The proposed plan for Guilderland for 2017 is down $43,000 from last year. The tax rate is unchanged from last year.

ALTAMONT — Altamont firefighters raised about $5,500 at Friday’s open house, which they plan to give to three families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by recent fires.

After a “yes” vote on Tuesday, renovation of the McKownville firehouse is expected to begin in the spring.

An elderly woman crashed her van into the SEFCU building on Route 20 in Guilderland Monday morning; no one was hurt.

A total of 98 sinks or water fountains in the Guilderland school district’s five elementary schools have been found to contain lead levels higher than the allowable amount. The highest number of unsafe outlets was found at the newest school.

Guilderland Police responded to Crossgates Mall on Oct. 12 for a report of a shoplifter at the Hollister store, and wound up stopping an assault on four Hollister security officers.

Guilderland school district reported test results showing water in all five elementary schools have lead levels in some outlets above the safety threshold.

Altamont firefighters have rushed to put out three fires in the last month and have decided to turn Friday’s open house into a fundraiser for the affected families.

McKownville residents will vote on Tuesday whether to approve a proposed plan to renovate the local firehouse that will raise their taxes an average of $136.58 per household.