Sunday April 28, 2024 
February Meeting Update from Rensselaer County Legislature Majority
The Rensselaer County Legislature held its February meeting last Tuesday. Chairwoman was proud to announce the receipt of an $8.7 million grant to upgrade outdated equipment at the wastewater treatment plant. The Legislature applied for the grant last year with the hopes that it would be able to win support for the project to improve the efficiency of the aeration system at the plant and to protect the Hudson River from sewer overflows. The Legislature voted unanimously to accept the grant and establish the project accounts.
The Legislature also voted on legislation to continue important work on the Rensselaer County Fire Training Complex. This much anticipated project is moving forward towards completion and will be a tremendous asset for our valued emergency first responders. The Legislature also voted to authorize energy savings upgrades to the historic Rensselaer County Court House that is now featured in the HBO mini-series, “The Gilded Age”. The court house and the county document storage facility in Schodack will undergo improvements to their respective heating and cooling systems to improve performance and energy efficiency.
The Legislature Majority also voted to approve a resolution introduced by Legislators Bruce Patire and Jeff Wysocki that opposes efforts of some Downstate Democrats to consider banning wood burning. The state’s Climate Action Council is aiming to reduce carbon emissions by banning wood burning, which is how many residents in rural areas heat their homes. The resolution was approved along party lines with all six Democrats voting to support a possible wood burning ban.
The Minority members of the Legislature violated the newly strengthened NYS Open Meeting Law by trying to force a non-urgent purely political resolution on to the agenda hours before the meeting. The law now requires that complete agendas are published at least 24 hours before the meeting. This is something that we always do on our website: www.rensselaercounty.org
Rensselaer County Legislature – Minority Office – Monthly Report
The Minority legislators submitted and voted on a resolution recognizing March 13-19, 2022 as Sunshine Week in Rensselaer County. This national initiative promotes the importance of open government and the free flow of information from government to county citizens, ensuring that our government is accessible, accountable and open and void of the dangers of secrecy. The free flow of information from government to the people instills trust and confidence in our democracy. Now, more important than ever!
The legislature approved the negotiations and execution of Energy Performance Contracts for the Rensselaer County Courthouse and for the county storage facility in Schodack for necessary upgrades regarding electricity, ventilation, and heating and cooling systems. These upgrades are long overdue and will provide energy efficiencies for both buildings.
The Legislature also approved several contracts for the Hudson Valley Community College renovation construction project of the Guenther Enrollment Services Center and the Fitzgibbons Technologies Center.
Last week, the Minority Office sent individual letters to our Assembly members and Senators, as well as DEC Commissioner Seggos urging their support for the closure of the S.A Dunn & Co. Landfill.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, March 8, 2022 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy.
PUBLIC FORUM – Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 518 270-2890.
www.rensselaercounty.org & follow us on Facebook: “Rensselaer County Legislature – Democratic Team”
Town Hall Closes for Presidents’ Day
SCHODACK – Debra L. Curtis, Schodack Town Clerk, wishes to remind residents that the Schodack Town Hall Offices will be closed on Monday, February 21, 2022 for the Presidents Day Holiday. The Schodack Town Hall Offices will resume its regular business hours on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.
The Transfer Station will have standard business hours on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Town Clerk at (518) 477-7590, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm.
Legal Notice 2021 Annual Financial Report
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that David F. Fleming, Jr., Supervisor of the Town of Nassau, has filed the Annual Financial Report for the Town of Nassau for the year 2021 with the State Comptroller’s Office. The Annual Financial Report is a public record and open for inspection at the Office of the Town Clerk (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Monday-Friday) 29 Church Street, Nassau, New York or on the Town’s website at www.townofnassau.org.
