The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Troy

Troy Drinking Water Notice

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Submitted by the Office of Mayor Patrick Madden

Drinking water quality monitoring conducted by the Troy Public Utilities department has found elevated levels of lead in some of the 60 homes and buildings tested. Even though the source of water for the city is free of lead, the test samples taken from inside representative residential homes show an exceedance of lead possibly due to lead water services lines or interior lead plumbing.

The City of Troy is committed to the removal of all lead service lines from our community. City officials request your cooperation. If you live in a home built prior to 1975 and have not had a water service inspection at your home by the Department of Public Utilities, you should contact the department as soon as possible at 518-237-0343. There is no charge for a technician to come to your home for an inspection.   

There are several actions underway to address the lead in drinking water concerns. A postcard will be sent to city residents via mail with additional information and instructions. A Public Utilities Committee meeting of the City Council will be scheduled, and the Council will set spending parameters for funding that is available to assist residents who need to replace lead service pipes. 

Inmate Charged After Attacking Correctional Officer

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Submitted by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department

An inmate at the Rensselaer County Jail has been charged with attempted murder of a correctional officer after an unprovoked incident at the jail on the evening of January 4th. 

Matthew W. Fluty, formerly of Brookview Ave in Troy, is alleged to have maliciously attacked an unsuspecting officer, taking his two-way radio, preventing the officer from calling for help. The unidentified officer who was performing his lawful duties at the time of the incident was beaten, overpowered, and strangled into unconsciousness. Fluty left the officer helpless on the upper-level floor of the housing unit containing more than 30 other inmates. Fortunately, the officer’s radio had alerted the facility’s Control Room and help responded almost immediately. Fluty has been charged with:  [Read more…] about Inmate Charged After Attacking Correctional Officer

Edward A. Seagroatt – Obituary

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Troy – Edward A. Seagroatt, 81, died Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at Samaritan Hospital after a brief illness.  

You may have driven with him in his prized 1934 Ford Cabriolet with the top down. You may have spotted him in town surprising someone with a bouquet of long-stemmed roses. Or he may have called you on your birthday, always remembering the date but too polite to mention the year.

Born in Troy, Ed was the son of the late Albert Seagroatt and Helen Brown Seagroatt. Ed was raised in Berlin, NY and resided in the Capital District area all his life. He attended Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut and was a graduate of La Salle Institute in Troy, NY. Ed earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the State University of New York at Farmingdale and later served in the Coast Guard. [Read more…] about Edward A. Seagroatt – Obituary

Lansingburgh’s First Annual Parade and Tree Lighting

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Story by Amy Modesti 

Saturday, December 10, residents and visitors lined up along Corliss Park, Northern Avenue, and Fifth Avenue to enjoy a wonderful afternoon. Holiday candy was tossed out to parade goers as a who’s who of participants ranging from area fire departments to the Lansingburgh HS football team, City of Troy departments, police officials, area businesses and residents in decked out vehicles made an appearance. The parade ended at Powers Park. [Read more…] about Lansingburgh’s First Annual Parade and Tree Lighting

Honoring Henry G. A. Higgitt

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By Amy Modesti
On Monday, December 12, a ceremony was held to honor and remember the life of Henry G. A. Higgitt. Born December 9, 1900, in Troy, Higgitt enlisted in the New York Army National Guard, serving in the Support Company, 2nd Infantry Division. Enlisting in the United States Navy in Albany, he served aboard the USS Eagle, USS Sacramento, USS Patonka, and USS Denebola. He served in the US Naval Reserve and Naval Training Station later in his military career tending to boilers in a ship’s engine room. Higgitt was honorably discharged on June 9, 1946, awarded with the World War II Victory Medal and American Campaign Medal.  [Read more…] about Honoring Henry G. A. Higgitt

75th Turkey Trot Results

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Submitted by Ed Parham
More than 5,500 participants braved the cold this past Thanksgiving morning to participate in the 75th Troy Turkey Trot, the nation’s 12th oldest road race. Below is a list of event winners, along with their respective race completion times:

10K Men’s Winner – Sean O’Brien (30:44)
10K Women’s Winner – Charlotte Richman (34:14)

5K Men’s Winner – Alex Hislop (15:01)
5K Women’s Winner – Amanda Chambers (17:13) [Read more…] about 75th Turkey Trot Results

Foodstock 8

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By Amy Modesti
According to Feeding America, in Rensselaer and surrounding counties, over 89,000 people are food insecure, 25,000 of which are young children and infants. They don’t have the means to afford fresh food, hygiene products, or provide baby formula to their infant. Where does one go to receive assistance and combat food insecurity? The Food Pantries of the Capital District. 

Sunday, November 6, the Rustic Barn Pub, along with event host and advocate Bob Gamache, hosted Foodstock 8. Since its 2017 inception, Foodstock is held to raise awareness about food insecurity and help feed the hungry in the Capital Region. And the eighth edition of Sunday’s event was no different. [Read more…] about Foodstock 8

Workforce Development Career Center Opens at Hudson Valley Community College

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Courtesy of HVCC

On Thursday, October 27, College, State, and County officials gathered for the opening of the new Workforce Development Career Center at Hudson Valley Community College. The Center, which will be a satellite office of the Rensselaer County Career Center, is operated in conjunction with the Capital Region Workforce Development Board, which will also be located on campus. The new Career Center will provide job seekers with customized career planning, resumé assistance, career search workshops, and tuition assistance for short-term training through the federal Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. The Center will work in partnership with the College’s Center for Career and Transfer in providing services that complement and expand the connection between education and workforce placement, and development activities in the region. Local and regional businesses also will have the opportunity to use the Center for recruiting and development of current and future employees. [Read more…] about Workforce Development Career Center Opens at Hudson Valley Community College

2023 County Budget Proposed

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Fifth Straight Year with Property Tax Reduction

From the Office of County Executive Steve McLaughlin
The proposed 2023 Rensselaer County budget would include a 1 percent property tax reduction, making it the fifth consecutive year with such a reduction. When combined with the previous four years, property taxes will have been reduced by 20 percent under County Executive Steve McLaughlin.

“Under the 2023 budget, the County tax levy will decrease by 1 percent. While modest, when coupled with the previous tax reductions from the past four years, it will mean our taxes have decreased by one-fifth in just five years. A 20 percent reduction in taxes is, we believe, is not equaled by any County in the State, and shows Rensselaer County is a leader in protecting taxpayers and encouraging other development,” added McLaughlin. [Read more…] about 2023 County Budget Proposed