Two Locals Honored By The Rensselaer County Legislature

by Kieron Kramer
Resolutions honoring two citizens from eastern Rensselaer county were passed at the Rensselaer County Legislature’s meeting on Tuesday evening. One citizen, in the prime of life, was recognized for his service to the community and his potential for the future. The other was memorialized for a long life well lived and decades of commitment to his community.
Carl Greene Commended
A resolution commending Carl Greene for service to the Town of Berlin and wishing him well on the start of his seminary studies passed unanimously.
The resolution commending Greene says, “This Legislative Body has long endeavored to recognize those individuals who by their service, talent and dedication help make Rensselaer County a better place…Carl Greene has served as a member of the Berlin Town Board and has been accepted for studies at the Bethel Seminary…The studies at the Bethel Seminary preclude Carl from continuing his service on the Berlin Town Board, and he has thoughtfully stepped aside, effective December 31, 2010, to allow the Board to choose a successor…Carl Greene has been thanked by his fellow members on the Berlin Town Board for his service…This Legislative Body commends Carl for his service to the Town and the County…Along with his public service, Carl operates Mapledale Farm in Berlin with his brother John and members of his family and has been an active supporter of County efforts to promote farming and protect farmland and open space…This Legislative Body recognizes the service and contributions of Carl Greene as a member of the Berlin Town Board and further recognizes his desire to continue serving the community through his studies at the Bethel Seminary.”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of the resolution, suitably engrossed, to Carl Greene.
In Memoriam Of John “Jack” Dwyer
A resolution In Memoriam of John “Jack” Dwyer was passed unanimously Tuesday evening.
The resolution reads, “It is customary for this Legislative Body to pay honor and respect to persons who have had a great impact and influence on the citizens of this County; it is with particularly deep sadness that we conclude this evening’s deliberations in honor of John ‘Jack’ Dwyer.” Jack Dwyer died on December 5, 2010.
According to the resolution, Jack Dwyer was born in Hoosick Falls on July 2, 1926, and was the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Nolan) Dwyer. He was married for forty-nine years to the late Eileen (Bogardus) Dwyer. He was a graduate and Salutatorian of St. Mary’s Academy, Class of 1943. Jack was a veteran of WW II serving with the United States Navy and New York State Guard. He completed Boot Camp in Sampson, NY, and Gunny School in Newport, RI, before reporting for duty aboard the USS Bonne Homme Richard Aircraft Carrier. Eventually he was transferred to the Destroyer USS Baldwin for deployment in the Pacific-Asiatic theater. He received the WW II Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, American Theater and WW II Victory Medals. Dwyer worked for the Wood Flong (Lydall) Corporation of Hoosick Falls for approximately forty-five years and the Rensselaer County Department of Aging for fifteen years. He was active in his community. He was a lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church, a member of the American Legion, and he served his community as a Trustee on the Hoosick Falls Village Board for ten years.
The resolution says, “John ‘Jack’ Dwyer will be missed by his family – his sons, Robert J. (JoAnn) Dwyer, John R. Dwyer Jr. and Phillip T. (Vicki) Dwyer, his grandchildren, Colleen (Mathew) Bell, Keely (Karl) Dwyer-Matzky, Kevin (Cathy) Dwyer and Michaela Dwyer and Dustin, his great-grandchildren, Kayleigh, Samuel, Makenna, Jack, Kieran, Keegan, Kirsten, Kaela and Kaden, his sister, Elizabeth Dwyer; his sister-in-law, Bettie and husband Edward Zilinskas, as well as his numerous nieces and nephews…The Rensselaer County Legislature concludes its deliberations in memory of John ‘Jack’ Dwyer and extends its deepest sympathy to his family, fully confident that his contributions to his community will live on to serve as a legacy for all.”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of the resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of John “Jack” Dwyer.
