BC makes last-minute budget shift
Cuts restored using expected surplus from this year
The Bethlehem Central Board of Education made changes to its adopted 2013-14 school year budget in an early morning meeting held less than two weeks after the spending plan was adopted in a 6-1 vote.
Spotlight recognized at NYPA awards
Spotlight News was recognized among the top weekly publications in the state at the New York Press Association spring conference, with the paper’s staff capturing several first-place awards in the group’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.
Rail Trail at issue in class action lawsuit
Trail neighbors say they should have been compensated in recreational deal
A group of property owners neighboring the Albany County Rail Trail are suing the federal government over the recreational corridor.
Ex-cop’s lawsuit to go to trial
Judge rejects Town of Bethlehem’s motion to dismiss case
It will be up to a jury to decide whether former Bethlehem police officer Christopher Hughes faced a hostile work environment for expressing what he argues was protected speech.
Such a thing as free lunch in Reubenville
Town of Coeymans wins national contest by altering its name for a month
The Town of Coeymans has won the Arby’s “Reubenville Challenge” by changing the name of the municipality for a month.
Bethlehem fundraiser takes a wacky turn
For the past six years, Bethlehem Central faculty have gathered to play in a basketball game aimed at raising money to benefit the district’s classrooms. They’ll be doing the same this year, but with some notable twists.
Hope on horizon for Colonial Acres
Local PGA chapter floats potential private involvement for municipal golf course
A possible white knight has arrived with a possible, if not distant, solution to the ongoing debate over the future of the Colonial Acres Golf Course: the PGA.
Saratoga County voters support incumbents
Marchione secures victory, Spa City turns down government change
Incumbents hoping for another term representing the people of Saratoga County got their wishes this Election Day, as voters sent familiar faces back to the Assembly and Senate.
Schenecatdy County passes budget with 5.9% tax hike
Minority says cuts are too little too late, supporters point finger at state
The Schenectady County Legislature adopted a 2013 budget tonight smaller than the spending plan previously on the table, but with a tax hike still too large for some lawmakers.
IDA reaffirms tax break policy
Agency looking for part-time economic development professional
The Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency is generally against granting tax breaks to retail businesses — but don’t expect to read about it on the organization’s website.
Empty desks save Bethlehem $1M
Leaving 17 jobs unfilled will likely shrink budget gap
The Bethlehem Town Board saw some rare black numbers Wednesday night when Comptroller Michael Cohen presented a mid-year fund balance analysis that showed the town has saved over $1 million in 2012 by leaving the equivalent of 17 full time jobs unfilled.
Ex-cop gets probation
Former Bethlehem police officer Christopher Hughes was sentenced today to five years probation for possessing a fake police identification card.
Selkirk mulls paid firefighters
The Selkirk Fire Department could see a handful of paid firefighters introduced to its ranks if it accepts a federal grant.
Bethlehem talks turkey, few cuts appeal
Attrition said to be key to balancing budget while keeping services
The Bethlehem Town Board talked over potential budget cuts for 2013, but agreed attrition is what will make significant holes in a budget gap. The trick is keeping services at the same time.
Ex-cop’s lawsuit against town in judge’s hands
Depositions revive years-old questions about internal investigation
A judge holds the decision over whether a lawsuit leveled against the Town of Bethlehem and its police chief will be shown to a jury or thrown out, while testimony collected for the case recalls tumultuous times for the town.
BC’s tax cap challenge succeeds
Record turnout for landmark vote, 63 percent approve of budget
Voters in the Bethlehem Central School District approved a 2012-13 school year budget today by a margin of 4,035 votes to 2,405 votes.
Colonie looks to dump more trash at landfill
Board approves submitting application to state
Colonie is seeking approval from the state to up the amount of trash dumped at the town landfill in what officials call an effort to get the most out of facility.
Lockbox not a lock in Bethlehem
Receiver of taxes speaks against automated payment collection
Bethlehem Town Board members listened to arguments for adopting an automated bill payment processing system on Wednesday, March 28, but will be taking more time to review the proposal before making a decision on using a Lockbox system.
Bethlehem OKs Comp Plan review group
In an evening spent tackling perennial issues, board also sets fund balance policy
Officials in the Town of Bethlehem discussed and ultimately moved forward several items that have long been on the agendas of Town Board members, or at least the subject of past debate.
Police pull body from Normanskill
Police earlier today recovered the body of a 45-year-old man they say jumped to his death from the Route 9W bridge over the Normanskill.
Saratoga chambers seek collaboration
Boards direct leaders to research options, deliver report
Two chambers of commerce in Saratoga County are looking to expand on the ways they work together.
Clarkson takes the oath
John Clarkson officially became supervisor of the Town of Bethlehem this evening and pledged to residents not only a responsive and responsible town government, but one free of partisan politics.
Forum set on open Town Board seat
The Albany County chapter of the League of Women Voters will be holding an “educational forum” on the topic of the Bethlehem Town Board seat recently vacated by Mark Jordan.
District, police respond to drug charges at BCHS
Bethlehem police arrested a teen on drug charges after three Bethlehem Central High School students apparently overdosed at the school and were hospitalized.
Police: Teen sold drugs at BCHS, leading to overdoses
Bethlehem police have charged a 16-year-old with selling drugs at BC High School following an incident when three students apparently overdosed.
