The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Petersburgh

New Geothermal System Reducing Library’s Footprint

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By Chris Tergliafera
I recently had the opportunity to take a tour of the Petersburgh Public Library’s new geothermal heating and cooling system. The first thing you notice—or don’t notice—is the noise coming from the system, as it’s incredibly quiet. The system was running the entire time I was in the building, and the only time I heard it at all was when I was actually in the same room as the furnaces. Even then the noise was only a low hum.

The new system, installed by Choice Heating and Cooling of Cohoes, was made possible by a grant of $94,875 from the Library Construction Grant of New York State. The total cost of the system came to $152,000, but much of the difference between the total price and the grant will be covered by rebates, handled by Choice.

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Super Troopers Place 2nd in Video Contest

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Submitted by BCS Communications
Congratulations to Berlin Middle/High School (BMHS) Super Troopers. The Rural Schools Association recently announced their 2022-23 Student Video Contest Winners and the Super Troopers 2022/23 Empathy video received second place. The Super Troopers have been awarded $100 from the Rural Association for their second place win. 

Super Troopers has been a character education group at Berlin Central School District since 2011, and was started by a scrappy group of students who wanted to spread some positivity around the school. Their ideas of positivity, mixed with some humor, have been a hallmark of this group. The mantra of having fun without making fun has led this group to make over 50 different videos on various themes, both somewhat serious and not so serious. 

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Petersburgh Town Board Highlights 

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By Denise Wright
Several requests for proposals for lawn care and the Town Hall roof replacement were approved at the March 20th Petersburgh Town Board, along with discussion about some upcoming events and projects in the town. 

Councilman Noeding updated members about the Routes 2 and 22 Bridge project. Since the permit was approved, the next goal will be the utility work. The hope is to move the wires underground. The project should begin in spring, and Noeding asked them to come to the next meeting to present a summary of the project, but he is awaiting confirmation. 

Noeding also discussed that the judge has yet to decide on the water district issue. The Environmental Protection Agency has recently publicized new limits on PFAs as four parts per trillion and is open for public comment. Noeding still feels this level is too high and believes the town should voice its concern to the state. There was a confirmation from Aquastore that the repairs on the water tower will be able to be delayed until

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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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