Last week, The Spotlight looked back at the stories that made headlines in the first six months of 2011. This week, we look at the top stories from the second half of the year.
July
- Capital Region Maritime Center is hoping to attract a new tenant to fill its vacant facility along the Mohawk River. Capital Region BOCES left the center after its lease expired in June. Chester Watson, president of the Board of Directors for the Maritime Center, on July 5, says there aren’t any solid leads for a new tenant. The center is facing a unique predicament, because it needs to find an organization teaching low- to moderate-income students. The stipulation stems from terms of a loan it received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which the center still owes $390,000.
- Eunice Esposito resigns from her position as Town Clerk of Rotterdam, effective July 31, after residents publicly question her absence at Town Board meetings. Rotterdam Supervisor Frank Del Gallo receives a resignation letter on Sunday, July 17, from the woman who was a staple at Town Hall since the 1970s. The controversy started to bubble over when Esposito left on Medical leave in April 2010 while still collecting her salary with no clear answers given by officials on when or if she would return.
- Two chickens are the stars of the public access television program The Schenectady Today Show on Tuesday, July 19. County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam, and his daughter Marianna, 7, bring two of their pet chickens to Schenectady Today, which is hosted by Ann Parillo. On the show, Santabarbara talks about the proper care of chickens and explains how he came to acquire his flock. He has raised chickens for three years, with his flock consisting of eight Road Island Reds and four Plymouth Rocks.
- During the early morning on Friday, July 22, one of the motors in the redundant pumping system at Niskayuna’s water tower off Balltown Road fails. Supervisor Joe Landry orders a voluntary water restriction townwide as the remaining motor works full steam. Residents are asked to stop all outdoor watering and other unneeded water usage as the town attempts to repair or replace the old motor.
- Niskayuna focuses on becoming a greener community as plans to install solar panels townwide take shape. At a Tuesday, July 26, Town Board meeting, a resolution adopting the Climate Smart Communities Pledge is unanimously approved. The focus of the pledge is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to stabilize the climate. Also, the town will enter into an agreement with Monolith Solar Associates, LLC, for installation of solar panels throughout the town at no cost to taxpayers.
- Rotterdam Supervisor Frank Del Gallo says negotiations with Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services for past advanced life support billings in 2009 totaled only around $39,000, according to financial documentation provided by REMS. Board members had believed the payback would be about $100,000 for the year because REMS has predicted to reach a similar figure in their proposal to be the ambulance provider for the town.
August
- SCCC President Quintin Bullock presents the college’s proposed 2011-12 budget to the Schenectady County Legislature on Monday, Aug. 1. It totals almost $26.26 million, which is a 9 percent increase compared to the previous school year’s budget. The new Center City building is tapped to offer the college’s new Certified Nursing Assistant program and also host courses in criminal justice, business and computing. The increased budget doesn’t ask for an increased contribution from the county, which is remaining at nearly $2.1 million. The budget is passed at the legislature’s Aug. 10 meeting, with Robert Farley, R-Glenville, casting the only dissenting vote.
- The 2011 Annual Update Schenectady County Environmental Advisory Council is presented to the county legislature on Monday, Aug. 1, and it includes a look at the council’s 40 years of history. Some of the activities SCEAC has been involved in include the establishment of land preserves, protection of county residents’ drinking water from the Great Flats Aquifer, implementation of waste management programs and, most recently, the development of an energy reduction and climate change strategy.
- Bradford Smith, an 86-year-old Ballston Spa native and current Schenectady resident, recently had his collection of male portraits from personal, advertising, fashion and theatrical shoots published in “Faces of Man: A Look Through the Lens of Bradford Smith.” The author and book designer, Ellen Kostroff, worked with Smith to compile his collection spanning 70 years. A book signing and discussion is held at the Broadway Art Center in Albany with Kostroff.
- The Scotia Board of Trustees looks into placing video cameras in and around Collins Park in an effort to catch vandals. The board was hoping to get a more solid estimate before putting the resolution to a vote at a Wednesday, Aug. 10, meeting. In one recent instance of vandalism, a group of young people pulled up fence posts around the playground in Collins Park, along with flowers that had recently been planted.
