The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Panther Basketball Wins Sectional Semi-Final, Heading To Sectional Final On Sunday

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:34:34 +0000

by Gary Danforth
Well, maybe Hoosick Falls Central School boys basketball Coach Mike Lilac Jr. borrowed a phrase from comedian Larry the Cable Guy because night, Wednesday night, March 1, Lilac’s Panther five “got ’er done” in their Section II, Class C semi-final game against Voorheesville Central School at the Glens Falls Civic Center and looked pretty fine in the process. The now 18-3 Panthers, two time defending WASAREN League champions, led from start to finish in an impressive 59-42 win over the Colonial Council Blackbirds. HFCS saw nine players hit the scorebook as they carved up Voorheesville like a precision surgeon. Hoosick Falls just looked like a well oiled machine on offense, and as good as they looked trying to put the ball in the basket, they may have played even better at the defensive end of the floor. I’m not going to say it was carnage, but the Blackbirds may have known the feeling Daniel had when he entered the Lion’s Den. When junior guard David Ciuk dropped a three-pointer on Voorheesville with less than a minute to play it gave Hoosick Falls their largest lead of the evening at 57-37. It is rare to get that kind of a lead in a sectional semi-final game. I said 57-37. It was a total team effort. The kind of basketball which Lilac preaches from the first day of practice until the final horn of the last game.
Six foot, six inch Panther center/forward Kevin McMahon staked the second seeded Hoosick Falls quintet to a 3-0 lead when he buried a three-pointer. Next, sophomore John Hayden feathered in a jumper for HFCS from the right baseline. But the tell-tale sign that it might be the Panthers’ night came when sophomore Alex Lilac hit a spinning, one-handed shot as the 35 second shot clock was about to go off, good for a 7-4 HFCS lead. That was a good sign for Hoosick Falls. The Blackbirds crawled back to 7-6, but HFCS hit two more buckets, one a drive by sophomore Tanner Williams and the other a Hayden inside score. After McMahon scored on a Panther drive, the Blackbirds got a bucket. But HFCS went on a 6-0 run to end the first eight minutes. Senior Hutton Rasmus hit two free throws; junior Quinn Rasmus scored in close, and Hayden ended the run with another inside bucket. HFCS led 19-10 after period one.

Panther senior Hutton Rasmus goes up for a shot during Hoosick Falls’ sectional semi-final win over Voorheesville on Wednesday night at the Civic Center. (Ryan Mosher photo)

Hayden, playing well all evening, tipped in a Panther bucket to begin the second quarter. Williams drove the right baseline for a score, and McMahon, holding the Blackbirds’ 6’7” Ethan Mackey to thirteen points, with lots of help from his teammates, hit a jumper. Lilac hit a jumper and then knocked down a trey to give HFCS a 30-19 lead with 3:18 left in the opening half. The Panthers were playing very well and making Voorheesville, 16-4 coming into the game, look bad. Hutton Rasmus scored on a drive, and Sean Dingman scored on a reverse layup. HFCS led 34-19. After Voorheesville answered, Lilac drained a three-pointer with a couple ticks left before the first half horn sounded. The Panthers led 37-22 at the halftime break.
Mackey had been held to four first half points. Seven different Panthers had hit the scorebook in the first half. The Hoosick Falls Pep Band, sounding good again, sounded, well, as good as the Panthers had played.
Both teams scored nine points in an evenly played third quarter. Mackey scored seven of the Blackbirds’ points, but HFCS countered with McMahon and Hayden getting five and four points, respectively. HFCS led 46-31 entering period four. Voorheesville was trying to go to Mackey, but McMahon and his teammates were well up to the task at the defensive end of the floor. Both teams pretty much exchanged scores in the quarter.
A Voorheesville press got them to 46-35 with 6:58 to play. But McMahon hit a jumper, and Hayden scored twice more in close, good for a 52-37 Panther lead with 1:41 left. Lilac hit two free throws before the elder Lilac called a timeout to make sure the Panther reserves got on the Civic Center court. Ciuk canned his trey, and senior Andy DiDonato hit a jumper from the left baseline to close out the Panthers’ 59-42 semi-final win.
Hayden with 16 points, McMahon, 14, Lilac, 12, Williams, 4, Hutton Rasmus, 4, Quinn Rasmus, 2, Dingman, 2, Ciuk, 3, and DiDonato with 2 points scored for HFCS. For Voorheesville, Mackey led the way with 13 points.
Rebounding From Afar: On Sunday afternoon, March 7, at 2:30 pm the Panthers will play the winner of the Maple Hill – Schoharie semi-final for the Class C crown. HFCS hasn’t won a Class C title since 1984, losing twice under Lilac in 2000 and 2002. I have always felt that just getting to a sectional final merited a banner in the gym, as this year HFCS is one of 19 Class C teams vying for the title. How many of the other seventeen teams would like to be in the Panthers sneakers? Good Luck, HFCS, on Sunday, no matter who your opponent is. You’ve had a magnificent year.

