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On the Hill

Back to school, back to work, and back to the Home Town News. Our family had a great summer - how aboout yours? Judy and I covered the country from Maine to Wisconsin with stops in Illinois, Vermont, and Pennsylvania as well. Everywhere we went I saw corn fields - it sems as if farmers are trying to solve our energy problem by planting every empty field in the USA! Good Luck to them.

Our sympathies are extended to the Hopkins family on Hill Street for the fire at their house on September 3, 2007. We are thankful for their escape from injury and for the quick action by our firefighters in quelling the blaze. Let's all check our fire and smoke alarm batteries and practice our emergency escape plans………….AWH

Alplaus Fire Department Calls for August 2007

Incident # Date Time Call Type Location # Fire Fire-Fighter

Fighters Hours

000186 31 AUG 2007 18:12 Medical Emergency Alplaus Avenue 7 6.9

000185 31 AUG 2007 14:31 Vehicle Accident Glenridge Road 9 8.3

000184 28 AUG 2007 13:56 Other Emergency Glenridge Road 8 2.9

000183 26 AUG 2007 23:45 Vehicle Accident Maple Avenue 9 6.6

000182 25 AUG 2007 14:10 Alarm of Fire Hetcheltown Road 9 2.1

000181 23 AUG 2007 21:01 Medical Emergency Glenridge Road 8 4.1

000180 23 AUG 2007 23:00 Medical Emergency Glenridge Court 8 3.2

000179 21 AUG 2007 11:53 Alarm of Fire Hetcheltown Road 10 4.3

000178 20 AUG 2007 21:55 Medical Emergency Bruce Drive 3 1.2

000177 20 AUG 2007 14:25 Medical Emergency Riverview Road 6 2.0

000176 20 AUG 2007 12:00 Mutual Aid Scene Southward Road 6 0.0

000175 18 AUG 2007 18:48 Mutual Aid Scene Birch Lane 7 3.2

000174 18 AUG 2007 18:42 Mutual Aid Scene Kathleen Drive 6 0.6

000173 18 AUG 2007 18:07 Medical Emergency Lakehill Road 7 3.2

000172 15 AUG 2007 20:36 Mutual Aid Standby Mohawk River 9 2.3

000171 15 AUG 2007 08:28 Medical Emergency Acorn Drive 8 3.9

000170 13 AUG 2007 16:58 Mutual Aid Scene Saratoga Road 12 21.0

000169 11 AUG 2007 21:40 Medical Emergency Glenridge Road 8 4.5

000168 11 AUG 2007 21:30 Medical Emergency Glenridge Road 9 6.6

000167 11 AUG 2007 19:15 Mutual Aid Standby Tryon Avenue 4 0.4

000166 05 AUG 2007 16:13 Medical Emergency Bruce Drive 5 1.3

000165 05 AUG 2007 11:23 Medical Emergency Glenridge Road 9 3.2

000164 01 AUG 2007 22:29 Water Rescue Mohawk River 10 8.5

Alplaus Fire Station News

by Art Harris

Looking at the Alplaus fire station one sees the need to provide better housing for the fire apparatus - two fire engines, emergency response vehicle, water rescue vehicle (air boat), utility vehicle, and all associated gear and supplies. Currently, vehicles, gear and supplies are scattered through the old and newer bays of the station and storage is very tight for the current generation of fire fighting equipment. Replacement for Engine 222 is tentatively scheduled for 2010 and a new engine will almost certainly not fit in the bay built in 1930.

Also, the fire station roof, furnace, and emergency power generator are due for replacement. Offices and meeting rooms are unhandy and not large enough for the demands of today's uses. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are not up to current standards and expectations either.

In view of these observations, the Board of Fire Commissioners for Glenville Fire District No. 2 (the Alplaus Fire Department) has formed a Building Committee to explore renovation of and additions to the fire station. The committee is chaired by Commissioner Art Harris and includes Commissioner Joan Mullins, Assistant Fire Chief Jim Majewski, Firemen Andy Coppola and Bob Mazur, Ladies Auxiliary member Jill Batson, ARA member Gary Withey, and Woodhaven Homeowners Association member Lloyd Hale.

