The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

A Moment Of Silence And The Panthers, Undefeated In League Play, Clinch Title

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by Steve Bradley

It was a tough week in the Town of Hoosick. The life of a young man, Stephen Colvin, loved by all who knew him, was lost in a tragic skiing accident. In the midst of all the grief, an evening of great joy was enjoyed by many of the same people who were awash in the sadness. Ironically, the two events combined to create one of the most touching moments to ever occur in the Hoosick Falls Central School gymnasium.

[Read more…] about A Moment Of Silence And The Panthers, Undefeated In League Play, Clinch Title

Letter To The Editor – Petersburgh/Berlin Transfer Station Agreement Unfair

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To the Editor:

The current Transfer Station contract between Petersburgh and Berlin is not fair to Petersburgh.  In addition to paying 50% of the total operational expenses, the current contract also includes a $12,000 annual transfer station access fee to Petersburgh. I believe Petersburgh has been paying this fee for over 20 years. $240,000 should be enough for the infrastructure.

The following facts show why this is unfair to Petersburgh.  According to the 2010 US Census Bureau, Berlin has 1,880 citizens, 1,100 housing units, 789 occupied households and Petersburgh has 1,525 citizens and 661 family households.  According to County Waste, 324 Petersburgh households have curbside pickup; whereas, Berlin has only 78.

The combined Berlin/Petersburgh household total utilizing the transfer station is 1,048. (1,450 total households minus 402 total curbside pickups).  The 661 Petersburgh households minus the 324 curbside pickups equal 337.  The 337 divided by 1,048 equates to 32.1% of Petersburgh’s citizens using the Berlin transfer station.  Petersburgh only issued 151transfer station permits in 2013 so the 337 number is probably very high. In 2013, Petersburgh paid Berlin $60,925.21 in total fees and only collected $21,791.29 in revenue, leaving a deficit of $39,133.92 for the taxpayers of Petersburgh to unfairly subsidize the Town of Berlin.

THE TOWN OFFICIALS OF PETERSBURGH KNOW THIS!  Have they notified the citizens of Petersburgh of this inequality?  Bet not!  Don’t sit on your couch and accept this!  Join me at the next Town Board Meeting on February 24 and express your dissatisfaction of this unfair agreement.  If the shoe was on the other foot, do you think Berlin would accept this?

If the Town of Berlin will not enter into a fair agreement, there are many options available.  Attend the Town Board meeting to learn/discuss the available options.  The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) states, “The people’s right to know is basic to our society.”  It is the responsibility of the Town Board to inform its citizens of all issues the Town is facing as well as its financials.  It’s time for the Town of Petersburgh to shine a light on the functions of our Town and its spending.  Healthy, well-functioning democracies fully embrace transparency.  Let your voice be heard on February 24 at, 7 pm.

Thomas Berry

Canfield Road, Petersburgh

Letter To The Editor – The Petersburgh Supervisor Responds

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Dear Editor,

I feel compelled, as the Town Supervisor, to respond to the letter entitled, “Genuine Intentions” that appeared in the Eastwick Press last week. The comment that I most strongly resent is the statement that the taxes will again be raised in 2015. This false prediction was assumed without any facts, opinions or information from the Town being taken into consideration. As the Financial Officer for the Town of Petersburgh, it is my intention to have a zero tax increase this year.

Additionally, in regard to the Youth Program finances mentioned in the article “PVMCC Starts Raising Funds For Youth,” the amounts quoted were incorrect as well. The total amount cut from the budget equals $4,665, not $6,000; also the amount allotted for 2014 is $3,000 not $1,600. This total amount includes $1,500 for salaries, and $1,500 for all contractual expenses. As for the State and County monies received, these figures are reimbursements, not additional funding for the budget. This fact was explained previously to Mrs. Bowman-Kluck, yet was still incorrectly accounted for within this particular article. Again, these statements were made incorrectly without making any sort of attempt to verify correct information with the Town.

I regretfully agree that this was a substantial amount cut, and would like to see the former budget amount from 2013 reinstated next year if possible. The current financial situation of the Town has forced many budgetary cuts in various important areas; although the Youth Program is an important asset in our Town, the fact is that our Town is struggling to function in light of so many drastic budgetary reductions. The functionality of all Town departments are at risk due to forced operation on minimal finances, and I hope that the taxpayers will take the entire situation into consideration and realize that these cuts were a very difficult decision to make.

Siegfried Krahforst, Supervisor

Town of Petersburgh

Editor’s note: Bowman-Kluck has since revised her figures and her revised article on the PVMCC fundraising will appear next week.

A Split For BCS Boys Basketball

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by Jen Burhans

The Mountaineers started the week off right with a win over New Lebanon. The first quarter set the pace for the game with Berlin getting 23 points.  Berlin got another 23 in the 2nd quarter to finish the half 46-24.  Berlin stayed in charge of play adding 18 and 17 points in the last 2 quarters ending the game with 81 points.  [Read more…] about A Split For BCS Boys Basketball

Panther Girls Basketball Moves Into Sectional Play

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by Steve Bradley

Last Thursday, in a game postponed by Wednesday’s snow storm, the Lady Panthers played the Stillwater Warriors in the Panther Den. The Panthers got off to a slow start and trailed at the end of the first quarter 14 – 11. In the second quarter, the Panthers clamped down on defense, holding the Warriors to eight points and gaining a seven point lead at the half. It was a lead the Warriors could not overcome the rest of the game. [Read more…] about Panther Girls Basketball Moves Into Sectional Play

HFCS Bowlers Win League

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 submitted by Coach Bob Lang

On Thursday, February 6, the Hoosick Falls bowling team defeated Fort Edward in the Adirondack League Championship roll-off by the total match score of 3,775 to 3,512. Hoosick Falls avenged its loss to Fort Edward in last year’s roll-off when Fort Edward beat them by just 18 pins to win the crown. This is the fourth time in the past five years that Hoosick Falls has won the League title.

Hoosick Falls got off to a good start by winning the first game by 82 pins with a nice total of 1,258. They built their lead by winning the second game by 89 pins giving them a lead of 171 pins going into the third game. They had their best game total of the day with a nice 1,284 and won the match by 263 pins to win the title. Fort Edward was led by Nikolas Conlon with a 252-672.

Hoosick Falls Varsity scores were Ken Marbot 246-716, Josh McCart 257-678, Kyla Day 257-632, Stephen Surdam 223-615, Jennifer Sargood 211-599 and A.J. Hurlburt 194-535. The team also had some nice JV scores: Eric Bloomer 257-660, Jonathan Bossoni 243-562 and Tyler Lindsey 233 (all time high game) – 541 (all time high triple).

“The kids had another great day on the lanes with some really good scores. It was a great team effort that showed in the outstanding match total of 3,775. Fort Edward came out in the third game with a lot of strikes trying to catch up, but we countered with a lot of our own strikes and made the most of our spares to secure the victory! It was great to see the JV team have another great day, as they have been getting better the last three weeks! Now we need to keep the momentum going for Sectionals next Tuesday at Boulevard Bowl in Schenectady. The entire team has been working hard all year to accomplish these goals,” said Coach Lang.

BCS Boys Basketball Sectionals

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The Mountaineer boys basketball sectionals will be Tuesday, February 18, at Canajoharie. Departure is at 4:45 pm; game time is 7:30 pm. Berlin is the 9 seed, and Canajoharie is the 8 seed. Admission to the game costs $3.

With a win the next game would be Friday, February 21, at Hudson Valley Community College. Departure will be at 3 pm; game time is at 5 pm.