by Kieron Kramer
At its meeting on March 10 the Rensselaer County Legislature passed six resolutions memorializing citizens of the County who had recently died. One of them was Dick Whalen of Hoosick Falls in whose memory the meeting was adjourned.
[private]The resolution says, “It is consistent with the duty of this Legislative Body to recognize the contributions of the citizens of Rensselaer County…It is with particularly deep sadness that we conclude this evening’s deliberations to pay tribute to the Honorable Richard “Dick” Patrick Whalen.”
According to the resolution Dick was born in Hoosick Falls, was the son of Patrick and Marie (McDonough) Whalen and attended schools in Hoosick Falls. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He had been employed at Zak Incorporated in Troy and retired from Flomatic Valve Company in North Hoosick. At the time of his death Dick was a Judge for the Town of Hoosick, a position he had held for many years. He was also the assessor for the Village of Hoosick Falls. He was active in his community as a member of the Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation Board of Directors and as a member of the Kiwanis Club.
The resolution says, “Richard will be missed by his family: his loving wife of 48 years, Joyce (McCarty) Whalen; his son, Kevin; sister-in-law, Kay (Jack); brothers-in-law, John (Irene) and Bill (Dayle); special life-long friends, Gail and Don Morin; nieces and nephews, Kelly, Matt, Cindy, Diane, Rosemary, Owen, Taylor, and Travis. Dick is predeceased by a sister-in-law, Elaine Henry.” The Rensselaer County Legislature concluded its deliberations in memory of Richard Whalen and extended 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 this resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of the Honorable Richard “Dick” Patrick Whalen.
Brian Howard Memorialized
Near the end of the meeting a resolution in remembrance of Brian F. Howard passed unanimously. According to the resolution Howard was born in Saranac Lake and was the son of the late Timothy and Mildred O’Neil Howard and the devoted husband of Janet Tolbert Howard. He was a graduate of St. Pius X High School in Saranac Lake and Paul Smith’s College, Potsdam State and the University of Albany. He began his career as a teacher in the Brittonkill School District and most recently retired as the superintendent of the Troy School District. Prior to that he was the interim superintendent for the Berlin School District and served in other administrative jobs in schools in the Capital District area.
The resolution says, “Brian F. Howard will be missed by his family: his wife, Janet; his children, Kate, Eamon and Annie; his brother, Patrick (Marge); his sisters, Shirley, Nancy (Rick), Norma and Joan; as well as several nieces and nephews.”
The Clerk of the Legislature will transmit a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, to the family of Brian F. Howard.
Payments For Snow And Ice Removal Increased
A resolution passed in 2013 authorized the County of Rensselaer to enter into agreements with the Towns of Brunswick, East Greenbush, Petersburgh, Poestenkill, Schaghticoke and Schodack and with the City of Troy for snow plowing, salting and sand application on various segments of County roads for the period of October 1, 2013, through April 30, 2014. The payments made to these municipalities was not to exceed $80,000, but an above average number of snow storms during the contract period resulted in the authorized expenditure for snow plowing, salting and sand application on County roads being underestimated. The County Highway Department sought authorization to amend the total amount of the authorized expenditure to account for the additional snow plowing, salting and sand application, thus allowing for payment of various outstanding invoices. At the March 10 meeting the total amount of authorized expenditures was amended to $95,634.21 and is retroactive to the actual date that materials and/or services were provided.
Stephentown Tax Roll Corrected
A tax levy upon a parcel owned by Joyce Evans in Stephentown has been declared the result of a duplicate assessment by the Stephentown Assessor for the 2014 Final Assessment Roll, thereby rendering the tax due unenforceable and uncollectable. Pursuant to Article 5, Section 558 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law the County Legislature, at its March 10 meeting, directed the cancellation of this tax since the lien of such tax is rendered permanently unenforceable and uncollectable by operation of any statute. The Rensselaer County Chief Fiscal Officer was authorized and directed to correct the 2015 Town of Stephentown Tax Roll by removing the duplicate assessment and to chargeback the appropriate amount to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions.[/private]