The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Grafton

Holiday Balsam Fir Wreaths To Benefit The Friends Of The Dyken Pond Center

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The Friends of the Dyken Pond Center are selling balsam fir wreaths. Each 18 inch wreath will be packed full of aromatic balsam fir, pine cones, a large red bow and a collectible original Dyken Pond nature ornament that can be kept for years to come. This is a pre-order sale and all wreaths must be ordered by November 18. Cost is $20. Larger wreath sizes are also available. There are various pick up options beginning on November 23. Order forms can be downloaded from our website at www.dykenpond.org or orders may be placed by contacting the Center at 658-2055 or  Nbconrad958@gmail.com.

The Rest Of The Grafton Town Board Kerfuffles

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by Kieron Kramer
One can infer from Grafton Town Supervisor Frank Higgins’ remarks at the Grafton Town Board meeting on October 21 that there have been complaints about the job Town Clerk Sue Putnam has been doing lately and about the fact that her friend, Jim Remington, spends time in the Clerk’s office with her. [Read more…] about The Rest Of The Grafton Town Board Kerfuffles

Volunteers Improve The Trail System At GLSP

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by Liz Wagner, Park Naturalist, Grafton Lakes State Park
Grafton Lakes State Park has a long legacy of volunteers improving the Park.  Volunteers maintain the trails, recently restored the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower and lead outings throughout the year on trails and waterways in the Park.  In the interest of encouraging more volunteerism, Grafton Lakes State Park is sharing one ongoing success story, made possible by Chris Roe, an avid mountain biker and a Board of Directors member of the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park.
[Read more…] about Volunteers Improve The Trail System At GLSP

This Week’s Programs At The Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center

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• Saturday, November 2 – Map and Compass, 1 to 4 pm, for older teens and adults. Learn the basics of traveling off trail. Practice using topographical maps and a compass to navigate your way through the forest. This event is for beginners or as a refresher.  Lisa Hoyt is the instructor. The fee is $8, $5 for members.
Pre-registration is required and limited to 15 people.
• Sunday, November 3 – Volunteer Firewood Day, 1 to 4 pm, Volunteer to help bring in the Center’s firewood for the season. We need folks to help cut, haul, run the log splitter and stack firewood. Volunteers will be treated to dinner at 4 pm. Pre-registration is required for dinner. Pre-register by contacting Lisa Hoyt at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center at 518-658-2055 or dykenpond@fairpoint.net. Please contact the Center by Friday, November 1.
Visit our website at http://www.dykenpond.org for a complete list of upcoming programs and more information.

Grafton Town Board Action – Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

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by Kieron Kramer
To the neutral observer, the public comment period of the Grafton Town Board meeting on Monday, October 21, resembled mud wrestling more than a responsible expression of residents’ concerns. There was so much mud flying that it was hard to tell who was who, everyone was covered – Democrats and Republicans, Town Clerk supporters and detractors, Supervisor supporters and detractors. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Board Action – Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Letter To The Editor – A Complaint

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To the Editor:
The Town Board meeting of Thursday [Monday], Oct. 21, goes well beyond disappointing. What Supervisor Higgins did to myself as well as other tax paying residents was reprehensible as well as unprofessional.
During public comment I would expect Town residents to have the ability to ask questions or make comments pertaining to the operation of our Town. During public comment as I began to speak I was interrupted not once but twice by Supervisor Higgins. He sarcastically informed me that there would be no answer to my question, I would only be allowed to comment. Astonished, I made my comment regarding the meeting minutes not being uploaded to the new Town website and why the Board is not following Resolution #54 that was put forward in 2012 authorizing the agenda to be posted seven days prior to the meeting – voted 4-0 in favor. Currently a blank agenda is posted to the website the afternoon of the Board meeting. Needless to say I was never given an answer. Others went on to ask actual questions. Supervisor Higgins choose to answer the questions from certain people while others were not even recognized at all. Connie Alderman raised her hand on several occasions to comment, and Supervisor Higgins never recognized her and subsequently adjourned the meeting while hands were still raised during public comment.
Following the meeting Supervisor Higgins informed me that residents must come to his office if they have any questions concerning the Town, he will not answer in a public forum. Furthermore, Supervisor Higgins said he is contemplating ending public comment entirely. He said that there are individuals in the audience he does not wish to answer questions for, therefore all residents will be treated the same and he does not feel obligated to answer questions from Town residents at Town Board Meetings.
What type of Town Leader is at the helm of our forefront?
Linda Laveway
Trail Riders Way, Grafton

Editor’s Note: It may interest this letter writer, and others, that State law does not require public comment at Town Board meetings and that the comment period is at the discretion of the Supervisor.

Gilbert And Burhans Graduate

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Casey Gilbert from Berlin was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences at Binghamton University. Ency Reeves Burhans from Grafton was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Systems Engineering from the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering at Binghamton University.

Updated Events At Grafton Lakes State Park

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25, Friday – Star Watch at GLSP at 7:30 pm. Join with members of the Albany Area  Astronomers and come explore the night sky.  Meets at Deerfield.  Rain date: Saturday, 10/28.  Call 658-9144 to confirm.
26, Saturday – Trick or Treat Nature Trail  4:30 to 7 pm. Follow a trail lit by jack-o-lanterns to meet some of the friendly animals of the forest and lakes at Grafton Lakes State Park.  Solve riddles and play along the way. There will be treats and fun for all.  This event is recommended for children ages 12 and under. The cost is $4 per person or $15 per family of four or more. Pre-registration is required by calling 279-1155. The group will meet at the Shaver Pond Center, 194 Shaver Pond Road in Grafton.

Friends Of The Dyken Pond Center Volunteer Appreciation And Annual Meeting

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On Wednesday, October 23, the Friends of Dyken Pond Center will hold an Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition meeting at the Dyken Pond Center.
At 6:30 pm there will be delicious desserts and refreshments. The Annual Meeting and Volunteer  Recognition will be at 7 pm.
Please RSVP to jim@bonesteel.com or 518- 766-5354.
If you are a member of the Friends of Dyken Pond, come hear about the important work made possible with your support and offer your feedback and suggestions. If you are not a member, come learn more about the Friends and the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center.
We are also putting the call out for new members of our Board of Directors and for volunteers to help out with our activities. If you’d like to know more, please let us know.
For directions to the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, see our website at www.dykenpond.org or call the Center at 658-2055.