by Kieron Kramer
The families of three eastern Rensselaer County citizens who were memorialized by resolutions at last month’s Rensselaer County Legislative session came to the presentation period at the County meeting on May 14. The three citizens are the young fire fighter from Berlin, Steve Kellar, the beloved school bus driver and former Hoosick Falls Councilman, John “Ersel” Hickey, and Ray Darling, Sr., the Supervisor of the Town of Grafton at his death. The presentations to the families of deceased pillars of the community, those who have made the history of the County, are quite emotional and moving.
[private]District Five Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, who represent the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, made the presentations. Brownell read from the resolutions and added some personal comments about each of the deceased.
In Memory Of Stephen J. Kellar
According to the resolution Steve was born in Bennington, VT, and was a lifelong resident of Berlin. In 1983, he graduated from Berlin Central High School, and on July 5, 1983, Steve enlisted in the United States Army. He worked at W. J. Cowee, Co., Inc. after being honorably discharged and had various jobs through the years. Active in his community, he was a member of the Berlin United Methodist Church, a life member of the Berlin Volunteer Fire Co., a former member of the Rensselaer County Auxiliary Police and the Berlin Rescue Squad.
A pillar of the Berlin community, Stephen J. Kellar died on February 12, 2013, from kidney disease at the much too young age of 47. Brownell said, “Steve battled a tough, very courageous battle with the disease. The Berlin community and the eastern Rensselaer County community all came together with fundraisers – we thought we had got there, and he was well on his way it looked like. But nobody is guaranteed tomorrow. He surely loved his family. Thank you for sharing him with us.”
In Memory Of John Hickey
“Many of us in eastern Rensselaer County ask who the heck is John Hickey?” Brownell said, “we all knew him as Ersel.” Hickey, died on February 25, 2013. According to the resolution Ersel was born in Hoosick Falls, graduated from St. Mary’s Academy, where he later coached basketball, worked at St. Gobain in Hoosick Falls and drove a school bus for the Hoosick Falls Central School. Active in his community, he served on the Village Board, the Youth Center Board and the Hoosick Federal Credit Union Board.
“Ersel Hickey was quite a man about town,” Brownell said, “He loved his cars; he loved his motorcycle, and he loved the big yellow bus that he drove [for 30 years], and the kids loved him.” “This year the Hick was supposed to be the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and I know things happened,” Brownell added. “He was smiling down on all of us; he loved Hoosick Falls sports.” The fall and winter athletic achievements of the Hoosick Falls Central School was a theme of the parade this year.
In an interview after the meeting Brownell said that there probably wasn’t a golfer whom Ersel didn’t take with him in his motor home to golf courses all over the east. And he really loved the trip to the Grand Canyon last July with the whole Hickey family; they had T-shirts made up, Brownell said.
In Memory Of Ray L. Darling, Sr.
Ray Darling, Sr. died on February 22, 2013, from complications from a heart valve operation he underwent in May of 2012. He was the Town of Grafton Supervisor at the time.
According to the resolution, Darling was born in Troy and was the husband of the late Carole Taplin Darling. He was a graduate of Tamarac High School, Class of 1962, and earned his A.A.S. in construction technology in 1964 from Hudson Valley Community College. He served in the United States Army Reserve for years, including during the Vietnam era. Ray owned and operated Ray L. Darling, Inc., his own construction company that he began in Johnstown and then operated in Grafton. Ray served on the Grafton Beautification Committee as well as at the Grafton Historical Society. He was an 11-time professional world champion arm wrestler. He was an ambassador, mentor and coach for the sport including coaching Team USA at various competitions throughout the world. Through his commitment to the sport of arm wrestling and to his community, Ray also sponsored many fundraising events for various organizations.
This month a fundraiser was held in Ray’s memory. On May 11 in Stephentown an arm wrestling competition raised $2,000 for the American Heart Association a family member said in response to Brownell’s question about the event. Brownell singled out Ray’s fiancé, Jodie Deschaine. “Jodie is a meals on wheels deliverer, and I have to publicly thank you from our seniors. My parents alone love you dearly. Keep up the good work,” Brownell said. To the entire family Brownell said, “Ray accomplished a lot in his life, but he was taken way too soon. Thank you for sharing him with us.” Ray Darling was 68 years old.
The Future
A resolution commending Lindsey McMahon of Petersburgh upon being crowned the 2013-2014 Rensselaer County Dairy Princess was passed at the Legislature’s meeting on Tuesday, May 14.
