Bethlehem Y officially opens new pavilion
$490k project years in making, already being used by summer campers
More than a year after the Bethlehem YMCA broke ground on a new lunch pavilion to accommodate the organization’s summer campers, the structure is complete.
RCS opens greenhouse as a teaching tool
Learning tool eight years in the making
On Tuesday, June 4, faculty, students and parents gathered at RCS High School for a dedication ceremony and open house to showcase the school’s new greenhouse.
Apartments on the rise in Bethlehem
Developers have moved away from the single-family homes
Members of the Bethlehem Town Board are studying the town’s housing makeup to consider whether it would be more prudent to approve housing developments in the planning process as outlined in the town’s Comprehensive Plan, or to advocate for more open space.
GOP names slate
Party announces a ‘Bethlehem United’ coalition
The Bethlehem Republican Committee has endorsed a slate of candidates belonging to multiple political parties for the November local elections under the banner of “Bethlehem United.”
Bierman resigns from BC school board
Announcement comes day after school budget, board vote
The Bethlehem Central School District’s Board of Education is a member short after the sudden departure of one of its members.
IDA signs off on Vista tax break
Breonics still only known tenant in campus’s first tech building
After weeks of waiting, the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency has approved an Enhanced Tax Abatement for the first tech-use building to be constructed within the Slingerlands Vista Technology Campus.
Bethlehem Central sues Zoning Board
School district seeks to overturn decision that halted property sale
The Bethlehem Central School District is suing the town Zoning Board of Appeals over a decision that halted the sale of its 90 Adams Place property to daycare provider School’s Out, Inc.
Burn notice
Glenmont fire demo part of campaign to encourage indoor sprinkler legislation
On Friday, May 17, the New York State Building Officials Conference held a fire demonstration for its members at the Bethlehem Fire Training Facility off Winne Place in Glenmont. It was held so those in attendance could “see firsthand the power of fire and how effective fire sprinklers can be” when installed in the home.
Roots of knowledge
Delmar resident launches project to cultivate awareness of native plant species
Loretta Fontaine Castagna has held an interest in native plant life since she was a young girl.
Owens Corning to go solar
Array of 9,000 panels to provide 6 percent of plant’s energy
Owens Corning will soon be erecting thousands of solar panels on site at its plant in Delmar.
Bethlehem voters approve school budget
Budget passed 2,518 to 1,311
In a year that did not see a challenge to the state tax cap or any major spending reductions, Bethlehem residents easily passed the district’s $90.4 million spending plan for the 2013-14 school year.
Meet the new Colonial Acres at open house event
New golf course operator connects with Big Brothers Big Sisters
Business has been steady at Colonial Acres Golf Course during its first month open under a private operator.
New part-time position discussed
Bethlehem, IDA would partner to form economic development job
The Town of Bethlehem and its Industrial Development Agency may soon be partnering to hire a new, part-time employee to work on economic development.
Library ladies
Progress Club helps celebrate Bethlehem Library’s centennial
On Saturday, May 11, the 100th anniversary of the library was commemorated with a Founder’s Day celebration at the Bethlehem Public Library on Delaware Avenue.
Bethlehem Dems pick fall slate
Clarkson the pick for Bethlehem super, Reinhardt and Sasso tapped for Town Board
The Bethlehem Democratic Committee has made its endorsements for the November local elections.
Making it better for all moms
Local Girl Scouts troop chooses Community Maternity Services for service project
This year, members of one Bethlehem Girl Scout troop will be showing their appreciation for more than just their own mothers. Since January, members of Elsmere Brownie Troop 1308 have been collecting supplies to be donated to Community Maternity Services, an agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany.
Forest Walk stops in Normanskill
Forest Owners Association looks to promote knowledge of responsible festry
Members of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy are looking to educate landowners about forest management with a woods walk through the Normanskill Preserve.
Tech Park talk in Slingerlands
Town wraps up Community Town Halls with updates on Vista, hamlet plans
The focus was on the Vista Technology Campus as the last of the Bethlehem Community Town Hall meetings came to a close in Slingerlands.
Haitian connection
Delmar shop owner stocks Heartline Ministries after mission trip
Bethlehem Community Church youth group forms connection with the women of Haitian Creations. Products now sold by Sherry West, owner of Day Dreams of Delmar.
Breonics decision tabled again
Company head says it’s unclear why developer would delay Vista process
The decision to approve tax breaks for first technology company lined up for the Vista Technology Campus was once again delayed by the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency after the developer pulled the project from the agenda for a second time.
Bethlehem to keep highway position
Referendum fails 3,086 to 1,969
The superintendent of highways in the Town of Bethlehem will remain an elected position after residents voted against a new local law that would have abolished the office.
Residents leave student staff big tips
Staff in Beverwyck dining hall awarded record number of scholarships from residents
Members of the scholarship committee at the Beverwyck Retirement Community in Bethlehem are no longer worried about the future.
Behind the signs
Support lines up behind two groups fighting and supporting April 30 vote
An upcoming vote in Bethlehem to eliminate the position of highway superintendent has led local public figures to seek out unusual allies.
Local chef makes mindful meals
Chef partners with mayor at event focused on healthy eating
Slingerlands chef working with Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings on the new Eat Healthy Albany campaign.
Bethlehem talks Delaware Avenue overhaul
Plans, cost discussed at community meeting
Bethlehem officials are looking to make investments in the Delaware Avenue corridor to improve the street and attract a steady stream of customers to Bethlehem businesses from the City of Albany.