St. Pat’s Parade Grand Marshals Are Chosen

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:30:09 +0000

submitted by Kevin O’Malley
Three 1952 St. Mary’s Academy graduates will be the Grand Marshals of the Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year. Patricia Carknard, Nancy McCabe and Margaret O’Malley, all raised in the village by Irish mothers, will all celebrate their 75th birthdays this year. They attended St. Mary’s Academy, and in the seventh grade their Irish teacher, Sister St. Gerard, made sure they all learned how to do the Irish Jig before they left her class.

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshals graduated in the St. Mary’s Academy Class of 1952 seen above. Photo courtesy of Kevin O’Malley.

Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, there was an Irish show at the theater on Church St. and many of the children, including Pat, Nancy and Margaret participated. All three women were friends throughout their school years and celebrated together, along with their classmates, at their 50th class reunion in 2002. Pat, Nancy and Margaret all raised large Irish broods – Patricia, eight children on Clay Hill, Nancy, five children on Elm Street, and Margaret, six children on Ball Street, in Hoosick Falls.
Patricia Mahar Carknard was born in Stillwater, NY, on November 23, 1934, to John and Mary (Hyland) Mahar. Pat’s grandparents, Patrick and Kate Hyland, had descendants who emigrated from Ireland. Her family moved to Hoosick Falls from Stillwater in the 1930s. She attended St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls, graduating in 1952. She married Ed Carknard on May 14, 1955, in the Immaculate Conception Church. Pat and Ed had 8 children, and she has been a devoted mom to her children Eddie, Sissy, Larry, Stephen, Mary, Patsy, Maureen and Catherine and is the proud grandmother to 15 grandchildren. She is also the proud grandma of Michael Hackett, who passed away October 2005.
As her children grew, she enrolled in the Putnam Memorial Hospital nursing program for LPN studies, completing the program in 1977. She worked as an LPN in Bennington until her retirement in 1996. Pat is a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish, belongs to the Derby Club, the Red Hat Society, the Hoosick Falls Senior Center, the American Legion Auxiliary and the St. Stanislaw Society. She has recently resumed volunteering at SVMC as a Gray Lady and at St. Mary’s Academy in the library. She also participates in and assists with the organization and success of the EC Fund for Youth Sports in Hoosick Falls. This fund is in memory of Eddie Carknard, her eldest son. She has been an advocate of youth sports and stays involved in activities to promote youth participation in sports.
The daughter of Florence and Edwin Webster, Nancy Ann McCabe was born on March 7, 1935. She was raised in Hoosick Falls and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1952. She married the late Loren McCabe on November 27, 1954, and they had five children together – Donald, Laurie, Susan, David and Douglas. Nancy has eight grandchildren.
Nancy’s grandfather, Patrick O’Callahan, came to the United States from County Cork in the late 1800s. Nancy’s mother, Florence, was a former Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1985.
Nancy works part time for Hemmings Motor News in Bennington, VT. She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and is currently the Secretary. She is also the Secretary of the Maple Grove Cemetery Association. She is an active lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary, a member of the local Derby Club, the Red Hat Society, the St. Stanislaw Society, the Hoosick Falls Senior Center and a door-to-door volunteer for the National Cancer Coalition. She is a former member of the Hoosick Falls Fire Department with the J.D. Howe Hose Company and was a 30-year member of the United States Bowling Congress at the Barbecue Lanes.
Margaret Hughes O’Malley was born on April 8, 1935, to Francis and Catherine Houlton Hughes. Both her maternal and paternal grandparents came from Ireland to the United States during the potato famine. Along with her sister, Dorothy, Margaret grew up in the second ward of the Village on Third Street and attended St. Mary’s Academy, graduating in 1952.
She married her high school sweetheart, Edward O’Malley, on July 21, 1956. She and her husband raised and doted on her six children – Marie, Kevin, Paul, Eileen, Margaret and Michelle, on Ball Street in the Village. After all the children were in school, she worked for 23 years at the Hoosick Falls Central School Cafeteria, retiring in 2003.
Margaret is a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister. She also brings communion to the shut-ins at the Danforth Adult Home and the Hoosick Falls Health Center. She is a Past Regent, Secretary and current member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Margaret also volunteers as a Gray Lady at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. She enjoys spending time with her family and her eight grandchildren.
The Hoosick Falls St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival will be held on March 13 beginning at 1 pm.