- The Rotterdam Town Board on Wednesday, Aug. 10, expresses its unanimous support to remove the “Critical Impact Code” from the town’s zoning laws. A proposed 248-unit apartment complex off North Thompson Street led to the change, because Andrew Brick, an attorney representing the property owners, said it could impede the project. The public hearing on Aug. 10 doesn’t have anyone supporting the code. At the next meeting the board unanimously votes to remove the code.
- The Scotia Village Board of Trustees on Wednesday, Aug. 10, appoints Schenectady Police Capt. Peter Frisoni to police chief following Chief Thomas Rush expressing an interest to return to his previous position as sergeant. The search committee had interviewed six finalists in early July from the pool of 15 applicants. Frisoni will join the village force on Sept. 5 and will receive a salary of $90,000, but his health and dental benefits are coming from the City of Schenectady.
- Schenectady County officials advance plans for the countywide dispatch center, but Glenville is being left out of the equation. After 18 months of discussion between county and Glenville officials, County Spokesman Joe McQueen said the central dispatch plans have to move forward without Glenville in the mix. Negotiations have been ongoing between the town and county, which have hinged on Glenville officials claiming the funding model for the system is unfair.
- Mandatory evacuations and road closures are common on Monday, Aug. 29, as Tropical Storm Irene rolls through Schenectady County causing a patchwork of powerless areas. County and municipal officials prepared for Irene, which was downgraded to a tropical storm before local impacts, but the effects of massive rainfall and a raging river can’t be avoided. Commuters on Aug. 29 often run into a gridlock of traffic caused by detours and closed bridges, with the Western Gateway Bridge closing for hours and limiting access out of Scotia into Schenectady. People walk, bike and drive around their neighborhoods, often with a camera or smart phone in hand, to observe the massive flooding throughout the county.
September
- Walking down riverside streets in the Stockade Historic District in Schenectady on Friday, Sept. 2, reveals piles of ripped out floorboards, furniture and other items destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene in front of homes. Water is still being pumped out of basements and the impacts of Tropical Storm Irene can be seen throughout the community. Residents in the Stockade know what destructive power flows in the Mohawk River, but the flooding serves as a reminder.
- Schenectady County Community College and the Capital District Transportation Authority on Wednesday, Sept. 7, announce the launch of a pilot program allowing all enrolled students access to the whole CDTA route network. The program is effective during the 2011-12 school year. SCCC students can swipe their college issued ID cards to ride buses. The service would be subsidized through the college’s student activity fee, but the fee isn’t increasing, according to college officials.
- Following heavy rainfall from Tropical Storms Irene and Lee, the Mohawk River essentially carves out a new channel and cuts off access to the Route 103 bridge. The Glenville side of the roadway before the bridge, which is above Lock 9 and connects to Rotterdam Junction, collapses on Thursday, Sept. 8, but even more of the road washes away the following morning. Carol Breen, spokeswoman of Region 1 of the state Department of Transportation, says floodwaters also damaged abutments supporting the bridge.
- The Rotterdam Town Board gets its first glimpse of plans for a proposed CVS Pharmacy on Monday, Sept. 12. The plans call for a CVS Pharmacy at the corner of Guilderland Avenue and Curry Road, which is a busy intersection. There is a vacant building at the site CVS hoped to redevelop. Two days later on Wednesday, Sept. 14, following media reports, residents from Lawndale Avenue and nearby streets come out to oppose the plan. Following a brief discussion, the board tables the resolution to have more time to look over the project information.
- Smiles get bigger and cheers get louder at the Rotterdam Democratic Party headquarters as primary election results roll in on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The Schenectady County primaries solidify many lines for Democrats both in and outside of their party. Some Democrats in Rotterdam decided to split from the party, but the primary election didn’t add any ballot lines for their general election quests. Except for one instance, with Rotterdam Democrat Kevin Mercoglan for Republican Town Justice, the town Democrats are able to secure all their bids on the Democrat, Conservative, Working Families and Independence lines.
- The American Locomotive Company Heritage Museum obtains its first large showpiece on Thursday, Sept. 22, from Jack and Mark Pollard, who are a father and son duo from Altamont with the unique hobby of building and restoring tanks. The M-47 Patton Tank is on loan to museum until the Pollards ride it out. To get the tank into the building, ALCO workers construct a dirt ramp from the old loading bay at the rear of the building.
