Friday March 24, 2023 
Town Offices Closed For Memorial Day
SCHODACK – Debra L. Curtis, Schodack Town Clerk, wishes to remind residents that the Schodack Town Clerk’s Office will be closed Saturday, May 23, 2020 and the Schodack Town Hall Offices and Highway Department will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020 for the Memorial Day Holiday. The Schodack Town Hall Offices and Highway Department will resume its regular business hours on Tuesday, May 26, 2019. The Transfer Station will resume its regular business hours on Wednesday, May 27, 2019. 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.
School Budget Vote & Board Election
AVERILL PARK – The Averill Park Central School District 2020-2021 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election is Tuesday, June 9. ANNUAL BUDGET HEARING The Annual Budget Hearing meeting will take place online using Zoom on June 1 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome to view the meeting. Please check the APCSD website for specific viewing information. You are an eligible voter if you are: • A legal U.S. citizen • 18 years old by June 9, 2020 • Registered to vote • Live within the Averill Park CSD boundaries for at least 30 days prior to June 9, 2020. • Not otherwise disqualified to register for or vote at an election in accordance with the provisions of Section 5-106 of the election law. SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE & BOARD ELECTION HOW YOU CAN VOTE In the interest of public safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, voting this year will take place using absentee ballots only, per Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order. Every eligible voter will receive an absentee ballot and a postage paid return envelope in the mail. POLL REGISTRATION Qualified voters on the most recent years’ poll lists will be automatically sent an absentee ballot. Anyone who meets the definition of a “qualified voter,” but does not believe he/she will be on the School District’s poll list, which contains the names of residents who voted in recent years’ elections, please contact Yvonne Phillips, District Clerk, at phillipsy@nullapcsd.org as soon as possible to ensure timely receipt of an absentee ballot.
North Greenbush Report from Councilwoman Sabo
NORTH GREENBUSH – The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to North Greenbush town government. All town employees and elected officials have stepped up and are working very hard to keep the town running smoothly and meeting residents’ needs during this difficult time. Due to a need for social distancing, the town board held its May meeting via Zoom. In accordance with Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order, residents could watch via Town Hall Streams and comments were accepted via email. Thanks to Mike Miner who handled the technical aspects. The board adopted several important measures at the May meeting. After many years of dealing with water quality and supply problems, the Lake Meadows Water District was established! A hearing to consider the consolidation of this water district with the North Greenbush Consolidated Water District will be held in early July. Thank you to the town comptroller, the town attorney, and previous town officials for your hard work in moving this forward. The board also approved the establishment of a Climate Smart Committee which I will chair. The committee is composed of town employees, officials, business people and concerned residents. The committee will work throughout the year to establish a strategy and work plan for a baseline for the town’s current emissions that will aid in recommending reduction targets, identifying new strategies for reduction and finding ways that such strategies can be incorporated into the town’s economic development and planning efforts. The committee is fortunate to have the assistance of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in this initiative. Finally, I have heard from many town residents who are enjoying the beautiful trails at the RPI tech park. With the current stay-at-home orders, we are fortunate to have such nice trails right here in town. Thank you to Regeneron which has restored the north trail and to the Rensselaer Land Trust which has worked on the south trail.
Councilwoman Mary Frances Sabo
Rensselaer County Office of the Minority May 2020 Meeting Highlights
RENSSELAER COUNTY – The Legislature unanimously voted to recognize June as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month – Usually associated with veterans returning from military combat and/ or any other high stress related disasters, PTSD affects approximately 8% of Americans. Educating and reducing the stigma associated with PTSD is essential to help those affected to seek the necessary support and treatment.
However during these challenging times of COVID-19, PTSD may affect any of us and taking care of ourselves is now more important than ever. Feeling overwhelmed, please reach out to the NYS Office of Mental Health: https://omh.ny.gov/?ftag=MSF0951a18 Tel: 1-844-863-9314 or the Rensselaer County of Mental Health Office covered 24/7 at 518 270-2800.
Health – The Health Department accepted a Federal grant for the Healthy Neighborhoods Program. This funding provides the Health Department with the means to identify high risk housing, and provide the resources to eliminate risks that can cause hazardous living environments – such as reducing tobacco use, home contaminants and lead hazards with the goal to reduce asthma induced hospitalizations, home injuries and other hazardous living environments.
Civil Service Commission – The Legislature unanimously confirmed Mr. Alson J. Spain, Jr. to the Rensselaer County Civil Service Commission Board for a term lasting through May 31, 2026. We wish him the best and offer our Congratulations!
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, June 9, 2020 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 270-2890.
www.rensselaercounty.org & follow us on Facebook: “Rensselaer County Legislature – Democratic Team”
Poestenkill Town Board Meeting Minutes
POESTENKILL – Poestenkill Town Board – Meeting Minutes – Thursday, April 23, 2020
Due to the ongoing issue with COVID-19, the Town Hall remains closed and for this reason the Town hosted a Zoom Conference meeting on April 23rd.
Tom Russell, Chairman of the Planning Board spoke regarding the Vanderhyden Public Hearing and SEQRA Hearing on their proposal to subdivide two lots in Poestenkill from their property. Mr. Russell stated that the Planning Board reached out to the VFW Post to see if that venue would be available to hold the Public Hearing/SEQRA Hearing. He was informed that the County would have to approve this matter due to the current issue with COVID-19.
Ed Gresens reported that the Poestenkil Library remains closed until further notice.
Tiffany Buker, Youth Director reported that a survey will go out to parents to get their feedback on a possible summer camp for 2020. She is working with the County to discuss guidelines and will report back to the board at the May meeting.
Motion made by Councilman Wohlleber, seconded by Councilman Hass and approved unanimously to provide the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer with basic health insurance with the agreement that he will take a reduced salary.
Resolution #4-2020 – Motion made by Councilman Wohlleber, seconded by Councilman Van Slyke and passed unanimously to appoint Betsy Pinho the Deputy Assessor.
Rensselaer Count is still requiring the Town to hold Grievance Day on May 28th – the Deputy Assessor reported that she is hopeful to do most of this by mail and is setting up appointments, as needed.
These minutes to be approved at the next town board meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 21st, at 7pm. This will be a zoom video conference Town Board Meeting – residents can call Town Hall (518) 283-5100 to request the login and password to join.
For more information go to www.PoestenkillNY.com
Submitted by Councilman Eric Wohlleber