If you somehow still need an explanation of the process after all these years, please click here for details.
And, please be assured that your dues still go toward paying for grounds maintenance during warm months, snow removal during winter months, maintenance of grounds, structures, parking area, seasonal decorations, and so on without the often-exorbitant charges of maintenance companies are handled.
As April and I celebrate our 28th New Year's Eve on the Terrace -- exceeded only by our friend Lorraine Bailey as the neighborhood's longest residents -- I would like to mark the occasion by expressing our gratitude to all of you, new and not-so-new, for your contributions toward making the community the wonderful place it is.
We have experienced the windswept periods of construction -- including the holidays during which we decorated the chemical toilets on the grounds for the construction crews -- and watched your homes being built to the plantings of the original packages of trees and shrubs that now are being replaced as they age out, to the turnovers of residents as they, too, age out -- such wonderful neighbors as Russ and Rose Golino, Bob and Polly Hayward, Joe and Gerry Claeys, Harvey Bailey, Julia Austin, Charlie and Dorothy Crowley, Donna Mackey, Dorothy DeLuca, Bill Wade, Phil Steiner, Tory Clements, and on and on.
All that said, as the president of the Terrace at Highpointe Community Associaton for going on a second decade, I am profoundly grateful for your faith in repeatedly voting for me to continue leading our community and for the continuing willingness of our current Board members to work on your behalf to maintain services to our residents, keep costs below what we would have had to pay to a management company, and to be responsive to your many needs, all without pay and often without thanks.
That said, bless you all and a Happy 2024!
-- Bill Dowd
THCA President
The City will be sending crews throughout the neighborhoods to collect real trees beginning next Tuesday, January 2. The program will run through Friday, January 12, at no charge to households.
“The City of Troy continues to prioritize sustainable disposal practices that are environmentally responsible and economically sensible, which is why we are ensuring that recycling options are still available to Troy families who wish to recycle this season’s Christmas tree,” said outgoing Mayor Patrick Madden. “I thank our workforce for all they do to enable our families to recycle, compost, and responsibly dispose of refuse in every neighborhood.”
Troy’s Departments of Recycling, Streets and Sanitation is asking residents to place their trees at the curb or roadside on their regular collection day between January 2 and January 12. Or, residents may bring trees to the Troy Resource Management Facility (formerly known as the Alamo) at the intersection of Main Street and Eastern Industrial Parkway on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Real Christmas trees can be turned into mulch or allowed to naturally break down over time. Keeping real Christmas trees out of the landfill allows them to be used to build stronger soil in Troy.
Don't have a real tree but want to dispose of an artificial version? Call the Department of Public Works dispatcher at 518-270-4579.
Residents are asked to:
RECYCLING HOLIDAY LIGHTS
The Mount Ida Preservation Association is recycling old Christmas lights, extension cords, and charging cords. Residents may drop their recyclables at 548 Congress Street in the big green barrel in front of main red doors at the front of the Church through the first week of January. More information about this program is available through the Mount Ida Preservation Association.
Besides the check you've already dropped off at event coordinator Janice Dessingue's residence, we're again asking for the sock donations that she will deliver to local service groups that help those in need. Clean sock are, believe it or not, one of the most-requested but least-donated items.
We're looking forward to seeing you at Friday's luncheon at McGreivey's Restaurant in Waterford.
Meanwhile, you can go here to see what happened to last year's donations.
 |
| "Monarch of the Glen," which hangs in the Scottish National Gallery. |
It was commissioned as part of a series of three panels to hang in the Palace of Westminster in London. As one of the most popular paintings throughout the 19th Century, it sold widely in reproductions in steel engraving, and finally was bought by companies to use in advertising.
Well, except for their cool accents, us red-blooded Yanks can always do better than the Brits, and neighbor Ned Alaskey has supplied us with proof of it. Well, sort of. Our resident "monarch" stag is camera shy, so any recorded glimpse of him may be a bit fuzzy, but here it is anyway.
 |
| Bring 'em with you! |
As required by the bylaws of the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association (THCA), your elected Board held a reorganization session on Monday, November 13.
President: Bill DowdPresident Emeritus: Steven Sanders1st Vice President: Sid Legg2nd Vice President: Ned AlaskeyTreasurer: Jerry GordonSecretary: Ellen GordonAt Large: Bill Shover
The Troy Police Department will be on-site to facilitate the safe passage of vehicles near the work zone. Motorists and commuters should plan alternate routes of travel if possible and mind any posted parking restrictions.
Not sure of the side streets in the affected area? Go here for a map that may help you navigate.
The party planners -- Janice Desingue and Anne Hunter -- are working on the details but need an advance headcount because the number of attendees could have an impact on the eventual price.
Please email Janice at jldessingue@nycap.rr.com NO LATER THAN THIS SATURDAY to let her know if you plan to attend.
A few notes:
• The price probably will be in the $35 range per person, which will include tax and tip.
• The menu for the three-course, full-service sitdown luncheon will include a salad, a variety of entrees from which you can choose upon arrival, dessert, plus coffee, tea, soda, or water. A cash bar also will be available.
