Archive » April 2023 » News

Health-care workers rally for state budget increases

by Sean Mulkerrin

About two dozen members of 1199 Service Employees International Union took to the Guilderland facility’s parking lot on April 5 to call on Governor Kathy Hochul to close what they say is a Medicaid coverage gap in the 2024 state budget.  

Altamont seeks residents to join comprehensive plan review committee

by Sean Mulkerrin

Altamont appears to be having a difficult time recruiting members to join its comprehensive plan review committee, a contrast with the town of Guilderland and its update committee, which has nine members and received twice as many applicants. 

DEC warns: Hudson Valley fire risk is ‘high’

ALBANY COUNTY — Albany County this week has a “high” fire danger rating from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation.

The DEC issued a press release on Tuesday, reminding New Yorkers about the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning that lasts from  March 16 through May 14.

Week CLXI — Comptroller: ‘Timely guidance’ was needed to protect group-home residents

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — People living in nearly 7,000 group homes across New York state were at risk during the pandemic, according to an audit of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities released this week by the state’s comptroller, Thom

Board mulls when and how to celebrate Guilderland’s birthday

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

 “I think we should be recognizing other significant events in the town’s history,” said Guilderland supervisor Peter Barber. “I do know that there are a lot of very famous town residents … that served in the state legislature, but also on the forefront as abolitionists or with women’s suffrage … We should try to do more.”

All are welcome under volunteer first-responder tax exemption, state says

by Noah Zweifel

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance told The Enterprise this week that it leaves the definition of “active” membership for volunteer fire and ambulance groups up to localities passing property-tax exemption laws for those groups, meaning that members in supportive or honorary roles can still theoretically be eligible.

As Schumer calls for FBI ‘cyber super SWAT team,’ GCSD develops plan for reacting to potential swatting

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“It’s essentially an approach that some very ill-intentioned people are using to create chaos through the lens of our first responders,” said Guilderland Superintendent Marie Wiles. “So they initiate calls, often through a 9-1-1 center, that makes first responders jump to action because there is an alleged active shooter or bomb scare or hostage situation.”

Carey Institute sheds light on pandemic finances, current state of programs

by Noah Zweifel

Financial data from the Carey Institute’s 2020 tax returns were recently published by ProPublica’s NonProfit Explorer, raising questions for both skeptics of the organization, who have been critical of the way the not-for-profit navigated its potential sale during the turbulent days of the early pandemic, and for The Enterprise, which has covered the organization from its earliest days.

‘It really takes all of us,’ says Webb, to push for responsible gun laws

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

GUILDERLAND — Conor Webb is a student with a mission, a big one: to make not just his school but his nation a safer place.

A Guilderland High School junior, Webb is a founder of the first local chapter of March For Our Lives.

Despite late state budget, GCSD endorses $120M spending plan for next year

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Superintendent Marie Wiles concluded of the 2023-24 budget, “On some levels, this was a fortunate year that we were able to maintain everything that we have been doing and lower the class sizes in the middle school, which was a huge priority, and begin to transition items that were funded by our federal dollars into he general fund. So I think we’re in a very good spot.”

Pine Bush Preserve celebrates Earth Day, seeks volunteers for projects

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — The Albany Pine Bush Preserve will host its annual Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon.

2023-24 Voorheesville village budget up almost 6% but taxes nearly flat

by Sean Mulkerrin

A public hearing for Voorheesville’s budget proposal is set for Thursday, April 13, at 6 p.m., at Village Hall. 

Narcan at the library — ‘the difference between life and death’

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

A new initiative puts Narcan cabinets in easily accessible places. Cabinets are already installed at the Berne Library, at the Washington Avenue branch of the Albany Public Library, at the University at Albany, and at the Capital City Rescue Mission. “If you want one of these in your building, we’ll make it happen,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.

Westerlo passes first-responder tax exemption

by Noah Zweifel

Westerlo is the third Hilltown tax authority — after Knox and the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school district — to pass the exemption.

County considers bill to increase senior exemptions

ALBANY COUNTY — The county legislature is considering a bill that would increase tax exemptions for elderly residents.

Since the state amended its Real Property Tax Law last year, the legislature can raise the income threshold for a senior exemption from $29,000 to $50,000.

Pages