Dispatch Dilemma

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:26:05 +0000

by Bea Peterson
About sixty Hoosick Falls Village and Hoosick Town residents, Dispatch personnel, Rensselaer County 911 people and a large number of volunteer firefighters attended the Wednesday evening Public Hearing regarding the Village’s Dispatch service held at St. Mary’s Academy.
Hoosick Falls Mayor Matt Monahan opened the meeting by correcting a mistake he made at the last hearing regarding how Dispatch is funded. He said at this meeting that half of the $149,000 cost comes from the general fund, the other half from the water and sewer fund. He said since the last Hearing he and Village Trustees John Hickey and Ann Bornt, accompanied by volunteer firefighter Carlton Coon, toured the County 911 facility. “It was impressive,” he said. He said when a call came in the call site appeared on a screen with an aerial view of the location. Another box appeared advising which ambulance, police or fire department should be notified and it all happened within 55 seconds. If a person cannot speak, the 911 system can still locate them. If a call comes in on a cell phone, that call can be triangulated to within 10 meters.
In addition, the group spent six hours traveling to 22 different locations in the Village checking out the 800 radio band, the Sheriff’s band and low band radio coverage. They only discovered one site where they had a problem with low band reception. The Fairbanks Road tower is the primary source for the County and this area and the LeBarron Road tower is the backup tower. The next testing will be within homes.
“Whatever we decide,” said the Mayor, “it will not be a band-aid, it will be a solution.” Options under consideration are putting a tower on the new Rensselaer St. water tank that will be installed this year or perhaps connecting to the Wilson Hill tower. There could be a dialer box in the Municipal Building, and the Village telephone service could be more automated and streamlined.
Mayor Monahan said people have asked him where the elimination of Dispatch savings would go. He said employee health care costs, maintenance costs and other Village costs are constantly increasing. “This coming [fiscal] year a $110,000 bond payment is due on the water plant. Next year the payment will be $207,000. There is road maintenance that has to be done. Anything over that would be returned to the taxpayers.” He said the Board is striving to drive costs down.
Aid In Finding Houses
Hoosick Rescue Squad President Bill Gaillard reiterated at this hearing what he said at the previous meeting. He stressed how important it is that local dispatchers can so easily advise Rescue personnel as to the location of many hard to find homes in the Town that do not have 911 address numbers on their mailboxes. He said again that often his radio does not work and he must rely on Dispatch for the information.
He said, as Rescue Squad President, he had been told to advise the Village that should Dispatch be dissolved, the Rescue Squad wanted all equipment donated to the Village by the Squad returned. That includes the 100 foot tower on the Municipal Building, encoders, radios, base stations and more.
Another person to speak said she did not want to see the Village do away with Dispatch. She wanted them to keep something “unique to us.”
Another woman said her power went out Saturday morning and she couldn’t get Dispatch on the telephone, so she drove down to the office to find out what she should do about getting her power restored.
No Money From Town
It was noted that most of the communication problems are within Town limits. Mayor Monahan said he had talked with the Town Supervisor and the Town has its own fiscal responsibilities and will not provide any more money for Dispatch. The Mayor said, “We can deal with this within the next year, or we can sit right here five years from now when we’ve spent three quarters of a million dollars more.” He said there are few grants for equipment and none for services. He added that testing has been done in the Town, and County service is 95 percent effective.
Increased Taxes
A Village resident acknowledged these are hard economic times all around. He said many people are making less today than they were making three years ago, yet taxes keep going up. He said 34 percent of his income goes for taxes. “It’s not fair to the Village people,” he added. “We’re already paying the County. It doesn’t make sense in a business world to continue with Dispatch. We all have to tighten our belts.”
Former Village Board Member Margaret Casey commended the Board for having the courage to bring up this issue and facing the fact that the Village can’t afford to keep it up. “We should take advantage of the County service,” she said. “We are bearing the burden of the Town, and it’s not right.”
Hoosick Falls Chief Ted Senecal said that if the firefighters don’t receive the call for a chimney fire or an accident or someone having a stroke, they can’t respond. “We can’t go there if we don’t get the call, and it drops in my lap if we don’t respond.”
The comments then turned to making cuts in other departments, such as Police or the Building Inspector. More comments were made concerning communication flaws that should be addressed. The Mayor made notes of the flaws.
Former Mayor Laura Reynolds said the Village needs to cut costs. She pointed out that most of the Fire Department and EMS issues were Town related. “No process is perfect, and these are tough times,” she said. She added that this is not a