• The restaurant is handicap accessible.
So, please contact Janice ASAP. We encourage as many people to attend as possible. Last year's luncheon was a successful post-COVID resumption of an annual social event we hope to continue for years to come.
Thanks to neighbor Joan Richardson for sharing this image with us.
 |
| Oakwood Bible Church polling place. |
Those and other races for office, along with a pair of questions, are on the ballot in front of voters on Tuesday, November 7.
If you didn't take advantage of early voting which ended on Sunday, you can check in at this year's polling place for anyone who lives in the Terrace neighborhood -- Oakwood Bible Church, located just south of us at 260 Oakwood Avenue.
The event, organized by Brown's Brewing, is a fundraiser for Folds of Honor New York. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 51,000 scholarships totaling more than $240 million to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. It recently announced it is expanding to incorporate first responders such as police, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.
Tickets available online, are $20 in advance, $25 day of (children under 12 free). The festival will run from 1 to 4 p.m., with attendees being able to sample various chilis from a range of eateries including those operating in the River Street Market's food court.
Participating eateries that operate on the Troy waterfront:
In addition, Joe Aldee and the Lug Nuts will provide live music for the family-friendly event.
Attendees are asked to bring a bag of groceries to donate to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and be entered in a drawing for a prize raffle.
Please check your exterior lights -- both the pole lights and the bolted-on lights adjacent to the garage doors as well as any lights attached to the rear exterior -- to be sure they are in good working order.
John Paccione has been making himself available to neighbors to advise them on the most affordable state-of-the-art lights that improve illumination and reduce utility costs. You can call him at 518-577-2200 for advice.
 |
| A snapshot of last year's Holiday Luncheon. |
We had such a good time gathering at McGreivey's restaurant in Waterford that we're going to do it again.
So, circle Friday, December 15, on your social calendar and save the date.
Planning has begun, and the details will be shared with the entire Terrace community as they are firmed up.
 |
| The Hedley Building, home to City Hall. |
 |
| Our new look mailbox gazebo. |
Grounds Committee chair Ned Alaskey contracted for the removal of a large, dying ornamental bush on one side of the site and trimming of trees behind it, as well as removal of a dead ash tree in the planting circle.
In addition, Susan McCabe headed up an effort to place solar-powered lights in the planting circle to provide some measure of security for strollers and dog walkers.
Then, thanks to the strong efforts of Janet and Fred Fowler, a pair of dying small bushes in front of the gazebo were removed and weather-resistant planters installed in their place, complete with fall flowers.
Our thanks to all involved in these improvements, part of an ongoing energetic effort to maintain the appearance -- and, thus, the appeal -- of The Terrace.
The formal Election Day is next Tuesday, November 7. But, you don't have to wait until then to cast your ballots for Troy mayor and other key offices.
Early voting can be carried out at one of three locations in Rensselaer County through Sunday. (No voting will be held on Monday, the day before Election Day.)
The polls are open to registered voters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Thursday, and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Locations include:
• Town of Brunswick Office Building
336 Town Office Road (off Route 7), Brunswick
• Social Security Office Building
500 Federal Street, Troy
• Schodack Town Hall
265 Schuurman Road, Castleton
Plans call for blocking off that area from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or longer if required.
The work could affect customers of various businesses in that stretch, ranging from the McDonald's at 15th and Hoosick to Amante Pizza, the Asian restaurant Red & Blue, and the Mediterranean restaurant Ali Baba, all fronting on 15th Street.
DPU says no interruption of water service is expected. Motorists and commuters should plan alternate routes of travel and be alert to any posted parking restrictions.
Thanks to the persistent efforts of Susan McCabe, who enlisted the assistance of City Council President Carmella Mantello to get the appropriate City departments to respond to her repeated requests, we should have a safer and more attractive status for some roadways.
Susan also was behind the installation of solar-powered ground lights around the intersection of Hyland Circle and the mailbox parking area.Thank you, Susan, for your continual efforts to improve the neighborhood.
Rensselaer Street, which runs from 6th Avenue to River Street, had been a one-way westbound street. It now has been converted to two-way status.
The change was made to accommodate future development planned for the River Street corridor."I am staying home today since I am nursing my first cold in almost three years. As I am sitting in my sun parlor in the back of my house, what do I see but what I believe was a coyote.
It ran through my back yard towards Flo Rogers' home (No. 13) and back into the woods. I’ve alerted Ann Hunter (No. 8) and Tammy Sanders (No. 18), but ... you might want to alert our neighbors.
Although I could not take a picture of it since it moved so fast, I got on the internet to see if I could fine a similar picture and here it is.
I have no idea if it was rabid or not, but we should keep our eyes peeled when we are out walking. Rabid animals do attack people.
 |
| Diamond Rock Plaza strip mall. / Business Review photo |
The last project undertaken there by property owner Tom Murley was an abortive attempt to make use of part of the parcel as a school bus depot. A number of Terrace residents testified at a Brunswick Planning Board hearing. That proposal eventually was withdrawn.
