Editor/Publisher Art Harris

e-mail address: arthur.harris@earthlink.net

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

HOME TOWN NEWS

ALPLAUS, NEW YORK 12008

March 2007                             Vol. 131                                              No. 3

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www.alplaus.org Needs You!

In order to keep our information fresh, we need your help! The Alplaus hometown website, www.alplaus.org, not only houses the current issue of the Home Town News and its archives; it also provides ARA updates, a schedule of Alplaus community events, links to important information in our community, and much, much, more!

   If you are having an event, pictures from one, or have information that you would like get out to the Alplaus community, please send it to Alplaus12008@yahoo.com and we'll post it on the website.

   Thanks for your input,

          Bud Watson

P.S. We are also in desperate need of photos for the "Past Events" section. If you have photos of past 4th of July, St. Patrick's Day, Runaround and other Alplaus celebrations, please send them to us. We need your help!  BW

The luck of the Irish to You!

What's inside

On the Hill………………………………………..2

January AFD Calls………………………….......2

February AFD Calls…………….…………........3

Alplaus Fire Department News………….…….3

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. "Revisits" Alplaus…...........3

Ladies Auxiliary………………………………….4

Alplaus Bird Line………………………………..4

Goings on Around Our Town……………..……5

Memo to the Town Board………………………6

A note from a Reader…..………………………7

From the Archives ………………………………7

Samuel's Music Lineup for March……….….....7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget the St. Patrick's Day dinner at the firehouse Saturday, March 17 at 4:30 pm.   $8 each.  Call 372-1124 for reservations by Tuesday, 3/12/2007.

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On the Hill

I really thought that by the second week of March temperatures would be moderating, it's only a couple of weeks away from spring after all. But I was wrong.  Judy and I came back from two weeks in balmy Florida to single digits early Thursday morning and then -4F this morning (Friday). Bad timing on our part I'd say, wouldn't you?  Next year it's longer in Florida for us for sure.

   I have included both January and February call lists for the fire department in this issue of the Home Town News so that you get the full picture of how busy Alplaus fire fighters have been this winter.  January was something - 9 calls on the 15th of January alone. Be sure to thank your neighbor the fire fighter for their dedication to protecting your life and property.….AWH

