Archive » June 2024 » News

Dozens show up in support of Westerlo Planning Board at abolishment hearing

by Noah Zweifel

At a public hearing on Supervisor Matthew Kryzak’s proposal to eliminate the town’s planning board and hand its duties over to the zoning board of appeals, more than two dozen residents showed up to beg the board to turn it down. 

Kindlon challenges D.A. Soares in Democratic primary, as Republican Ambrosio readies for November

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

At one point, as Soares railed against the reforms that allow defendants to see information on witnesses ahead of a trial and Kindlon responded by defending the practice, the moderator, Corey James of Spectrum News, asked the rumbling audience to “keep it down.” Ambrosio leaned back from the table, announcing the other two could fight it out.

Hilton Barn work wrapping up, slated for winter completion

by Sean Mulkerrin

New Scotland moved the century-old barn across Route 85A in 2016. 

Berne-Knox-Westerlo loses budget revote gamble and is forced into contingency plan, cutting over $560K

by Noah Zweifel

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education had opted not to make slight reductions in its budget proposal after it had failed to reach the 60-percent approval rating it required for going over the tax cap. The district fell even further from the mark on the second go-round.

GCSD gears up for capital project vote in May 2025

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Guilderland is on the cusp of forming a District Facilities Committee to map out the district’s next capital project. It will dovetail with work currently underway by a Future Ready Task Force.

Ham radio operators flock to Thacher Park for a nationwide event

ALBANY COUNTY — A nationwide amateur radio exercise will take place at John Boyd Thacher State Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23.

Leash law in limbo for Altamont

by Sean Mulkerrin

ALTAMONT — The proposed changes to Altamont’s current dog law were largely met with criticism during a public hearing on the matter, but Mayor Kerry Dineen sought to make clear that the amendments residents were railing against weren’t being proposed. 

The board on June 4 took no action on the proposal. 

“Not in our lifetime”: ‘Extreme’ heat will fade to ‘moderate’ over weekend

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The National Weather Service forecast is that Albany County will be labeled red for “major” on Tuesday and Wednesday; magenta for “extreme” on Thursday, then back to “major” on Friday before returning to “moderate” over the weekend.

Time for ‘rubber to hit the road’ on dilapidated properties, R’ville lawyer says

by Noah Zweifel

Supervisor John Dolce said that he has a list of 24 properties in the town that are in poor condition, but there were questions about how the town should approach a cleanup process that he worries could cost half a million dollars. 

New county law offers tax break for families building space for parents or grandparents

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The exemption will apply to construction or reconstruction that took place after Jan. 1, 2023 and will continue to apply only while the parent or grandparent lives there. The exemption applies for people 62 or older who use the space as their primary residence.

Troopers: Shotgun-wielding man charged with misdemeanors

by Noah Zweifel

Thomas F. Conover, a 35-year-old man from Westerlo, was told to leave a gathering of people at a Westerlo home, only to return with a shotgun, which he aimed at several people, including children, according to the New York State Police. 

Delmar Bootery, at 84, added to state registry

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Sundling was pregnant with her daughter, Mandy, when she started running the store, she said. “She kind of got it through osmosis,” said Sundling, stating that the store, which moved to Stuyvesant Plaza in 1988, wouldn’t function without Mandy Young.

Pride flag flies at Guilderland Town Hall

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“This means a great deal to not only this community, but my family as well,” said Councilwoman Amanda Beedle on flying the pride flag. She said she had brought the matter to the board because she wanted “to show that this town is very open and inclusive and welcoming to all.”

BKW board makes final plea before budget vote next week

by Noah Zweifel

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education needs more than 60 percent of district residents to vote “yes” for a tax-cap piercing budget on June 18, or else will have to move to a contingency budget that could result in cuts to after-school and athletic programs, among others. 

State bill to register and tax short-term rentals awaits gov’s signature

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“This legislation levels the playing field for hotels and motels by collecting sales and occupancy tax on short-term rentals, addressing an estimated $550 million in lost local revenue over the past five years,” said the bill’s sponsors.

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