Zoning Board denies School’s Out
Decision effectively halts $475k sale of BC property
The Bethlehem Zoning Board of Appeals has denied a use variance that would allow the Bethlehem Central School district to sell its property at 90 Adams to daycare provider School’s Out, Inc.
Bethlehem to make website more user-friendly
$25k redesign to focus on social media, functionality
Bethlehem officials are looking to redesign the town’s website with an eye towards reaching a broader audience through use of social media.
Interim highway head named
Upcoming vote becomes issue in appointment discussion
In a split vote, the Bethlehem Town Board has named Commissioner of Public Works Erik Deyoe interim highway superintendent through the end of the year.
A common thread
For area quilting group, tradition, service and fellowship are a seamless combination
Q.U.I.L.T. Inc. has met at the Delmar Reformed Church once a month for the past 36 years. They meet to showcase their work, learn new skills and listen to guest speakers.
Sustainable programs fly high
In tough times, Farnsworth’s Butterfly House and garden exist through fundraisers
Farnsworth Middle School is holding a garage sale fundraiser for the student-run Butterfly House and Organic Garden programs.
Grimm perspective
BC’s production of ‘Into the Woods’ re-imagines classic fairy tales
This year’s Bethlehem High School musical is “Into the Woods,” a longtime favorite of director James Yeara, and one he is producing for the third time.
Town is ready to reassess
Homeowners could be ‘pleasantly surprised’ with tax bill
The Town of Bethlehem has begun a property reassessment project that could very well impact every homeowner in town.
Town’s water raises red flag
EPA cites Bethlehem for levels of chemical byproducts in water system
The Town of Bethlehem has been cited by the Environmental Protection Agency when its drinking water was found to not in be compliance with new guidelines at several testing locations.
Bethlehem OKs Colonial Acres golf course deal
Three-year agreement will see Colonial Acres under private operation
Local golfers may have the chance to play a round at Colonial Acres as soon as this weekend. On Wednesday, March 27, the Bethlehem Town Board voted to allow PGA golf professional Dale Ezyk to operate Colonial Acres Golf Course. The town will continue to lease the golf course from the Open Space Conservancy.
‘Development’ key word in Glenmont
Housing, shopping, traffic on minds of residents and town officials
Many in Bethlehem see the Glenmont area as primed for growth, but some who live there told town officials at a recent community forum they are concerned about the rate of development in the hamlet, and with the traffic that comes along with it
Tech tenant taxes a hot topic
Decision delayed on abatement for Breonics, potential Vista occupant
An expected decision on tax breaks for the first tech tenant at the Vista Technology Campus was delayed when the developer couldn’t make an Industrial Development Agency meeting.
Stitching together
Costume designer to teach group sewing classes to kids
To costume designer Amelia Dombrowski, cultivating the imagination is an important building block in a child’s life.
Town pols make announcements
Clarkson will seek another term, while Kotary will step down after eight years
While Bethlehem Supervisor John Clarkson is starting his re-election campaign, Councilman Kyle Kotary has announced he will not be running for his seat in November.
UPDATE: Porco movie to air as planned
Lifetime Network fought decision to keep made-for-TV movie from airwaves
The Lifetime Network movie about the Christopher Porco murder case set to air this weekend will air as planned after the 29-year-old subject obtained an emergency court order to halt its premier.
Single polling place for vote
Bethlehem board sets referendum to remove highway superintendent job
On Wednesday, March 13, board members passed a resolution setting up the procedures for a referendum on the abolishment of the superintendent of highways position. The vote will take place on Tuesday, April 30, at Town Hall from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
How do you spell community? B-E-E
Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited holds event, invites town
Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited is sponsoring its inaugural Community Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 27, at 7 p.m.
Tech company named for Vista
First interested tenant will seek tax breaks, bring 44 jobs
Bethlehem's Vista Technology Campus may soon have its first technology tenant.
BC voters spilt on bonds
Bethlehem taxpayers decided in favor of funding district-wide facilities upgrades at Tuesday's bond vote, but opted against paying for a new, turf athletic field.
BC talks teacher, staff layoffs
Another aid cut changes district’s tax cap limit
The Bethlehem Central School District is set to lose an additional $64,400 in state aid after building aid was recalculated for school districts across the state to reflect the lowered interest rates for capital projects.
RCS faces $700k budget gap
District wrestling with setting a reasonable tax increase
RCS Superintendent Alan McCartney said the district is trying to estimate an appropriate tax levy increase that would help close the $700,000 budget gap, but not be too much of a burden on taxpayers.
Updated: Bethlehem board takes up gun fight
Councilman suggests town officially support SAFE Act
The fierce debate over New York’s new gun law ended up being fought on the local level at a Wednesday, Feb. 27, Bethlehem Town Board meeting, after Councilman Jeffrey Kuhn suggested the board pass a resolution in support of the restrictions.
Job cut question goes to public
Bethlehem board OKs eliminating highway superintendent position
After hearing comments from the public, the Bethlehem Town Board unanimously passed a law abolishing the elected position of highway superintendent on Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Rachel’s Challenge open to the public
Community-building program comes to BC High School
On Thursday, March 7, Rachel’s Challenge will hold three special programs at Bethlehem Central High School.
Town, police union strike deal
Contract to save $80,000 over three years, union hopes to restore positions
The Town of Bethlehem and its police officer’s union have come to a new contract deal more than one year after the previous contract expired.
No easy path for School’s Out
Variance requirements, neighborhood opposition threaten building sale
Bethlehem Central School District and School’s Out, Inc. are facing an uphill battle when it comes to finalizing the sale of 90 Adams Place.
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