Somewhere under the rainbow ...

Trent Cox caught this beautiful moment with nature smiling over the Terrace on Dec. 21, 2012.

Toy Drive a success, and we thank you!

PHOTO BY BILL DOWD

(Story reprinted from the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club website)

Chez Dowd has become Toy Central for the past few months as the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club makes its pushes to collect holiday toys for the children of Staten Island who lost their possessions, in many cases their very homes, and their hopes for a happy Christmas and Hanukkah season.

Toy drive creator/coordinator (and shopper extraordinaire) April Dowd -- shown above with the latest batch of toys she came up with this week -- now qualifies to list experience as "toy purchaser/acquirer" on her resume after the drive is completed.

Why? We collected an estimated 750 toys!

We've been periodically thanking various people for their efforts and donations during our drive. Here are two more special mentions:

• Former SRC members Sue and Chas Owens, now active with the Northville Rotary Club, for making a major contribution to the effort.

• The Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association in Troy for stepping up big-time with donations.

We'll be doing the final packing Saturday and shipping the toys to Staten Island on Sunday, via Forth Holiday Freight.

Thanks for supporting 'Toys for Staten Island Kids'

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our neighbors on the Terrace in supporting the "Toys for Staten Islands Kids" drive by our Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club.

While similar drives for kids in the Capital Region are special, too, we targeted the Staten Island area in particular because it was so heavily devastated by Superstorm Sandy. Thousands of residents were displaced, and still are living in shelters after having lost all possessions.

That means these kids are going to wake up on Christmas morning, or throughout Hanukkah, to not only squalid living conditions and soup kitchen meals, but to another bitter disappointment without people like you.

We still are accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys (balls, cards, board games, dolls, stuffed animals, boos, etc.) until noon this Thursday.

Special thanks to these Terrace residents who have been so generous:

• Ginny & Tom Chichester 
• Nancy & John Victor 
• Terry Page 
• Lorraine & Harvey Bailey 
• Claire & Fil Steiner 
• Anne Hunter 
• Russ & Rose Golino 
• Bob & Polly Hayward 
• Jerry & Maryanne Gordon 
• The Claeys granddaughters 
• Joan Richardson 
• Kay Duclos 
• Trent Cox 

Our deepest thanks,

April & Bill Dowd

Your contributions begin ...

In response to our request for dontions to the toy drive for NYC metro area kids whose homes were wiped out by Superstorm Sandy, the first results are in.

Our thanks to Ginny and Tom Chichester for delivering the first bag of donated goodies from Terrace residents, and to Terry Page for offering temporary spillover storage space should we need it.

And the winners will be ... the aforementioned kids!

For details on the drive, headed by April Dowd with a modest assist from Bill, just scroll down.

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You can aid post-Sandy toy drive for NYC kids

Many children in the New York City metro area ravaged by Superstorm Sandy lost their homes and possessions.

Their Christmas and Hannukah holidays promise to be bleak, so Rotary District 7190 is collecting toys to be sent there.

April Dowd, president-elect of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, is coordinating the effort she conceived. District 7190 covers 40 separate clubs in the Capital Region's six counties.

If her neighbors on the Terrace would like to help, the process is simple. Just donate one or more new, unwrapped toys suitable for kids from toddler to young teens. No electronic or battery-operated toys, please. Suggestions: coloring books, crayons, dolls, board games, storybooks, paint sets, model cars, balls, etc.

You can drop off your donations at April's residence at 7 Hyland Circle through December 10. We have arranged for free transportation for the toys via Federal Express to NYC-area Rotarians for distribution.

Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Hurricane information and contact data

With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on us, please be sure you take anything that coud be blowing around outside your homes inside if possible.

Please remember to check on friends, family and neighbors, especially those who may be in need of extra assistance or are alone.
Here is some disaster-related contact information we hope you won't have to use.