- Rotterdam Republican and Democratic candidates reach an agreement before court proceedings set for Sept. 28 to have Democratic candidates drop the Lower Taxes Now! designation and replace it with “Re-unite Rotterdam.” A Schenectady County Board of Elections hearing on Sept. 17 unanimously rules the ballot line was valid. NNTP members aren’t satisfied with the ruling and push the case further before reaching a settlement.
- A blaze of a different nature heats up the Rotterdam Junction Fire Department on a overcast, drizzly night as flood victims ask government officials heated questions and patience melts away. The special “town hall” style meeting organized by Congressman Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, starts off with a positive tempo as Tonko commends firefighters and volunteers for working countless hours helping flood victims.
October
- ShopRite opens its doors to eager customers on Sunday, Oct. 2, in the newly named ShopRite Square at the former St. James Square off of Balltown Road in Niskayuna. The new location is the 30th ShopRite supermarket to open and the first in the Capital District.
- Nearly four dozen cats and one dog led not only to an arrest, but also a lawsuit. The Schenectady County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals files a lawsuit in the county Supreme Court against the county Sheriff’s Department alleging a violation of the state Agricultural and Markets Law mandating the department must take custody of any animal belonging to someone arrested by the SPCA. The lawsuit is settled out of court.
- A 15-member advance team leaves from Stratton Air National Guard Base in Glenville with the 109th Airlift Wing, marking the start of the 23rd season of Operation Deep Freeze, which has crews traveling to Antarctica to the American base at McMurdo Sound. The ski-equipped LC-130s operated by the 109th are the only aircraft in the United States military capable of landing on snow and ice.
- The Schenectady County Legislature votes 13 to 2 in approval the 2012 budget, with both Republicans voting in dissent. The budget totals $295.3 million and kicks in starting Jan. 1. After amendments offered from the Democratic majority the overall property tax levy is not increases. Also, amendments to the approved budget restore $50,000 for home delivered meals to seniors and provide a $60,000 grant to support a suicide prevention program at Schenectady High School.
- The General Services Administration, the federal government’s landlord, signs a Federal Facility Site Remediation agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The agreement positions the GSA to move forward with clean up plans at the former Navy Depot. The agreement places responsibility on the federal agency for cleaning up the environmental issues caused when the Scotia Navy Depot in Glenville was in operation. After the Vietnam War, most Navy functions at the site ceased.
- The Blue Star Cafe off of Chrysler Avenue in Schenectady appears normal to passing motorists on Saturday, Oct. 22, but peering through the window reveals an unusual sight, with patrons dressed in colonial garb. Robin Kravetz, or “Good Wife Robin” for the night, organized the event called “Tavern Night,” which explores an element of history lost in the shuffle of wars and revolution in the 18th century.
- The Niskayuna Police Department investigates threatening videos posted online targeting three area students and rumors of a school shooting are dispelled. High School Principal John Rickert said the two videos were brought to the school’s attention by the two students targeted in the videos posted to YouTube.
- Upper Union Street Business Improvement District members gather along with City of Schenectady and county officials to celebrate the completion of a $4 million streetscape renovation project on Friday, Oct. 28. The City of Schenectady and the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority jointly funded the project, which brought new landscaping, lighting, curbs, streets and sidewalks, providing a facelift to area.
November
- In an unusual twist for a public hearing, the Rotterdam Town Board debates the 2012 budget amongst itself for around 40 minutes before the public even has a chance to speak. The only resolution and sole purpose for the Rotterdam Town Board meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 2, is to hear comments from the public on the preliminary budget. About half of the meeting, though, consists of board members debating the reallocation of funds from special districts, a move bringing about $366,000 into the operating budget.
- After heated debate between Town Board members, the Town of Rotterdam adopts a budget plan with no layoffs, weighing in at $21 million. Council members Nicola DiLeva, Wayne Calder and Matthew Martin vote in support of adopting the 2012 budget, which includes their amendments to Supervisor Frank DelGallo’s 2012 Tentative Budget. DelGallo and Deputy Supervisor Robert Godlewski cast the two dissenting votes.
