Monday April 29, 2024 
Barnes Road Area Neighborhood Association Hearing
SAND LAKE – The Town of Sand Lake Planning Board is holding a public hearing on the Coach Bailey party barn special use permit application on Wednesday September 16 at 7:30 PM. The Hearing is being held remotely. Information on how to participate can be found on the Town’s website. Written comments are welcome as well.
Having heard the flexible story line over the course of the last few meetings, and having examined the misleading materials submitted, the Barnes Road Area Neighborhood Association is more committed then ever to save Barnes Road from the party barn proposal. The neighbors will be speaking out about the proposal( and the neighborhood association’s attorneys will be filing the necessary papers) to encourage the Planning Board to follow the law and turn down this inappropriate use in an AG district.
Rensselaer County Leaders Want the Flags in New York State Raised to Full-Mast Again
RENSSELAER COUNTY – The Rensselaer County Legislature believes that it is time for Governor Cuomo to raise the American Flags in New York State. The Governor ordered all state flags to be lowered on all government buildings on April 8th in honor of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the five months since that order, our state and county have endured and overcome many challenges. We have turned the corner, and life is slowly getting back to normal.
“I have had several residents ask me why the flags are lowered, and they ask who died. We all mourn those lost to COVID, but it is depressing to see the flags lowered for such a long period of time”, said Chairman Michael Stammel- Rensselaer.
“A flag at half-mast is a symbol of sadness and mourning. We have been through the worst of COVID-19, it is time to start getting back to normal, and that includes raising our flags”, said Vice-Chair Kelly Hoffman- North Greenbush.
Flag protocols dictate that the American Flag shall be lowered for a mandatory 30 day period after the death of a sitting or former U.S. President. That is the longest period of time a flag is normally allowed to remain at half-mast.
“Lowering the flag is a powerful symbol, but after nearly five continuous months, it begins to lose its significance”, said Legislator Tom Grant- East Greenbush.
“Things are starting to re-open in New York State, and it is time to raise the flags to help restore the morale of our residents”, said Chair of Finance Robert Loveridge- East Schodack.
County Executive also joined Legislators is asking that the flags be restored to full-mast.
“The governor has repeatedly said we have flattened the curve. Our residents have been patient and used common sense as we continue to fight COVID-19. It is time to restore some optimism, even as we resolve to not forget those who have been lost”, added County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
The Legislature will send a copy of their adopted resolution to Governor Cuomo this week.
Poestenkill Public Hearing Sept. 17, 7PM at the VFW Post
POESTENKILL – Three members of the Poestenkill Town Board, Councilmen Van Slyke and Wollheber, and Supervisor Hammond, want to destroy our existing emergency response system by replacing Mohawk Ambulance with an unknown ambulance service provider.
1. The new provider will charge the Town at least $225,000 per year ( probably much more since this number is from a 4 year old quote ) PLUS charge the patient for the service. Mohawk only charges the patient.
2. To pay for the new service, Poestenkill residents face the largest tax increase in the Town’s history.
3. The last thing Poestenkill residents need in this time of economic stress is a large increase in our property taxes.
4. Not only does Mohawk serve Poestenkill and Brunswick residents at no charge, they provide mutual aid for every Town in the County, and are being seen with increasing frequency in Sand Lake and Wynantskill.
5. Residents of Sand Lake pay over $300,000 per year for their ambulance service. Why doesn’t the Town of Sand Lake consider using Mohawk Ambulance and reduce taxes on their residents?
6. Volunteer ambulance services are being closed all over the country for a variety of reasons. Increasing training requirements and no pay are making it harder to recruit volunteers. Most local volunteer ambulance services are actually hybrid operations with volunteers working alongside fully paid paramedics. Mohawk and Poestenkill First Responders are a perfect example of a successful public private partnership.
7. Will Wollheber, Van Slyke and Hammond take personal responsibility if the new system fails? If it fails, will people die?
Please come to the public hearing and let your voice be heard!
The official public notice can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3lObq9l
Councilman Dave Hass
Poestenkill Town Board Meeting Minutes
POESTENKILL – Poestenkill Town Board Meeting – Thursday, August 20, 2020
Due to COVID-19, the Town Board was hold at the Sullivan Jones VFW.
Highway Superintendent Toby Chadwick provide a quote for a truck he wants to purchase with a stainless-steel box and plow. Councilman Hass asked in the money was in the 2020 budget, Chadwick stated the money was found from “here and there.” Councilman Wohlleber wondered if purchasing should happen since the town just bought several trucks along with a projected decrease in sales tax revenue for this year. The truck to be replaced is a 2012 with 60,000-70,000 miles.
Resolution #10-2020 – Thanking the Sullivan Jones VFW Post for its hosting the 2020 summer camp for residents of Poestenkill. Motioned made by Councilman Wohlleber, seconded by Councilman Van Slyke and passed unanimously.
Resolution #11-2020 – Adopting the Rensselaer County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Town of Poestenkill. Motion made by Councilman Hass and seconded by Councilman Wohlleber. The motion passed with Councilman Van Slyke abstaining.
Motion made by Town Councilman Van Slyke, seconded by Councilman Hass for the Town Board to authorize the Highway Superintendent to purchase a new truck, stainless-steel box and plow in the amount of $122,966.09, was approved with Councilman Wohlleber voting no.
Councilman Wohlleber asked Highway Superintendent Chadwick once again if he could be more specific on when the next brush pick up would occur, stated Mr. Chadwick’s his previous answer of this fall or spring 2021 was too vague. Mr. Chadwick replied this fall or spring 2021.
These minutes to be approved at the next regularly scheduled town board meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm – at this meeting a public comment period will be held on the potential referendum, asking voters to decide if Poestenkill should create an ambulance district.
For more information go to www.PoestenkillNY.com
Submitted by Councilman Eric Wohlleber