Regularly updated weather and satellite images: http://weather.com

  Claim Phone numbers

• A Central 866-222-2242 
• Allstate 800-255-7828 
• FEMA 800-368-7720
• Foremost 800-527-3907
• GMAC 800-468-3466 
• Hanover 800-628-0250 
• Mercury 800-503-3724 
• MetLife 800-854-6011 
• National Grange 877-425-2467 
• New York Central 800-355-1717 
• Progressive 800-888-7764
• SafeCo 800-332-3226
• State Farm 800-STATE-FARM (1-800-782-8332)
• Sterling 800-462-4661 
• Travelers 800-252-4633
• Travelers Flood 800-319-5786
• Utica First 800-456-4556
• Utica National 800-365-1914

Sign up for National Grid state-level broadcast text * alerts by texting the word STORM to NGRID (64743). You can opt out of receiving text messages at any time by texting the word STOP to NGRID (64743). 
Power outages can be reported online or by calling 1-800-465-1212 in New England and 1-800-867-5222 in New York.
For more information and to report an outage visit,

• www.nationalgrid.com/ HurricaneSandy
• https://www.facebook.com/ nationalgrid
• https://www.facebook.com/NationalGridUNY

If you lose your Time Warner Cable services 

If you call Time Warner Cable, its automated phone system will be able to tell you if we are aware of service interruptions in your area. If you call and hear that message, no further action is necessary. If your service is out and you don’t hear a message, you can report it through the system or by speaking with a representative at 1-800-TWC-HELP. 

In severe weather situations, the first priority is to restore electric power. Time Warner Cable crews may not be able to access a repair site because of downed electrical wires or other unsafe conditions. As a result, customers’ electricity is often restored before their Time Warner Cable services. 

Stay informed on breaking news by listening to your local radio station, watching TV bulletins and visiting TW's website regularly. If you need assistance with your Time Warner Cable account during the storm visit go online at www.twc.com/help . 

Paintball battleground coming to our neighborhood

For those of you who have been worried that the vacant property on the Brunswick side of Oakwood Avenue opposite our development entrance would become home to something distasteful -- pig farm, car lot, dump, etc. -- don't worry. There's going to be a lovely paintball operation installed there.

The Town of Brunswick has approved construction of such a facility, and, as you may have noticed, a gravel driveway already has been installed from Farrell Road onto the parcel.

The facility will be available to law enforcement personnel on weekdays and to the paying pubic on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

The plan was first proposed to the town on July 12. According to meeting minutes:

Thomas V. Kenny, Esq. appeared on behalf of David Mulinio. Mr. Mulinio is seeking approval to establish and operate a paintball facility off Oakwood Ave. and Farrell Rd. The entrance will be on Farrell Rd. with parking off Farrell Rd.  Three fields are planned; two Scenario and one Speed Ball. Small structures will be built on fields as obstacles and cover. The games play like "Capture the Flag," with the objective of capturing the opponents’ flag and returning it to a determined point. Any player hit with a paintball is eliminated. The plan is for the facility to be open two days a week, Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30am to 5:00pm. Staffing would be six to ten people including: Registration, Gun Calibration, 2 -5 Referees, Safety Supervisor and overall Supervisor.

VISITORS WHO WISH TO SPEAK: Note: The following visitors may have spoken multiple times during the hearing. If so their comments are combined into one:

• Ginette Chambers, Farrell Rd., asked if this was to be seasonal, what would be done to address hygiene and the business’ marketability.  She had noted similar facilities opening and rather quickly closing up.  An additional concern of hers was traffic on Farrell Rd. and the impact it will have on developments now being constructed nearby.

• Bill Bradley, Farrell Rd., is concerned about stray paintballs and if the Town would benefit at all from such a business. Another concern was since it is mostly a cash business, how would the sales tax revenues the Town should receive be tracked. He also believes this is an improper use of this property as zoned, and would have a negative impact on surrounding properties including his own. Mr. Bradley presented an audio recording of a similar facility to highlight the potential noise produced not from the guns alone but from the yelling of the participants during the games. 

• Kathy Betzinger, Valley View Dr., had asked young people, nieces and nephews for their views on this type of venue.  While these people enjoyed this type of activity they noted the facilities were usually well away from residences where the sound would not be heard.  The same people also noted that the parks they had used did not usually last more than a year.  If this business fails what other plan would the town have for the property?  Another point was how are the participants to be kept from encroaching on adjacent property. Will the entire  area be fenced? 

• Marcia Christiano, Highpointe, was concerned about the traffic impacting the Highpoint entrance which is directly across from Farrell Rd. and also the impact on the residential nature of the area. 

• Thomas Powers, Farrell Rd., has had the experience of having his vehicle hit with paintballs. He feels this could easily happen throughout the neighborhood with people carrying their own guns.  He also was concerned about the traffic. 

• Lou Bonelli, Liberty Rd., also addressed the traffic situation and asked if this were an appropriate use for the parcel. Operating time should be more specific. 

• Mark Madden, Liberty Rd., agreed with the others about the traffic and potential vandalism. He feels the number of participants on any given day have been misrepresented to the low side.  He also feels the activity and noise would have an impact on the diverse wildlife in the area. 