Former Village Mayor Laura Reynolds (standing) spoke at the Dispatch Public Hearing on the tough times taxpayers and the Village are facing. (Bea Peterson photo)

personal issue, but things are going to get worse and any cutbacks are tough. She said Mayor Monahan has done an awesome job to this point.
The Mayor said the Board has absolutely exhausted its options and, “We have to make a decision.”
Representatives from the 911 service said they were confident they could maintain a high level of service. “We do not take our responsibility lightly. When issues are brought to our attention we try to fix them.”
The Inevitable
North Hoosick Fire Chief and a member of the Dispatch staff, Alan Bornt concluded, “This is going to happen. We get the calls, you will get calls. The concern is the Village people. The Police Department will lose its lifeline. Are they willing to do that? There’s a long list of issues. The end of the line is how many use it. It’s been a great thing for 80 years. Hopefully the LeBarron tower won’t go down. We [the fire companies] are just so used to getting information from Dispatch. This is not a Village problem. It was a luxury and asset for (Town) Fire Departments, an important place. It is going to be missed. It’s a mistake to shut it down. Let’s hope it’s not a fatal mistake. It’s a major decision to make for Hoosick Falls people. Too bad more Village people aren’t here. But we are all going survive this.”
Timeline
One of the Dispatchers asked when Dispatch would be shut down. Mayor Monahan said, “We aren’t going rush into making a decision. We don’t even know when we will vote on it.” He added, “We have tried our best to relay as much information as possible to the people by having these Public Hearings. We are going to have to stay within our budget. We don’t have one problem to fix. We have many problems to fix. This is just the first one.” He said the Village is going to lose some luxuries. “Dispatch is a source that has been here for so long, and it is going to be sorely missed.” He agreed that the Village will survive this. “I just wish the Town would get involved.” He said County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote were unable to attend the Hearing but both had told him they would work with the Village and the County on this problem.
The Mayor said, “I understand there is a petition out there. Great. People have been calling me. I’m happy people are taking an interest.” He said he didn’t know if there was a cutoff date on the petition but the Board would like to have time to review it before a meeting. He asked that perhaps they could see it by the end of March.
“I want to thank everyone for coming,” the Mayor said. “This continues to be a learning experience for all of us.”
Take Responsibility
One of the biggest issues to come out of these hearings is that so few houses are adequately marked with the correct 911 street numbers. This in itself would make responding promptly to rescue calls much easier. Bill Gaillard pointed out that numbers should be clearly marked on both sides of a mailbox.