The latest effort involves a solar panel installation on a 40-acre parcel adjacent to the strip mall building that had been approved some time ago.
Our neighbor Fred Fowler, who was among those testifying against the bus parking proposal, has spoken with representatives of the Town of Brunswick about the current plan for the parcel and reports the following:
Fred offers the following observations:(1.) A solar farm has heretofore been approved on other property that Mr. Murley owns that is more “inland” from Oakwood Avenue. However, there are to be some electrical lines that will run from that solar farm through the parcel next to the strip mall. I believe that the current activity is associated with the construction of the solar farm itself or perhaps the construction of these electrical lines.
(2.) When the site plan for the strip mall was initially approved the parcel next to the strip mall was to be a car wash. Since that time the zoning law in the Town of Brunswick has been changed such that the Oakwood Avenue area is zoned as “light industrial.” Apparently Mr. Murley is now desirous of constructing some retail structure on that site. In order to do this he must first have the property rezoned for retail. I believe he may already have submitted such an application to the Town Board, which must then be referred to the Planning Board for their opinion. Assuming the Planning Board approved the request it would then go back to the Town Board for a vote. It is my understanding that the commercial zoning he is requesting is for over 5,000 square feet of retail space. If the Town Board approved the zoning change the matter would then go back to the Planning Board for the Site Plan Review process, which is what we had the hearing for on the school bus parking.
(3.) Certain of our residents should get written notice of the zoning change proceedings as well as the hearings on the site plan due to the proximity of their property to the site. I assume these are probably Nos. 4 through 8 Hyland Circle [the homes that were notified of the bus parking plan], so I would appreciate being informed of any notices received pertaining to this matter. While I will try to keep abreast of any developments I do not receive any notices since my house is farther than 400 feet from the site.
"I do think it is important to realize certain realities:
NOTE: We will have a brief discussion of this latest project placed on the agenda for our Monday, October 2, THCA meeting at Faith Lutheran Church.
The venue is, as usual, the meeting room of the Faith Luther Church, 50 Leversee Road, opposite the city water plant.
Among agenda items are a financial review, committee reports, and election of a THCA Board for 2024-25 since all seats have two-year terms.
NOTE: We don't know in advance if the chairs and tables will be set up in the meeting room, so we're asking any able-bodied folks who might want to help to show up a few minutes early in case we have to do the setup. Likewise, if the furniture needs to be put on storage dollies after the meeting, we'll need help with that, too.
 |
| The Rensselaer County office building. |
The closure is part of a planned multi-stage renovation of the county offices, located at 1600 Seventh Avenue in Troy. The DMV anticipates reopening to the public in early 2024.
“I have been pushing for renovation of the Troy DMV for the past five years," said County Clerk Frank J. Merola. "Quite frankly, it has become outdated and this renovation will modernize the DMV which will allow us to update equipment and space usage, and to maximize our already excellent customer service.”
Anyone who needs to visit the DMV after October 2 can use one of these offices:
• County Office Building, 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush (a full-service venue), Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Hoosick Falls Satellite DMV, in the John J. Murphy Senior Center at 69 Church Street every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Merola is encouraging residents to mail non-essential transactions to the East Greenbush office.
The DMV provides original and renewal vehicle registrations, driver's licenses and learner permits; is responsible for issuing conditional and restricted licenses of rental vehicles, livery, ambulances and buses; provides non-drivers license identification cards as well as being a sponsor of the "Moto Voter" program.
“I’m excited to bring Chowderfest back with the new format we incorporated last year,” said Olivia Clemente, executive director of the sponsoring Downtown Troy Business Improvement District (BID).
“The concept of this format" -- selling from storefronts rather than from a central location such as Riverside Park as was the format prior to 2022 -- "was not only to bring more foot traffic to our restaurants, but to get everyone walking around downtown and explore streets they may never walk down on a normal day. It’s really all about getting to know our area and the businesses.”
Not familiar with downtown Troy? A map showing the location of participants is available on the event website.
Continual rain has prompted the City of Troy's Department of Public Works to modify its roadwork schedule for this week and the beginning of next. Thursday
• 5th Ave between Hoosick St – Rensselaer St
• Vanderheyden St between 6th Ave – 5th Ave
• Rensselaer St between 6th Ave - River St
• N. 1st St between Jay St – North St
• Hutton St between 8th St – 10th St
Friday
• Hutton St between 11th St - 17th St
• 16th St between Hoosick St – Jacob St
Monday
• 17th St between Hoosick St – Eagle St
• Eagle St between 17th St – Burdett Ave
• Tibbits Ave between Orchard Ave – Burdett Ave
Work generally begins at 6 a.m. unless otherwise noted.
Both require that all such pets must be on-leash at all times when off the owner's property, as during a walk, and/or securely tethered when outside the home during playtime.
At no time are dogs allowed to be off leash outdoors, whether or not they are accompanied by their owners.
We have had several instances on the Terrace of violations of such requirements and would appreciate, for the enjoyment of all residents and the avoidance of injury to animals or humans, adherence to both Terrace rules and City of Troy law.
