Former Navy Depot clean up underway
Supervisor eyes site for consolidated DPW facility, economic development
Schenectady County officials recently announced the federal government started working on the pre-design state of environmental clean up of the approximately 60-acre property.
Councilman questions highway purchase
Rotterdam Town Board approves bonding $618k for vehicles, equipment
Town Councilman Robert Godlewski is questioning how the town High Department signed a contract to purchase a new front-end loader tractor for a price in excess of its budget.
Cornell Cooperative awarded grant for health program
The Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Schenectady County was awarded an $189,500 grant Wednesday, Feb. 13, to support its “Health Shares: Doctors Prescribing Healthy Local Produce to At-Risk, Low Income Families” initiative.
Every dog has its night
Niskayuna installs lights at dog park after pleas from residents
Mary Jane Sansevere organized residents frequenting Niskayuna’s dog park, located in Blatnick Park, to petition the town to install lights, which were recently added to the park for less than $2,000.
DEC awards $50k for waterfront projects
Three grants given to Schenectady County-based initiatives
For the first time, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has awarded grants to support Mohawk River Basin area projects, with three of the six grants anchored in Schenectady County.
Signs point to change
Support shown for Glenville’s proposed sign ordinance revisions
The Glenville Town Board held a public hearing Wednesday, Feb. 6, on proposed amendments to its sign regulations, which mostly affect what business owners can display to promote their store or services. Business representatives generally spoke favorably about the proposed changes.
Glenville: Come join the growth
Marketing firm presents branding strategies to spur economic development
The Town of Glenville hopes new businesses will come and be a part of its growth. At least, that’s the gist of a burgeoning plan to attract new businesses unveiled at a Town Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Rotterdam biz park attracts another tenant
Captech Logistics leasing space at former state bakery and warehouse
The Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority Tuesday, Feb. 12, announced Captech Logistics is placing its third party logistics facility in the Rotterdam Corporate Park by leasing 43,000 square feet in Building 14.
Outside the box
Unique chocolate treats offer break from Valentine’s Day tradition
While chocolate is often seen as a can’t-fail Valentines gift, the traditional heart-shaped box of sweets might strike some as clichéd. But for those looking to stray from convention will be met with a sweet surprise at Capital District candy shops.
Businesses joining ShopRite Square
Two new tenants sign leases, new building planned near plaza
ShopRite Square has two more businesses joining the ranks in the redeveloped plaza, and a proposed new building with a drive-thru means another tenant is likely on the way.
Niskayuna schools facing tough cuts
Closure of middle or elementary school possible as $6M budget gap looms
The Niskayuna Central School District would need to raise taxes by 11.4 percent to maintain current programming and services, and making the least painful cuts would only bring that down to 8.9 percent.
Train cars derailed near Glenville mobile homes [photo gallery]
Witness describes conductors crashing into parked train, no hazardous material spilled
First responders were called to the scene in Glenville on Thursday, Feb. 7, at approximately 7:26 p.m., according to Town Supervisor Christopher Koetzle, with several train cars toppled along the tracks behind Reynolds Mobile Home Park and the adjacent mobile home park. There are no known injuries as of late Thursday night and no hazardous material spilled, according to local officials.
Mohonasen starts tackling budget
District facing $1.4M budget gap, 4.1 percent tax cap
Superintendent Kathleen Spring and Business Administrator Christopher Ruberti presented a budget development update during the Mohonasen Board of Education meeting Monday, Feb. 4, with the district 1.4 million budget gap.
Fervent frustration at firearms forum
State Police answer questions on new gun laws, face charged reactions
Hunters and competitive shooters turned out in numbers at a Wednesday, Jan. 30, forum held by police to field questions about the state’s new gun laws, but the most popular query — why the law was adopted in the first place — went largely unanswered.
Former Glenville comptroller sues town
George Phillips is suing the Town of Glenville for accumulated sick, personal and vacation time, along with alleged unpaid salary and longevity, he says he accumulated before his abrupt departure from Town Hall.
Elementary equations
Area educators decry lack of state aid, distribution inequality
Around 1,400 people on Thursday, Jan. 31, attended the regional event “Your Public Schools in Fiscal Peril — Running Out of Time and Options” featuring Statewide School Finance Consortium Executive Director Rick Timbs as the keynote speaker.
Robotics power mental sports
Niskayuna and Mohonasen students compete at FIRST Tech Challenge
Niskayuna and Mohonasen students recently competed at the regional FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Tournament at Pace University in Pleasantville, and were among 36 teams of high school students bringing robots they spent months creating into the limelight.