Alplaus Fire Department    Calls for January 2007

Incident #

Date

Alarm

Time

Call Type

Location

# Fire Fighters

Fire Fighter Hours

000039

31 JAN 2007

22:59

Medical Emergency

Glenridge Road

5

1.3

000038

31 JAN 2007

11:02

Mutual Aid Scene

Fredricks Road

12

5.4

000037

31 JAN 2007

10:44

Mutual Aid Scene

Paradowski Road

12

57.2

000036

27 JAN 2007

10:27

Medical Emergency

Saint Anthony Lane

7

3.4

000035

26 JAN 2007

11:31

Mutual Aid Scene

Saratoga Road

4

0.7

000034

25 JAN 2007

14:12

Mutual Aid Scene

Willow Lane

12

6.4

000033

25 JAN 2007

10:55

Alarm of Fire

Hetcheltown Road

7

3.0

000032

25 JAN 2007

09:24

Mutual Aid Scene

Ashdown Road

7

0.0

000031

24 JAN 2007

16:55

False Alarm Fire

Glenridge Road

7

1.9

000030

24 JAN 2007

11:15

Other Emergency

Maple Avenue

8

4.3

000029

24 JAN 2007

08:24

Medical Emergency

Maple Avenue

7

2.7

000028

24 JAN 2007

00:03

Vehicle Accident

Maple Avenue

8

2.0

000027

23 JAN 2007

00:01

Medical Emergency

Hetcheltown Road

6

0.5

000026

22 JAN 2007

17:13

Medical Emergency

Hetcheltown Road

3

1.6

000025

21 JAN 2007

14:57

Structure

Hetcheltown Road

11

3.3

000024

19 JAN 2007

10:34

Medical Emergency

Pinewood Drive

10

2.7

000023

19 JAN 2007

10:47

Mutual Aid Scene

Charlton Road

8

1.5

000022

17 JAN 2007

07:49

Mutual Aid Scene

Charlton Road

9

3.9

000021

15 JAN 2007

20:15

Public Service

Maple Avenue

15

2.5

000020

15 JAN 2007

18:10

Public Service

Glenridge Road

14

5.1

000019

15 JAN 2007

11:08

Public Service

Governor Drive

10

6.3

000018

15 JAN 2007

11:04

Mutual Aid Scene

Lakehill Road

10

3.3

000017

15 JAN 2007

11:02

Mutual Aid Scene

Charlton Road

10

3.7

000016

15 JAN 2007

10:53

Mutual Aid Scene

Hetcheltown Road

10

4.8

000015

15 JAN 2007

08:39

Other Emergency

Acorn Drive

9

1.7

000014

15 JAN 2007

08:02

Medical Emergency

Maple  Avenue

8

6.7

000013

15 JAN 2007

00:22

Vehicle Accident

Glenridge Road

10

19.8

000012

13 JAN 2007

12:51

Medical Emergency

South Avenue

8

2.5

000011

12 JAN 2007

19:01

Medical Emergency

Hetcheltown Road

7

3.7

000010

12 JAN 2007

16:43

Mutual Aid Scene

Lillian Drive

12

1.6

000009

12 JAN 2007

11:00

Medical Emergency

Woodcrest Drive

9

3.9

000008

11 JAN 2007

16:42

False Alarm Fire

Glenridge Road

9

1.5

000007

11 JAN 2007

15:07

Structure

Glenridge Road

12

3.0

000006

10 JAN 2007

06:23

Medical Emergency

Valleywood Drive

11

3.5

000005

08 JAN 2007

11:23

Structure

Fairway Lane

9

2.3

000004

04 JAN 2007

17:13

Mutual Aid Scene

Saratoga Road

10

0.5

000003

03 JAN 2007

19:53

Medical Emergency

Mohawk Avenue

6

3.1

000002

03 JAN 2007

17:43

Public Service

Governor Drive

10

10.7

000001

02 JAN 2007

10:19

Mutual Aid Scene

Ashtown Road

10

16.

                        Calls for February 2007 

Incident #

Date

Alarm

Time

Call Type

Location

# Fire Fighters

Fire Fighter Hours

000052

27 FEB 2007

18:53

Public Service

Mohawk Rail Yard

7

4.6

000051

21 FEB 2007

14:56

Medical Emergency

Hetcheltown Rd

6

2.2

000050

20 FEB 2007

16:59

Mutual Aid Scene

Droms  Road Ext.

10

5.3

000049

17 FEB 2007

19:48

Medical Emergency

Mohawk Avenue

9

4.8

000048

17 FEB 2007

19:06

Alarm of Fire

Glenridge Road

10

3.3

000047

14 FEB 2007

20:15

Vehicle Accident

Glenridge and Bruce

12

3.8

000046

14 FEB 2007

20:09

Medical Emergency

Saint Jude Lane

12

7.4

000045

11 FEB 2007

12:28

Medical Emergency

Woodcrest Drive

11

8.4

000044

10 FEB 2007

02:38

Mutual Aid Scene

Scotchbush Road

11

72.2

000043

09 FEB 2007

11:26

Medical Emergency

Glenridge Road

10

5.7

000042

03 FEB 2007

11:56

Public Service

Acorn Drive

14

4.9

000041

02 FEB 2007

23:33

Medical Emergency

Bath Street

9

6.8

000040

02 FEB 2007

07:21

Alarm of Fire

Vallywood Drive

13

1.3

 

Alplaus Fire Department News

by by Kailyn Sheppeck

The Alplaus Fire Company held its Annual Installation and Awards Banquet on February 3, 2007 at the Woodlin Club.

   In additional to enjoying a wonderful dinner, the Company recognized Firefighters for their various achievements throughout the past year. 

   The recipients of the 2006 Award for Social Firefighter of the Year were Joseph Beaver, Andimo Coppola, Tom Kiernan and Gary Hastings.

   The recipient of the 2006 Firematic Firefighter of the Year Award was Kathleen Sheppeck.

 Also recognized was Robert Culver for his individual contributions over the course of his many years of service.

 

 Kathleen Sheppeck.

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Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. ‘Revisits’ Alplaus

by Mike Sheppeck, AFD Historian

 

The Alplaus Fire Department was recently the proud recipient of a silkscreen print by noted author and Alplaus favorite son Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.  This generous gift depicts a quote well known to those of us in the fire service (see picture) and is especially appropriate since Mr. Vonnegut was himself a member of the Alplaus FD.  It will reside in a place of honor at the Firehouse.

   His dedication reads:

“Dear Alplaus Firemen: I was once one of you, way back in the early 1950’s, and I give you this silk screen print by me as a token of my respect for all you are and do in emergencies.  Cheers!  Kurt Vonnegut”

Mr. Vonnegut once lived on Hill Street, and also occupied a room near the present day Samuel's.  My family is privileged to live in a house once owned by his older brother Bernie, who helped pioneer the process of cloud seeding.  Legend has it that some of the early cloud seeding experiments were rocketed up my chimney!