Please contact any member of the committee for further information or comment, especially concerning what you think should be considered in renovation of and additions to our current facility.

Alplaus Fire Department Saves Hopkins’ Home from Labor Day Fire

by Mike Sheppeck

The Hopkins family on Hill Street experienced a house fire late Monday night. Upon the arrival of the Fire Department flames were visible coming out an upstairs window on the south side of the house. It was quickly determined that everyone in the family was already safely out, allowing AFD to bypass a search & rescue effort and concentrate on suppression. A key tactic in fighting any fire is to approach it from the unburned side and push the fire back into the burned area. In this case, that meant an interior attack. The natural impulse to pour water on the fire directly into the window would have resulted in chasing the fire through the house, with a much less desirable outcome. The exterior crew merely dampened down the flames somewhat to allow the interior team to advance a line up the stairs, where they were then able to stop the fire before it had gotten much beyond the room of origin and the attic directly above.

Due to the age of the housing stock in Alplaus, many homes were built with what is termed ‘balloon construction’. This means framing that is often open from the ground floor to the attic, with no fire stops in the walls. Needless to say, fire can travel unseen in the walls and into the attic very easily, and can surprise you by popping out far from the initial fire. Thankfully, tools like the thermal imaging camera assist the FD greatly in looking for any extension of the fire, and it did not turn out to be an issue Monday night.

I understand that the family’s insurance company has acted quickly and they are well covered, cleanup and rebuilding have already begun. They will be living in Schenectady until repairs are complete. The Hopkins’ are NOT accepting cash/check contributions. However, they will accept gift cards to Wal-Mart / Target / Lowe’s / Grocery Stores / Gas Stations, etc., which may be left for them at Samuels.

For those with young children, this is a good chance to remind you to practice Exit Drills in the Home [EDITH]. Plan alternate escape routes, other than the door. Stay low to the floor, and feel doors for heat before opening. Designate a safe meeting spot. Most important of all – PRACTICE.

Explorer Post 885

by Kathleen Sheppeck

Explorer Post 885 has lots of great things happening. We have recently welcomed three new members, Henry Culver, Rebecca Pike and Colin Young. Two of whom joined our group of ten in Montour Falls for an intensive three days of training at the NYS Fire Academy.

We expect several more new members in the coming months and have lots of exciting drills and events in the works.

Best of luck to our three college bound Explorers, Alex Coppola, Lea Dolan and Sean Young. We are all confidant that they will be successful in their new endeavors and will come back to us when they come home.

Ladies Auxiliary

by Vicki Watkins

Once again the summer months have flown by and September seems to have come too soon! Since the June issue of the HTN the Auxiliary was busy with our 2^nd annual “Paddling for a Cure.” Please see the separate article detailing the tremendous success of this event. We are so proud of Kathy Boyle McGarry and Shawna Thompson who spearheaded this project which began with an idea and finished as an incredible event that raised over $14,000 (!!!!!!) for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Many thanks to our Beautification Committee, headed by Elizabeth Burke, Kathy Boyle and Kim Sheely for brightening up our community this summer with the all beautiful flowers at the firehouse and the Ted Schwarz Memorial Park.

We will be sponsoring the “Heartsaver CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Course” on Thursday, October 11th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Firehouse. The course includes CPR, relief of foreign-body airway obstruction, rescue breathing and how to use an automated external defibrillator. These skills can truly be lifesavers. Class size is limited. Please call Vicki at 399-0184 to sign up.

Don’t forget our Alplaus photo contest for a 2008 calendar. The theme will be "HOUSES OF ALPLAUS". Enter your best photographs of your home or your neighbors’ (with permission). Feel free to be creative. Seasonal shots would be great and they can be current or historical, color or black & white, and a minimum of 3x5. Please add a short biography of the home including any interesting facts or history. The deadline is October 15, 2007. Enter as many photos as you would like for the $5 entry fee. The photographs will be judged and the best 12 photographs will be selected for the calendar. You can mail in your entries to Alplaus Ladies Auxiliary P. O. Box 43 Alplaus, New York 12008 or drop them off at the Alplaus Post office.

