The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Member Exclusive

State of the County Address

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Submitted by the Office of County Executive Steve McLaughlin
On Thursday, March 16th, after a two day postponement due to severe weather, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin gave his 2023 State of the County Address (SOTC). With residents and members of the County Legislature in attendance, McLaughlin discussed how Rensselaer County government is being transformed with improvements and projects to modernize and expand access to county services, while the county continues to grow and prosper.

The county’s work to strengthen finances and reduce property taxes help support economic development and job creation efforts, reducing property taxes during each of the five budgets introduced by McLaughlin, with four budgets receiving unanimous support from county lawmakers. Taxes have been reduced by a combined amount of over 27 percent.

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HACA Braces for Benefits Decrease

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Submitted by Dianne Hosterman
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) emergency allotments (EAs), which are temporary benefit increases that Congress enacted to address rising food insecurity, and provide economic stimulus during the COVID-19 pandemic, have ended. This will result in a benefit cut for every SNAP household in the jurisdictions that still are paying EAs. Every household will receive at least $87 a month less. Some households, who under regular SNAP rules receive low benefits because they have somewhat higher, but still modest incomes, will see reductions of $248 a month or more. 

The temporary benefits pushed back against hunger and hardship during the pandemic. A study estimated that EAs kept 4.2 million people above the poverty line in the last quarter of 2021, reducing poverty by 10 percent, and child poverty by 14 percent, in states with EAs. The end of the temporary EAs will be a significant change that will increase food hardship for many individuals and families, given the modest amount of basic SNAP benefits and high recent inflation in food prices. Without the EAs, SNAP benefits will average only about $6.10 per person per day in 2023.

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New EPA PFAS Ruling Affects Residents

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Submitted by the Petersburgh C8 (PFAS) Group
On March 14th, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new rules for the regulation of the toxic chemicals PFOA/PFAS that are affecting the health of people in our communities. Although still in the proposal stage, it is expected that they will become law. The Petersburgh C8 (PFAS) Group applauds this news because it puts more pressure on polluters to stop releasing toxins into our drinking water and helps protect our health.

Currently in New York State, water is considered safe to drink and is not regulated if the level of PFOA/PFAS is below 10 parts per trillion (ppt). But many studies have shown that extremely low levels of these chemicals—anything above zero—can cause health problems. The EPA now says that PFOA/PFAS must be removed from drinking water if the level is above 4 ppt. This is important news for Petersburgh as well as many other communities in our state and the rest of the country.

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Letter to the Editor

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Written and Submitted by Joyce N. Davis
In a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-licensed dog breeding facility, a young Golden Retriever suffered without fresh food, water, or the veterinary care she desperately needed. She died in a dirty cage and never experienced a safe, loving home. Golden Retriever #142 was more than just a number, so we remember her as Goldie.

Goldie was one of hundreds of dogs kept in horrific conditions at this puppy mill. USDA inspectors had the authority to save Goldie and penalize her breeder, but instead, they just documented her deterioration month after month. The USDA’s inaction failed Goldie, and they continue to fail dogs today.

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Grafton Town Board Highlights

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by Chris Tergliafera

At the Monday, March 13th regular meeting of the Grafton Town Board, Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum announced her committee appointments for 2023. The following board members were appointed:

Public Safety - Councilmembers Steve Beaudry and Pierce Hoyt
Parks and Cemeteries - Councilmembers Jodie Deschaine and Pierce Hoyt
Highways - Councilmembers Steve Beaudry and Pierce Hoyt
Buildings and Grounds - Councilmembers Frank Lewandusky and Steve Beaudry
Street Lighting - Councilmembers Frank Lewandusky and Steve Beaudry

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Job Fair and Volunteer Expo

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Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church is excited to announce that they will be sponsoring their first ever Community Job Fair and Volunteer Expo on Tuesday, April 25th, from noon to 3 pm. This event will take place at the Hoosick Falls Armory, 80 Church Street. If you are a business looking to hire, or a community organization looking for volunteers, we invite you to come.

If you are looking for a job or volunteer opportunity, want to boost your job skills, learn a trade, or need help with your resume, stop in and check out the opportunities that will be offered. There is no cost.

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Nor’easter Hammers Region

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Leaves Tens of Thousands Without Power
Local, county, and state highway officials, as well as field technicians tasked with restoring power had their work cut out for them earlier this week, as a massive, multi-day nor’easter hammered Rensselaer and surrounding counties with rain, wind, and heavy snow. The storm dumped as much as three feet in some areas, making travel difficult, if not impossible, and knocking out power for tens of thousands in the region. 

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DEC Issues Final Water Quality Guidance to Regulate PFOAs

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Submitted by the NYSDEC
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced the issuance of final water quality guidance values to regulate Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and 1,4-Dioxane (1,4-D) in New York State waters. The finalized guidance values support the state’s ongoing efforts to protect public health, as well as the environment, and to prevent exposure to emerging contaminants through the protection of drinking water sources. Additionally, the new guidance values for PFOS and 1,4-Dioxane provide protection for aquatic life. 

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