Legislature approves purchase of Dollar Tree for new senior center

The debate over the wisdom of moving the Rensselaer County Senior Center out of their current space in the Murphy building on Church Street continues, with the Village Board still in opposition.

Despite the difference of opinion, the county legislature on Tuesday, Aug. 15, voted to purchase the former Dollar Tree store on NYS Route 22, just south of the village, for $575,000. They plan to renovate the building to house the senior center, mental health services and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Prior to the vote, the village board put forth a news release that said in part, “The Village Board is disappointed to conclude that, based on recent statements and actions by County officials and the implication that further delays and discussion could jeopardize the possibility of having a local and improved Senior Center facility, it is in the best interests of the Village and Town residents that we drop our request for a pause and a discussion about a joint venture on a more robust and shared vision for community services. The record clearly shows that the County is not interested in a real and honest dialogue with the Village, let alone a partnership, regarding services provided to our community.

Town supervisor supports move

Speaking with NYVT Media following the Hoosick town board meeting on Aug. 14, Supervisor Mark Sundrum says he supports upgrading senior services to a “state of the art” facility but did express a concern about the future of the Murphy building after the move. He wants the county to commit to work with the town and village to determine the best use for the building going forward.

In the meantime, there is debate about who ordered the closure of the area that houses DMV, causing them to conduct business in the parking lot, and a report of a gas leak that closed the building  for part of a day.

It’s time to decide on town leadership

There are four positions on the November ballot concerning the town of Hoosick. They are town supervisor, a two-year term; two town council seats, both four-year terms’ and town justice.

The Democratic party recently released their slate of candidates. They are Gary Contessa, a noted New York horse trainer for supervisor, along with Brett Handelsman and Jonathan Kaufmann for town council. Both are lifelong residents of the town. The party is also endorsing incumbent town justice Harold McClellan.

The Republicans are backing a slate of incumbents that includes five-term supervisor Mark Surdam and council members Eric Sheffer and Jackolyn Houghton. Incumbent justice McClellan is also backed by the GOP.

Town Board Notes

Highway Superintendent Paul Hoag noted the trees around the tennis and basketball courts have been removed in preparation for the court’s rehabilitation project. A motion to move forward with the project was approved later in the meeting.

Hawthorne Solar Array is pursuing a takeover of the former Monolith solar site near the village landfill. The board wants Hawthorne to honor Monolith’s agreements on the management of the facility.

The town’s request for state grant monies to help facilitate the repair of the red flagged (by NYS DOT) Cottrell Road bridge has been denied, ostensibly because there were more grant requests than there was money to go around. The town will continue to seek funding from the next grant go around.

Former HFCS superintendent now heads up Cambridge schools.

At their Aug. 10 meeting, the Cambridge Central School Board of Education appointed Kenneth Facin as acting school superintendent while the board searches for a replacement for Dr.  Douglas Silvernell.  Facin will work with Dr. Silvernell until his retirement on Aug. 31.

Facin served as the superintendent of schools in Hoosick Falls from 2007 to 2019.

Senior Bus Trips

The Hoosick Falls Senior Center is planning two fall bus trips. The first is Sept. 19 to the Eastern States Expo in West Springfield, Masssachusetts, and the second to Old Forge, New York, on Sept. 28, including a train ride from Thendora to Big Moose. Call 518-686-7561 for more information.

Summer music draws to an end

The Hoosick Falls Summer Concert Series drew to an end on Saturday, Aug. 26, with the West Side Drive band performing in Wood Park from 6 to 9 p.m. West Side Drive is an eight-piece horn band who “brings the party” to every event.