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Ladies Auxiliary

  by Vicki Watkins

We had our first business meeting of the year last Monday night and began making plans for 2007.  We are busy arranging for a Red Cross Blood Drive later this spring and a CPR course and a self-defense class in the fall.  We will let you know about dates as soon as they are available.

   The first fund raiser for the year will be our annual Flea Market and Garage Sale to be held on Saturday, June 2nd.  Please mark your calendars and keep this event in mind as you do your spring-cleaning!

 

     The Auxiliary is continuing to collect items for the Schenectady Domestic Abuse Shelter.  A box is at the Alplaus Post Office and your contributions are very much appreciated.  A list of items needed for the shelter can be found there.

   Our next meeting will be Monday, March 26th, at 7:00 pm at the Firehouse.  Please note that we have changed the dates for our April and May meetings; they will be held on April 30th and May 21st. 

   Please join us if you can or if you would like some information about the Auxiliary call Vicki at 399-0184.  We are always interested in welcoming new members.

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Alplaus Birdline

by Shawna Thompson

                          

The novelty of the fresh snow has worn off for many of us, and we are starting to dream of spring. That must be true as well for the flock of hardy resident Robins, who have been spotted devouring dried berries and sumac off the shrubs behind the Maritime Center.

There is also a flock of Bluebirds in Alplaus these days. Deb and Charlie Story spotted them while cross-country skiing along the Alplaus Creek. This is a much more unusual discovery than a winter Robin sighting. Bluebirds eat insects and fruit, so their menu choices are very limited while the snow and ice cover the ground.

Bob Winchester has a woodpecker that visits his yard. It looks very much like a Red-bellied Woodpecker, but not quite. This time of year can be tricky for identifying birds. The winter plumage is often duller than in the summer, and by now the feathers are worn and faded, making some birds look quite different from what we see in the birding guides. But by mating season the males will be in their fresh new feathers and ready to impress the ladies with their bright colors!

    

   The soft hoots of the Great Horned Owls have been noticeable absent from nights on Hill Street. If you have heard the owls this winter, please call and let us know. It would be very sad to think these long-time residents left the area.

   The summer regulars will be back in town before we know it, so keep an eye out and call the Alplaus Bird Line at 399-0490 if you see anything interesting.

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Click for valuable coupons!

 

Goings On Around Town

by Barb Casey

Annual Meeting March 22.  The Alplaus Residents Association annual meeting is coming up this month-please plan to join us on Thursday, March 22nd at 7:30 p.m. at the firehouse. Dues to help us support Skye Farm scholarships and other activities throughout the year are $3 per person or $5 per family. We will not have an outside speaker since we have plenty of things to talk about just with Alplaus business. Hope you can join us.

Safety & Security.  We're so used to thinking of Alplaus as a safe community that it was a shock to hear that many residents had their cars entered and money taken early Monday morning, February 26th. The problem occurred in other areas of Glenville and also in Rexford, according to reports I've heard from other residents. Glenville police are encouraging Alplaus residents to keep vehicles and doors locked.

Sewer Petition Successful.  As most of you know by now, we received signatures from 65% of homeowners and 62% of the total assessed value of the homes of those on the proposed sewer extension. Of 132 parcels included in the petition, we had 86 signatures, 36 owners said no, and ten didn't give an answer either way. As I told the town board when I presented the petitions at their February 21st meeting, it is clear that the majority of people wants and needs sewers. Your continued expression of interest to town officials will keep the process moving. 

Keep calling, writing e-mails, and as much as possible, showing up at work sessions and board meetings to maintain an Alplaus presence. Ask that a public hearing be scheduled as soon as possible and that every possible measure be taken to reduce costs. Request a timeline that indicates what will happen when and shows who at the town is responsible for each step. Inquire why there is no breakdown of costs for the existing system and ask when the town will have an estimate of those costs for which residents are already being charged.

Many of us continue to believe that hiring a value engineer to review the project and come up with cost savings as well as asking for a re-bid of the project could save money for all Alplaus citizens. Unfortunately, I've heard that the town's commissioner of public works has the sole say about engineering issues, and Rick LeClair is not willing to consider a value engineer or a re-bid. We'll have an update on the situation at the annual meeting on the 22nd of this month.

Excerpts from a memo I presented to the town board at their February 21st meeting are printed on the next page of this Home Town News. I continue to welcome your thoughts and ideas on this and any other topics of interest to Alplaus. 

