Pothhole patching on the Terrace

Roadway Upgrades, Part 2 (Part 1 was the recent resealing project): 

A City of Troy road crew arrived this morning to patch some of the worst potholes on the public roads leading into and around the Terrace. Please exercise caution when walking near the patches.

These temporary repairs are not a perfect solution, but they should be sufficient to get us safely through the winter.  And, we've been told we will be put on the City's "to-do" list for replacement paving. No assurance on when that will happen, but it's another step forward.

As always, thanks to Ned Alaskey and Susan McCabe for nudging the City administration along. Here are some other images provided by Bill Dowd and Susan.

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Fall Festival at Bruno Stadium family-friendly weekend

 

Looking for a family-friendly, seasonal event? The Tri-City ValleyCats professional baseball team has a free one coming up at Bruno Stadium on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.

It's the 3rd annual ValleyCats Fall Festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 21-22. Parking and admission are free, but advance registration is mandatory for admission. (Click here to sign up, or call 518-629-2287.)

The event will include 7:15 p.m. screenings of the Disney movies "Hocus Pocus" on Friday and "Encanto" on Saturday on the stadium’s big video board, as well as trick-or-treating around the ballpark. Other Fall activities will be provided, and food/snack packages may be  ordered in advance.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. on Friday, with trick-or-treating commencing at 5:15, with groups every 15 minutes until 7 p.m. Gates will open early on Saturday for a special performance by The Accents. Trick-or-treating will start at 4:30, with groups every 15 minutes until 7 p.m.

Costumes are encouraged by all attendees, adults or kids. Attendees can bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the movie from the outfield.

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Part of the 'Burgh nominated for historic status

Proposed historic area.

A portion of our 12182 ZIP code could become an official historic area. 

The City of Troy is nominating a part of the Lansingburgh neighborhood for designation as a National Register Historic District. Such a designation is an effort to support neighborhood revitalization efforts.

A "National Register Designation" provides tax credits for property investment. A "National Register Listing" places no burden on property owners unless they wish to access tax credits of up to 50% of rehabilitation costs. 

The neighborhood, officially called the "Central Lansingburgh Historic District," includes properties from 110th Street to 120th Street. The nomination, prepared by Neil Larson & Associates, the Kingston-based historic preservation consultant, was funded by the City and the Troy Redevelopment Foundation, with oversight and assistance from the New York State Office of Historic Preservation.

If approved, the designation will offer property owners the option to seek incentives through tax credits to rehabilitate their properties.

The City awarded the designation study to Neill Larson & Associates last fall, and field work has been under way since then with consultation with the nearby New York State Historic Preservation Office.

The public is invited to attend a presentation scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, at a Lansingburgh Neighborhood Association meeting at the Boys and Girls Club, 501 4th Avenue in Lansingburgh. A repeat presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 15.

More information about the proposed designation, including a map and schedule of meetings, is available online by scrolling down to "Lansingburgh Historic District."

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The Politician & The Pothole(s): Fixes promised

Mayor Patrick Madden

The Terrace's ever-vigilant "road warriors" have something new to report.

Sue McCabe and Ned Alaskey, who regularly petition the City of Troy to repair our crumbling, pockmarked streets -- sometimes with success, sometimes with delayed promises -- tell us they had a visit this evening from Mayor Patrick Madden and a City Court candidate. (Yes, it's that season.)

Our neighbors took advantage of the serendipitous occasion to inform the Mayor they had repeatedly contacted the City Engineering Department and been told we're on "the list" to get some remedial work done, although that has not yet happened. They also made a point of giving him a first-hand tour of some of the bad spots on our streets.

A promissory result: The Mayor promised the pothole work will be done.

A tangible result: If you see a city crew doing that work -- preferably before Election Day on November 8.

Meanwhile, thank Susan and Ned next time you see them.

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Traffic advisories: Troy, Cohoes

Any time we come across official traffic advisories from the City of Troy and adjoining communities, we'll post them on The Terrace Times.

• TROY -- City officials have issued a traffic advisory for Congress Street between 4th Street and 5th Avenue for utility work. On Friday (September 30) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., that area will be closed to vehicular traffic for utility work. However, 4th Street and 5th Avenue in the vicinity of Congress Street will remain open. Vehicles coming down Congress Street may detour up 6th Avenue to Broadway to 3rd Street. Traffic delays are expected. Motorists are asked to reduce speeds, and use caution in the work zone to keep workers safe. Local emergency services have been notified of traffic restrictions.

