An idea floated by Rensselaerville Supervisor John Dolce to reduce the number of polling places in the town fell apart after concerns were raised about voting accessibility and the fact that the deadline to get the number changed before this year’s election has already passed.

A propane heater started a structure fire in Westerlo that damaged an apartment and garage, but left the main attached residence unscathed, according to Westerlo’s deputy fire chief. 

The Berne Town Board voted 5-to-0 last week on a resolution that would allow it to sell Switzkill Farm to Albany County. The sale is subject to a permissive referendum.

Despite concerns about a worsening leak, Huyck Preserve Director Anne Rhodes maintains that the Lake Myosotis dam is expected to work normally under typical weather conditions, referring to a 2022 inspection report from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that found it to be well-maintained.

The dam was found to be leaking in 2018 due to a broken pipe, but there were problems finding a vendor so the issue was tabled by the Rensselaerville Town Board at the time. Now, the leak appears to be getting worse, says Ed Csukas, who chairs Rensselaerville’s water and sewer advisory committee. “It’s getting close to being urgent,” he said, “but hopefully not an emergency.”

Joseph M. Sciancalepore, of Freehold, was charged with burglary and assault, among other crimes, after, police say, he entered a Westerlo residence while armed with a knife. 

The town had discovered that health benefits for retirees were being paid without authorization, necessitating a resolution to that effect. In addition to formalizing an existing practice, it also adjusts the way benefits work for employees hired after Jan. 1, 2024. 

Knox implemented a year-long moratorium last April to give itself room to get a handle on existing projects and establish a more forward-looking perspective. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will help Rensselaerville and three other Albany County municipalities with water source protection by providing free consultation on matters of funding, data interpretation, plan development, and more.  

The Rensselaerville Town Board is considering reducing the number of polling sites in the town from three to one to cut costs. A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m.