BY ORDER OF THE NASSAU TOWN BOARD
Kara Pearson, Nassau Town Clerk
East Greenbush Town Hall and Highway Garage Closures for Upcoming Holiday
east greenbush – Ellen Pangburn, Town Clerk, and Michelle Eckler, Deputy Clerk, would like to remind Town residents that the East Greenbush Town Hall and Highway Garage will both be closed on Monday, February 21st, 2022 for President’s Day.
PLEASE NOTE: On Monday’s the Town of East Greenbush Transfer Station is closed.
On Monday, February 21st, 2022 our DMV Satellite Office will be closed.
If you need to reach someone during town closures, please call Dispatch at 518.479.2525.
Regular business hours for the Town of East Greenbush Town Hall and Highway Garage will resume on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022.
Please reach out to the Town Clerk’s Office if you have any questions at 518.477.7145, between the hours of 8:30 and 4:30. Ellen or Michelle would be happy to assist you, and hope you continue to stay safe.
Councilman Jack Rogers Reports to the Town of North Greenbush
The Town Board of North Greenbush adopted local law #1 for 2022 for No Parking on Thompson Court for a distance of 200 feet extending eastward from the intersection of Thompson Court and Route 4.
A permit application with the NYS Department of Transportation for annual sewer and water maintenance and repairs was approved by the Town Board.
Water rates will be increasing. The Town of North Greenbush contracts with the City of Troy for municipal drinking water and was notified that the purchase of water per 1,000 gallons would increase 5.82% effective 1/1/2022. On average this will be a $25 increase per family per year.
Six hundred Covid test kits are available at town hall. Kits are free and available during regular business hours while supplies last. Plans are in the works for the Memorial Day parade and the Summer Concert series. Details to follow. Also looking forward to the return of the popular Food Trucks starting on May 4th. Wednesday will be the new food truck night this year!
Check out the town website for information, announcements, and town board meeting minutes at townofng.com or contact me at jrogers@nullnorthgreenbush.org. I also post information on my Facebook page Councilman Jack Rogers. You can attend meetings in person or live stream at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/northgreenbush.
Get involved and informed about what is happening in the Town of North Greenbush.
Next Town Meetings are:
•Planning Board 2/28/22 at 6:30PM
•Zoning Board 3/9/22 at 6:30PM
•Town Board 3/10/22 at 7:00PM
Happy Presidents’ Day!
Stefanik Endorses Jacobs for 24th Congressional District Seat
WASHINGTON – North country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has endorsed a fellow Republican for the newly formed congressional district that includes most of Jefferson County.
Chris Jacobs now represents New York’s 27th congressional district, which is being eliminated in the redistricting plan adopted by state Democrats.
Jacobs has said he plans to move into the newly formed 24th district to run for that seat.
“I am proud to endorse my colleague and friend, Chris Jacobs for New York’s 24th congressional district,” Stefanik said in a release. “Since taking office, Chris has been a strong fighter for conservative values and our constitutional rights.”
“I am honored to have Elise’s endorsement, the highest-ranking elected Republican in New York state,” Jacobs said in the same release. “Together, over the last two years we have taken on the Biden administration and Nancy Pelosi’s reckless spending and liberal priorities, and we will hold them accountable on behalf of the American people.”
The new 24th district stretches from Jefferson County to Niagara County and removes most of Jefferson County from the 21st district that Stefanik represents.
Republicans Mario Fratto of Geneva and Todd Aldinger of Buffalo have also announced plans to run to represent the new 24th.
Best Luther Fire District Public Notice
WEST SAND LAKE – PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the regular meetings of the Best-Luther Fire District will be held on the First Thursday of the month for the 2022 year, held at 7:00 p.m. at the Best-Luther Firehouse, located at 303 Old Best Road, W. Sand Lake, NY 12196. The location and time of the meeting may be changed by further resolution of the Board of Fire Commissioners upon proper notification to the local media of such change.Best-Luther Fire District, 303 Old Best Road, West Sand Lake NY, 12196. Phone/Fax: 518-283-5641. blfdfiredistrict@nullgmail.com