Thursday April 25, 2024 
Rensselaer County Minority Office – August 2022 Monthly Report
HVCC Applied Technology Education Center (ATEC) – The legislature unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the county to provide in-kind contributions for the construction of the ATEC at the college. HVCC has long been a gem of the county, as well as the entire region, and the county is proud to provide it with support as it evolves and continues to provide accessible education opportunities for many in our community.
Substance Abuse Prevention in Schools – The legislature unanimously passed a resolution authorizing an agreement with several school districts in the county to provide substance abuse prevention staff and services for the 2022-23 school year. It is crucial to keep harmful substances from getting out of hand in our schools, and it is good to see the county contribute to this cause.
Overtime Threshold for Farmworkers – New York State intends to lower the overtime threshold for farmworkers from
60 hours to 40 hours. This initiative would at first be subsidized in part by the state, and would be fully phased in over the course of ten years. In response, the legislative majority, led by local dairy farm owner Ken Herrington of Herrington Farms, submitted a resolution opposing this new initiative, claiming that it would cripple the local agricultural industry and cause farmworkers to seek employment elsewhere. The minority legislators expressed support for the state’s initiative, citing rising personal expenses for farmworkers and affirming their belief that everyone is entitled to a living wage, while stating that the state subsidized wage increases would instead entice farmworkers to stay in New York. Regardless, the resolution passed in the legislature, with all minority legislators voting against it.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, September 13, 2022 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy.
PUBLIC FORUM – Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
www.rensselaercounty.org
DeFreestville Fire Department August Update
As always, there’s good news and there’s bad news. The bad news is summer is half over. The good news is the DeFreestville Fire Department is still on the job for the residents of our town!
In July, we responded to 41 total alarms, including five structure fires, one vehicle fire, and other calls. The structure fires included a 3rd alarm fire in Averill Park Sand Lake district, as well as a 2nd alarm fire in South Schodack, where we were able to interact with departments from Columbia County. It’s not often that we get to do that! Thank you to all the members that have been able to respond.
Also, we spent several weeks in June conducting extra training on technical rescue skills with Rensselaer Fire Department. This training led happened to precede a real world experience when, on July 24th, we were dispatched to an EMS call for an injured hiker that had fallen in the woods off of Stone Clay Road in the RPI Tech Park. We’d like to thank RFD for joining us on training. Thanks also to Wynantskill and Best-Luther Fire Departments and the North Greenbush Ambulance Association for their assistance on the call.
Switching gears, the DFD congratulates the following recipients of the Kenneth J. Clark Sr/H. Gary Garab Memorial Scholarship: Emma Golden (UConn), Nick Clemenzi (HVCC), Kylie Cotugno (Maria College), and Connor (Bryant) and Kyle (UConn) Garab. Best wishes for continued success to these outstanding students!
We are happy to report that after successful completion of all required training, the following firefighters are now fully qualified interior members of the DFD: Emily Pirie, Brendan French, Matt Beaulac, and Rose Jokiel. As always, the DFD is looking for more volunteers! Volunteer firefighters enjoy tangible benefits, including free training and equipment, tax breaks and credits and more. If you’re interested please feel free to reach out via our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/defreestvillefd or call (518) 286-3612 to learn more!
Councilman Jack Rogers Reports to the Town of North Greenbush
The North Greenbush Town Fair will be held this year from September 9th through September 11th. The Route 43 water project has been delayed due to supply issues, but this project is still slated to be completed. The town will have another Electronics Recycling Day on October 1st from 9am-3pm.
The Bunker is requesting a liquor license for their business on Route 4, and the owners have requested a 30 day waiver from the town for this license. This waiver was granted by the board.
The Town Board approved the appointment of two new Utility Laborers, Jason Hamlin and Paul Giacomaro. Welcome to your new positions.
A resolution was approved to schedule a public hearing to consider the proposed amendment to the Quackenderry Common PPD local law for the Bloomingrove Properties Associates. Please bring any questions and concerns to this public hearing on September 8, 2022 @6:30.
The Town Board tabled a modification to the Police Benevolent Association memorandum of understanding by a vote of 4-1.
Additional street lighting was approved at the new intersection at Route 4 and Winter Street Extension for improved visibility.
Pat Nolan, President of the Snyder’s Lake Association provided an informative presentation on developing a lake management plan and the plans to obtain New York State Department of Environmental Conservation grants to maintain the lakes environment.
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 8/22/22 at 6:30PM
•Town Board 9/8/22 at 7:00PM
•Zoning Board 9/14/22 at 6:30
Enjoy the remaining days of summer,
Councilman Jack Rogers
From the Desk of Janice Hannigan Kerwin, North Greenbush Town Clerk
The 2022-2023 Season for Licenses & Deer Management permits are now on sale! Stop by the North Greenbush Town Clerk’s office, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, to purchase your 2022–2023 licenses on the spot!! I have the 2022-2023 Official Guide to Laws & Regulations, Volume 16, issue No. 1, September 2022 for you right here in the office.
In addition to the magazines, I have printed out the 2022 Wildlife Management Unit Boundary map for you to review while choosing your Deer Management Permit locations.
Please stay safe & healthy, I am looking forward to seeing you all here in the office this year.
From the Desk of Janice Hannigan Kerwin, North Greenbush Town Clerk
Our Wednesday Night Food Truck Event has been a HUGE success again this year, THANK YOU!!!! We will continue having our Wednesday night event until 31st, which will be our final night this season. Please stop by the next couple of weeks between the hours of 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and grab dinner and desserts. There are SO many vendors to choose from. You may contact my office @ 518-283-4306 or email me @ townclerk@nullnorthgreenbush.org with any question you may have pertaining to the event. Stay safe and enjoy your summer!
Constitution Week
In 1955, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution petitioned Congress with a resolution to set aside September 17-23 dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The annual celebration was established when signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on August 2, 1956.
NSDAR is committed to encouraging study and educating the public about the Constitution and the men who framed it.