BCS Between A Rock And A Hard Place

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:20:38 +0000

by Phillip Zema
Because of various economic factors, Berlin Central is currently stuck between a rock and a hard place. State aid cuts, increased expenses and declining tax revenues have created challenges for the District. Berlin is not alone, as most area schools face identical predicaments. A number of solutions may work, but each has problems. Consolidation, staff cuts, tax hikes and all the rest will anger many. The District, however, has taken measures to cut costs, but with a likely $1.4 million state aid cut, these steps may be insufficient. Furthermore, underage substance abuse is a growing problem throughout the District, and local residents are concerned.
Three local residents spoke during the School Board meeting’s public session. Heinz Noeding expressed concern over Berlin’s current economic situation. State aid cuts, growing expenses (e.g. renovation projects, retirement fees, rising health insurance costs) and declining enrollment deepen the District’s need to develop financial solutions. Moreover, while in recent years enrollment has decreased by 15%, transportation costs and BOCES expenses have nearly doubled. Noeding was concerned that the District’s Board and administration was not prepared to meet these challenges. He implored the Board to consider these problems when it creates its 2010-2011 budget. Noeding added that “taxpayers…should reject any proposed budget which does not incorporate this financial reality.”
TRACs
Andrew Zlotnick spoke about the purpose of TRACs (Together Reducing Alcohol and drugs in our Communities), and he informed the Board about the group’s future events. TRACs is a community-based group that strives to reduce high risk behaviors such as “alcohol, tobacco and other drug use” especially among youths. Zlotnick encouraged the Board to join TRACs and to attend its next meeting, which is on March 9 at 5:30 pm. It will be held at the Berlin Seventh Day Baptist Church, and representatives from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department and NYS Police will be speaking. Zlotnick said that TRACs’ next challenge is to create a letter that outlines the laws relevant to substance abuse. Ideally, the letter would be signed by public officials, law enforcers, school officials and other community representatives. It would then be distributed to the general public.
Stephentown School Building
Stephentown Supervisor Larry Eckhardt inquired about what the District is intending to do with the Stephentown school building. The Stephentown Youth Commission is intending to hold its 2010 summer youth program on the school’s premises; yet it needs to know whether it can use the school’s basketball court, playground and classrooms. The school is an invaluable asset to the Town, and Eckhardt asked the Board to keep Stephentown’s Town council informed.
Nutrikids
A representative from Nutrikids, a school cafeteria company associated with BOCES, also spoke at the meeting. He claimed that switching to Nutrikids would benefit the District in many respects. The school would likely save on food costs and would get back 61 cents per every dollar it spends on food services. Cafeteria workers would be provided with an efficient touch-screen menu. This screen would be reliable, easily accessible and remove the stigma associated with free or reduced lunches. The Nutrikids system, via internet, also enables parents to see what their children purchase, and it accommodates online payments. Although appreciating Nutrikids’ merits, Board Member Thomas Morelli wanted to research other cafeteria companies. He claimed that doing so would enable the District to make a well-informed decision. The issue was tabled until the Board’s next meeting.
Superintendent Charlotte Gregory talked about how the District is transitioning from the old educational system to the new. The school must find innovative ways to weather the current economic turmoil. Not only are there state aid cuts, but enrollment is declining and expenses are increasing throughout the state. Schools are closing, and jobs are being lost. Within the next year, over a thousand area teaching jobs might disappear, she said. Berlin is, without drastically increasing its budget, striving to overcome these economic obstacles. This is the main reason the District has planned to close Grafton Elementary School.
Berlin will likely lose over $1.4m in state aid. Even by closing Stephentown Elementary, the school is still short by roughly $1m. But by closing Grafton Elementary, Gregory said the District could save an additional $431,847 per year. She maintained that even if the District adds two modular school buildings at Berlin Elementary School, such savings would still result. The two buildings would create four additional classrooms. (Originally, the school claimed they needed six rooms, but for financial reasons, it was decided that four classrooms might be sufficient.) Furthermore, in the past year, the school has saved roughly $50k on transportation and utility costs. To avoid a substantial tax levy, however, the District is investigating other ways to reduce costs.
The discussion on consolidation and classroom construction was tabled, but the Board emphasized the importance of finding a long-term solution. With the state $8 billion in debt, the financial crisis may not end soon. Moreover, the area’s income wealth has drastically plummeted. Short-term solutions, therefore, will not be of much help. For such solutions merely postpone the inevitable. Finally, within the next month, the District is intending to create a rough draft of its budget – a draft that recognizes these problems yet serves the collective best interest of its students.

Berlin Fire Company Installation

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:17:50 +0000

by David Flint
The Berlin Fire Company held its Installation Banquet this year at the Poestenkill Fire Hall. “We thought we’d try something a little different this year,” explained Berlin Fire Chief Billy Osterhout. Although the trip across the Plank Road with on and off snow squalls may have reduced attendance slightly at the event held on February 27, most agreed that the change of venue to Poestenkill’s spacious and sparkling hall, along with a splendid roast beef dinner served up hot and tasty by members of the Poestenkill Fire Company, was a very pleasant variation.
Chief Osterhout introduced the many honored guests that included County Executive Kathy Jimino, County Legislator Lester Goodermote, Public Safety Director Kelly Paslow, a number of Rensselaer County Fire Safety personnel, emergency services representatives from surrounding towns and the family of deceased Rescue Squad Captain Wilma Anderson.
John Sroka, a Director of the NYS Fire Chiefs Association, then took charge as Master of Ceremonies.

