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GUILDERLAND — Two years after residents approved a $5 million bond for a new firehouse, the Westmere Fire District has fired the project’s contractor.

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GUILDERLAND — Danielle Poirier likes a challenge. And she’s in for one.

Last week, Poirier was named transportation director for the Guilderland schools. On March 5, she’ll take the reins from Christine Sagendorf who is retiring.

GUILDERLAND — A new Albany County legislator, representing the Hilltowns, is calling for the county to audit a not-for-profit organization directed by Guilderland’s Democratic Party chairman.

ALTAMONT A bicyclist was injured last week when he attempted to cross over the railroad tracks on Main Street in the village.

GUILDERLAND — The revenue gap faced by the school district for next year’s budget has narrowed to $2.6 million — down from $3.2 million — because the amount Guilderland has to pay to the Teachers’ Retirement System is less than had been anticipated.

GUILDERLAND — Although Superintendent Marie Wiles will not present her budget for next year until March 1, she indicated Tuesday she will recommend a spending plan that eliminates the popular high school advisory period.

GUILDERLAND — Visitors to Orchard Creek at Altamont Orchards will have a new experience this spring. An expanded and renovated patio, a new banquet room attached to the restaurant, fire features, and indoor golf and movie entertainment will let Orchard Creek be a year-round facility when it reopens this April.

GUILDERLAND — The school district on Tuesday asked those most affected by budget cuts — the students — for advice on how to proceed with next year’s spending plan.

“For the first time, we decided to go right to the source,” said Superintendent Marie Wiles.

GUILDERLAND — The school district estimates it may save about half-a-million dollars by rearranging schedules, thereby cutting some staff.

GUILDERLAND — Denise Deitz noticed a gap in services in the town, and, being entrepreneurial, she decided to fill it.

Deitz has an 8-year-old son with special needs, and she said that, in the past, getting his hair cut was a traumatic experience for the whole family.