New Berne-Knox-Westerlo programs planned for 2017-18 school year include an expanded agricultural science program.

Some board members expressed concern over aging or disabled residents living on a portion of Stage Road closed for the winter, while highway Superintendent Randy Bashwinger said it was a dangerous intersection to plow.

The board was warned by the Westerlo assessor about a tax exemption that could cost the town, and encouraged instead of implementing the tax to use a Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement with solar farms.

At his State of the County address on Monday night, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy brought up new initiatives such as expanding internet access in the Hilltowns and efforts to finish paving the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail.

The second hilltowns regional historical summit was held on Saturday to discuss and plan events that would promote history in the region, from Middleburgh to Duanesburg to New Scotland. At the meeting, it was decided to pursue setting up events and exhibits centering around local industry, alcohol production, and the Prohibition Era.

Rensselaerville Stage Creations will be performing “The Vagina Monologues” this weekend, as well as holding a silent auction to raise funds for the charity Equinox, which helps victims of domestic abuse.

With 10 to 12 members, many retired and in their 60s, Rensselaerville Volunteer Ambulance announced that it would be closing, with the Albany County Sheriff’s Emergency Medical Services unit taking over calls in town.

Westerlo resident and former volunteer of the Hilltown Community Resource Center, based in Westerlo, Michael Sikule, will be joining the Board of Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.

Matrix, an insurance plan widely used by retired Berne-Knox-Westerlo school employees, is to be discontinued and replaced with a new plan.

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo School Board discussed an Enterprise article that looked at the financial need in the school using reduced-price and free lunch rates as a measurement.