On June 14, over 100 people marched in Rensselaerville to support the Black Lives Matter movement and denounce racism nearly a month after George Floyd, a black man, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes. The turnout left co-organizer John Arrighi “blown away,” and reflects the massive support for racial justice seen in predominantly white communities following Floyd’s death.

The Westerlo Town Board voted, 3 to 2, to authorize Highway Superintendent Jody Ostrander to lay off two of seven highway workers at his discretion. The vote comes after three weeks of debate over where the town can make cuts to balance the anticipated loss of sales-tax revenue because of the coronavirus shutdown.

Donna Gwin, Secretary, Knox Historical Society

In Knox’s first town board meeting physically open to the public since the coronavirus settled in March, Supervisor Vasilios Lefkaditis assured residents that the town is in strong financial standing despite projected sales-tax loss, which he credits to the town’s robust cash balance.

On Jan. 5, Congressman Paul Tonko announced that the Federal Communications Commission awarded more than $600,000 to Mid-Hudson Data Corp., which will use the money to expand coverage all over the state, including Westerlo. 

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the United States Census Bureau halted hand-deliveries of census questionnaires to certain households, which has created a low self-response rate in the rural Hilltowns, where these hand-deliveries are more common. 

At its May 28 special meeting, Supervisor William Bichteman broke down the money Westerlo can save from either laying off, furloughing, or reducing the hours of between one and four town employees.