• COHOES -- A road work notice has been issued by the city for Masten Avenue, between Cherrry and Elm streets. That portion will be closed starting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday (September 28). The road will reopen once construction work is complete. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes and use caution when traveling in the area.

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In memoriam: Salvatore 'Tory' Clemente

Salvatore "Tory" Orazio Clemente passed away on Sunday. He was 92. Although he did not reside on the Terrace, Tory was the owner of No. 2, Hyland Circle and, thus, was a member of our community

Tory was born in Troy on October 7, 1929, in Troy, son of Italian immigrants Orazio and Maria Ambrosacchio Clemente. He was a Manhattan College graduate, U.S. Army veteran, professional engineer, and co-founder of both Troy Sand & Gravel, Inc. (1957) and Bonded Concrete, Inc. (1964). 

He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 64 years, Anne Marie Corbett Clemente,  and is survived by eight sons and two daughters: Matthew, Thomas (Nancy), Andrew, Philip (Mary), Jude (Linda), Luke (Marianne), Carl (Ann), Brendan (Roberta), Jessica Churan (Mark), and Rebecca Hessinger (Raymond). He also had 32 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the McLoughlin & Mason Funeral Home, 8 109th Street, Troy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Augustine's Church, 25 115th Street, Troy, at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Tory's official obituary is available online. 

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Lawn Care Advisory

Over-fertilized grass.

Jeff Mauro of Elite Lawn Care today advised the community that it would be best for the health of our lawns to ease off any further fall fertilization. 

He said sometimes too much fertilization is as harmful as too much watering, and that the scheduled professional fertilization we have done is sufficient. Otherwise, you can wind up with burned-out patches which then impede regrowth.

Thanks for your attention. 

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What's happening? Our calendar will tell you

(Originally posted 9/13/22)

If you want to stay in the loop about everything local from food festivals to blood drives to public festivals to government meetings and lots more, we've added something to The Terrace Times you'll like.

It's the TROY AREA EVENT CALENDAR, available on its own page on this website. Just look over there on the right and you'll find the entrance to it. Or, click here and bookmark it for easy regular access.

By the way, if you belong to, or know of, an organization planning any sort of public event from plays to potluck dinners in Troy and its immediate environs, feel free to email me the information on it well in advance and I'll add it to the calendar.

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Before and after the blacktop touchup

Today was spruce-up day for some parts of the Terrace -- repairs and sealing of the "eyebrow" parking area on Hyland Circle, and cleanup and sealing of the mailbox parking area and Hyland Court common area.

After a slow start -- a truck breakdown in the morning -- CW Sealcoat arrived and promptly got to work removing encroaching weeds that were breaking the blacktop, cleaning and sealing cracks, and top-coating all areas. Now, it's a matter of thorough drying out, so we ask that you please avoid walking or driving on those repaired areas until the orange traffic cones are removed.

Special thanks to Grounds Committee chair Ned Alaskey and the tireless Susan McCabe for arranging and overseeing the effort. And, thanks for the cooperation of all whose homes are adjacent to the work areas for keeping them clear of traffic. The orange traffic cones will be removed sometime on Monday. The Postal Service had been notified several days in advance of the project.

Meanwhile, here's a look at some of the day's labors.

Hyland Court completed and cordoned off.

Mailbox gazebo area being sealed.

The "eyebrow" before ...

... and after.

The crew begins the prep work.

Note posted several days in advance to our USPS carriers.

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Missing the meeting? Send a proxy

As announced on September 11, we will hold our annual THCA meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, October 17, at Faith Lutheran Church.

For those of you who do not plan to attend, you can create a proxy so your vote will be counted on any matters brought up for a group decision.

Under our Bylaws (Section 3.04 Proxies), "All proxies shall be in writing or communicated electronically and submitted to either the Association Secretary [Ellen Gordon] or President [Bill Dowd] prior to the meeting at which the same are to be used. Such proxies shall only be valid for such meeting or a subsequent adjourned meeting thereof. A notation of such proxies shall be made in the minutes of the meeting."

We ask that if you wish to be represented by a proxy, you submit that desire in writing or by email by Friday, October 14. The submission should specify whether you want a particular member to cast your vote on your behalf, or wish the Board to cast your vote for you as it wishes. If you do not specify, it will be assumed the Board will cast your vote. In any instance, you will be recorded as "attending via proxy," and counted toward the presence of a quorum.

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Reminder: Parking area repairs on Saturday

Us, as seen from on high.

A reminder to Terrace residents that we're having repairs done on about 9,000 square feet of common parking surface this Saturday (9/17/22). 