Now it’s the public’s turn on budget
Bethlehem’s tentative plan keeps 1.27 percent tax hike, but cuts borrowing
The public will be giving Bethlehem leaders comments on a 2012 budget that includes the same tax hike as originally proposed nearly two months ago, but has changed considerably in other areas.
Extra Bethlehem budget workshop scheduled
Taxes and borrowing continues to rule the debate
Members of the Town Board and Supervisor Sam Messina are continuing to grind out a budget plan, and issues including whether a tax increase should be part of the budget and what the thown’s policy on borrowing should be continue to rule the debate.
Public sounds off on hamlet
Traffic impacts, number of apartments top concerns
The public has had months to mull over a massive hamlet project proposed for the Glenmont area, and at a recent public scoping session, it was clear there are concerns about how it would affect traffic, and if the idea’s viable in the first place.
Board wants less borrowing, less taxes
Bethlehem leaders to look at specific cuts at next meeting
Bethlehem leaders at a recent workshop feasted on a triple-layered cake of budgeting issues, considering borrowing, services and taxes.
Open space debate back on in Bethlehem
Proposal stokes discussion about plans to buy land
A proposal put forward by the private group Bethlehem Tomorrow has reignited the controversy over how (or if) Bethlehem should sink money into open space.
Wemple Corners public hearing tonight
The public will have a chance to weigh in on the Wemple Corners superhamlet project proposed for the Glenmont area.
BC audit reveals predictable trends
Administrators foresee PR problem in tax cap
An independent audit has resulted in a “clean opinion” on Bethlehem Central School District operations, but it has also given weight to a few troubling trends that have been brewing in recent years.
Farm to You Fest another success
The Bethlehem School District’s Squash Hunger food drive resulted in the donation of hundreds of pounds of fresh, locally-produced foods for distribution to area soup kitchens and food pantries.
Slingerlands apartments taking shape
Planners say wetlands preclude this hamlet from being hamlet-like
Plans to build an apartment complex next to the Price Chopper Plaza in Slingerlands are coalescing.
Sheriff’s Office eyes Clarksville Elementary
Move would dramatically shift police operations, create efficiencies
The Albany County Sheriff’s Office is looking into leasing the closed Clarksville Elementary School from the Bethlehem Central School District to use as a substation.
Keep vigilant during Fire Prevention Week
Delmar Fire Department will celebrate centennial and educate about fire safety
Every year in October, the National Fire Protection Association and fire departments aim to remind that most fires are preventable.
BC kicks off Farm Fest
The Bethlehem School District’s Farm to You Fest kicked off this week, as the district’s Healthy Kids Committee for the third year running launched into a full week of agricultural awareness and food drives.
New budget keeps tax hike, adds some raises
More pension costs means fewer purchases in Bethlehem budget
The Bethlehem 2012 budget is slowly taking shape, but it's become even more clear that it will be tough to meet all the town’s goals, especially if leaders want to limit tax increases.
At long last, groundbreaking set for Vista
Tech park plans met approval four years ago, work to start Monday
Four years after the stamp of approval was placed on the Vista Tech Park plans, ground will be broken on the massive development in just a few days’ time.
Bethlehem deadlocked on Porco records request
Convicted killer's FOIL appeal will go unanswered following split vote
Deliberations on the Bethlehem Town Board were deadlocked last night as leaders discussed how to respond to a freedom of information request from Christopher Porco.
Left out in the storm
Stormy weather and a dreary economy have impacts on animal shelters
If a poor economy and less money to go around wasn’t enough, the recent impacts of tropical storms on the region have exacerbated problems face by pet owners and animal shelters.
BC appoints incoming superintendent
Thomas Douglas will take top job come 2012
The Bethlehem Central School District will soon have a new superintendent in Thomas Douglas, who this evening was unanimously appointed to the position by the school board, to start Jan. 1 of next year.
Youth charged with torching school shed
Bethlehem police have arrested a 13-year-old and charged him with setting fire to a shed behind the Bethlehem Central Middle School last week, destroying the structure.
BC: vandalism rampant
Middle School shed torched, capping summer of destructive acts
Bethlehem police are investigating as arson a fire that burned down a shed near the Bethlehem Central Middle School on Friday, in the latest chapter of what Superintendent Michael Tebbano characterized as a “rash” of escalating acts of vandalism to school property.
BC to pick new superintendent
Special meeting of school board set for Tuesday
The Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education will select a superintendent to replace outgoing district leader Michael Tebbano during a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 27.
County confirms first ever West Nile case
An older individual has come down with the only case of the West Nile Virus ever reported in Albany County.
BC brings back Pledge of Allegiance
Required reading apparently absent from high school for years
Bethlehem High School is now beginning the day with the Pledge of Allegiance after it was apparently absent from the program for many years.
Vista gets another victory
Date floated for groundbreaking as retail buildings approved
Another part of the Vista Technology Park project got the stamp of approval tonight from the Bethlehem Planning Board, and for the first time a tentative date was floated for a groundbreaking on the long-awaited and massive project: Thursday, Sept. 29.
Furniture for flood victims
Goods destined for hard-hit Schoharie County
Members of the Delmar United Methodist Church loaded up trucks with household supplies and furniture on Wednesday, Sept. 14, to go to people in Schoharie County impacted by Tropical Storm Irene and the subsequent flooding.
Bethlehem budget won't be easy
Ancient infrastructure, employee pay top items as process begins
At the end of a three-hour budgeting session it was clear there are will be major challenges to overcome in this budget cycle.
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