After extensive training, Guilderland used its decontamination unit for the first time on Saturday, Jan. 17, during a working structure fire at a local trailer park.

She explained that the lunisolar calendar has 12 months and uses a repeating cycle of 60 years to name years, months, and days. Zodiac animals are used to name the years — and this is the year of the Fire Horse, which, Qin said, signifies speed, freedom, and action.

Steck’s bill is now state law. The “Trapped at Work Act” in the Senate was sponsored by Rachel May, a Democrat from Syracuse. No longer can contract provisions force workers to repay training costs when they leave a job.

Barry Alex Finsel portrayed a department that was geared to help the most vulnerable students, that has a curriculum representing a diverse body of students, and that focuses on individual students developing their own voices.

The Rural Soil Background Study found results in New York similar to other Northeast states, with PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid) detected in more than 97 percent of surface soil samples and PFOA (Perfluorooctanic Acid) detected in 76.5 percent.

A driving factor, not unique to Guilderland, Van Alstyne said, is “health insurance continues to rise.”

The not-for-profit group under Anderson’s guidance has already passed its initial goal of raising $100,000 and on Jan. 14 he said, “We’re up to about $140,000 now.” Then, on Jan. 16, the state’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced that $190,000 had been awarded to the project.

The project has been awarded a total of $3,080,100 through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Base Hardship program; close to a million dollars of that amount is because of interest-free financing due to the hardship that was established.

The new town board in Berne is looking to evaluate town practices, like how to handle solid waste, and to fill gaps in contracts and policies.

“I know you’re upset,” Giebelhaus told the crowd. “I am too. I’m probably the most upset person in the room. It’s my job to take your slings and arrows … I’m the town supervisor.” But no slings and arrows were forthcoming. Rather, there was a sense of shared misery and concern with some suggestions for help.