a problem you call the Charter hotline at 1-800-827-8288 and go through the various prompts. Be careful here, because you will be automatically channeled into an auto hell where you will be required to answer dozens of completely irrelevant questions. To bypass that, when you get to the technical help prompt, push “0” and you will be asked if you want to speak to an agent. Say “yes” and an agent will be available 24/7 hours per day. 

When I talk to the agent and tell her that this exact same problem is being experienced by three other people in Petersburgh, she nevertheless insists that if my complaint is to be sent to the problem people, I have to schedule a visit to my house by the service technician. This appointment is typically 1-2 weeks away! 

So, I make the appointment and tell the others to do the same. The Charter people tell me that if at least three people make a complaint like this, they will send someone out to investigate it as a system problem rather than a home problem. A couple of weeks ago, a number of people in Petersburgh did this, and Charter actually did send a system call out. Someone from Charter called to tell me that they had finally found the problem and fixed it and cancelled all the individual appointments. Over the next week, the problem gradually returned.

Charter customers should not have to go through this hell every time the cable goes out, which has been at least once per day recently. Charter needs to revise its system to accommodate situations where the problem is with Charter, and to quickly inform the caller if others have complained recently. As it is now, the phone tech assistants don’t have a clue as to what is going on system-wide. They should take a cue from NYSEG, which has an extremely efficient trouble reporting protocol in this regard.

The Solution

And so, out of complete frustration and a determination to get something done about this, I am offering the formation of an informal complaint group where we can compare notes and coordinate complaints. We need a critical mass of angry subscribers in order to get Charter’s attention. The first action is to find out how widespread this problem is. Communication from those living in the other Eastwick towns via email would be particularly welcome.  My email is mclmix@cisbec.net. My phone is 658-3595. Email is preferred.

The critical information to pass along is where you reside (town and address), problems you are having, steps taken to resolve the problem with Charter and their response. I will coordinate all these and from the responses, suggest steps we can all take together to get this mess cleared up. Unless you say otherwise, I would keep your email address strictly confidential and send all group emails via the blind carbon copy (BCC) protocol to ensure this. Let’s unite to help each other.

No More Detours On East Hollow Road In Petersburgh

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Rensselaer County Highway crews have re-opened East Hollow Road in Petersburgh after replacing a culvert over a stream near the intersection with Phillips Road. Work at the site continues. There is scaffolding still set up in the stream on the downstream side, and some patching of the concrete on the wingwalls, which were not replaced, is in progress. The road re-opened last week, after being closed when heavy rains created a large hole in the roadway last March. (Alex Brooks photo)
Rensselaer County Highway crews have re-opened East Hollow Road in Petersburgh after replacing a culvert over a stream near the intersection with Phillips Road. Work at the site continues. There is scaffolding still set up in the stream on the downstream side, and some patching of the concrete on the wingwalls, which were not replaced, is in progress. The road re-opened last week, after being closed when heavy rains created a large hole in the roadway last March. (Alex Brooks photo)

Petersburgh Board Approves Additional Spending On Veterans Hall Project

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by Alex Brooks

At the Petersburgh Town Board meeting this week, Architect Dave Sadowsky gave an update on the progress of the Veterans Memorial Hall renovation project and proposed some additional capital improvement projects to be undertaken this year.

The roofing project is completed. Interior renovations are in progress now. Sadowsky estimates that the work is about 65% complete.

The roofing work came to about $50,600. The General construction contract is for $105,875, the heating/AC work is $15,500 and architectural fees will be about $16,190, which all adds up to $188,186 spent to date.

Sadowsky proposed $33,300 worth of additional work, including exterior painting for $3,500-$5,500, floor refinishing for $9,600, 12” additional attic insulation for $10,000, replacement of a broken “actuated damper” for $3,500, lighting for the Observation Post for $2,500 and some additional carpentry work around the building for $2,200. Some of these figures are just preliminary estimates and may not be accurate.

Funding for this work would be available from $11,800 that is not yet spoken for of the original $200,000 bonding and an additional $50,000 from a grant from Senator Bruno, announced a few months ago. The Board approved going forward with this work by a unanimous vote of the three Board members present – Supervisor Hubbard and Councilpersons Richard Snyder and Amy Manchester.  Bill Seel, who last month said he would like to see the Bruno grant used towards the existing scope of work rather than for additional projects, arrived later in the meeting. Councilman Broadwell was not present at this meeting.

Susan Nelsen, President of the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center, presented the Board with PVMCC’s budget projections for 2009 and made two requests for funding from the Town.

The PVMCC’s expenses include $1,050 for Director’s Liability insurance, $2,300 for janitorial services, $1,350 for supplies, $540 for Scheduling Coordinator and about $7,500 for utilities, for a total of $12,740. Utilities include $500 for phone, $500 for water, $1,500 for electricity, and $5,000 for heating oil. Estimated income based on 2007 income was $13,500.