• Orlinda Carafello, Farrell Rd., added to the concerns of yelling and profanity, which may occur during matches, litter and possible vandalism.  She also questioned if this were a seasonal operation. 

• Vinnie Castiglione, Liberty Rd., agreed with others concerning traffic, litter, noise and vandalism.
Liz Cordella, Valley View Dr., asked for clarification on operating days and times. 

• Mary Birch, Highpoint Dr., agreed with the traffic concerns and felt it was the beginning of the end for the peace and beauty of the surrounding neighborhood.

THEN, AT THE Sept. 6 Planning Board meeting, these specifics were presented by the project's attorney and these actions taken:

The next item of business on the agenda was the site plan application by David Mulinio for a proposed paintball facility located off Farrell Road.  Attorney Tom Kenney was present for the Applicant.  Also present was Ronald LaBerge, P.E., consulting engineer for the Town of Brunswick on this application.  It was reiterated by the Board that this matter had been the subject of a Planned Development District application, which had been approved by the Brunswick Town Board subject to conditions.

It was also confirmed that this matter had been subject to coordinated SEQRA review, and that the Town Board had also adopted a negative declaration on this action.  Attorney Kenney stated that the Applicant was present to address any questions or comments of the Board, but that there had been no changes to the site plan application which had been discussed at the August 16 meeting.

The Planning Board members generally reviewed the conditions attached to the Planned Development District approval by the Town Board.  Mr. LaBerge commented that the Town should inspect the access road construction for purposes of stormwater compliance.  Chairman Oster noted for the record that if there were any changes proposed for this action, the Applicant would need to file an application to amend the site plan, and come back before the Planning Board for further review.  The Applicant understood this.

Chairman Oster inquired whether there were any further questions or comments by the Planning Board members.  Hearing none, Chairman Oster confirmed that SEQRA had been completed on this action, and then made a motion to approve the Mulinio site plan application subject to the following conditions incorporated from the Planned Development District approval:

A. A gravel entrance driveway, approximately 26 feet wide, will be provided off Farrell Road leading to a parking area on the project site located approximately 300 feet from the intersection of Oakwood Avenue and Farrell. The access road area is included in the Planned Development District. 

B. The parking area for this project will accommodate approximately 60 vehicles, with adequate room on the project site to expand the parking area if necessary. 

C. A walkway will connect the parking area to the location of the paint ball fields on the project site.

D. The Planned Development District includes three different paint ball fields, including a “speed ball” field of approximately 140 feet by 190 feet; a “large scenario” field of approximately 150 feet by 650 feet consisting of numerous structures and obstacles; and a “small scenario” field of approximately 70 feet by 460 feet, also containing structures and obstacles.

E. The structures and obstacles proposed for the “large scenario” and “small scenario” fields will be movable, less than 10 feet in height, and not permanently affixed.  In addition, hollow obstacles shall be filled with sand or water to eliminate reverberation when struck by paintballs. 

F. The area of the paint ball fields will be double posted, both at the perimeter of the playing area as well as approximately 200 feet outside the perimeter of the playing area, resulting in a 200 foot buffer between anyone on the outside of the project site from the players utilizing the paint ball fields. Out-of-bounds flagging will be utilized to clearly define areas to be used. The areas closest to residentially-zoned properties shall have temporary construction fencing placed at the perimeter of the fields.  In addition, a 12’ high net will be placed around the perimeter of the “speed ball” field. 

G. The paint ball facility will be operated on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. On Saturday, the hours of operation shall be limited to 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  On Sunday and holidays, the hours of operation shall be limited to 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  On Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, registration activity shall occur during the first half-hour, and games shall not commence earlier than one half-hour after registration. Games must end no later than 4:30 p.m. or dusk, whichever occurs earlier.  The site will be thoroughly cleaned of litter and debris each operating day.  All participants must leave the facility by 5:00 p.m. each operating day. The facility will be closed and gate locked no later than 5:00 p.m. each operating day.  In addition, the facility will be available Monday – Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., exclusively for police and law enforcement training. No firearms are permitted or allowed in connection with the police and law enforcement training.

H. The paint ball facility will be staffed by an individual who will register players, an individual who will calibrate the paint ball markers, 2-5 referees, a safety instructor, and an overall supervisor. 

I. No permanent bathroom facilities are proposed, and port-a-johns will be used. 

J. No permanent structures are proposed for the project, and food will be provided through an independent mobile concession truck. 