Our first meeting for the fall will begin with a covered dish supper on Monday, September 24^th at 6:30 pm at the Fire House. If you can’t join us for a delicious meal, please come at 7:00 pm for our business meeting and bring your ideas for fall activities and fund raisers.

The Auxiliary is open to anyone who lives within the fire district. We are always interested in welcoming new members. Please call Vicki Watkins at 399-0184 if you have any questions.

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Paddling for a Cure

by Shawna Thompson

The Alplaus Ladies Auxiliary is pleased to announce that the second “Paddling for a Cure” was a great success. 85 paddlers ranging in age from 8 to 71 participated and $14, 424.75 was raised for the American Cancer Society. This money will be used for their work on breast cancer research, support and awareness. Special thanks go out to the paddlers that collected the most in pledges: Garth Johnston, Jessica Lutz, Mark and Jenn Kelly, and Jim Palmer.

Congratulations to Dan Launer, the proud new owner of the kayak raffled off and made possible by Mountain Man Outdoor Supply.

Heartfelt thank-you’s go out to our many supporters: the Capital Region Maritime Center and Burnt Hills Rowing for the generous use of their buildings and grounds; the Alplaus Fire Department for all their support and volunteers to set up and provide personnel to make it a very safe event; the Explorers for carrying many, many kayaks, and all the community members who showed up to volunteer that day.

Alplaus Bird Line

by Shawna Thompson

There were very few birds reported over the summer, but now that the Home Town News is back, my phone is ringing again! Sherri McGovern reported a gray-phase Eastern Screech Owl that lives in a hollow tree along the creek. Screech owls can be found in a gray phase or red phase. According to my Audubon Society field guide, the color phase is not based on age, sex or season, though proportions vary geographically. The call of the Screech Owl is not as menacing as expected from their name. Bob and Sue Winchester thought they had Screech Owls calling in their yard recently, but it may be they were hearing Barn Owls.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, many bird calls are available on-line. You can listen to quite a variety, including Barn Owls, at www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/songlist.html. If you want to hear a Screech Owl, go to www.owlpages.com/sounds.php. While you are on line, visit the Home Town News website and see the wonderful photos of Hummingbirds that Jay Goldberg took this summer. My little friend Eiry who lives on First Street spotted her first hummingbird this summer and was completely fascinated by how tiny it was.

If you hear or see any interesting birds, call the Alplaus Bird Line at 399-0490, or e-mail me at swanalaka@aol.com.

Samuel's Coffee Talk

by Cherie Vedder

We hope your summer was as fantastic and exciting as ours was here at Samuel's. The artists who played every Friday and Saturday night continue to impress and we are looking forward to a great fall lineup.

By the way, don't forget that the last Saturday of the month is Open Mic night. All are welcome We are in the process of coordinating an Open Mic for the people who live in the Alplaus community so start thinking about what your talent is and watch for the date.

September Concert Schedule:

Friday, 9.14.2007 Catfish Don & the Riverband

Saturday, 9.15.2007 TBA

Friday, 9.21.2007 Emily Teller

Saturday, 9.22.2007 Post Taste Era

Friday, 9.28.2007 Stephan Dosch

Saturday, 9.29.2007 Open Mic

ARA News

by Keith Abatto, Pres. ARA

Please make sure to read the Sewer update from Barb Casey. Construction will be starting in the next month or so!

Fourth of July. What a great Fourth of July in Alplaus! The weather was great and the turnout for the parade looked like an unofficial record to me. Thanks to all those who made our Fourth of July activities such a success.

Be sure to thank Mike Sheppeck, Drew Coppola (and other members of the Coppola family), many members of the fire company, and all those who worked so hard on all of the activities.

Rick Fleming designed and procured the t-shirts to benefit the Alplaus Residents Association and Sandy and John Busino, Kathleen Schnitzer and Cindy Leveillee sold them.

Jeff Leveillee was the DJ for the Block Party and the after parade activities and he also rescued me from having to announce the parade by myself!

Thanks to everyone that made the events the success we have all come to expect.

