Archive » April 2023 » News

Letitia James

Despite ‘open-government crisis,’ sunshine laws still lack enforcement

by Noah Zweifel

After the New York State Coalition for Open Government issued a report decrying the current state of open government in New York, the office of the attorney general — whom the coalition views as essential to enforcing the state’s government transparency laws, which are commonly flouted — suggested that the state is already sufficiently equipped to handle these matters. 

Man dies in Route 20 crash

GUILDERLAND — A 24-year-old man from Mississippi was killed in a Western Turnpike car crash on Tuesday night.

A release from the Guilderland Police Department says events unfolded this way:

Week CLXII — Comptroller: Pandemic boosted federal aid to New York but improvement is short-term

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Because of federal pandemic aid, each United States resident received on average $8,050 more in federal expenditures on their behalf than they paid in federal taxes,says a report released this week by the state comptroller. This contrasts with 2019 and prior years, when New York and a handful of other states had a negative balance of payments with the federal government. 

Eight acres added to pine bush — and the preserve’s not done

Through the work of six groups, another 8.3 acres has been added to the globally rare Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

SNAP recipients can double their buying power at farmers’ markets

ALBANY COUNTY — A new state initiative will double the purchasing power for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients at farmers’ markets across New York.

Upcoming tour will give peek into local artists’ studios, free of charge

by Noah Zweifel

The free, self-guided Arts Around Greenville Studio Tour, on May 20 and 21, will showcase the works of more than two dozen local artists, half of whom will open up their studios to visitors, while the rest will have their art on display at the Greenville Public Library and the Gristmill, which is also in Greenville. 

New Scotland to hold workshop on ARPA funds

by Sean Mulkerrin

New Scotland has about a third of its American Rescue Plan Act funding remaining, a little over $600,000, and plans to discuss how to spend it on May 10, at 6:15 p.m.

Trestick ordered to stop ‘land disturbance’

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Neighbors of the Knightes property who live on West Old State Road have complained to the town for more than a year about the dumping of tree waste on property adjacent to theirs.

Seminary sentenced to 2 to 4 years

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

At the time of Kentish Bennett’s death, the mother of his two children described Bennett as talented, lovely, and gentle. “He was too kind of a person to die that way,” she said.

Track work, road closures to start April 24

by Sean Mulkerrin

The taxpayer-funded upgrades to the 15.5-mile track running from Delanson in Schenectady County through Altamont and merging with CSX’s line in Voorheesville is so Norfolk Southern’s trains are able to pull rail cars each carrying 80,000 pounds of automobiles from the nation’s car manufacturers. 

Public hearing set for 11-lot Western Avenue subdivision

by Sean Mulkerrin

Troy Miller is proposing to build 10 new homes on the 11 subdivided lots in Altamont. 

Altamont’s 2023-24 budget up 5.4%

by Sean Mulkerrin

The Altamont tax rate for next year will increase from $2.095 per $1,000 of assessed value to $2.15 per $1,000. According to the village, a home with a full-market value of $443,000 will pay about 20 more dollars in property taxes next year, while a home with a full-market value of $241,00 would pay about $11 more.

Berne adopts appointed sole-assessor law, the final Hilltown to do so

by Noah Zweifel

Having a sole appointed assessor brings Berne up to date with the vast majority of New York towns, and all of its Hilltown neighbors. The sole-assessor system is regarded by the state as superior to the old system of three elected assessors because sole assessors are less bogged down by electoral pressures, among several other reasons.

Picard’s Grove to find new life as winery

by Sean Mulkerrin

NEW SCOTLAND — Picard’s Grove, once a community gathering place for generations and more recently the subject of a legal battle over its future use, is now being proposed as the new home of an

Water committee member calls for community input for dealing with chemicals

by Noah Zweifel

The town of Rensselaerville has been working to control levels of disinfection by-products in its water, which have exceeded standard minimums frequently enough that the United States Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to issue a formal notice to the town, according to water/sewer advisory committee member Ed Csukas in a report to the town board last month.

Pages