Wilma Anderson’s daughters, Patty Anderson, Susan LaPier, Sheila Sheffer and Karen Whitman are awarded plaques and Fire Company mugs in honor of their mother’s service to the community. At right are (l to r) Fire Dept. President Stanley Pettibone II, Fire Chief Billy Osterhout, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Mark Primeau and Rescue Squad Captain Tammy Osterhout. (David Flint photo)

Fire Department mugs and plaques recognizing the years of outstanding service that Wilma Anderson rendered to the Town of Berlin were presented to four of her daughters, Patty, Susan, Sheila and Karen.
Doug Goodermote was recognized as the oldest living member of the Department.
Service pins were awarded to Firefighters Susan O’Neil (25 years), Joe Sweener (20 years), Leonard Clapp (15 years), Alan Kennedy (5 years) and Tyler Hake (1 year) and to Rescue Squad member Nanci-Anne Bogovich (5 years).
Certificates for exceptional service went to Stanley Pettibone II, Sharon Clapp, Billy Osterhout, Alan Kennedy, Tammy Osterhout, Nanci-Anne Bogovich, Shirley Wager and Tena Harrington.
Another group from the Rescue Squad received a special award of “Stork Pins”. This group, comprising Tammy Osterhout, Steve Kellar, Barb Staples, Sharon Clapp and Stanley Pettibone II, successfully and safely delivered a baby in less than ideal circumstances – in the back seat of a car – last September up on the Plank Road by Dutch Church Road.
There is not a whole lot of change this year among officers of the Company. Ivan Wager replaces Leonard Clapp as Fire Captain Co. 4 and is replaced in turn by Bruce Hake, Jr. as Lieutenant Co. 3. Steve Barber replaces Annette Legg as Lieutenant Co. 4 and Wally O’Neil replaces Joe Rechen as Safety Officer.
On the Rescue Squad, Tammy Osterhout replaces Wilma Anderson as Captain and Cindy Calderwood and Sharon Clapp take over as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
On the Board of Commissioners, Kathy Primeau as Secretary and Donna Maxon as Treasurer replace Wilma Anderson who held both titles. Nanci-Anne Bogovich replaces Wilma Anderson as Corporate Secretary and Steve Kellar replaces Joseph Sweener, Sr. as Vice President on the Executive Committee.
The following officers were sworn in by Cyril Grant, Battalion 5-0 Coordinator and Stephentown Town Justice:
Corporate
President – Bruce Hake, Sr.
Vice President – Tena Harrington
Secretary – Nanci-Anne Bogovich
Treasurer – Shirley Wager
Chairman – Alan Kennedy
Directors: George Shuhart, Tena Harrington, Peter Von Schilgen, Nanci-Anne Bogovich and Tammy Osterhout
Firematic Officers
Chief – William Osterhout, Jr.
Assistant Chief – Bruce Hake, Sr.
Captain Co. 1 – Peter Von Schilgen
Captain Co. 2 – Stanley Pettibone II
Captain Co. 3 – Alan Kennedy
Captain Co. 4 – Ivan Wager
Lieutenant Co. 1 – Jay Estabrooks
Lieutenant Co. 2 – Edward Legg
Lieutenant Co. 3 – Bruce Hake, Jr.
Lieutenant Co. 4 – Steve Barber
Safety Officer – Wally O’Neil
Safety Officer – George Shuhart
Fire Department
President – Stanley Pettibone II
Vice President – Steve Kellar
Secretary – Bruce Hake, Jr.
Treasurer – Ivan Wager
Steward – Joseph Sweener
Rescue Squad
President – Stanley Pettibone II
Vice President – Nanci-Anne Bogovich
Secretary – Cindy Calderwood
Treasurer – Sharon Clapp
Captain – Tammy Osterhout
Lieutenant – Barbara Staples
Ladies Auxiliary
President – Nanci-Anne Bogovich
Vice President – Shirley Wager
Secretary – Tena Harrington
Treasurer – Debby Maxon
Board of Commissioners
Chairman – Mark Primeau
Vice Chairman – Bruce Hake, Jr.
Secretary – Kathy Primeau
Treasurer – Donna Maxon
Directors – Joseph Sweener, Susan O’Neil
Following the awards, an evening of dancing followed with music provided by DJ Old Gold.