Niskayuna seeks bonding for land buy
District officials say purchase would save over lease, March vote set
As the Niskayuna Central School District tackles a $6 million budget gap, district officials are asking voters to approve borrowing $3.2 million to purchase a property it now leases for its transportation facility.
Scotia moves on tax cap override
Board sets public hearing on proposal, looks at restructuring fees
Staying within the state’s two percent property tax cap isn’t getting any easier, according to Scotia Mayor Kris Kastberg, and the village wants to keep all its budgeting options open by setting the stage to exceed it.
[UPDATED] Martin leaves Rotterdam Town Board for county seat
Former Councilwoman Nicola DiLeva returns to board, Godlewski questions process
Matthew Martin has left the Rotterdam Town Board to fill a vacancy in the Schenectady County Legislature and former councilwoman Nicola DiLeva was appointed to fill his seat.
SCCC completes Center City expansion
College leases extra 11,000 square feet, adds courses
Shortly after Schenectady County Community College announced its plans to open a satellite campus in Albany, students were welcomed into an expanded Center City location in downtown Schenectady.
Driveway issue costs Rotterdam $85k
Ghents Road litigation nearing closure, survey results debated
The Rotterdam Town Board approved up to $70,000 to be paid to attorneys representing the town and up to $15,000 for work done by Blackstone Land Surveyors relating to a disputed boundary line.
Caring for caregivers
Alzheimer’s support groups provide empathy and encouragement
The Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York offers support groups at more than 30 locations across 12 counties to help care-giving partners and individuals with early stage Alzheimer’s or others forms of dementia.
Grants aim to keep history afloat
Erie Canalway grants awarded to three area organizations
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor announced $45,800 in grants awarded to nine organizations throughout the state at Proctors on Friday, Jan. 18. Three Capital District organizations will receive a total of $17,500.
No plans to slow down in Glenville
Supervisor delivers State of the Town and outlines initiatives for 2013
Koetzle delivered his State of the Town address at a Town Board meeting Wednesday, Jan. 16, and simultaneously detailed his 2013 Strategic Plan, which focuses on streamlining town operations, continuing economic development, improving town infrastructure and budgeting effectively.
Niskayuna schools drop federal lunch regulations
District: Students balk at meals; participation down as food waste up
The Niskayuna Board of Education unanimously approved terminating the district’s participation in the National School Lunch Program effective April 1. The district’s lunch program is at a net operating loss of almost $70,500 from the start of this school year through December.
SCCC expands reach into Albany
Satellite campus touted as boon for education and downtown businesses
Three years after discussions began, SCCC announced Friday, Jan. 18, its footprint is expanding into the county’s building at 112 State Street in Albany. The college is renovating nearly 10,000 square feet of former Albany County offices on the second floor for classrooms and will lease the space from the county.
Ocean of opportunity
Union Aquarium founder sells business to longtime employee
After 23 years of running Union Aquarium in Schenectady, owner Paul Sartoris is selling the business to a longtime employee who is stepping forward to keep the shop afloat.
Niskayuna schools start tackling $6M budget gap
Superintendent outlines mandates at budget forum, public requests numbers
The district is projecting a $6 million budget gap in the 2013-14 school year, which would require an 11.8 percent tax levy increase to close. But the district must contend with an estimated state tax cap of 3.4 percent, which would still require around $4.3 million to be cut.
Tkaczyk captures 46th Senate District
Lengthy legal battle ends with Democrat newcomer trumping Amedore
Tkaczyk will represent the newly drawn 46th Senate District after her campaign’s appeal to count additional ballots led her to beat Republican George Amedore by 19 votes as of the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 18.
Educators skeptical about Cuomo’s reforms
Area school administrators grade governor’s education proposals
Gov. Cuomo linked education to the economic recovery of the state and laid out several proposals to enhance the quality of the state’s public schools. Area school administrators say district funds are tapped and are wondering how initiative will be funded.
Water main ruptures in Niskayuna
Town officials still uncertain of cause after repairing pipe
The Schenectady County Department of Environmental Health issued the boil water advisory the morning of Friday, Jan. 11, as a precautionary measure after a 20-inch water main broke on Mohawk Road. The boil order was lifted Sunday morning after water tests came back clean, but town officials are still uncertain of the cause.
Family ties run deep on these slopes
Maple Ski Ridge to host 50th anniversary celebration
To celebrate Maple Ski Ridge’s 50th anniversary there, will be a weekend of events from Thursday, Jan. 17, to Sunday, Jan. 20. The business has largely tailored itself to suit its customers, serving as a family-friendly destination and welcoming seniors who are still hitting the slopes.