K. No enclosed structures, other than storage sheds for equipment, shall be constructed on the site. 

L. No horns, sirens, or whistles shall be used to control game timing.

M. Traffic exiting the site shall be directed to Oakwood Avenue.  All literature and directions to the site shall utilize Oakwood Avenue as the best travel path to follow.

N. Emergency access to all playing fields shall be maintained at all times.

Chairman Oster further conditioned the motion on requiring an inspection by the Town Building Department on the construction of the access driveway for stormwater compliance, as well as Building Department confirmation that all hollow obstacles proposed for the playing fields are filled with either sand or water prior to commencement of use.  Also, the motion is conditioned on payment of all Town consultant review fees.  Member Czornyj seconded the motion subject to the stated conditions.  The motion was unanimously approved, and the site plan approved subject to the stated conditions.

Association meeting set for Monday night

See you Monday night? We hope so. That's when the Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association will hold its fall meeting:

7 p.m. Monday, October 1
Faith Lutheran Church

 Feel free to contact Secretary Nadeen Thompson if you have any agenda items. If you need to review what transpired at our last meeting, just double-check the copy of the minutes President Kay Duclos recently sent out.

One resident is hot, and cold, under the collar

• From Trent Cox, at No. 25:

As we approach our October meeting, I want to share with you some experiences that I do not want to take up during our formal meeting, but which I would be willing to discuss with any interested person(s) before or after. They have to do with a heating/air-conditioning contractor which has enjoyed many years of association with Terrace residents.

When Betsy and I bought #25 in December of 2003, we looked at our heating-A/C equipment and saw stickers representing about 8 years of service by the same company. At that time, we had no reason to switch from, or even question the credentials of, that company.

I first became suspicious, as some of you know, when that company came into the Terrace in the summer of 2011 and pronounced so many of our systems defective -- all at about the same time.

HUGE COINCIDENCE.

If a heating system sales person came to your door, you'd probably politely dismiss the opportunity to plunk out $8,000 for lack of apparent need. But if a TECHNICIAN "red flags" your system, he becomes the salesman. I have learned that great pressure can be put on service technicians to "make the sale under any condition." This is especially true for the large, national companies.

Second suspicious event: Fast-forward one year to July 2012. Time for the routine maintenance call, number 18 (air-conditioning), number 36 total. It would be the last for this company at my home. My neighbor and I installed a brand new water heater 5½ years ago. I had gone down to the basement on that July morning to make sure nothing was in the way of the equipment. The technician arrived on time, and after about five minutes alone in the basement, he called me down to ask me how long the water heater had been leaking. I said I had been down there about 15 minutes before he got there and it wasn't leaking then.

HUGE COINCIDENCE (#2).

I thought, "How, with an Ivy League education, can I be so stupid?" About two hours later I had a new water heater . . . $1,000. As the service tech was about to leave, he pointed out a leaking shutoff at the top of the water heater he had just installed. I said, "What should I do about that?" He said, "Call a plumber."

NO LIE.

I called the company, told them what happened, and they had a "master plumber" at #25 early the following morning, a Saturday.

Fast-forward to yesterday, Monday, September 24. My new heating maintenance company representative made his first service call. Very thorough. So thorough, in fact, that within 15 minutes of his call (which lasted more than an hour), he pointed out that the humidifier on the heating system had NEVER been installed. Oh, it was made to LOOK like it had been installed -- clamped to the water line -- but the water line had never been punctured to allow water into the humidifier. Took about 5 minutes to rectify the problem.

Now, I have been a saver all my life, and among my most-prized stash are all the maintenance reports handed to me by my previous heating/air-conditioning "experts." Every one of those reports attests to the adequacy of my system, including the humidifier. EVERY ONE. (Look at your own.)

Yesterday's technician said to me, "The good news is that you have a brand new 18-year-old humidifier." If any of this means anything to you, it will have been worth the finger-exercise I am about to complete.

Sometimes, venting makes one feel good.

4th quarter dues deadline is October 1

Fourth-quarter dues must be paid within the next week, with a deadline of Monday, October 1.

As always, you can save the cost of a stamp by dropping your payment in the white box below the mailbox gazebo bulletin boards.

The dues remain at $385 for the quarter, with checks to be made payable to Terrace at Highpointe Community Association.

Thanks.

Meeting planned to hear details on blasting

The Troy City Engineer has scheduled a neighborhood meeting to discuss "minor" blasting work that is to be done at the Stoneledge Terrace development project on the south end of Highpointe.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. next Tuesday, July 24, on the second floor of Troy City Hall at 1776 Sixth Avenue, opposite the police headquarters.

