The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Petersburgh

Joan M. Hill – Obituary

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Petersburg - Joan M. Hill of Petersburg, NY passed away at her home peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 23, 2023. She was the beloved wife of Michael Hill for nearly 20 years. Born on January 17, 1956 in Bennington, VT, Joan was a lifelong resident of Petersburg where she was known and adored by many in the community.

She was the loving daughter of the late Luanne James Stevens, and her father Earl A. Stevens. She was predeceased by her sister Judy Stevens-Crandall, brother Gregory E. Stevens, niece Jolene A. Bedford, and nephew John T. Bedford. Along with her husband, she is also survived by her daughter Clara Marie Haley; her sisters Laurie Broadwell, and Jodi Hubbard; Jason Crandall; grandsons Jordan Jones, Micha Haley (whom she and Mike adopted), Matthew, and River Crandall, along with several nieces and nephews. She was loved and will be dearly missed by her lifelong friend Hattie Buck and several other friends and family.

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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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Andrew M. Jones – Obituary

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Petersburgh – Andrew M. Jones, 84, passed away on March 12, 2023, at his home. He was born December 2, 1938, in Petersburgh, New York. He was the son of Milford and Helen Hoffman Jones. Andy attended Berlin High School. After high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served from 1956–1962. He was employed by Western Electric/ATT. He was a longtime member of the Elks Club. Andy was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, and golf. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or make. Most of his friends and family members have furniture or a quilt he made for them. He was never one to sit still, except to read, do a puzzle, work on his coin collection, or rest in his chair by the stream, smoking a cigar and watching the trout swim by. [Read more…] about Andrew M. Jones – Obituary

Petersburgh Town Board Highlights

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by Denise Wright
Even though it was Presidents' Day, the Petersburgh Town Board was hard at work at their February 20 meeting, preparing for the 2023 year concerning town events and building upgrades. 

Supervisor Katie Murray talked about a letter from Assemblyman Scott Bendett asking municipalities in his district if they had any ideas for potential legislative projects. One member of the Board mentioned that a possible plan might be a green project similar to the library construction grant but for small rural communities to be able to convert town buildings to green energy. 

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Idol Finalists Shine

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Submitted by BCS Communications
Ten Berlin Middle/High School (BMHS) Mountaineers recently competed for the title of 2023 Berlin Idol. The evening, organized by the BMHS Music Department’s Ms. Eliashuk and Mrs. Gould, was hosted by students Curt Hurd and Xavier Lamica. The guest judges for the competition were Ms. Honsinger, Mr. Gould, and Mr. Covell. 

The singers sang their first-round songs in front of the judges and three finalists were chosen to sing their second selections. The audience then voted for the winner. 

The finalists were Norah Smerdon, Maddie Rontey, Kenny Bull, Clair Schaaphok, Tyler Lumpkin, Maddy Vars, Bella Ray, Lily Mumford, Nate Goodermote, Kiley Quetti, and Alaina Gardner.

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Petersburgh Town Board Busy in January 

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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. 

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William D. Sharpe – Obituary

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Petersburgh – William D. Sharpe, 62, died Monday, December 19, 2022, at his residence after a long illness.

Born in Troy, he was son of the late William Walsh Sharpe and Martha McChesney Sharpe, and husband of Darcie J. Lemere Sharpe. He had resided in Petersburgh since 1998 when he began building his home.

William was a self employed contractor, woodworker, and craftsman.

He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved hunting. He loved to work and always kept busy working with his hands. He built his home in Petersburgh from the ground up using many resources and materials found onsite; from the custom rock fireplace to the milled wood all throughout the home. Every aspect of the home came from William’s imagination, his hard work, and the natural resources all built with his hands. [Read more…] about William D. Sharpe – Obituary

Structure Fire in Petersburgh

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On the evening of Sunday, November 27, at approximately 5:30 pm, the Petersburgh Fire Department, along with mutual aid from the Berlin, Center Brunswick, Hoosick, Grafton, Eagle Mills, and Pittstown Fire Departments, as well as Taconic Emergency Medical Services, responded to a structure fire at 1351 State Route 2 in Petersburgh. Crews battled the fire for several hours, a task that was made difficult due to severe weather. All residents of the home got out safely. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Photo provided.

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Petersburgh Town Board Highlights 

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By Denise Wright
The November 21 meeting of the Petersburgh Town Board began with two presentations and concerned citizens hoping to hear information about the PFOA contamination in the community.

Dr. Erin Bell from SUNY Albany talked about the health study that has been open to all residents. She explained that they are at 50 percent of their goal of getting adults into the study. Individuals who have already had their bloodwork completed over the summer have their clinical results, which include information on cholesterol and thyroid function, mailed to them. Individuals with a 2-20ng/mL can have increased risks concerning cholesterol, blood pressure, and thyroid. The resident can then share the comprehensive report with their clinical provider. Bell said if any resident in the study does not have a clinical provider, they can contact her office, and they will connect residents to one. She stressed that individuals who lived in the area from 2005 through 2016 could join the study.

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Petersburgh Town Board Meeting

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By Denise Wright
The October 17 meeting of the Petersburgh Town Board had some enthusiastic conversations about several plans and events throughout the Town ranging from employment, budget, and building projects. 

Supervisor Murray reported that November’s meeting would have several presentations about PFOA, and she encouraged residents to attend if they wished to learn more. She noted that, presently, the Town Clerk does not have access to the town’s Facebook page but that they are working on getting her access. This way, she can download information for residents to use. The Town Board discussed the Town audit. Murray thanked the Town Clerk for assisting by pulling data. She hopes to get information on the website after the Board has had time to read it. Still, she wanted everyone to know that all the recommendations for record-keeping and the approval process for dispersing funds now are being addressed. [Read more…] about Petersburgh Town Board Meeting