Chow down for a good cause
The Villa offers Sunday brunch buffet as fundraising tool for groups
The Villa Tuscan Grille, an Italian restaurant in Rotterdam, started serving Sunday brunch buffets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 13 as an inventive way to help local groups and charities.
Sax and stripes forever
Rotterdam native has ‘dream job’ with Army Field Band, performs at All-American Bowl
Brian Sacawa, a 35-year-old Rotterdam native, started playing the saxophone in fourth grade and hasn’t really stopped the music since. Today, he’s a member of the U.S. Army Band and tours the country and world.
Boil water advisory issued for Niskayuna
Entire town ordered to take precautions after water main break
The entire Town of Niskayuna is under a boil water order following a 20-inch water main break resulting in a loss of water pressure throughout portions of the system.
Ousted city official lands in Glenville
Town moves tax collection back in-house after receiver reorganization
The Glenville Town Board on Wednesday, Jan. 3, appointed Jason Cuthbert to town comptroller for a one-year term, replacing George Phillips. The board offered little explanation for the switch.
Schenectady County capital projects proceed
Legislature approves bonding $2.8M for infrastructure updates
Schenectady County legislators approved on Tuesday, Jan. 8, bonding for various capital projects totaling almost $4.2 million, with the state funding approximately $1.4 million of the work.
Fire claims 14-year-old Niskayuna girl
Police, firefighters continue investigation into cause of home blaze
Grace Kline, a seventh-grader at Van Antwerp Middle School, passed away on Friday, Jan. 4, shortly after being removed by first responders from a blaze at her 2241 Niskayuna Drive home.
Rotterdam supervisor sets year’s priorities
Town focuses on new police and justice building, code enforcement and economic development
The Rotterdam Town Board on Tuesday, Jan. 1, held its organizational meeting preparing the town for the year, including appointments and reappointments to various positions. Before speedily adopting resolutions, Buffardi reflected on the administration’s accomplishments and goals for the coming year.
Overtime taps town savings
Glenville draws from fund reserves to cover police OT
Controlling overtime costs is a constant battle for many municipalities, one that can lead to the drawing down of savings. The Glenville Town Board met this scenario at its last meeting in December, when it reached into reserves mostly to cover four budget lines from 2012.
Glenville rolls out new eats
Neon Sushi leasing former Friendly’s property on Route 50
Instead of scoops of ice cream, diners at the former Friendly’s building in Glenville will soon be able to dine on sushi rolls and Japanese fare.
A cold reality on city streets
Glenville nonprofit hosts event to raise awareness, support for homeless youth
Things of My Very Own, Inc., hosted a Sleep out on Thursday, Dec. 20, to raise awareness about homeless youth throughout the Capital District and solicit donations of winter clothing and coats for children in need.
An ornamental end to the holidays
‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ to light up Proctors with fantasy and wonder
Before ringing in the New Year, the Mainstage at Proctors will round off the holiday season with four performances from Friday, Dec. 28, to Sunday, Dec. 30, of “Cirque Dreams Holidaze."
Cops enforce holiday spirit
County Sheriff’s department donates sleigh-load of gifts to families
Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office employees, along with community members, donated money to purchase about 500 gifts for children in needy families who might otherwise not have had much under the tree.
A walk in Wolf Hollow
Preservationists make push to turn damaged road into historic walkway
The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy recently started an initiative to protect more land around the Wolf Hollow geological fault after securing two easements protecting around 140 acres.
Amedore certified winner, Dems appeal pending
Republican grasps 37-vote lead in 46th Senate race, but Tkaczyk isn’t conceding
Acting Montgomery County Supreme Court Justice Guy Tomlinson on Wednesday, Dec. 17, certified Amedore as holding a 37-vote lead after the final disputed paper ballots were counted.
Contract examined after lost revenue
Rotterdam Boys & Girls Club find pool closure ended tie with town
The Rotterdam Boys & Girls Club receives $18,500 annually from the Town of Rotterdam to help cover services provided to the community at a reduced cost, but its contract was limited to pool related services provided to seniors. The group is hoping to broaden its contract to include additional services and restart town payments.
Niskayuna school closure last resort
Majority of board pushes shuttering Van Antwerp to bottom of possible reductions
The Niskayuna Board of Education on Tuesday, Dec. 18, discussed options after hearing the school community loudly opposes closing Van Antwerp and shifting all middle students to Iroquois.
Thruway drops toll hike
Public pressure leads authority to turn to cuts instead of trucks
Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas Madison on Monday, Dec. 17, announced during a news conference with Gov. Andrew Cuomo that any toll increases have been removed from the proposed 2013 budget.