Archive » January 2023 » News

Lott named new Guilderland ZBA chair

by Sean Mulkerrin

GUILDERLAND — The Guilderland Zoning Board of Appeals had a significant shake-up at the start of the New Year.

During the town board’s reorganizational meeting, attorney Elizabeth Lott was named to succeed longtime chairman, Thomas Remmert. 

The Mountain Family wants to mentor people looking to change their lives

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Richard Umholtz says he nearly died seven years ago.

“I came into the house and went splat on the floor. I did not trip,” he said. “It was like somebody turned the electrical switch off … Everything worked mentally. Physically, nothing worked.”

First-ever buyback in Guilderland brought in 117 guns — till funds ran out

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Of the guns collected in Guilderland on Saturday, Albany County legislator Dustin Reidy said that four or five had scratched-off serial numbers and a handful were illegal. “There was a sawed-off shotgun that was brought in,” Reidy said.

Snowmobiler hospitalized after difficult rescue 

by Noah Zweifel

A man riding his snowmobile with friends on an abandoned ski slope in Berne was critically injured after he lost control of his vehicle. Because deep snow prevented an ambulance from reaching him, the local fire departments relied on all-terrain vehicles and utility task vehicles to make the rescue, with assistance from Albany County and the Helderberg Ambulance squad. 

Berne rejected county’s offer to help preserve Switzkill Farm buildings after sale stalled

by Noah Zweifel

After Albany County withdrew its offer to purchase Switzkill Farm in Berne because it became apparent that the property needed substantial investment, it offered to help “secure” the buildings on the property to prevent further deterioration while the county focused on other projects, according to county spokeswoman Mary Rozak, but Berne officials “didn’t want any part of that.” 

Voorheesville man charged with rape

A 27-year-old Voorheesville man was charged by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 23 for raping a girl under the age of 15 “by forcible compulsion,” according to a release from the office.

William C. Maguire is facing three felony charges: first-degree rape, second-degree rape, and first-degree criminal sexual act.

Ambulance transport fees steady for 2023

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“EMS billing reduces the tax subsidy of EMS services …,” says Jay Tyler, director of Guilderland Emergency Medical Services. “While taxes still supply a portion of operational funding, ambulance fees collected from insurance companies mitigate the taxpayer burden.”

Week CL: Albany County has ‘high’ community level, says CDC

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

In August, on Women’s Equality Day, at an event at the University at Albany, the governor announced that the state’s labor department would examine the impact of COVID-19 on women in the workforce and explore equitable solutions. This week, hearings were announced, on Jan. 26 in New York City and on Jan. 31 in Albany, for which  New Yorkers can register to attend or to provide testimony.

Town lets logger remove already-cut trees

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“Unfortunately he got caught in the middle of a bad situation,” said Guilderland town planner Kenneth Kovalchik of René Savoie having to halt his logging operation. “As for the operation, the logging roads were in good condition and the log processing areas were organized and well kept.”

County recommends more than 30 projects to mitigate climate-change impacts

by Noah Zweifel

In its draft climate resiliency plan published earlier this month, Albany County offers an inventory of its various assets, how those assets are threatened by climate change, and what steps it and its municipalities should take to stem and defend against those threats.

Towns and schools discuss property tax breaks for vets and volunteer first responders

by Sean Mulkerrin

“It all goes towards recruitment and retention, which has kind of been a hidden bugaboo of the volunteer fire department for a number of years,” Donald Gaitor, a 50-year volunteer firefighter, told Guilderland Town Board recently 

Emily Vincent in Berne carries forward the sheep line developed by a Texas rancher

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

BERNE — Emily Vincent is carrying on a legacy.

A sheep farmer in Berne, Vincent had a brain tumor removed in January of 2020.

“After I got out of my surgery, I had just the most horrendous vertigo that you could ever have,” recalls Vincent in this week’s Enterprise podcast. “It was really hard.”

Berne proposes switch to sole appointed assessor

by Noah Zweifel

The local law, which will be subject to a public hearing in February, would transform the assessor’s office to make it more like that of most other municipalities in New York State by concentrating assessment authority in the hands of one person who’s appointed rather than three people who are elected.

Fire engulfs BBL Carlton warehouse

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

A large warehouse for BBL Carlton caught fire on Friday afternoon and its roof collapsed.

An acrid odor filled the air as a Colonie police officer stopped traffic about a mile from the site on Kings Road. At 4:15 p.m., he said he'd been on duty for two hours.

CDTA plans to bring service back to Voorheesville by mid-February, and later to Altamont

by Sean Mulkerrin

In November, area residents came to the Voorheesville firehouse to voice their concerns over losing access to Route 719. This week, the Capital District Transportation Authority announced a two-phase plan that will bring a large portion of the route back into service. 

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