The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

In Spite Of GEA Hardships HFCS Will Not Exceed Tax Cap

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by Alex Brooks

The Hoosick Falls School Board held a Budget Workshop on Thursday, March 6. Superintendent Ken Facin began the meeting speaking to the School Board about inequities in State aid to schools in New York State, focusing on a policy mechanism called the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). This was introduced by Governor Paterson in 2010 as a remedy for the State’s $10 billion budget deficit that year. It subtracted money from State aid to schools in order to balance the overall State budget.

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Hoosick Planning Board Action – Automotive Repair Shop Approved

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by Bea Peterson

David Buckner appeared before the Town of Hoosick Planning for a second time on Monday, March 17, with all the paperwork requested of him at the February meeting. Buckner was seeking approval to open an automotive repair shop in the 22 x 24 foot two car garage behind his home on Route 22. [Read more…] about Hoosick Planning Board Action – Automotive Repair Shop Approved

Total Community Effort Makes Empty Bowls A Success

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by Bea Peterson

According to HACA Director Dianne Hosterman and HAYC3 coordinator Deb Alter, Empty Bowls was a success all around. “It was a wonderful community effort,” said Hosterman. “Special thanks to Megan Conner who had the inspiration for having this event in Hoosick Falls and got the bowls made, HAYC3 for hosting it and all the participants from the Girl Scouts, Jazz Band, Art Class, St. Mary’s Academy, Weeb’s, Bagels and Brew, First Baptist Church and others in the community. It has been a tough winter for those we serve, and this will really make a difference.”

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Saint Mary’s Second-Graders At The Boston Aquarium

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submitted by Maureen Daurio, St. Mary’s Academy Principal

The second graders at Saint Mary’s Academy participated in a field trip to the Boston Aquarium.  The students recently finished their unit on animals.  They learned all about the six different animal groups; mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. [Read more…] about Saint Mary’s Second-Graders At The Boston Aquarium

No Snakes In Ireland And No Business At The Grafton Planning Board Meeting

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by Kieron Kramer 

The only points of interest at the two minute long Grafton Planning Board meeting on St. Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17, was what didn’t happen at the meeting – especially since nothing happened at the meeting. The meeting started early at 6:58 pm with Planning Board members Pete Gundrum, Owen Grandjean, Jim Goyer and Chairman Tom Withcuskey present. There was no one present from the public.

The Board reviewed and then voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 24 meeting and public hearing. Then Chairman Withcuskey announced that he had been in touch with the attorney for AT&T who informed him that they are “still putting their application package together,” according to Withcuskey. AT&T has to apply for a site plan review for modifications to its cell tower at 38 Radio Tower Way. Radio Tower Way runs off of Snyder Road. They want to place three new antennas on the tower to upgrade the signal to 4G LTE. AT&T had withdrawn its application before last month’s meeting, and it was to be on the agenda at the March 17 meeting if they had their paperwork done. Now it is being postponed until the next Planning Board meeting on April 21.

Hearing Nothing More

Withcuskey also announced that he had “heard nothing” about the site plan review required for the change of use at the R.J. Valente mine on Route 2 near the Brunswick Town line. According to Withcuskey, Valente has not begun the site plan review process as required by the Town and the Commissioner of the DEC has not ruled on which agency, the DEC or the Grafton Planning Board, will be the lead agency in the NYS Environmental Quality Review process (SEQR). Or, perhaps, the DEC has not informed Withcuskey of its decision, which he expected before this meeting.

Barn Quilts At The Hoosac School

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by Bea Peterson

On Saturday evening, March 1, Hoosac School unveiled eight 4×4 foot Barn Quilts created by some of its students. Many people turned out to see the exhibit of colorful quilts that will be displayed in White Creek, Hoosick and Hoosick Falls in the spring. The following is an article about the project written for the Hoosac School newspaper, The Owlet, by Julia Kopala ’16.

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Upcoming Events At The Stephentown Library

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• Friday, March 21, at 6:30 pm – Family Movie Night. Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Come to the Stephentown Memorial Library for a great family movie. This month we are showing a newly released animated film about two sisters who live in a castle surrounded by winter. The movie is rated PG, and the running time is 102 minutes. Free popcorn and drinks will be served.

• Wednesday, March 26, at 1:30 pm – Computers for Beginners Class. This class is for anyone just beginning to learn how to use a computer. We will briefly go over the physical computer parts, how to turn the computer on and off, the desktop, Start menu and how Windows® works. We will also spend time learning how to use the mouse. Depending on time and interest, the class may move forward to internet use and email. If you know someone who will benefit from this class, help spread the word and invite them to join.

• Tuesday, April 1, at 6:30 pm – Parenting Course begins. This six week class will meet on April 1, 8 and 22 and May 6, 13and 20. Participants should plan to attend all sessions in the class cycle. Led by Bruce Weiner, the class introduces the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) method of parenting and will consist of the basics tenets of Parent Effectiveness Training, the positive character education focus on problem solving with children and other issues brought up by parents during the course. The only cost will be $15 for course workbooks, and this can be waived for those with financial need. All parents or other caregivers are invited to join us for this helpful class. Reservations are required, as space for this class is limited. Please call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 518-733-5750 to reserve a space.

For more information, call the Stephentown Memorial Library at 733-5750. Check our website, www.stephentownlibrary.org for regular updates.