- The Eastern New York Angels, LLC announces on Tuesday, Nov. 15, it is providing seed funding to its first investment in Ener-G-Rotors after reviewing dozens of submitted business plans. The company is pioneering converting low-temperature waste heat to electricity so companies can realize energy savings and increase efficiency.
- Matthew Tully announces on Veterans Day he will be leaving his post as chief humane law enforcement officer of the Schenectady County SPCA due to his upcoming military deployment scheduled for July 2012. Tully says he wants to spend more time with his family before his potentially yearlong tour. Tully is a lieutenant colonel in the New York Army National Guard.
- The Glenville Town Board unanimously approves a 2012 budget totaling just over $18.2 million and under the state-mandated tax cap, which for Glenville was a 3.2 percent tax levy increase. After allowable exclusions from the tax cap, the levy comes in at a 1.8 percent increase. Out of the town’s three main funds, spending is decreasing by nearly $155,000.
- Niskayuna Supervisor Joe Landry’s initial 2012 budget is unchanged when the Town Board approves a nearly $13.3 million spending on Thursday, Nov. 17, by a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Jonathan McKinney dissenting. Spending is increasing by $235,000 in 2012, but the town isn’t using any money from its fund balance or reserves. The adopted budget holds a 3.4 percent tax levy increase.
- The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train chugs on for its 13th year, but it marks its first stop at the ALCO Heritage Museum on Sunday, Nov. 27. The Holiday Train features 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of festive lights. Also, a modified boxcar literally sets the stage for a musical performance.
December
- The Craig Elementary School Debate Club holds its third debate of the year on Thursday, Dec. 1, as it addresses whether the Internet does more harm than good. The school’s club was initiated and is overseen by Olga Plotnikov, a parent volunteer.
- Federal funding for a new $20 million Army Reserve center in Schenectady County is announced by Sens. Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand on Friday, Dec. 2. The new Schenectady Army Reserve Center would span 60,000 square feet across 3 acres in the Niskayuna Commerce Park on Hillside Avenue. The center would be a high-security military training and operations facility to prepare soldiers for battle and counter-terrorism operations.
- Democrat Rory Fluman is appointed to the Scotia Board of Trustee during an organizational meeting on Monday, Dec. 5. Mayor Kris Kastberg, a Democrat, selects Fluman to fill the vacancy created by Cathy Gatta, who is resigning her trustee seat after being elected to the Schenectady County Legislature.
- Schenectady County is set to receive nearly $945,000 to spur development from the $785 million awarded through Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Cuomo announces what projects will receive funding through the 10 different economic development councils on Thursday, Dec. 8, and the Capital Region Economic Development Council will receive $62.7 million for 88 projects. Schenectady County has six projects selected to receive funding.
- Kids getting off the school bus on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Rotterdam Boys and Girls Club are surprised to see police vehicles in the parking lot and officers inside the club. Once again the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office drums up holiday spirit within the department as employees donate money to help purchase around 500 presents for children in needy families who might otherwise not have had much under the tree.
- There is contention over the newly constructed veterans memorial in Rotterdam, a project Supervisor Frank Del Gallo initiated and oversaw. Councilwoman Nicola DiLeva argues that while Del Gallo said no taxpayer money would be used to construct the monument, he used his board salary to fund the project after he donated it to the town. She also argues he didn’t follow proper accounting and approval protocol for the project.
- The Niskayuna Town Board outlines the details of several fees on Tuesday, Dec. 20, during its regular meeting. A public hearing on the new fees tied to the town picking up brush, grass, branches and other yard waste is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12. Since the lawn pick up fees introduce a new section to the town code a public hearing on the local law is required. The board passes a resolution by a 4-1 vote amending several current fees without a public hearing, with Councilman Jonathan McKinney casting the dissenting vote.
- The New York State Authorities Budget Office seeks to terminate the Rotterdam IDA because it fails to comply with a provision of the General Municipal Law requiring any IDA to hold outstanding bonds or notes. Local officials don’t disagree the IDA doesn’t hold any debt, but contend the requirement is an arcane provision. IDA Chairman Robert Mallozzi questioned why the state is now choosing to aggressively enforce the statute.
