The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

A Hidden Gem

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Submitted by Kristin Robertson
Nestled in downtown New Lebanon, lies a gem that few even know exists. Built in 1863, the train depot and corkscrew railroad connecting to the B&R railroad was, in its day, a thriving business. As there were no eighteen-wheelers or airplanes back then, the train was the main source of transportation for all goods like coal, produce, bread, livestock, and of course, people.

The railroad ran from Rutland, VT with a small section extending up to Canada and down to the town of Chatham. Children would board it to get to school and back home every day. Vacationers boarded it as transportation to the famous destination of Lebanon Springs Spa, to experience the healing mineral waters. 

Dubbed the Corkscrew Rail Trail, aptly named due to the twisting and sometimes dangerous dips and curves the train tracks took, there were, as can be imagined, many derailments along the way, over embankments, into river beds, and a few unfortunate deaths.

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Stefanik’s District Office Formally Opens

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Courtesy of Rensselaer County
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has formally opened a district office at the new county offices at 99 Troy Road in East Greenbush. The congressional office will answer constituent requests for assistance on Social Security, passport issues, disability benefits, and other related issues. 

The offices for Congresswoman Stefanik are the first congressional offices to be opened in Rensselaer County in recent memory. Former Congressman Jerry Solomon maintained offices in East Greenbush in the 1980s and former Congressman Michael McNulty operated an office in downtown Troy two decades ago. 

Through the 2022 congressional redistricting, Congresswoman Stefanik became representative of most of Rensselaer County, representing 14 out of the 16 municipalities, with the exception of Troy and Rensselaer, along with half of North Greenbush. 

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2022 Hunting Season Tied for Safest Ever

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Submitted by the NYSDEC
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the 2022 hunting seasons tied 2021 for the safest year on record, with the lowest number of hunting-related shooting incidents since record-keeping began. DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) investigated nine hunting-related shooting incidents (HRSIs) in 2022, including one fatality. 

Four of the nine HRSIs that occurred in 2022 involved two-party firearm incidents, while the other five were self-inflicted. The one recorded fatality occurred due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound by a turkey hunter. All identified shooters were experienced hunters with an average of 30 years of hunting experience, emphasizing the need for all hunters to remain vigilant when heading afield. 

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Stephentown Town Board Highlights 

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by Denise Wright 

Even with Supervisor PJ Roder on vacation, the Stephentown Town Board was working hard at a brief meeting on February 20th. The board approved bills from the General account totaling approximately $19,000 and claims over $38,000 from the highway account with an overall total of $57,854.98. 

After approving the minutes from the January 16th meeting, the Town Clerk and the Justice Court reported that they turned over funds to the town accordingly. The transfer station said that, typically, December is a slow month but did deposit $5,206. The paint can program is in effect, and residents may clean out their garages and bring their cans to the station. The only requirement is that paint cans be in sealed cans labeled as paint. No cleaning materials, such as mineral spirits, are accepted. Residents are reminded that it is mud season, so please be careful at the transfer station. While the 2022 year ended with a small deficit of $1,000, the hope is that more residents will take advantage of the transfer station in the upcoming year. 

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Helping Stray Dogs

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Submitted by Tiffany Buker
The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society is no longer allowing dogs from most municipalities in Rensselaer County, which leaves nowhere to safely house stray dogs that are picked up by the Dog Control Officers. The Towns of Sand Lake and Poestenkill have partnered in an initiative to open a new kennel at the corner of Routes 351 and 66. The building needs approximately $10,000 of repair before the New York State Department of Ag and Markets will permit the towns to begin accepting dogs. We are asking for those who have donated to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in the past to please consider helping open our own dog shelter in Rensselaer County.

Donation checks can be made payable to the Rensselaer County Municipal Dog Shelter and mailed to: Town of Poestenkill, PO Box 210, Poestenkill, NY 12140. For more information, please contact Keith Hammond at 518-283-5100 ext 104, or Scott Gallerie at 518-674-2026 ext 115.

Free Rabies Clinic

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The Columbia County Department of Health will be holding a series of free rabies clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets that are at least three months of age. The next event will be held Saturday, March 4th, at the Ancram Town Highway Garage, 32 Mable Lane, Ancramdale. Cats and ferrets will be seen from 10 to 11 am, and dogs will be seen from 11 am to noon. For the safety of attendees, cats and ferrets must be in a carrier, and dogs must be leashed. Breeders must use their own veterinarian for rabies vaccines. Donations are accepted.

Avoiding Coyote Conflicts

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Submitted by the NYSDEC
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently issued guidance to help prevent conflicts between people and coyotes. Coyote sightings are likely to increase in the coming months and DEC encourages New Yorkers to be aware of the potential for conflicts, and follow DEC guidelines to prevent negative encounters. 

Coyotes inhabit a variety of habitats throughout the state, from rural farmland and forests to populated suburban and urban areas. For the most part, coyotes will avoid human contact. However, conflicts with people and pets may occur, particularly during the spring denning and pupping period when coyotes tend to be more territorial and protective of pups. Furthermore, if coyotes learn to associate food, such as garbage or pet food, with people, these animals may lose their natural fear of humans, increasing the potential for close encounters or conflicts. 

To reduce or prevent conflicts with coyotes, New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following steps:

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Hoosick Falls 2023 St. Patrick’s Parade Details Announced

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Submitted by Kevin O’Malley
The Hoosick Falls St. Patrick's Parade and Irish Fest will celebrate its 32nd anniversary on Saturday, March 11th. Over 30 years ago, local Irishmen Mike Conway and TJ Carmody wanted to find a way to keep their culture and history alive in the Hoosick area, and decided a parade was the ticket.

The 2023 Grand Marshal, Arthur M. Hyde Jr., is of Irish descent beginning in Waterford, Ireland when his ancestors came to America settling in Bennington, Vermont. Art was born in Bennington, VT in 1937, moving to Hoosick Falls at the age of two and has called this home ever since.

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