by Kieron Kramer
An Inspiration
The family of Sylvester “Si” Close appeared in the well of the Rensselaer County Legislature during the presentation period on Tuesday to receive copies of the resolution passed last month honoring his memory. Close died on March 9 at the age of 84 after a life filled with community service. Vivian Close, Si’s wife of 61 years, his son, Rev. John L. Close, both of Stephentown, and Close’s daughter, Jean M. and her husband Stephen Kosche of Shaftsbury, VT, listened to District 5
Legislator Lester Goodermote, who represents the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Grafton, Petersburgh, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, read the resolution. Among other community activities, Close was a member of the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department since 1949, where he held many positions including Chief from 1969 to 1976 and Fire Commissioner since 1978. He also served the Town of Stephentown as Town Clerk from 1974 until 1993. Si was a member of the New York State and Rensselaer County Fire Chiefs Association, past member and Vice-President of the Rensselaer County Town Clerks Association, a former Assistant Scout Leader from 1961 to 1967, a member of the Stephentown Republican Club and a member of the Veterans of Stephentown.
Close’s son, the Rev John Close, commented on his father’s life. “Si was always a person of service, always involved in community or civic service of some sort,” he said. “It comes from being a country boy – neighbor watches neighbor. My hope is that he inspired others to continue in that service that is so desperately needed, especially in our rural communities. I wish to express my thanks for this recognition of his service,” Rev. Close added.
Am I Really Fifteen?
Showing remarkable sophistication and aplomb, Kelsey O’Dell received a copy of the resolution passed last month commending her on her publication of the book Dear Diary, Am I Really Thirteen? from Vice Chairman of the Legislature, representing District 5, Stan Brownell. After reading the resolution,
Brownell asked O’Dell some questions about her writing about her being thirteen. Like an author at any level of accomplishment would, O’Dell rejected the premise offered by one who hadn’t read her book. “Hi,” she said, “I’m actually fifteen now. The book is about a fictional character named Ellen who goes through a lot of experiences, some I just made up; that’s what fiction is.” Then O’Dell made a simple but profound point. “It’s important to do the things that you want to do even if you are afraid and no matter how hard they are to do, like speaking here,” she said. This is a lesson for everyone of all ages.
Goodermote had the last word. He told O’Dell, “You did a great job; that you published this book is a great stride in your life. Keep Up the good work. I hope we’ll see you here again,” he said.
Dyken Pond Center Contract
During the business period of the legislative session a resolution authorizing a contract with Cornell Cooperative Extension for services to be rendered to the Dyken Pond Center passed unanimously. The 2010 Rensselaer County Adopted Budget provides appropriations for the recreation and education of the children of the County, and parties desiring of availing themselves of these funds must be approved by the Department of Youth. The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center is a bureau under the Rensselaer County Department for Youth and has among its duties youth development and delinquency prevention projects. A youth project will be undertaken to provide youth environmental programs at Dyken Pond Center from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. The Cornell Cooperative Extension proposes to offer the educational programs by providing a natural resources educator and support materials, to work on-site from January through December of 2010. The fiscal impact of this resolution shall not exceed the sum of $8,900 for professional services and shall be paid from the Rensselaer County Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center to the Cornell Cooperative Extension for presenting its programs. Goodermote abstained from this vote because he was appointed last month to be the Legislature’s representative to the Board of the CCE.
Johnsonville Bridge
The Legislature, acting as the lead agency, declared in a SEQR review, that there is negative environmental impact, that is to say no adverse environmental impact, in the proposed replacement of the County Road 111 bridge, also known as the Johnsonville Bridge, over the Hoosic River in the towns of Pittstown and Schaghticoke. The project will remove and replace a truss bridge eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. In spite of this, the NYS Historic Preservation Office and the Federal Highway Administration concurred that historic documentation of the bridge will mitigate the adverse effect on historic and archeological resources. The resolution that passed Tuesday declared that the project requires no additional environmental review under SEQR.
