The Albany County Legislature’s Finance Committee approved the purchase of the Berne-owned property at its Nov. 16 meeting, and Legislature Mark Grimm says that the full legislature is expected to authorize it at their next meeting on Dec. 4.

Christopher Gerken had applied for a special-use permit on his home property in Rensselaerville so that he could list the property as commercial and avoid losing his auto-dealer license. Despite the fact that Gerken has no plans to actually operate a dealership there, many residents showed up in opposition at a public hearing in September. 

Supervisor John Dolce told the Rensselaerville Town Board last week that it appears the town never authorized itself to provide medical benefits for its retirees, despite offering those benefits for decades. The town is currently checking for authorization, but will discuss alternative solutions at a later date.

A chimney fire at the Farmhouse Tap + Tavern in Altamont on Saturday was isolated within the chimney, causing only limited damage and allowing the restaurant to open its doors on Tuesday — albeit without a pizza station. 

Early last year, the town of Rensselaerville learned that it would receive an $830,000 bequest from Jeffrey Bogue, a grandson of John and Susan Kuhar who died on Nov. 24, 2020, at age 68. The town plans to award interest earned on the money to community groups each year, under the guidance of a new advisory committee chaired by Rosemarie Kuhar, Bogue’s cousin. 

People can eat their free Thanksgiving-style meal at the Voorheesville American Legion Post 1493 from noon until 4 p.m. on Nov. 19, or take their food to go. The menu will feature turkey, ham, “and all the fixings, including beverages and dessert.”

In 2016, The Enterprise reported on a cat named Buster, who had been brought over from Afghanistan by a United States soldier and spent two years homeless in the Capital Region after running away from his home in Greenville. His latest owner reached out to The Enterprise this week to update the paper on how the rambling cat has changed her life, shortly before his passing.

Albany County Legislator Chris Smith, of Berne, will remain in office after fending off a challenge from Rensselaerville Democrat Hébert Joseph, who had criticized Smith for being a low-energy representative. 

Berne voters ushered planning board Chairman Joe Martin and incumbent Al Thiem onto the town board for four-year terms. They also elected Jeff Harvey as justice. All three were uncontested. 

Incumbent Rensselaerville Town Board member Brian Wood and former highway superintendent Randall Bates were elected to the town board in a three-way race for two seats, winning over newcomer Patricia Byrnes, who, like Wood, ran on the Democratic line. For justice, Republican Richard Tollner and incumbent Democrat Greg Bischoff are nearly tied, with Bischoff leading Tollner 263-to-260.