Alplaus Run-Around. Race Director Andy Gilpin is looking for volunteers and runners for the Alplaus Runaround, to be held on Saturday, October 27^th. Look for entry forms later this month at the post office and in next month’s Home Town News and let Andy know that you’re interested in helping.

kabatto@eone.com 399-6624

Sewer Update

by Barb Casey

Things are moving with the sewer extension project. We're looking at a construction start date, probably in late September, depending on the resolution of other jobs that Carver Construction already had lined up before it received a go-ahead for the Alplaus project. Completion date is anticipated to be July 31, 2008.

Pump station locations are still being finalized, although the properties have been surveyed, but locations don't have to be finalized before construction begins. Thirty-nine residents received letters from the Town requesting that they sign easements in advance of the project's start. The town held two sessions at which those residents could ask questions and sign the easements if they were ready. If you've tried to talk with the town about concerns, but have not yet heard back, please either let me know or call town administrator Tony Germano with your concerns.

As I mentioned in an earlier e-mail, easements either need to be signed or properties need to be condemned for the project to proceed, and I know the town would prefer to work things out with residents, if at all possible. If you've received a letter about easements and haven't signed or contacted the town, please start the dialogue with the town NOW. Questions can be addressed to Commissioner of Public Works Rick LeClair at 382-1406. You might also talk to a plumber, contractor, or your attorney about the letter and information you received to get advice on what is best for you and what is reasonable to request in these situations.

In other news, Rick LeClair is working with the Town of Clifton Park to finalize an agreement to have Glencliff School join the system, along with up to 100 additional users. He's working as quickly as he can and is hopeful we'll have an agreement, but apart from the school, other additional Clifton Park users likely won't join until after start of the project. Potential additional users could lower the tax burden for all of us, and Rick is committed to making sure the debt service is reduced, even if it's not until next year.

Kenny Perrault of Kestner Engineers has been contacting homeowners and will contact each household in the extension to talk with homeowners about where their exact hookup will be. Those conversations will come as the construction is proceeding, so if possible, talk with your plumber and/or contractor ahead of time to determine the best location for you.

Please call me or e-mail me if you have any questions. Barb Casey

399-5714 or bcasey@skidmore.edu

Summer 2007 Tidbits

by Cliff Hayes

The summer commenced with a great 4^th of July parade. It gets healthier every year, now passing 30+ years. The restored old fire engines glorify the color of the parade. Some recent visitors that enjoyed the parade route included WWII kids, Lynn Stote (FL), Bob “Moose” Helms (Webster, NY) & Doug Englert (Ballston Spa). Hot dogs & liquid beverages were consumed during the day with much chatter.

Congratulations to Greg & Laurie Isles on their new grandson, Charlie (b. March 2007) who spent a couple of weeks in Alplaus with mom Kerry & brother Greg. Also cheers to newer neighbors on First Street, the Dussaults, on a very recent addition, daughter Ruth to join twin brothers Noah & Ben as a wholesome family. And a welcome as well to Matthew,

newest member of the Mazur family on Alplaus Avenue, born in August 2007.

Doug Clements (FL), another WWII kid returned to Alplaus, filming parts of the village for an intended personal documentary. Thanks to all the residents involved for access to cross private properties especially near the creek. Doug was Samuel’s best customer during his weeks’ stay. Brother, George (CA), also visited for a few days.

Charles Shields who has been authorized to write a biography on Kurt Vonnegut will visit Alplaus the weekend of September 8^th. Charles is interested in Kurt’s time spent in Alplaus & is scheduled to meet with some older residents. His website is http://www.charlesjshields.com/ if anyone wants to contribute.

The old schoolhouse on the hill (Maple Avenue) has a birthday this year. It celebrates 100 yrs.

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HOME TOWN NEWS

September 2007 Vol. 131 No. 7

Alplaus web address: http://www.alplaus.org

Web input address: Alplaus12008@yahoo.com

HTN Editor/Publisher: Art Harris

PO Box 57

Alplaus, NY 12008

Ladies Auxiliary

Summer 2007 Tidbits