Mortgage Tax Distribution
A resolution providing for the distribution of mortgage tax was passed at this session. The Rensselaer County Clerk has paid the Chief Fiscal Officer $1,319,609.49 which represents the local share of mortgage tax collection for the period October 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010. This is a decrease of $224,878 from last year and more than $624,000 from two years ago. The sum is due and owing to the cities, towns and villages of Rensselaer County. Municipalities in eastern Rensselaer County will receive the following amounts:
current last year
Berlin $8,825.70 $10,981
Brunswick $125,077.63 $156,055.86
Grafton $24,559.83 $25,031.20
Hoosick $35,190.20 $41,258.31
Village of Hoosick Falls $7,289.52 $8,486.46
Nassau $40,624.84 $34,732.58
Village of Nassau $4,433.10 $3,800.99
Village of East Nassau $2,764.12 $2,381.24
Petersburgh $5,908.21 $13,989.91
Pittstown $38,501.05 $52,298.20
Poestenkill $39,450.98 $58,999.72
Sand Lake $102,069.09 $124,970.56
Stephentown $15,364.88 $20,629.96.
Agricultural Stewardship Association
The Legislature passed a resolution requesting that the Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) continue to provide assistance with project development for the Purchase of Development Rights Program and management and administrative services for development rights on selected farms in the County. The County will enter into a contract with ASA to continue to provide management and administrative services for Rensselaer County’s Farmland Protection Program. The total amount to be expended over the life of the agreement shall not exceed $20,000. The Administrative Stewardship Assoc. of Greenwich has been instrumental in obtaining farmland protection grants for the Evergreen, the Maple Lane and Hooskip farms in Petersburgh as well as the Philpott Farm in Hoosick and the Stone Wall Hill Farm in Stephentown.
Hoosick Falls CC Is 100
A resolution commending the Hoosick Falls Country Club upon celebrating its one hundredth anniversary passed unanimously at this session. The resolution stated, “It is customary for this Legislative Body to recognize outstanding contributions and achievements of businesses throughout Rensselaer County…it is the intent of this Legislative Body to convey its compliments and felicitations to the Hoosick Falls Country Club upon celebrating its one hundredth anniversary.”
According to the resolution, the Hoosick Falls CC was established in April of 1910 on forty acres of land donated by Walter A. Wood. This Country Club is tucked in the corner of the Village of Hoosick Falls. The original membership of 42 now boasts over 150 members. On Sunday, June 6, the members and residents of Hoosick Falls will be celebrating the one hundredth anniversary at an open house on Richmond Avenue. A copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, will be presented to the Hoosick Falls Country Club.
Parcel Returned To Owners
The Legislature passed a resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute all documents necessary to accept maintenance jurisdiction of 0.84 acres of land located approximately 200 feet north of the intersection of NY Route 2 and White Church Road in Brunswick from the State of New York. The parcel will then be transferred by the County to Judith Fitzgerald, Joanne Latham and Jill Winters, who have represented themselves as the owners in fee of the parcel which is encumbered by certain abandoned highway rights-of-way, including but not limited to a portion of the Eagle Mills-Clums Corners S.H. 631 (NY Route 2) The New York State Department of Transportation has agreed to abandon such jurisdiction to the County of Rensselaer in anticipation of a conveyance to the owners.
In Memory Of Reverend Harold D. Carrier, Ph.D
The Legislature adjourned the May meeting in memory of Reverend Harold D. Carrier, Ph.D. The adjourning resolution said, “It is the intent of this Legislative Body to express sincerest sorrow upon the death of Rev. Harold D. ‘Hap’ Carrier, Ph.D.”
According to the resolution, Hap was born and raised in Troy and, in 1965, graduated from Catholic Central High School. He received a B.A. degree from Niagara University, a master’s degree from RPI, two Ph.D. degrees from SUNY and RPI, and a master’s of theology and a master’s of divinity degree from St. Bernard’s Institute in Rochester. For the past six years, Fr. Carrier was rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Troy. He was also a member of the Commission on Ministry and the former vicar of All Saints Church in Hoosick for three years.