by Kieron Kramer
Connor McCart and his family appeared in the well of the Rensselaer County Legislature during the presentation period of the Legislature’s session on Tuesday, August 10. McCart had been honored in a resolution passed last month recognizing his achievement of being chosen to compete in Yankee Stadium on June 19 in Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit and Run Competition and for capturing second place in his age group.
Connor McCart, a twelve year old from Hoosick Falls, was a starting pitcher for the Man of Kent baseball team in the Town of Hoosick Baseball League. He trained at home on a pitching board made for him by his grandfather,
Keith Armstrong. He qualified for the trip to the Bronx by winning a regional competition held in East Greenbush. Next year, he plans to try to qualify for the national Pitch, Hit and Run competition in Bennington because he is a diehard Boston Red Sox fan and would like to go to Fenway Park for this competition.
Legislator Stan Brownell made the presentation, accompanied by Legislator Lester Goodermote. Brownell told McCart, “We’re proud of you. There was a real buzz around town, ‘How did Connor do?’” For his part Connor said, “Thank you for having me here.”
Modification of Ag
District #4 (Hoosick)
Before the meeting on Tuesday a three minute public hearing was held on proposed modifications to Agricultural District #4 (Hoosick). There were no speakers.
According to the resolution, which was passed during the regular meeting, the County Planning Department and the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board have filed their joint recommendations, relative to the eight year review of this Agricultural District with the Legislature. In accordance with the Agriculture and Markets Law of the State of New York, the Legislature finds that:
(1) Within the district as recommended to be modified, the number of participating farms and farm acreage is consistent with and substantially furthers the objective of encouraging and protecting viable farming in the area, for which Agricultural District #4 was originally created;
(2) The district has since its creation been of substantial assistance to a majority of participating farmers in maintaining an active farm economy in the area;
(3) Continuation of this district is consistent with the County’s important agricultural economy and predominantly rural pattern of development, and
(4) The district deters local government adoption of land use regulations unduly restrictive of normal farm activities, supports orderly patterns of community development and helps to sustain active farming for its important economic and environmental values.
No acreage is being removed from the Ag District; 49.25 acres are being added. The parcel of 49.25 acres is owned by Eleanor G. Fairbanks and, according to Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, the Legislators who represent Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Petersburgh, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, is located on Windy Hill Road in the Town of Hoosick. The resolution authorizing the modification was passed 18-0 with Lester Goodermote abstaining because he owns two parcels in the Ag District.
In Memory Of Timothy “T-Bone” Dwyer
A resolution was passed unanimously adjourning the Legislative session in the memory of Timothy “T-Bone” Dwyer, a prominent and well-liked member of the Hoosick Falls community who died on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
The resolution says, “It is consistent with the duty of this Legislative Body to recognize the contributions of citizens of Rensselaer County…we remember with deepest respect and admiration the life of an individual whose singular example has enriched the lives of his fellow citizens…it is the intent of this Legislative Body to express sincerest sorrow upon the death of Timothy “T-Bone” Dwyer.”
According to the resolution, Dwyer was born and raised in Hoosick Falls and was the son of John R. “Jack” Dwyer and the late Eileen M. Bogardus Dwyer. He graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School, and he attended college in Miami, Florida.
T-Bone Dwyer was the owner of T-Bone’s Bar & Grill in Hoosick Falls, an avid Green Bay Packer fan and enjoyed golfing at the Hoosick Falls Country Club.
“Timothy “T-Bone” Dwyer will be missed by his family – his father, John Dwyer, his three brothers, Robert and wife Jo Ann, John and Phillip, his nieces and nephews, Colleen Bell, Keely Dwyer-Matzky, Kevin Dwyer, Michaela Dwyer and Dustin Dwyer, as well as many friends and acquaintances,” the resolution says.
The resolution ends by saying that the Rensselaer County Legislature pauses “in its deliberations this evening to pay tribute to Timothy “T-Bone” Dwyer, a man whose legacy will continue in this county for many, many years to come.” A copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, will be transmitted to the family of Timothy “T-Bone” Dwyer.
Sole Sources
A resolution giving several County businesses sole source status as suppliers representing manufacturers of highway equipment passed at this session.
The resolution says, “The Rensselaer County Highway Department has established that various manufacturers of heavy-duty equipment have restricted the distribution of parts and authorized factory service through certain vendors within a reasonable geographic area of the County Highway Department, thereby eliminating any opportunity to obtain competitive quotes for original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts and authorized service.” According to the resolution, the Highway Department must maintain its heavy equipment and make repairs, often without delay, in order to keep County highways and bridges in good repair for use by County residents and to safeguard the commerce that flows over County highways on a daily basis.
The Highway Department, subject to estimated annual expenditures, is authorized to obtain OEM parts and repairs without submitting additional sole source justification and in each instance expenditures for incidental parts/supplies and labor which are not OEM but necessary to complete an OEM repair, shall be allowed providing that said parts/supplies and labor do not exceed the quotation guidelines as stipulated in the County’s Purchasing Procedures. This authorization is effective August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011.
Zwack, Inc. of Stephentown is the authorized manufacturer’s representative in the Capital District of Everest and CompuSpread equipment. Purchase orders from the County for parts and repair services will be placed with Zwack in the amount of $10,000 for the County’s Everest equipment and $20,000 for the CompuSpread equipment.
September Meeting Date Changed
The Legislature voted at Tuesday’s meeting to change the date of the September Legislative meeting to Wednesday, September 15, because Tuesday, September 14, is Primary Election Day. The rules of the Legislature state that when a meeting falls on Primary Election Day the meeting shall be held the day after at its regular time.