The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Time for a Change

By

By Amy Modesti

Over the past five years with The Eastwick Press, I have served as photographer, reporter, office assistant, sales advertisement representative, newspaper distributor, social media manager, and arts and music reporter. I’ve covered everything from arts and entertainment to swearing in ceremonies for the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department, ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses, high school commencements, holiday parades, and running races. You name it, I’ve covered it.

The achievements I am most proud of during my time here include having my solo exhibition at Eden Café mentioned in the paper, holding a peace torch from organizers of the Sri-Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, taking part in two art exhibitions at the Brunswick Community Library, assisting my coworkers in finding bands and gathering 50/50 raffle items for the Berkshire Bird Paradise fundraiser at our headquarters, volunteering my time at the mass food distribution at Grafton Lakes State Park,

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.

Brunswick’s Multi-Family Housing Moratorium Repealed

By

By Doug La Rocque
With several two-family and multi-family housing applications before the Brunswick Planning Board in 2021, residents and some Planners started expressing concerns about density, especially with some of these proposed housing units in areas they felt were not a good fit. The concern reached the Town Board, who decided they should review their zoning as to where and where not these projects might be allowed. Thus, the moratorium came into being while that zoning study took place.

One plan that was proposed resulted in a full zoning law change, but met with some push back at a public hearing, and Board members decided to

You must be logged in to view this article.