According to City Engineer Russ Reeves, "Site work has encountered bedrock, which is proposed for removal using conventional drilling and blasting methods. The drilling and blasting sub-contractor is Britton Drilling & Blasting of Queensbury, New York. Neighbors with concerns or questions are invited to attend."

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Driveway maintenance time again

Have you signed up to have your driveway sealcoated? It's especially important if you haven't had it done for several years.

Sealcoating accomplishes several things:

• It protects your driveway surface from erosion caused by snow, ice and road salt.

• It helps maintain the appearance of the neighborhood, important to both pride in the Terrace and to maintaining property values.

If you're in need of the service, check the signup sheet posted on the mailbox gazebo bulletin board.

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One more Terrace home for sale

The last time we looked, three homes on the Terrace had been advertised for sale. Well, now you can make that four.

Pat Whitman has accepted a job in Albuquerque, NM, and put her house (27 Hyland Circle) up for sale with the Lori Schindler firm's Kristen McLenaghan.

As Pat says, "Despite the mushy real estate market I'm surprised that the old Terrace word-of-mouth hasn't been working. You probably remember that up til several years ago, by the time a house was listed, it already had a buyer!"

We'll miss Pat, who served several years as the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association's secretary and member of the board, but we wish her well in her new adventure.

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Your current 'worker bees'

Wondering who does what to keep our community moving?

Here's the current list of the "worker bees" volunteering their time and talents:

The Board:

President Kay Duclos
1st Vice President Joan Richardson
2nd Vice President Anne Hunter
Treasurer Jerry Gordon
Secretary Nadeen Thompson

Architectural Review Committee:

Tom Chichester, Bill Dowd, Jerry Gordon.

Grounds Committee: 

Tom Chichester, Kay Duclos, Bob Malphrus.

Beautification Committee: 

Ginny Chichester, Paula Fox-Murphy, Anne Hunter.

Nominating Comittee: 

Bob Hayward, Paula Fox- Murphy, Dick Harte.

Rules Committee: 

Joe Claeys, Bill Dowd, Terry Page, Nadeen Thompson.

Webmaster:

Bill Dowd

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Save the date for our pizza party

Our annual Summer Pizza Party has been scheduled for Friday, August 10.

Details will be posted as they become available. Meanwhile, just be sure to save the date on your social calendar.

And, if you want to take a brief trip down Memory Lane, just click here to see images from a past pizza event.

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Countdown is on to next dues payment

Third-quarter dues must be paid within the next week, with a deadline of July 1.

As always, you can save the cost of a stamp by dropping your payment in the white box below the mailbox gazebo bulletin boards.

The dues remain at $385 for the quarter, with checks to be made payable to Terrace at Highpointe Community Association.

Thanks.

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Thank, or think of, a veteran today

3 homes now for sale on the Terrace

The number of homes up for sale on the Terrace has reached three.

Vivian Price's home, at 24 Hyland Court, held an open house today.

Also for sale:

• 19 Hyland Drive, the Riley residence

• 28 Hyland Circle, the Fischer residence

Remind you of anyone you know?

Spring meeting set for May 7

If you haven't already done so, please circle the date on your calendar for the regular Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association meeting:

7 p.m. Monday, May 7
Faith Lutheran Church

This will be the first general meeting for the new Board of Directors. Feel free to contact secretary Nadeen Thompson if you have any agenda items.

If you need to review what transpired at our last meeting, just click here for the minutes.

2 homes for sale on the Terrace

In addition to Shirley Fisher's residence, which has been for sale since last summer, the Riley residence at 19 Hyland Circle is on the market.

Details on what the Rileys are seeking are included on a bulletin board posting.

Spring is bustin' out all over

Spring has sprung,

The grass is riz,

I wonder where

The flowers is?

Wonder no longer. Crocuses (crocii?), forsythia and the other early harbingers of spring are bursting forth all over the Terrace.

Here are a few other shots of our world quickly being colored.. Feel free to send along any spring scenes you shoot.

2nd quarter dues nearly due

The second installment of your 2012 dues needs to be received by Treasurer Jerry Gordon no later than Sunday, April 1.

Remember, you can save the price of a stamp by posting your check in the drop box located below the bulletin board in the mailbox gazebo.

Dues are $385 per residential unit. Please make checks payable to:

Terrace at Highpointe Community Association

Thank you.