The resolution says, “Our youth of today is our leadership of tomorrow and to recognize the accomplishments of those who are exceptional will inspire others to emulate their achievements, ensuring a brighter future for our community…it is the intent of this Legislative Body to acknowledge with profound respect and admiration, Lindsey McMahon, who was recently honored by being named the 2013-2014 Rensselaer County Dairy Princess…The Rensselaer County Dairy Princess is reviewed by a judging committee to insure that the chosen young woman can embark on an experience that is meaningful for her personally, enhances her community in some way and is consistent with the meaning of the dairy experience in her life…This award recognizes accomplishment, growth and the pursuit of multifaceted endeavors that involve young women who exhibit a knowledge of the dairy industry as well as a willingness to serve as a Dairy Ambassador while developing leadership skills and contributing to the dairy community.”
According to the resolution, the name of Lindsey McMahon has been added to the roster of successful young women who have achieved the unique distinction of Dairy Princess. This merited award is tangible evidence of Lindsey’s high character and commitment. The Legislature shall inscribe upon its records this tribute to Lindsey McMahon so that future generations may know and appreciate her admirable character, her many achievements and the respect and esteem in which she is held. Lindsey McMahon is commended for her outstanding achievement which symbolizes our shared commitment to the ideals of community, volunteer and public service which are part of our American Heritage.
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon.
Berlin Tax Roll Corrected
Because the Berlin Lumber property located in the Town of Berlin was acquired by the Town of Berlin on December 14, 2012 with the intention of using it as a Town Hall, which constitutes a public use as defined in Article 4 of the NYS Real Property Tax Law, the Town of Berlin passed a resolution waving the Town’s portion of the 2013 Town of Berlin tax. Real property owned by a municipal corporation within its corporate limits held for a public use is exempt from taxation and special ad valorem levies and special assessments. At this meeting the County Legislature passed a resolution directing the cancellation of any tax that is rendered unenforceable and uncollectable and authorized the Rensselaer County Chief Fiscal Officer to correct the Berlin Tax Roll for 2013 by removing the unenforceable tax and to chargeback the appropriate amounts to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions.
Hoosick Tax Roll Corrected
Based upon the recommendation of the Director of the Bureau of Tax Services and pursuant to Article 5, Section 556 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law, it was determined that an error exists regarding the taxes levied in 2011 and 2012 on a parcel on Johnson Hill Road in the Town if Hoosick owned by Bruce E. Church. In a resolution at this meeting the Rensselaer County Chief Fiscal Officer was directed to correct the Town of Hoosick Tax Roll for Chutch’s parcel and issue a refund. Church paid $5,781.37 in taxes in 2012 and will now receive a $1,376.73 refund. In 2011 he paid $5,462.93 and will receive a $1,307.78 for that year.
Three Bridges
The Legislature passed resolutions amending the 2013 Adopted Rensselaer County to accommodate the reconstruction of three bridges in Eastern Rensselaer County. All three projects are funded by Federal aid and State “Marchiselli” Program aid. Federal aid will fund 80% of the projects, and State aid will cover the remaining 20%.
One project is the reconstruction of the Sand Bank Road Bridge over the Little Hoosic River in Berlin. The sum of $257,100 is being made available to cover the cost of participation in the beginning phases of the project.
Another project is the replacement of the bridge on CR 111, the Pittstown-Johnsonville Road, over the Hoosick River in the Towns of Pittstown and Schaghticoke. The sum of $262,800 has already been appropriated to cover the cost of participation in the preliminary engineering and right-of-way incidentals phase. An additional sum of $53,100 has already been appropriated to cover additional costs in the preliminary engineering phase. Erdman Anthony and Associates, Inc. has been hired for this work.
A third project is the reconstruction of the Plank Road Bridge over the Deep Kill.
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 $1,853,343.05 which represents the local share of mortgage tax collection for the period October 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013. This is an increase of $357,642.80 over the same period last year. 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 $12,602.47 $12,751.31
Brunswick $178,158.28 $159,886.80
Grafton $71,278.60 $20,901.87
Hoosick $52,319 $28,855.92
Village of Hoosick Falls $10,888.80 $5,996.62
Nassau $46,398.10 $37,626.62
Village of Nassau $4,966.89 $4,051.11
Village of East Nassau $3,117.68 $2,526.64
Petersburgh $10,704.18 $5,879.92
Pittstown $59,021.27 $51,311.42
Poestenkill $74,376.95 $61,456.96
Sand Lake $110,089.24 $118,483.59
Stephentown $26,061.61 $71,553.54
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