The 3rd quarter/2nd half of 2024 begins on Monday, July 1. Dues should be submitted in the usual manner to THCA Treasurer Jerry Gordon to assure that they are received on time.
Jun 22, 2024
3rd quarter dues deadline coming up
Getting set for the Terrace Summer Picnic
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| Allegedly a scene from the first Terrace Summer Picnic. |
• A signup sheet is being posted on the mailbox bulletin board. The deadline for registering is Wednesday, July 10. Please specify how many people from your residence will be attending.
• The THCA will be providing a selection of subs this year, rather than burgers and hot dogs as in the past. (Grillmasters at previous picnics didn't get much time to socialize.)
• Please plan on bringing a dish to share. Suggestions include salads (potato, macaroni, tossed, etc.) appetizers, and desserts.
• Where should you bring your food contributions? Bill & Kathy Shover at No. 21 will be the hosts for desserts and Lorraine Bailey at No. 22 for all other foods.
• Plan to bring your own chairs and beverages. (It wouldn't hurt to check the weather forecast the day before the event to find out if you also should bring an umbrella.)
Hoping to see as many of you there as possible for what always is an enjoyable get-together.
Jun 21, 2024
Troy's citywide roadwork Phase 2 announced
(Phase 1 was largely related to reworking Campbell Road in the vicinity of Hudson Valley Community College. )
While none of the Terrace roads are on the schedule at this point, nearby Highpointe Drive is. No dates have been released for Phase 2 work except to say it will be completed this summer.
The City promises that when it decides on when to do the Highpointe Drive work, it will post signs several days in advance so you can plan your vehicle, jogging, or walking activities accordingly.
Meanwhile, the THCA Board is checking with the City on the possibility of more work being done on the increasingly-ragged Terrace public roads (i.e., Hyland Drive and Hyland Circle) that have occasionally been cold-patched, but only at our repeated requests. While we doubt we'll receive a positive reply, it won't hurt to ask.
Here's the Phase 2 outline:
1st trimming coming up
Our contract with Skyview Landscaping calls for two such services annually, one in June/July, the other in October/November.
We're less than halfway through the first period and, as always, such work is weather dependent. Given the erratic rainfall, soaring temperatures, etc., trimming hasn't yet been performed. But, fear not, it will be.
Jun 11, 2024
Save the date for the Terrace Summer Picnic
Circle Saturday, July 13, on your social calendar.
That's the date "Ellie & The Planners" have selected for our umpteenth annual Terrace Summer Picnic.
Other than a 2 p.m. starting time, no details are yet available, but we'll keep everyone in the loop as soon as there are some solid things to share.
May 22, 2024
Alert: Nighttime thieves are on the prowl
Be sure to lock your vehicles and don't leave anything of value visible inside.
While we haven't had a car theft or break-in on the Terrace in several years, our neighbors in Highpointe aren't as fortunate.
Steven Sanders reports he was told by a Highpointe resident that "there were several incidents there earlier this month, both caught on camera. One was a break-in of an unattached garage and the other was a person checking for unlocked cars on the road or driveways. Both occurred after midnight by different individuals."
Just another reason to maintain all exterior lights so we don't have unnecessary darkened areas in the neighborhood.
May 19, 2024
Former Terrace resident Dave Sampson passes away
Dave Sampson, who with his wife Arlene rented No. 2 Hyland Circle for a time, passed away last week.
Tom Wade says the Sampsons moved to Connecticut several years ago to be near family. Dave suffered from Parkinson’s disease for many years.
Fred Fowler notes that "Dave had been a lawyer in Troy for many years and his father was Steve Sampson from Pattison, Sampson, Ginsburg and Griffin. ... Dave was a good guy, but didn’t get out much when they lived here due to his illness."
Steven Sanders added, "David and Arlene were wonderful neighbors. Arlene was very personable and so was Dave although, as Fred said, he could not get out and about because of his advanced Parkinson’s disease. Dave fought without a complaint and courageously to the very end. May God hold him in peace and joy."
Dave's official obituary is available online.
May 15, 2024
Memorial Day Parade returning -- in Lansingburgh
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| Parade route from park to park. |
The parade, halted during the COVID-19 pandemic era, is set to step off at 1 p.m. from Knickerbacker Park and wind up a bit north with a 3 p.m. memorial celebration in Powers Park with a 4 to 8 p.m. cookout and celebration at Forty-One Sports Grille where there will be live music by Brian Kane and the Beginnings.
The event will feature recruiting tables, youth activities (such as balloon animals, face painting, etc.), a cookout with the Troy fire and police departments, and other activities.
In addition, the parade will feature the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, a Canadian infantry reserve regiment based in the Niagara Region of Ontario. The regiment traces its history back 230 years to Butler’s Rangers from Upstate New York and Pennsylvania. The Warrant Officers and Sergeants of the regiment have a long-standing relationship with the Veterans of Lansingburgh and attended the Memorial Day parade for over 20 years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are so excited to be able to bring the Memorial Day Parade back to Troy to honor our local veterans who have dedicated their lives to protect our freedoms,” said Mayor Carmella Mantello. “These events unite our community and build pride in our city.”
PJ Higgit, a local veteran and advocate, said, “From a community standpoint, the parade is an important event that will help remind people to pause and remember the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our great nation. Their sacrifice is the reason we are able to live in the most free and democratic country in the world.”
Andrea Fairhurst, president of the Lansingburgh Central School District Board of Education, said, “Reviving the Memorial Day parade in Troy is a testament to our community's deep respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It's a chance for us to come together, not just as neighbors, but as a community bound by shared values and gratitude. This parade is our way of saying 'thank you' to every hero, past and present, and ensuring their memory lives on in the heart of our community for generations to come."
Troy PD gets $362K technology upgrade grant
Police Chief Dan DeWolf said, "Policing in the 21st Century has become increasingly technological and police departments find themselves struggling to keep up with emerging products and tools. This funding will improve our existing capabilities and enhance our ability to investigate and deter criminal activity in the city. The Troy Police Department is thankful for this necessary financial award."
DeWolf said the department intends to improve and expand the city's camera system, including network improvements. It also will fund the enhancement of license plate readers and the purchase of a new drone.
Apr 19, 2024
Yet another water main break snarls traffic
Broken water main -- again! -- affects Hoosick Street travel. Be alert to detours.
This lane closure notice was issued by the City of Troy on Friday.
Apr 16, 2024
'Operation Refresh' sprucing up Troy
The City of Troy this week began a widespread spring cleaning campaign of alleys, neighborhoods roads, and commercial streets.
So, if you're strolling downtown, for example, where alleys are plentiful, you may notice that much of the winter accumulation of litter and dirt has been swept away. And, as you travel around the City, you no doubt will see examples of all sort of cleanup work.
The program is known as "Troy Operation Refresh," part of new Mayor Carmella Mantello's ongoing program of attention to "quality of life" issues.
“We are pressing a refresh button with intense street and alleyway cleaning, curb to curb," Mantello says. "We are going street by street, alleyway by alleyway to create a cleaner, greener Troy, and building pride in our city. That starts with being clean.”Part of the refreshing work is a city park rejuvenation initiative that includes such things as:
• painting• checking city flags• replacing all basketball nets• cleaning and painting the fountains at Frear Park and Knickerbocker Park• repairing the fence at Poestenkill Gorge• scraping and painting tennis practice walls• painting trash receptacles
1st herbicide application coming up
The annual program of lawn treatments by our vendor Vinmar Solutions is about to begin.
Please be aware that a crew will be on the Terrace on Wednesday, April 24. To avoid any problem with spraying residue, please be sure your cars are garaged or parked in one of our parking areas away from the lawns during daylight hours on that date. And, please be cautious when walking your dogs.
Here is the official notice from Vinmar:
FROM VINMAR SOLUTIONS
Apr 12, 2024
Latest info and links for Troy recycling efforts
As we approach Earth Day, the City of Troy's recycling specialists are asking residents to participate in one of the recycling events coming up this month and in May.
"Since it takes so long for items to break down in landfills, it’s important that we do what we can to reduce what goes into our household garbage," says a City announcement. " If there’s a way to reduce it, reuse it, or recycle it, that preserves space in our landfills for the things that can’t be reduced, reused, or recycled. If you’re looking for information on the best way to do that, check out our recycling guide."
Earth Day cleanups
Saturday, April 20, to Sunday, April 28
City residents can register for their efforts and get supplies to support their cleanups. We have trash bags, leaf bags, prescription drug deactivation bags, and more. Register online or call the City Recycling Specialist at 518-279-7313 to be registered manually.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event
Saturday, May 18, at the Troy Resource Management Facility (Alamo); 3000 Main Street.
Items such as gasoline, pesticides, fertilizer, paints, and more require special handling and disposal. Registration is required. Time slots will be assigned via email to control traffic. Please check your spam and junk folders for an email from naomi.pitkin@troyny.gov several days before the event.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Community-Based Sustainable Events
TROY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FACILITY (ALAMO) services Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. : food scrap drop-off, pallet pick-up, bagged leaf and branch drop-off, battery drop-off.
IMPORTANT LINKS
• Textile Reuse and Recycling Program: www.troyny.gov/textiles
• Rechargeable Battery Recycling Program: www.troyny.gov/batteries
• Food Scrap Drop-off: www.troyny.gov/foodscraps
• Recycling Information: www.troyny.gov/recycling
• Household Hazardous Waste Events: www.troyny.gov/hhw
• Electronics Recycling Events: www.troyny.gov/electronics
• Trash Information: www.troyny.gov/269/Garbage-Collection
Apr 3, 2024
City restores Facebook users blocked by Madden
All those accounts now have been unblocked.
“The Mantello administration is committed to being transparent to the residents of Troy,” the mayor said in a news release.
“We live in a time where many people rely on social media for their news and communications. Our pages must be made available to everyone, regardless of their personal opinions. I am open to hearing all voices and will continue to communicate openly with the public throughout my tenure.”
City Communications Director Hayley Hill added, “Our social media is the one-stop-shop for residents to get information about city projects, upcoming community events, citywide disasters, traffic alerts, and more. This is also a place for residents to voice their opinions and complaints directly to the city. People should not be punished for that. This administration is committed to government transparency, and we sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been blocked or censored by the last administration.”
Need to get rid of some old paint?
The paint recycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday (April 6) at Hudson Valley Community College. BUT, you need to pre-register to participate. You can do it online by clicking here.
What will be accepted:
- Urethanes
- Oil-based and latex-based paints
- Acrylic paint
- Varnishes, shellacs, and lacquers
- Primers
- Clear coatings
What will not be accepted:
- Spray paints
- Marine and auto paints
- Household hazardous waste
- Electronics
- Paint thinner
- Driveway sealers
If you have questions, you can call City Recycling Specialist Naomi Pitkin at 518-279-7313 or email recycling@troyny.gov.
The times they are a'changing -- again
And, that means our busy Beautification Committee has once again updated the decorations in the mailbox gazebo planters installed some months ago.
We have gone from flowers to holiday delights -- Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and now Easter finery. Enjoy!
Mar 28, 2024
2nd quarter THCA dues are due
Mar 21, 2024
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall plans $14M expansion
TROY — The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall plans to invest $14 million in an expansion project that will allow it to hold performances during the summer months, provide additional space for programming, add parking and transform parts of the exterior.
“I’m excited. It’s a demanding project for us to take on. It’s transformative,” Jon Elbaum, executive director of the music hall, said Wednesday, putting the project price at $14 million.
Work could begin in a month with asbestos abatement, Elbaum said. Completion is expected by the end of 2025 with the possibility of the first summer performances in 2026.
Careful planning has been done to preserve the music hall’s acoustics, which are considered a treasure, and draw performers to the venue for the sake of recording their music.
Dash Chrisner of Architecture+, a firm based in Troy representing the music hall, said that an acoustical engineer has been hired and is evaluating the project. Each time a step is taken, the impact on the acoustics is considered to ensure the hall is protected from vibrations and sounds from the HVAC equipment and other changes, Chrisner said.
The Planning Commission began reviewing the project Wednesday night at its March meeting at City Hall. The commission declared itself the lead agency for environmental review. The commission set a public hearing for April 17 at its next meeting.
Plans submitted to the Planning Commission call for the creation of the Music Hub, the upgrades to the HVAC system to permit summertime performances, and remaking the parking lot across State Street from the music hall, which is located at 30 Second Street.
The music hall’s plans call for making use of the closed banking space. Elbaum said the bank has been empty for about a decade.
Mar 18, 2024
How to push the City to fix Terrace roads
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| A Troy road crew at work. / photo provided |
Thanks to the persistent intercession of Susan McCabe in the past two years, we've been able to get some temporary patchwork from the City. But, that's less than needed overall.
Luckily, under new Mayor Carmella Mantello and her Quality of Life Action Task Force that is a centerpiece of her administration we may be able to get even better results.
Today March 18) marked the beginning of her Troy's Operation Pothole (TOP) initiative to proactively address the post-winter potholes throughout the city. The TOP team was out in full force early this morning to beginning a city-wide bounty on potholes.
As explained by Mantello, "Each team is driving up and down the city streets, locating potholes and large cracks along the way. For the next month, two crews will be out each day, blowing debris out of existing holes and filling them with hot asphalt.
“We are going street by street, and alley by alley,” Mantello said. “This is another piece of our Quality of Life Action Task Force. Thank you to our wonderful crews for addressing this issue and we request residents' patience as we continue working toward a better Troy.”
The paving schedule will be announced in the near future. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to report potholes through the city website.
That said, the THCA is encouraging residents to use that mechanism to report the need for pothole repairs on Hyland Drive and Hyland Circle, the two city streets on The Terrace. The more we can push this, the better our chances for repairs.
"While the issue may not be addressed immediately," Mantello said, "Operation Pothole intends to fill every crack and crevice throughout Troy."
Let's take advantage of that pledge.
Mar 14, 2024
Yet another sign of spring!
Plenty of residents were out and about, taking advantage of the "balmy" day, but don't get too used to it. The long-range forecast is for a return to temperatures in the 40s next week.
Spring arrives on March 19 this year. Usually, it's March 20 or 21, but because it's a Leap Year and February gets a 29th day, the season moves up a bit on the calendar.
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