Nelsen conveyed the request of the PVMCC for assistance with the fuel bill.

Nelsen also made a budget request for $2,200 additional in the Youth Commission budget to cover youth programming other than the summer program. She noted that in the past the Youth Commission sponsored activities all year round but now does only the summer program because the cost of the summer program has gone up and now consumes the entire budget.  The request for additional funding was broken out in this way: Teen Night Program Director, 12 programs, 5 hours at $15/hr for $900, plus 10 school vacation programs, 5 hours at $15/hr for $750 and 40 hours of Program Administration, doing paperwork and writing grant proposals, raising the possibility that some or all of this cost might be paid by grant awards. The Board agreed to take these requests under advisement when they start putting together the budget for next year, about a month from now.

Nelsen also again asked the Board to pay the PVMCC’s voucher for rental of the Memorial Hall this year. This voucher is for a total of $1,400, $1,000 for the summer youth program and $400 for the seniors.  Because this money was budgeted for this year and the Town has been paying it for a long time, the Board voted to go ahead and pay it at this meeting.  Bill Seel had not yet arrived when this vote was taken, and when he learned of it at the end of the meeting, he said he objects to it. Said Seel, “I am strongly opposed to paying rent on a building we own. It’s not right.”

New Ambulance

Brandon deWaal and Adam Griswold spoke to the Board about their research into getting a new ambulance for Rescue Squad.  They had received bids from several companies offering to supply a new ambulance, ranging in price from about $132,000 to $155,000. DeWaal said the Ambulance Squad’s Board is requesting that the Town give them a 5 year service agreement paying them $20,000 per year, for a total of $100,000. The Rescue Squad would pay the rest from its own funds.  The last time the Town assisted the Squad to buy the current ambulance in 1993, they paid $15,000 per year for 5 years through the service agreement.  Squad members began a discussion with Town Attorney Kevin Engel about getting a service agreement written and what should be in it. Both Engel and members of the Ambulance Squad agreed to do research on how other squads had done service agreements in the past, and the Board agreed to consider the Squad’s request while they put together the 2009 budget next month.

The Board went into executive session for about half an hour to discuss “a personnel matter.”

When they returned, Pam Eggsware asked what the Town is going to do about the “shirt factory” or the “dress factory” in the mill yard. She said the roof gave in on the back addition and that whole section of the building “collapsed the other day.” She said the building is not stable and kids have been in it.

Supervisor Mason Hubbard said the building was condemned a long time ago, but they couldn’t find the owner. He said he agrees that it is a dangerous situation, but he is not sure what the Town should do about it.

Eggsware said it’s been like this for three months, and she wanted to know who’s responsible.

Town Attorney Kevin Engel said it may be appropriate for the Town to take some action  regarding this building, but he would like to look into it and learn more about it.

Eggsware also said again that she would like to know what she can do with her property at the bottom of Main Street. Hubbard said the Building Inspector holds office hours at the Town Hall every Saturday morning from 9 am to noon and she should go talk to him on Saturday. She said she will.

Highway

Highway Superintendent Ray Harrison said “every road in Town is washing out about as fast as we can fix it.” He said he has had major washouts of Puckertoot Road, Hill Hollow Road and Lewis Hollow Road in the recent heavy rains. Hill Hollow has washed out several times. He said they will just have to keep at it until they get all the roads back in shape.

Fourth Hoosic River Ride Is August 23

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The Fourth Hoosic River Ride, a benefit bike tour for the Hoosic River Watershed Association, will happen on Saturday, August 23, no matter the weather. “We have provisions in place for shortening the course if we have a significant heavy-rain delay and will advise people on where it’s best to seek shelter in case dangerous weather moves in,” explained organizer Lisa Carey Moore. 

The one day event offers three routes of 13, 33 or 67 miles and cyclists can register online at bikereg.com or active.com or in person on the day of the ride. The longest ride, “The Watershed Challenge,” will depart the ride headquarters at Bennington College at 8 am and registration opens at 7 am. The 33-miler, “Two State Tour,” leaves at 9 am with the last group of riders for the “Monument and Bridges” 13 miler leaving at 10. Participants registering on the day should bring cash or checks, with the $40 (13-miler) or $50 (33 and 67 mile routes) fees covering a post ride lunch of burritos, assorted salads, baked goods, one free beer for participants 21 and over with many other beverages free of charge, too. The first 120 riders will receive an eco-tote and water bottle with the ride logo. Currently, just over 65 riders have signed up.

HFCS Tax Unchanged From Budget Vote

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by Alex Brooks

The Hoosick Falls Central School set its tax levy and tax rates at its meeting this week. The tax levy is $8,526,995, which is an increase of 3.5% over last year’s levy. It has not been changed from the figures presented to the voters at the time of the budget vote. The tax rate for Grafton is $202.77 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, an increase of 3.6%, for Hoosick $61.52 per thousand, an increase of 2.9%, for Petersburgh $29.40 per thousand, an increase of 4%, for Pittstown $27.68 per thousand, an increase of 1.1%, and for White Creek $29.10 per thousand, an increase of 1.8%.

The new principals, Patrick Dailey for the Elementary School and Steven Leunig for the High School, made

Elementary School Principal Patrick Dailey. (Alex Brooks photo)
Elementary School Principal Patrick Dailey. (Alex Brooks photo)

presentations on trends in student academic achievement over the last few years. Superintendent Ken Facin said he had asked them to do so to “give them a snapshot of what they’re inheriting,” and to start thinking about setting academic goals and the means to achieve them.

Patrick Dailey presented the numbers from tests given in the elementary school over the last few years, which showed steady improvement in a number of areas. Superintendent Ken Facin thanked him for the presentation, and remarked, “We have seen positive gains in every assessment in the elementary, but we have a long way to go.”

Next, High School Principal Steven Leunig gave a powerpoint presentation on academic achievement in the high school over the past three years. The data showed improvements in most areas but some were up and down.  Leunig remarked that seventh and eighth grade English test results are improving but

High School Principal Steven Leunig. (Alex Brooks photo)
High School Principal Steven Leunig. (Alex Brooks photo)

are not yet up to the state average. He called science and foreign language test results “very nice numbers.”  The number of students passing Regents tests went up from 06-07 to 07-08 from 79% to 87%, and the number of students taking the tests increased as well.

 

The graduation rate has improved over the last three years, from 68% in 06 (2002 cohort) to 82% in 07 (2003 cohort) to 91% in 08 (2004 cohort).

The rest of the topics covered in this week’s School Board meeting will be published next week.

No Give-Backs In BCS School Tax

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by David Flint

The Berlin School Board in four of the five past years has voted in August to reduce the tax levy approved by the voters in May, finding some money from the fund balance to reduce the proposed tax increase. This year there are no give-backs. On Tuesday the Board  formally approved the tax levy of $8,317,221 that the voters OK’d in May, an increase of 4.85% over last year. Based on assessed valuation and equalization rates, the levy results in the following tax rates per thousand and percentage changes in the individual towns. Only one town, Poestenkill, will see a decrease this year.

Berlin $57.60 5.4%

Grafton             $175.62 3.1%

Petersburgh        $25.49 3.5%

Poestenkill         $61.29 -1.7%

Stephentown      $48.00 3.1%

Interim Business Manager Scott Hunter noted that the true value tax rate for the District as a whole is now $14.40 per thousand of assessed value. There has been a steady decline in that figure since 2002-03 when it was $19.92 per thousand, the decline was accounted for by a combination of smaller tax levy increases and a substantial increase in assessed valuation. The rate is still about $3 more than the State average. 

Superintendent’s Report

Interim Schools Superintendent Charlotte Gregory said she had attended a Stephentown Town Board meeting at which the production company for the movie “Taking Woodstock” presented its plans for filming in the Stephentown area. Gregory was concerned that school buses might be delayed on September 15 and 16. She said the Town Supervisor subsequently contacted her, and she will go with staff this week to see what the situation is. The production company has offered compensation for any individuals or organizations that are inconvenienced. Gregory suggested that instead of monetary aid the company might provide someone with professional expertise to come and speak with students about film making. They will discuss this at a later date. 

Gregory said the staff has done an excellent job with summer school. Instruction and transportation schedules for the opening of school are progressing well. Training sessions have been held during the summer focusing on school safety, and there will be more in September. With the resignation of the High School Guidance Counselor, the school has received 200 applications for his replacement. Gregory said ten of these have been selected for further screening. 

Healthy Schools

Board Member Elizabeth Miller reported on her attendance, at a Healthy Schools Leadership workshop held in August in Syracuse. Three other members of the District Health Council also attended, participating in discussions of diets, health education, physical education, AIDS and more. Miller said she was impressed with the work of the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute. She also noted that Berlin looks pretty good with respect to other schools. She learned that most schools, including Berlin, are out of compliance with State requirements on elementary physical education. However, it was pointed out at the workshop that schools can use certified outside activities such as participation in dance lessons or community soccer to make up some of the requirements. 

Miller said the District Health Council is in the process of planning for the future and refining their goals. They plan to increase their membership and they will be seeking grant opportunities and looking into alternatives for food service. 

The Board will have a goals workshop on August 25. They also set a Capital Project workshop meeting for Wednesday, September 3, at 6:30 pm at Berlin Elementary School and their next regular meeting for Tuesday, September 16, at 7 pm at the High School.