Mailbox gazebo area upgraded

 

Our new look mailbox gazebo.

If you've noticed activity beyond mail delivery around the mailbox gazebo area in recent weeks, you're not seeing things.

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.

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Have you cast your ballot yet?

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

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Troy closing 15th Street for repairs

Troy's Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will be closing 15th Street between Hoosick and Hutton streets on Friday to repair leaking water infrastructure.

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.

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Terrace road repairs on the schedule

The City of Troy is expected to patch some of the worst potholes and cracks in Terrace roads this week, just in time for the winter season

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.

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Troy gets a new two-way street

The City of Troy's North Central neighborhood has unveiled a new two-way street in an old familiar place.

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. 

As the city explained in a statement, “The change will allow Rensselaer Street addresses to accept local deliveries without trucks having to maneuver, and thus interrupt the safe flow of traffic on busy River Street.” 

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The latest coyote sighting on the Terrace

• Neighbor Paula Fox Murphy at No. 12 offers this cautionary tail ... er, tale ... for everyone.

"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.

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