New Outdoor Wood Boiler Regulations
The Legislature passed a resolution requesting reconsideration of the new State regulations on outdoor wood boilers (OWBs). According to the resolution, the use of outdoor wood boilers by many families in Rensselaer County in order to help to heat homes and small businesses has increased as utility costs and prices for home heating fuel continue to increase during difficult economic times. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has adopted strict new regulations for outdoor wood boilers. These new regulations are expected to present difficulties for families and small businesses using outdoor wood boilers and are opposed by the New York Farm Bureau due to the impact of the new regulations on rural families, farms and agricultural businesses. These new regulations were adopted by DEC without additional public comment, and the new regulations have prompted substantial comments from residents, farmers and small business owners. Along with not providing for needed public comment on the issue, the new regulations were also adopted in the final days of a gubernatorial and legislative term of office and should be considered during the new term of office.
According to the DEC, the regulations for new outdoor wood boilers sold in the State will ensure that the new models will burn 90% cleaner than old ones. The regulations require that OWB stacks are high enough to disperse emissions rather than having them blow directly into houses and other dwellings. The DEC believes that the regulations make “appropriate exceptions for farming operations.”
New OWBs will be required to be set back a minimum of 100 feet from neighboring properties except for OWBs used in agricultural operations, which must be at least 100 feet from neighboring homes. Both new and existing OWBs will be subject to fuel restrictions that ensure that only appropriate fuels are used.
The DEC maintains that the “provisions in the regulations that phase out the use of older OWBs and place restrictions on their use in the interim have been removed and will be addressed through a new public stakeholder process to develop a revised regulatory framework to address concerns of residents impacted by the operation of such units.”
Two Other Resolutions Of Interest
The Legislature authorized the County to sell to the Town of Poestenkill a parcel of land formerly owned by Marsha B. Connell that the County acquired title to in 2008 because of property tax delinquency. Poestenkill wants the parcel for “municipal purposes” and will pay the County $5,000. If the parcel ceases to be used by the Town of Poestenkill for public benefit the title will revert back to Rensselaer County.
At this session former Chairman of the Legislature, Neil Kelleher, was appointed a Trustee of Hudson Valley Community College for a term to expire on June 30, 2017.
What Will They Think Of Next?
A resolution seeking statewide restrictions on the sale and use of salvia was passed at this session. According to the resolution, there have been recent reports of the use of salvia, also known as diviner’s sage, including use by minors, with access to salvia generally accomplished via sales through the internet. The use of salvia can result in dissociative effects and hallucinatory experiences which can cause dangerous behavior or accidents, especially in young people. Sale or use of salvia is not currently regulated by Federal drug laws, despite reports of use in various segments of the population. The Legislature believes that New York State should conduct a review of the issue and implement restrictions on the sale and use of salvia.
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit certified copies of this resolution to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Roy McDonald, Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, Assemblyman Tony Jordan and Assemblyman Steve McLaughiin.
Want Ad Digest Publisher Honored In Memoriam
A resolution was passed at the special session of the Legislature on December 21 adjourning that meeting in memory of William A. Engelke, who died on November 19, 2010. At this evening’s session the Engelke family appeared in the well of the Legislature to receive copies of the resolution. Engelke was born in Brooklyn, NY, and served in the Coast Guard from 1943 to 1946. In 1962 he founded the Want Ad Digest in Brunswick with his wife Rose. He was a member of the Brunswick Elks, the Kiwanis Club of Troy and of the Center Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church.
Just Call Scott
In an interview after the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Legislature Stan Brownell commended the County Highway Department for its quick response in repairing the bridge on Elm Street in Berlin after the NYS Department of Transportation, during its biennial inspection, flagged it in early December, resulting in a load limit for vehicles using the bridge. The restriction forced large trucks going to Hoosick River Hardwoods to take a longer route that passed by the Berlin Elementary School. The County Highway Department had the bridge repaired by late December under the leadership of Deputy County Engineer for Highway Operations Scott Gallerie, Brownell said. “Call him if you want to get stuff done,” said Legislator Lester Goodermote, who represents the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Grafton, Petersburgh, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls.