The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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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Stephentown Town Board Highlights 

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By Denise Wright
The March 20th Town Board meeting was active, with lots of discussion about spring projects and proposals. 

After approving the bills, the transfer station reported that the Hazardous Waste Day had been scheduled for Saturday, April 29th, in Schaghticoke, and the Clean-up Day for the village had been scheduled for June 9th, from 10 am to 8 pm. The same rules will apply as last year. A new electronic service is under review because the individual who used to collect the appliances and electronics has gone out of business. Because of a new service, changes are most likely anticipated. 

Some residents asked questions about the transfer station and potential changes that could be happening in the future. Because of inflation, there has been a 7-8 percent increase in hauling fees, impacting the station's budget. Bids for hauling contracts will assist with that problem. A concern for recyclables was raised, and

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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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History and Heritage Fair

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The Friends of the Bennington Battlefield in conjunction with The Hoosick Township Historical Society are working on the first of what they hope will be a continuing series of events to enjoy, learn from, and look forward to for years to come. On May 20th, July 15th, and August 5th and 6th, the first Hoosick History and Heritage Fair will be held at the Hoosick Falls Armory and the Bennington Battlefield.

On May 20th, the Hoosick Falls Armory we will be hosting groups from our region celebrating our shared history and our heritage from the 1777 battle which was fought right in the Hamlet of Walloomsac, called the Battle of Bennington because that was the target of Britain’s attention. 

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New Lebanon Town Board Highlights

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By Chris Tergliafera
The Town of New Lebanon received one quote of $63,547 for the pavilion kitchen renovation project, much higher than the $40,000 originally budgeted. It was hoped that the town purchasing cabinets and counters, while the bidding company would just be charging for labor and installation, would save money on the project. Since it’s unlikely a lower quote will be received, seeing as the town had to go out to bid three times just to receive the lone bid in question, the bid was accepted and there will be a budget amendment on next month’s agenda to bring the additional needed funds from the unallocated fund balance to the Pavilion Kitchen budget.

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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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Frederick L. Knuetter – Obituary

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Hoosick Falls - It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband, father, and papa. Frederick L. Knuetter Jr., 63, passed on March 26th at Albany Medical Center.

Fred grew up in Berlin, NY and graduated from Berlin Central School. He loved talking about his adventures of hunting and fishing local brooks with his friends. While living as a young boy in Berlin he learned carpentry from Loyal and Dee Goodermote; there was nothing he couldn’t do.

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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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