Monday April 29, 2024 
North Greenbush Completes Climate Smart Resiliency Assessment
NORTH GREENBUSH – The Town of North Greenbush is pleased to announce the completion of an evaluation of its local plans, codes and policies using the New York State Climate Smart Resiliency Planning tool to identify strengths, gaps and opportunities to reduce vulnerability to flooding and other climate risks. This process was accomplished by a team of town staff and elected officials who were assisted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County through a Climate Resilience Partnership. The “Partnership” is a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension associations in the Hudson Valley, with funding and assistance from the Hudson River Estuary Program and the New York State Water Resources Institute.
The Town Board adopted a resolution in 2019 establishing North Greenbush as a Climate Smart Community and held a public meeting October of 2020 to review the planning report and the recommendations from the completed evaluation. This process allows the town to pro-actively plan for and mitigate against natural hazards and extreme weather events by establishing community resilience and reducing vulnerabilities. “The North Greenbush Climate Smart Committee and Cornell Cooperative Extension Partnership Team put forth an outstanding effort to complete the Climate Smart Resiliency tool in a particularly challenging year”, said Councilperson Mary Frances Sabo, Chair of the Town Climate Smart Committee.
The completed Town Planning Report and initiatives can be found on the Town website: www.townofng.com. Evaluating policies for climate resilience is a required action in the New York State Climate Smart Communities certification program. The action includes completing the state’s Climate Smart Resiliency Planning tool, which provides a framework for communities to conduct a thorough review of planning documents, zoning codes, activities and policies to identify opportunities for climate preparedness.
Submitted by Councilwoman Mary Frances Sabo
Legislature Honors County Health Department
RENSSELAER COUNTY – The Rensselaer County Legislature passed a resolution honoring the County Health Department for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Department staff have been working 7 days a week, conducting contact tracing, and answering questions from the public, since the beginning of the pandemic. The members of the Legislature presented an engrossed copy of the resolution and a large tray of cookies to the health department. Chairman Michael Stammel, Vice Chair Kelly Hoffman, and Legislators Dan Casale, Scott Bendett, Tom Grant, Leon Fiacco, and Bob Loveridge, joined County Executive Steve McLaughlin to make the presentation to Public Health Director Mary Wachunas and Nicole Pollay.
Tracey Rex Reports to the People of Schodack
SCHODACK – I believe staying in touch with constituents is an important part of serving in elective office. This report, published every month since I took office in 2016, is an example of my commitment to keeping Schodack residents informed about town government news and community events.
At our February meeting, the Town Board approved Local Law 1 of 2021 stipulating that no person shall be eligible to hold an elective office in the Town of Schodack while at the same time holding any elective office in the County of Rensselaer. The Town Board also appointed Wally Lodin to the position of full-time Police Officer. Police Chief John Hourigan provided an update regarding the Town of Schodack Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.
During February, the Peter Andrews Castleton Memorial VFW Post 7337 paid tribute to Peter Andrews who lost his life at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. Cpl. Andrews actually lived where the VFW building is located at 105 Scott Avenue in Castleton. If you are a veteran, thank you for your service and please consider joining VFW Post 7337.
Support our local veterans by participating in the East Greenbush VFW Post 7338 Roast Beef Dinner event, Saturday, March 6 with pick up hours from 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm. The dinners are $15 each; place your order by calling
(518) 477-7770 or emailing VFWpost7338@nullgmail.com.
Eden Renewables, a Troy-based solar developer, is hosting a virtual open house via Zoom on Wednesday, March 10 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm to provide information about a community solar farm they are proposing in the Town of Schodack. The program will begin with a presentation followed by a Q&A session with the development team behind the project. This event is free, but you must register online to participate at www.edenrenewables.com/green-dale.
Congratulations to the Maple Hill High School boys varsity bowling team for a 13-1 season and winning the Patroon Conference Championship!