Battalion 5-0 Coordinator Cyril Grant (at rear) swears in the Berlin Fire Company officers for 2010. (David Flint photo)

TRACs Meeting On March 9

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:13:28 +0000

Representatives from the Sheriff’s Department and the New York State Police will attend the next meeting of our community drug and alcohol prevention coalition, TRACs, on Tuesday, March 9, at 5:30 pm at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Berlin. The group will discuss ways to work together to reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug abuse among teens in the community. Community members who are interested in learning more about how our towns can work more closely with local law enforcement are invited to attend. For more information, call 772-0024.

Hoosick ZBA Approves Business With Conditions

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:11:55 +0000

by Gary Danforth
The Town of Hoosick Zoning Board of Appeals meeting took place this past Monday evening, March 1, in the Hoosick Falls Armory with Chairman Jim Hoag calling the meeting to order at 7 pm. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Hoag opened a public hearing on the Haskins Fuel Service business wanting to change the use of its property on Route 22 in North Hoosick from residential use to use as a business office. Adjoining neighbors to the property had been contacted by the Board and asked to air any concerns regarding this issue.
Vicki Haskins explained to those present that the business’s main office was in Dorset, VT, with another office presently in Cambridge, NY. Fuel trucks and storage capacities were in those locations with the Haskinses only wanting to operate an office out of the North Hoosick location. She assured those present that there would be no fuel stored at the Hoosick location. The business has been in operation since 1946.
Hoag explained to the audience that the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) had been formed by the Town of Hoosick Board as a means to address zoning/land use issues within the township as they arose on a case by case basis. Wally Sheffer, also a member of the ZBA, said this process was new for all as this was only one of a handful of meetings, to date, which the ZBA had held. Abutting neighbors, this reporter, Elwood and Jeff Bentley and Dennis Whalen, all expressed concern whether fuel products would be stored on the premises and whether a leak could foul well waters and creek waters behind the properties of all said parties. Kendal Baker, a broker who was involved in the sale and purchase of the property from Burns to Haskins, said he had received verbal confirmation from other abutting neighbors, Mike Brewster and Josh Case, that they had no concerns regarding this project going forward. After Vicki Haskins again stated to abutting neighbors that no fuel would be stored on premises, they were reassured that this project was not a threat to their lands or the future value of those lands, which was also a concern expressed at this meeting.
Hoag then closed the public hearing portion of the meeting and opened the ZBA regular meeting, informing those present that they might wish to remain in attendance while the ZBA further discussed this issue.
The minutes of the January 4 and February 1, meetings were approved with corrections noted. Hoag explained that a full application package regarding the Haskins issue had been sent to the Town of Hoosick Planning Board and the Rensselaer County Planning Board. An advisory response received by the ZBA from the Town Planning Board stated that this project was taking place within a rural residential zone and not within a commercial zone. Hoag said the Planning Board opinion was not binding to the ZBA, which does not require Planning Board approval for this project. Hoag further stated that a “super majority” vote by the ZBA on any project could also override any County Planning Board or Town Planning Board objections as this was the way the law was presently written. ZBA attorney Mark McQuery was in attendance.
Next, the ZBA went over a short form environmental assessment form (EAF), passing a motion for a negative declaration, meaning there would be no adverse environmental effects of this project to the surrounding environment.
More discussion followed with ZBA members taking into account what the adjoining neighbors had to say. The old driveway on the property, much closer to a turn in Route 22 south of the property, would be eliminated for the safety of all traffic in the area. A new driveway had already been put into effect by Haskins. No storage of fuel oil or propane gas would be allowed on premises with delivery trucks only allowed on premises to pick up delivery slips to customers. Storage on premises for fuel would be limited to what is needed to supply the office itself for heat. The hours of operation of the office would be limited to 8 am to 5 pm. Only a 4 foot by 8 foot sign would be allowed, with no daily business pricing allowed on the sign as that would be considered advertisement for a business. The ZBA felt strongly that the premises “should look residential” as that is why they were considering allowing the special permit use in a residential zone. Three storage containers, containing Haskins’ effects from a prior business venture, would need to be removed from the premises within one year with the Town Building Inspector checking on it. There was more discussion about allowing daily pricing on an existing sign, and the ZBA said this could not appear as it would make the premises look like a retail outlet rather than an office, which is the way the ZBA was considering the use of this once residential property.
After more than an hour of discussion on this issue, the ZBA voted 3-1 to allow this special permit for an office in a residential zone. It should be noted that the ZBA meets, when necessary, the first Monday of the month, the Town of Hoosick Board meets the second Monday of the month and the Planning Board meets the third Monday of the month.
The busy, thought provoking, meeting ended at 8:05 pm.

