The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local News

Troy Drinking Water Notice

By

Submitted by the Office of Mayor Patrick Madden

Drinking water quality monitoring conducted by the Troy Public Utilities department has found elevated levels of lead in some of the 60 homes and buildings tested. Even though the source of water for the city is free of lead, the test samples taken from inside representative residential homes show an exceedance of lead possibly due to lead water services lines or interior lead plumbing.

The City of Troy is committed to the removal of all lead service lines from our community. City officials request your cooperation. If you live in a home built prior to 1975 and have not had a water service inspection at your home by the Department of Public Utilities, you should contact the department as soon as possible at 518-237-0343. There is no charge for a technician to come to your home for an inspection.   

There are several actions underway to address the lead in drinking water concerns. A postcard will be sent to city residents via mail with additional information and instructions. A Public Utilities Committee meeting of the City Council will be scheduled, and the Council will set spending parameters for funding that is available to assist residents who need to replace lead service pipes. 

38th Annual Winter Festival and Polar Plunge

By

By Amy Modesti 

Snow showers didn’t stop one hundred courageous plungers from taking part in the 38th Annual Winter Festival’s polar plunge on Saturday morning, January 21, at Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP). Spectators observed plungers rush into the icy water to benefit the Our Lady of the Snow Parish Food Pantry. 

The polar plunge wasn’t the only attraction keeping visitors entertained at GLSP. Plenty of winter fun was had both outdoors and inside the Welcome Center. Outdoor activities included snow bowling, kick sledding, carriage rides, chainsaw demos from Rayzor’s Edge, warming up at a giant bonfire, hanging out in a snow fort, and meeting sled dogs, northland newfoundlands, and bloodhounds.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Stephentown Town Board Highlights 

By

By Denise Wright 

The January 16th monthly meeting approved $35,709.01 in the general fund and over $24,390.16 from the highway fund to pay the monthly bills. The annual fee for a new program was mentioned during the bill report for residents to be able to pay for their dog licensing online. The Town Clerk said the system still needs to be implemented because they are waiting on a credit card machine. Once the system works, residents will still have to bring updated rabies certificates into the office to be validated. 

The transfer station reported an annual income of $92,415 which is down from the $99,283 from the year before. It was concluded that residents purchased fewer permits and bags. Also, the difference could be attributed to seniors having a discounted price. The transfer station is proud to announce that they have started the paint can program again now that they have a lockable storage facility. This program is available during regular hours at no cost to residents. They only stressed making sure it is discarded paint and nothing else. Supervisor Roder commented that the program is a good service, free of charge for all residents. 

You must be logged in to view this article.

Honoring Niel Stowell

By

By Doug La Rocque

Niel Stowell has served the Village for 35 years, the last 23 as Superintendent of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Thursday, January 26 was Niel’s last day on the job as he heads into retirement. A special luncheon was held that afternoon with family, friends, and area dignitaries to celebrate Niel’s long career in the Village.

At a special meeting of the Village Board on Tuesday, January 24, the Trustees approved a resolution honoring Niel for his service and presented him with a proclamation from the Village and the New York State Conference of Mayors. Mayor Rob Allen spoke briefly about all the sacrifices Niel has made, be it with water main or sewer breaks, floods, and snowstorms, the countless nights, weekends, and holidays spent on the job and away from his family, all without complaint. Niel’s DPW crews were also responsible for the annual outstanding Christmas decorations erected each year throughout the Village.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Steve McLaughlin Found Not Guilty

By

With jury selection taking place Monday, January 23, the criminal trial of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin began on Tuesday, January 24. McLaughlin was indicted in December 2021 on charges of third degree grand larceny and first degree offering a false instrument for filing, relating to a $5,000 withdrawal from his campaign funds in 2017 that he allegedly used to pay an aide. The defense stated the funds in question were used legitimately to pay a consulting firm.

On Wednesday, January 25, after deliberating for about an hour, the jury found McLaughlin not guilty on all charges. 

You must be logged in to view this article.

Emergency Services Training Complex Officially Opens

By

Submitted by Rensselaer County
The new Rensselaer County Emergency Services Training Complex on Macha Lane in North Greenbush is open and ready for use as of Thursday, January 19. 

Construction of a new training complex has been a priority for County Executive Steve McLaughlin and members of the County Legislature, and has received strong support from members of the emergency services community. The new complex replaces the former training center, at the same location, that was closed several years ago due to use and age.

The new complex features responsive training devices and systems, live fire displays, digital fire displays, various combustible displays and exercises, a state of the art control system, and a smoke maze to ensure emergency responders have the training and skills they need to protect and serve the residents of Rensselaer County.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Culvert Collapses on Rt. 7 in Hoosick Falls

By

Road Remains Closed for Repairs

Courtesy of Rensselaer County
A section of State Route 7 in Hoosick Falls between State Route 22 and County Route 95 remains closed after the collapse of a culvert on Friday, January 13. Department of Transportation (DOT) and contractor forces are currently working around the clock to replace the culvert, which carries overflow water from the Hoosic River, with pre-cast concrete sections. Currently there is no timetable for completion. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the collapse has yet to be determined. Residents and motorists are asked to be patient during the closure. For updates, please visit dot.ny.gov.

You must be logged in to view this article.

Petersburgh Town Board Busy in January 

By

By Denise Wright
The Petersburgh Town Board was busy during January with their Organizational meeting, public hearings, and regular meeting. 

During the January Organizational meeting, the Board approved agreements for the Highway Superintendent and the use of the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center (PVMCC) for 2023. Board members approved the 2023 contract for snow removal with Alex Burdick, along with library voucher #1 for $21,671.25. Appointments for 2023 included Victoria Abbondola replacing Janet Spitz as a Planning Board member and Vanessa Fiorita replacing Deidra Michaels as the Planning Board Secretary. 

You must be logged in to view this article.