By Zach Simeone

HILLTOWNS — As towns in the Helderbergs contemplate regulations on alternative-energy projects, some residents have been exploring their options for years.

By Zach Simeone

HILLTOWNS — As towns in the Helderbergs contemplate regulations on alternative-energy projects, some residents have been exploring their options for years.

By Zach Simeone

By Zach Simeone

BERNE — Robert Drake, once superintendent of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District, has returned as high school principal. At a special meeting on Oct. 19, the school board appointed Drake by a unanimous vote. He started work the next day.

By Zach Simeone

By Zach Simeone

BERNE — Robert Drake, once superintendent of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District, has returned as high school principal. At a special meeting on Oct. 19, the school board appointed Drake by a unanimous vote. He started work the next day.

By Zach Simeone

WESTERLO — The town’s preliminary budget for 2009 totals at about $2.5 million, up about $100,000 from this year’s $2.4 million budget. About $992,000 is to be raised by taxes, $10,000 more than for this year’s budget.

By Zach Simeone

BERNE — The town board approved a $2.2 million preliminary budget for 2009 at its Nov. 12 meeting, with no tax increase in next year’s spending plan.

BERNE — Attendants of last week’s forum received a summary of a recent community survey, sent to 3,467 households, which found that:

By Zach Simeone

BERNE — With the state’s financial crisis as a backdrop, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school board surveyed its residents on the quality of the district’s schooling, and held a community forum on maintaining excellence in tough times.