Figure Skaters Of The Future

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:10:19 +0000

Girl Scout Troop #1070 started off its winter vacation ice skating at HVCC on February 13. The girls received an ice-skating patch for attending. They had a lot of fun. Photo courtesy of Amy Reger.

Kianna Returns On Valentine’s Day

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:07:53 +0000

by Mary Lou Walters
Over the past four months, hundreds have been praying for Kianna Nikkole (Walters) McCaughlin. She is the daughter of Katarina Walters of Petersburgh and Johnathan McCaughlin of Cohoes. Her grandparents are John and April Walters Stevens of Petersburgh and David and Esther McCaughlin of Cohoes.
Kianna was delivered 7 weeks early and determined to have VANTERC Association. She was not expected to survive the first 24 hours, but God had other plans for her. After four rough months and several surgeries Kianna finally came home on Valentine’s Day. She weighed 5 lbs., 2 ounces at birth and, despite all she has been through, she tipped the scales at 10 pounds at discharge.

Kianna Walters McCaughlin with her parents Katarina Walters and Johnathan McCaughlin. Photo by Mary Lou Walters.

Katarina has been living at the Albany Ronald McDonald House to be near Kianna. Despite spending 16-20 hours a day with her baby she has been able to keep up with her school work. Johnathan, who has also been at Kianna’s side everyday, has managed to maintain high marks in school as well.
Katarina is thankful for all the support of their parents, her school and those who have been praying for Kianna. She is especially thankful for Mr. Lawrence, a Berlin Central School junior high teacher who tutored her six times a week. Thanks to his support, she plans to graduate and attend HVCC next fall. Witnessing the healing hands of the Albany Medical Center NICU nurses has led her to plan to become a NICU nurse herself.

McMahon Scores 1000th Career Point In Panthers’ Sectional Win

eastwickpress — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:04:34 +0000

by Gary Danforth
Six foot, six inch senior center/forward Kevin McMahon of Hoosick Falls Central School scored a game high fifteen points last Thursday evening, February 25, in the Panthers’ 55-28 Class C, Section II opening round win over the Waterford-Halfmoon Fordians. McMahon scored his 1000th career point in Hoosick Falls’ last home game of the season which saw HFCS raise its record to 16-3 on the year. Mike Lilac Jr.’s Panthers won their second consecutive WASAREN League championship during the 2009-10 year with the Panthers going 13-1 in league play. Ironically, Waterford had been a participant in the Hoosier Holiday Basketball Tourney in December, 2009, with HFCS winning the event and McMahon being named MVP. McMahon is the reigning MVP of the WASAREN League and a strong candidate to take home the same honor for the 2009-10 season.
HFCS broke out to leads of 12-10 and 27-16 at the first two quarter breaks. Then the Panthers outscored the visitors 17-8 in period three to take a commanding 44-24 lead while walking away to their 55-28 win.

Senior Kevin McMahon is greeted by teammates after scoring his 1000th career point in the Panthers first round sectional win against Waterford on Thursday, February 24. (Ryan Mosher photo)

McMahon got ample support from Tanner Williams with 14 points, Alex Lilac, 10, Quinn Rasmus, 6, John Hayden, 4, Hutton Rasmus, 4, and Sean Dingman with 2 points. Paul Dubrey with 14 points led the Fordian effort.
Rebounding from Afar: Defense wins championships and holding Waterford to 28 points was a good way to start a successful sectional run. You’ve got to be able to score against opposing defenses, and sharing the ball, making every player on the court at the same time a threat to score, is the way to get that accomplished.