Barb Casey, ARA President  

bcasey@skidmore.edu       399-5714

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Memo to Glenville Town Board

by Barb Casey

       From the memo presented to the town board on 2/21/2007 with sewer extension petition signatures:

   "The signatures speak clearly: the people of Alplaus want-and need-sewers. What's not clear just from the signatures is the appalling lack of confidence in the Town's ability to do this for us. Those who are on the existing system are angry and frustrated about their inability to participate in the process while they are subject to the results of that process. Many who didn't sign, include those who signed last time, indicated that they think we need the project, but that it now costs too much and the engineering is incomplete and suspect. Even those who did sign indicated to us that they aren't certain that, even now, the extension can be built for the costs we've been given.

   "I'm standing here asking you to prove the doubters wrong and to build a quality sewer extension this year that comes in well under the $904 per person per year outlined in the current petitions.

   "Here are some ways to restore faith:

1) Give us a timeline for a reasonable completion of the project, something I've asked for several times but have yet to receive. When can we get started and when will it be completed? What are the

steps that need to be taken and when will they happen?

2) Consider seriously whether a re-bid of the project will bring costs down.

3) Work diligently to get an agreement on paper with Niskayuna School District (and possibly, Olde Nott Farm) that will benefit all the people of Alplaus.

4) Demand from those who work for you answers to remaining questions about the existing district. (Note: for any interested residents, I'd be happy to provide copies of those questions and the answers I've received.)

5) Consider hiring a value engineer to review the project as currently designed. Two engineering firms have reviewed the project, but a value engineer has more freedom to make recommendations for changes that might save costs. We believe that for a relatively small amount of money, savings could be found and since the costs are added to the project, the Town loses nothing by agreeing to hire a value engineer.

   "We believe that all of these steps are necessary and that, if done expediently, will not add any time to the project, an important consideration for those who have waited so long.

  "Thank you all for your time and for all of the careful consideration you've given to this project and to the people of Alplaus over the past few months."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Note from a Reader

Below is a comment from Clifford Lundy regarding the on-line news. 

"I received several emails from Joan Heckler Lundy recently and she appreciated being able to read the Alplaus HTN.  She got to see the pictures and she really appreciated the one of the Principal and teachers she had at the Alplaus School."

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From The Archives

                        by Cliff Hayes

Below is a reprint of an article published in the February 1986 Home Town News by Hazel Dillman. The information was taken from papers left to Nina Bieber from her mother Aunt Jane Park.

   Aunt Jane was the unofficial Alplaus “Town Crier” in the mid 1900’s before exploitation of news media through TV & other present day means. 		 W. Bronson Taylor was a historian from the Charlton/Galway area & wrote a number of books capturing history in those areas. Part of the railroad roadbed referred to in the article crosses the west end of Alplaus Avenue adjacent to Atlantic Crane.

“Looking Back with W. Bronson Taylor"

The oldest railroad bed in the United States is the D & H road in this area. The line of the Schenectady and Saratoga RR opened on July 7, 1832. The trains, drawn by horses, went as far as Ballston. The first train took one hour and twenty-eight minutes to cover the distance. In the following April, trains ran to Saratoga.

   Later that year two locomotives were delivered to the road.  They were made in England. They were named “Firefly” and “David Crockett.” The cars were Concord coaches, each seating 8 passengers.

The first rails were wood with iron strips nailed to the top. Stones were used to support the rails. They were soon replaced by wooden sleepers as they jarred the coaches too much. The metal strips on the rails used to loosen at

 

the joints. They would be caught by the wheels and tear through the floors of the cars. They were a real menace and were called “Snake Heads.”

   Once the David Crockett collided head on with an angry bull while coming from Saratoga to Ballston. The bull was knocked senseless. The Crockett and three cars were derailed. The bull soon got up and scampered away under his own power, so the bull was declared victor.

   In winter, cold and snow made it necessary to use horses. This cut the dizzy speed of 15 miles per hour down to 9 miles for winter travel. Just when horses stopped hauling cars in the winter is not known. In the year 1849, through some trouble to locomotives, horses were again used.

   There were several other railroads earlier than the Schenectady and Saratoga. In no [other] case is the original road bed still used. The D & H uses the bed of our earliest local road.”

Samuel’s   March 2007 Music Schedule (all 7-9 pm):

           

Friday, 3/16                 Jordan Cerny (rock)

Saturday, 3/17 This Morning Song (acoustic rock)

Friday, 3/23                 Lindsey Novakovic (acoustic)

Saturday, 3/24 Random Victim (punk)

Friday, 3/30                 Head Band Jack (rock)

Saturday, 3/31 Open Mic