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.

“Unfortunately, it seems to be going into mammals, which is pretty concerning,” said Kevin Hynes of bird flu, but the current strain “does not seem to go into humans from causal contact,” he said.

Asked what brought her out to the library to make the whistleblower kits, Hunt said, “The murder of Renee Nicole Good —” She paused there for a long moment, finally concluding, “I can’t think of a word bad enough to describe it; it was shocking.”

BERNE — Berne residents were surprised this week when they got their town tax bills: the expected 38 percent hike is closer to 69 percent.

The new supervisor, Joseph Giebelhaus, said that he was surprised as well.

It doesn’t matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat, a conservative or a progressive, your duty to seek the truth transcends party allegiance and political philosophy.