What that means for parking is the need to keep Hyland Court, the mailbox gazebo area, and the eyebrow next to Nos. 30 and 31 clear on Saturday. Also, it would be helpful to let potential visitors and/or service vendors know in advance about the project. (A notice was posted today for our USPS carrier.)  

Those of us affected can park on any of the public streets of the Terrace, although we ask that you avoid blocking driveways or fire hydrants, or interfering with access and egress for Moneta Overlook. 

We're not sure what time the work will begin, so unless you're an up-at-dawn person, it might be best to park away from those areas on Friday night. When the work is completed and the contractor advises us how long we need to stay off the repaired areas, we'll spread the word. 

Thanks in advance for your cooperation as we tend to this very necessary maintenance. 

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Parking area maintenance on Saturday

We have scheduled some long-delayed maintenance and repair work for the community-owned parking areas and Hyland Court this Saturday (9/17).

To facilitate that work, we ask that you do not use those areas over the weekend. And, please forewarn any visitors and/or service vendors so they do not park in those areas and inadvertently interfere with the project.

Thanks go to Susan McCabe and Ned Alaskey for working with the sealcoating company to arrange this work.

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Troy traffic alert: Major detours, delays

The City of Troy issued the following traffic advisories today for High Street between the Troy-Menands Bridge and Mill Street. Crews will be milling and paving the roadway over several days. The schedule:

• Thursday, September 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., crews will be milling High Street between the bridge and Mill Street.

• Friday, September 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., crews will continue milling work on High Street.

• Saturday, September 17, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., crews will be paving all of High Street between the bridge and Mill Street.

During the project, High Street will be open in both directions at all times, but traffic delays are expected. 

Morrison Avenue between Vandenburgh Avenue and High Street will be open to local traffic only. Vehicles will be detoured down Vandenburgh Avenue to Mill Street to High Street. Vehicles coming down Stow Avenue to High Street will be detoured up Morrison Avenue to Vandenburgh Avenue to Mill Street to High Street.

Traffic delays are expected. Motorists are asked to reduce speeds, follow posted detours, watch for flaggers, and use caution in the work zone to keep workers safe.

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What's happening? Let us tell you

If you want to stay in the loop about everything local from food festivals to blood drives to public festivals to government meetings and lots more, we've added something to The Terrace Times you'll like.

It's the TROY AREA EVENT CALENDAR, available on its own page on this website. Just look over there on the right and you'll find the entrance to it. Or, click here and bookmark it for easy regular access.

By the way, if you belong to, or know of, an organization planning any sort of public event from plays to potluck dinners in Troy and its immediate environs, feel free to email me the information on it well in advance and I'll add it to the calendar.

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Expert: Time to stop watering your lawns

'Tis the season to shut down the sprinklers.

It's the time of year to ease off the lawn watering. 

That's the advice from Elite Landscape Services, our grounds maintenance vendor.

"People can stop watering with sprinklers," said Jeff Mauro of Elite. "In the fall you don't need sprinklers. Between rain and dew, it's plenty."

"If the lawns get too much water the roots are shallow. Roots stay where the water is. We need the roots to go deep to strengthen the turf. Right now, roots are shallow from all the water," Jeff advises.

And, he points out one more practical item besides water conservation and turf rebuilding: "Skunks are looking for grubs." And, they like digging in water-softened soil.

P.S. Jeff sends his thanks for everyone removing the yellow pesticide warning flags from their lawns. It helped facilitate today's mowing.

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Quarterly dues are due by October 1

It may only be early September, but fourth-quarter THCA dues are due in just 17 days.

As always, you can drop your checks in the Association mailbox located just below the bulletin board in our postal gazebo. That's convenient because you can deposit checks there without wasting a postage stamp. In fact, you don’t even have to address the envelope, or even use an envelope. Treasurer Jerry Gordon is the one who gets everything in that mailbox.

As always, you also can use that mailbox to deposit any suggestions, comments, or questions you may have for the THCA Board. 

Of course, if you’re paying from out of town, you still can use the good old U.S. Postal Service to send your checks to:

Terrace at Highpointe Community Association, 35 Hyland Drive, Troy, NY 12182

A reminder: If your house number is not printed on your check, please write it in the memo field. And, if your bank sends payments automatically from your account, please move the due date up one week to accommodate the often-slow mail delivery.

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Please collect the yellow lawn flags

 

Elite Landscape Services has us scheduled for lawn mowing Monday or Tuesday (9/12-13), weather permitting. 

To help facilitate the work, please be sure you have removed the yellow lawn treatment flags from your front and/or back lawns that were placed there last week by Vinmar Solutions, our pesticide/fertilizer vendor. 

Thanks for your help.

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In-person THCA meetings to resume

We have had several years of Terrace at Highpointe Community Association meetings via Zoom because of ... well, you know. But, we're about to resume our annual in-person gathering.

We'll begin at 7 p.m. Monday, October 17, at our traditional site -- Faith Lutheran Church, located at 50 Leversee  Road opposite the Troy Water Plant, just around the corner from our community. Plenty of free parking, although car pooling is encouraged.

Anyone who wants to arrive a few minutes early to help set up the chairs and stay a few minutes afterward to put them away will be welcomed.

Please circle the date on your calendars. We're especially looking forward to welcoming the residents who have joined the Terrace since we last met in person. You know who you are!

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Traffic advisory for Oakwood, 15th Street

The City of Troy today issued traffic advisories for two roadway repair projects on 15th Street and Oakwood Avenue on Saturday, September 10. 

Crews will be patching sections of roadway that had been excavated for water main repairs. From approximately 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., 15th Street between Hutton and Hoosick streets will be closed to vehicle traffic. 

Northbound traffic on 15th Street will be detoured to Peoples to Burdett avenues to Hoosick Street. Southbound traffic on 15th Street will be detoured to Hoosick Street to Burdett Avenue to Peoples Avenue. 

Oakwood Avenue between Fairview and Frear avenues will be closed to vehicle traffic. Northbound traffic on Oakwood will be detoured to Park Boulevard to 15th Street to Frear Park Road, Southbound traffic on Oakwood will be detoured to Frear Park Road to 15th Street to Park. 

Traffic delays are expected. Motorists are asked to reduce speeds, follow posted detours, watch for flaggers, and use caution in the work zone to keep workers safe. Local emergency services have been notified of traffic restrictions.

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Stay alert for stopped school buses

 

• The Troy Police Department just issued this statement on school bus safety.

Beginning this week, students from the Troy City School District, Lansingburgh Central School District,  and several other schools within the City of Troy will begin classes. We would like to stress the importance of remaining observant to the many school buses that will be on the roadways both in the mornings and afternoons. 

Failure to stop for a school bus that is picking up or dropping off students is a serious violation of the vehicle and traffic law:

"VTL § 1174(a), a driver who meets or overtakes a school bus (from either direction) that has stopped to receive or discharge any passengers, and which has at least one flashing red signal lamp, must stop their vehicle before reaching said school bus."

We would also like to remind drivers of the school zones within the City of Troy that require a reduced speed while operating your vehicle. Failure to abide by this vehicle and traffic law is also a serious offense. 

Thank you for keeping the safety of our youth a top priority. We are looking forward to a great school year and we would like to wish all of the students within the City of Troy the best of luck.

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Section of 15th Street washed out

• A driver caution was posted on social media today by Sidewinder Photography, which covers the Troy scene in great detail:

"City of Troy: Large section of the road on 15th Street between Hoosick Street and Hutton Street has washed out from the torrential rain. 

"The roadway was only filled in with crusher run from a previous construction project. Drivers should use caution as the holes are over three feet wide and some of them over three feet deep. Your vehicle will be damaged in this location if you do not go slow through the area. 

"Vehicles that are low to the ground should seek alternate routes."

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Meet Uncle Sam's 4x great granddaughter at Oakwood on Saturday

Helen Painter

Terrace residents, if you're interested in local history, the upcoming Saturday (September 10) event at historic Oakwood Cemetery should interest you. 

The Veterans of Lansingburgh Inc. will host the annual service in Oakwood at 10 a.m. to commemorate the 256th birthday of Uncle Sam. A flag-raising will be performed by the Troy Detachment Marine Corp League. A wreath will be presented by the Disabled American Veterans. 

This year’s guest speaker will be Helen Hambuchen Painter of Conway, AR. She is a great-great-great-great granddaughter of Samuel Wilson, the Civil War era meatpacker who is widely believed to be the forerunner of the Uncle Sam character.

The graveside ceremony is a rich tradition. Each year since September 13, 1958, a group of veterans and citizens have honored Samuel Wilson at his graveside. Originally sponsored by the Tibbits Cadets, the ceremony now is sponsored by the Veterans of Lansingburgh, with assistance from the staff of Oakwood Cemetery. 

For those unfamiliar with the Uncle Sam character, Wilson was known to have stamped barrels of meat shipped to federal troops during the War of 1812 with "U.S." They became referred to as provisions from "Uncle Sam," and artists based their characterizations on him.

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City offices closed on Labor Day weekend

If you need to call or visit City Hall on any urgent business, don't plan on doing it on Monday.

In fact, the city offices located in the Hedley Building on River Street will be closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for the Labor Day long weekend.

However, the city website offers lots of links to general information, forms, contact numbers and so forth. You can access it by clicking here anytime day or night.

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Another scam alert!

Kay Duclos today reported the receipt of a scam email. She was first to do so, but probably won't be the last as we have learned from earlier scams.

This one purports to be from Nadeen Thompson (details below). It isn't. If you receive a copy please trash it. Do NOT forward it to anyone even for information purposes. In addition to just being annoying, such scam messages often have hidden codes embedded in them that can plant a virus in computers or create a loophole through which hackers can access your files and personal data.

In most scam messages, the sender claims to not have access to a phone and can only communicate via email and/or text. That's simply a way to get into your accounts 

Here is the text of the email Kay received:

From: "Nadeen Thompson" 

Sent: Friday August 26 2022 10:29:29AM 

Subject: Re: MY REGARDS TO YOU 

Thanks for your acknowledgement. I need to get an AMAZON GIFT CARDS for a friend of mine who is diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer. She lost her only daughter to the disease (COVID-19). It's her birthday but I can't do this now because I'm currently out of town.

I tried purchasing it online but unfortunately I got no luck on that. Wondering if you could get it from any shop around you or from Amazon online? I'll pay back when I get back. 

Kindly let me know if you can handle this.

A followup email said: 

From: "Nadeen Thompson"

Sent: Friday August 26 2022 2:05:09AM 

Subject: MY REGARDS TO YOU 

How are you doing? I need a favor from you. I'm Unavailable on Phone, Kindly let me know when you get this. Awaiting Response, Regards Nadeen

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Small change, but library vote is crucial

The main Troy Library, opposite Russell Sage College.

In the presence of other, larger taxes -- school, city, county, state, etc. -- we sometimes may forget the smaller yet very important levies such as those supporting our city library system.

As the Times Union recently reported, "Facing staffing problems due low salaries and benefits, the Troy Public Library Board of Trustees is proposing a 2023 budget that carries an increase of 10 cents in the city library tax to make the library more competitive with other similar libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System." 

The budget vote determining the future of the 125-year-old library will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the main library, 100 Second Street, and at the Lansingburgh branch at 27 114th Street. 

Meanwhile here is some information that may help you decide (a) whether to vote, and/or (b) how to vote:

Due to financial and staffing problems, the library has from time to time reduced its hours of operation. 

As director Paul Hickok explains, "The library Board of Trustees believes that we must face these problems head-on with the help of our community, even though it will add an additional $191,763 to the library’s overall operating budget. This would add $15 to the average homeowner's annual property tax bill but will ensure our ability to provide the services that the people of Troy depend upon and enjoy.” 

You can access the full Times Union story here.

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Little Italy Marketplace gets $375K improvement grant

Troy's Little Italy Marketplace received a boost today with the announcement of a $375,000 grant to the city for express purpose of further developing the marketplace.

The announcement was made at a public event by Assemblyman John McDonald, who emphasized the bipartisan efforts behind the grant, also attended by various community and governmental officials including Mayor Patrick Madden and members of the Little Italy Quality of Life Committee.

The grant was spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko through state and municipal facilities grant funding (SAM). The money will go toward a playground, a new bocce court, splash pad, promenade, public space, and other amenities.

The city-owned Little Italy Marketplace is located on a former brownfields area between Liberty and Washington streets. Activities over the years have ranged widely, from a farmers market to bocce matches to a stickball tournament, inline hockey league, and varied entertainment events.

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As summer fades, our lighting should not

As summer winds down, the days grow shorter, as is the way of Nature. And, that means more hours of dusk and darkness. 

That also means we would be well-advised to raise our level of awareness when it comes to community safety on the Terrace. 

As we recently were informed by Tom Wade, our Community Safety Committee chair who had requested on our behalf that the City of Troy improve lighting on the Terrace, the city will NOT be doing so for the foreseeable future. 

We were fortunate several years ago, with John Paccione -- also a Safety Committee member -- spearheading the effort, to upgrade the lighting at the entrance to Hyland Drive, and to help several homeowners upgrade their front-yard lighting. However, we need more attention to such details. 

Some owners have upgraded their front-yard pole lights, but many have not. So, we have a mix of dull bulbs, even some original pole lights that have long provided inadequate illumination because their once-transparent panels have oxidized, and others that have been out of commission for months. All of that has resulted in dark areas on the Terrace that invite nefarious activity. 

During the COVID pandemic, we saw a marked increase in the number of non-residents regularly walking through the neighborhood. While the vast majority are neighbors from Highpointe and even the Terrace at Stoneledge, it is not inconceivable that some may have been looking for vulnerabilities. 

To that end, the Community Safety Committee and the THCA Board are asking that the owners/residents of each home review their individual lightning situation. 

• If you have original pole lights, that means they are 25 years old or so, and are badly outdated. A professional electrician can provide guidance about whole or partial replacements.

• If you have not upgraded individual pole light bulbs to modern LED bulbs, the Committee (Tom, John, and Bill Shover) can advise you on how to do so at minimal cost. 

• If your lights do not work at all, that obviously can and should quickly be remedied. 

While such efforts will not completely compensate for the City's decision not to help, it will "light a candle in the darkness" and help make our community just a bit safer. 

Thank you for your attention and, we hope, your efforts to help you and your neighbors.

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You can join a Tiffany glass tour of Troy

 

A stained glass window at the main Troy Public Library.

If you're unaware that Troy is a treasure trove of Tiffany glass creations, you can learn a lot more by taking the annual tour offered by the Hudson Mohawk Gateway. 

"We our thrilled to announce the return with five co-hosting locations of our annual Tiffany glass tour," the organization said. "Troy is said to have more Tiffany glass per square mile than any other city in the world, including a few of the most famous ever produced. 

"This guided walking tour and lecture covers the life and work of Louis Comfort Tiffany and several of his illustrious employees in their production of some astonishing works of art in glass."

The driving-and-walking tour is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 17, for $25 per person. The tour has limited tickets available on a first come, first served basis. You can go online to get ticket reservation information.

"Remember, this is a multi-block walking tour, so wear your comfortable shoes," the organizers say.

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Fluid leak prompts traffic alert

As of 1:54 this afternoon, the Troy Police Department was on the scene of a large fluid leak in the area of Congress and 8th streets. 

According to the TPD, the following streets are temporarily currently closed to all traffic: 

• Congress Street between 8th and 15th streets 

• 8th Street between Peoples Avenue and Congress Street

• Ferry Street and 6th Avenue (eastbound) 

Please be prepared to seek alternate routes of travel for a period of time.

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Re-connecting the Terrace community online

As promised, today we are officially re-launching our community website to provide an online repository of forms, notes, announcements, and photos for the residents of the Terrace at Highpointe. 

We hope this forum will provide an opportunity for all Terrace residents to stay fully informed about the business and leisure of the community. And, it is intended to provide an easy way for those of the community who have "snowbird" status to keep in touch back home. 

If you have any news, information, photos, or other data you would like to share with your Terrace neighbors, please email them to theterraceathighpointe@gmail.com (it's not case sensitive) and we'll help spread the word. 

Please take a few minutes and look around this site so you know what we've put together for you. You'll note that key Terrace documents and forms are included, along with lists of leisure time organizations, schools and colleges, government entities, etc. 

So, please bookmark this site so you can access it on a regular basis.

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Danger: Another Terrace email hack

If you received an email today purporting to be from Tom Savchik, please ignore it. 

Tom and Peggy just confirmed for me that Tom's email account has been hacked. He did not send out a note about having an accident or a followup note about having surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He is fine, he is at home, but he is mystified. 

This is the third time in about a month that a Terrace resident's account has been hacked. That raises the suspicion that someone has gained unauthorized access to Terrace residents' contact information through one means or another. 

To that end, please be very careful if you receive an email from anyone on the Terrace. If you do open such a message, be sure the content isn't about some vague and unusual situation. Best bet: If you suspect any such message, call the supposed sender to ascertain if it is a legitimate message. 

Stay safe! 

-- Bill Dowd

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A changing of the Terrace guard

To My Fellow Terrace Residents: 

I'm baaack! 

As you've been informed by Steve Sanders, he has stepped down as president of the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association. We all thank Steven for his diligent and tireless service to the community in that role for the last 6+ years. 

I've been asked by my fellow Board members to return to the presidency, an office I have held three times before along with 26 years on the Board and the decades-long chairmanships of several key committees such as Architectural Review and Rules. I hope to make use of that experience to again help guide and serve the Association, this time through the end of 2023. 

To that end, I thank all of you who have sent me messages of support or expressed such sentiments in person. To them and all other Terrace owner/residents, I ask that you continue to support and encourage your volunteer Board. 

What can you look forward to? 

• We have had a Terrace website for some years, but it has not been utilized to any great degree. I plan to resurrect and update it as a device to help all residents easily stay in touch with the community, something that is particularly important since a growing number of our residents have taken on "snowbird" status and are not in residence here year-round. Stay tuned for news on that front. 

• In addition, I plan to regularly communicate with everyone on major issues of our community via e-mail blasts and in person. But, as we all know the best communication is a two-way effort. To that end, I encourage you to let me know any concerns you may have, and/or to communicate directly with our various committee chairs as appropriate. They are the specialists on such things as Grounds, Beautification, Architectural Review, and Rules and should be the first people you reach out to. 

• So, as we go forward into Year 28 of this community (the first residents -- including Lorraine and the late Harvey Bailey, and April and I who moved in by August 1995 and watched the rest of the Terrace being constructed), I ask you join me in working to maintain the quality of life and the property values of our community through volunteerism and neighborliness. 

Best wishes to all, 

Bill Dowd

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A farewell message after 6+ years

Dear Terrace Neighbors:

As I have mentioned, on August 20 I will be stepping down as your Terrace at Highpointe Community Association president and Bill Dowd will be replacing me. 

Many of you know that Bill is an original owner, a multiple-term past president, and a longtime member of the Terrace Board of Directors. Our association will be in great hands under his leadership for the next year and a half. 

I am grateful for the honor of having represented this wonderful community for these past six and a half years. During that time we have been able to maintain our property and its services in very good if not perfect condition. We were able to keep our dues structure from going up in spite of inflationary pressures.

Jerry Gordon has done a great job as our treasurer in overseeing our income and expenditures. We revised our By-Laws and Declaration which were in need of updates after 25 years. It was a tremendous undertaking that Bill and Jerry were largely responsible for. 

In so doing we also provided choice for our neighbors who wish to change the exterior color of their shutters and doors. The other Board members -- Sid Legg, Ellen Gordon, Ned Alaskey, and Bill Shover -- have done outstanding work in so many large and small ways. I am personally indebted to them for all their efforts. 

And, through the very difficult pandemic summers of 2020 and 2021 when there was so much isolation we kept our community in touch with one another with a number of outdoor events. The pizza parties and ice cream party were wonderful successes, thanks mainly to Ellie Debonis. Thanks to the efforts of John Paccione, we upgraded the lighting at the entrance of the Terrace. And, Tom Wade is in touch with the City of Troy to investigate the possibility of adding additional lighting around the Terrace to brighten our area at night. 

We all appreciate the unsung efforts of our Beautification Committee for adorning our environs at various holiday times. And, this past year we organized our community to stop the havoc and congestion that would have resulted on Oakwood Avenue if a school bus depot had been located directly across from our entrance as was proposed. 

Of course, there are always more issues to manage. Our strength is in the genuine care and concern we have for our common property and for each other. Like any other community we will at times face problems and adversity, but I have no doubt that under the leadership of Bill and our Board, and with the support of all of us, we will continue to be a model for what a great Homeowners Association can be.

Thank you again for the privilege of being your President. 

Best wishes, Steven Sanders

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RIP to our friend and neighbor Bob Hayward

Robert E. Hayward Sr., 93 of Troy, beloved husband of Pauline "Polly" A. Ruchel Hayward of Troy, peacefully entered into eternal life surrounded by his family on Friday, July 29, 2022, at St. Peter's Hospice Inn in Albany. 

Born in Troy, he was the son of the late Clarence E. and Edith Rienert Hayward, Sr. and was a graduate of Lansingburgh High School. 

Bob served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and received an honorable discharge in 1953. He enjoyed a career in sales, working well into his 80s before retiring from Curtis Industrial of Philadelphia, PA. 

Bob was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church in Speigletown. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, his RV, and spending time at the Troy Senior Center as well as with his family. Bob was a long-time member of the Eagle Mills Fire Department. 

Beloved husband for 73 years of Polly; devoted father of Mark R. (Terri Antonelli) Hayward Sr. of Sarasota, FL, Robert E. (Roberta) Hayward, Jr. of Ballston Lake; and cherished grandpa of Jennifer (Greg) Salamone, Mark R. (Kristine) Hayward Jr. and Daniel R. (Stephanie) Hayward; adored great-grandpa of Dominick Salamone, Madelynn Salamone, Cameron Hayward, Elena Hayward, and Katelynn Hayward, who is due to arrive this week; father-in-law of Janice Hayward. Also survived by nephew Clark Hayward. Bob was predeceased by his brother, Clarence E. Hayward Sr. 

The Hayward family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at St. Peter's Hospice Inn and also to Dr. John O'Bryan for the wonderful care that provided to Bob. 

Relatives and friends are invited to visitation on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. and to the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m., both at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Road, Troy, followed by his committal service and military honors at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville at 1 p.m. Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Road, Troy, NY 12182. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted by the family to the White - Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 58 Leversee Road, (RT-40 in Speigletown) Troy, NY 12182. (518) 235-0952 Please feel free to offer your online condolences at sanvidgefuneralhome.com.

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RIP to our friend and neighbor Rose Golino

Rosina “Rose” Golino, devoted wife of Rosario J. Golino who predeceased her, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2021 at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy at the age of 97 after a brief illness. 

Born in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of Michael and Martha Pace and had one brother, Vito (Connie) Pace, who predeceased her. Rose was a graduate of St. John’s University with a degree in French and taught French in various New York City high schools after graduation. Fluent in both Italian and French, she wanted to use her language skills in the banking industry and transitioned to what would become a long 25-year career on Wall Street, retiring from European American Bank as an assistant vice president. 

Despite being a career woman somewhat ahead of her time, Rose’s main focus was always her family. She was the devoted mother of Dominick F. (Patricia) Golino of Charlotte, NC, and Prudence (Stephen) Pechenik of Troy. She cherished and was always proud of her grandchildren Danielle (Jon) Laws of Denver, NC; Natalie Russell of Tampa, FL; Jeffrey (Laura) Pechenik of Denver, CO, and Iris Pechenik of Long Beach, CA. “Aunt Rose” also is survived by several generations of adoring nieces and nephews with whom she shared many years of fun family gatherings and holiday dinners.  

Everyone will miss her quick wit, sensible disposition, and large presence in any room she occupied. Rose moved to East Northport, Long Island, from Brooklyn when she and her husband retired, which gave them more time to spend visiting their grandchildren, take trips, and enjoy their friends of 40 years. In 1997, she and Russ moved to The Terrace at Highpointe in Troy to be near her daughter and grandchildren. 

When not socializing with her neighbors or sampling new restaurants in the region, Rose’s passion in retirement was reading and the only untidy spaces in her townhouse were the many closet shelves and drawers that overflowed with books read or still to be enjoyed –- sometimes with a Southern Comfort. 

There will be no calling hours. An interment will take place in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery with a memorial service to be held at a later date to celebrate her long life and legacy. Memorial contributions in Rose’s memory can be made to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County at 295 Valley View Blvd, Rensselaer, NY 12144.

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City service updates during coronavirus pandemic

The City of Troy has made modifications in some services during the state of emergency just declared by Mayor Patrick Madden in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

As of this writing, there have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the City or any of Rensselaer County, but that could quickly change.

 City Hall, fire stations, the water treatment plant, and other municipal facilities are closed to the public to avoid contact that could result in viral contagion. If you feel the need to have an in-person meeting with anyone in  the City administration, you can call 518-279-7156 and ask for the appropriate department to request an appointment.

Meanwhile, here is the services situation:

• Regular Friday morning pickup of trash, garbage, and recycled items will continue as usual.

• Bulk trash collection service has been postponed until further notice. Do not call the Department of Public Works (DPW) to schedule such pickups.

• The annual Spring Cleanup program is delayed until further notice. The street-sweeping program will continue, but tagging and towing of vehicles blocking that work will be suspended until further notice on designated routes. (Look for signage throughout the City.)

• To protect customers and employees, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has suspended meter equipment changes and non-emergency internal-leak investigations. During responses to emergency residential leaks, staff will take necessary precautions and require a minimum six-foot distance be maintained between customers and employees.

• DPU is preparing for operations with restricted personnel and will continue to provide potable water for any needs. Suppliers have been contacted and are set to continue deliveries. DPU staff has increased storage availability of chemicals to ensure the longevity of drinking water.

• Approval of public event permits has been suspended for a period of 30 days to mitigate potential spread of the virus at large gatherings.

• All city bills (taxes, water bills, parking violations, garbage fees, etc.) must be paid online or by mail. Property owners can utilize online bill pay options.

• Meetings of the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals are suspended until further notice. All permit applications and other transactions/services will be conducted via email, phone, or online.

• The City’s normal parking ticket dispute process is postponed until further notice. (So, tough luck if you get a ticket. You'll pay it online or by mail.)

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