This job is a real pane

If you see a flurry of re-construction work going on around the Terrace this week, you can be sure of three things:

• It's June.
• It's not pouring.
• A lot of windows are being replaced.

Of course, if it is raining, the first point still applies.

Sealed with a ... flair

They're there for a reason.

Those traffic cones are letting you know Harvey and Tom have been busy filling the deeeeep cracks in the parking lot next to the mailbox gazebo, so watch your step.

There is a rumor these busy guys are planning a "Guess How Many Quarts of Filler We Used" contest. Hint: I lost track at around 20.

Memorial Day

We're reminded of the sacrifices of others each day we pull out of the Terrace and onto Oakwood Avenue. There, to the right -- and adorned with a fresh wreath today -- is a sign honoring two local veterans who died in combat.

To honor all who served their country, I'd like to share a column I wrote for the Times Union last July 4th holiday.

AND THE DEAD SHALL INHERIT THEIR HONORS

By William M. Dowd

"I admit that when I heard the men who also were there share their memories, I cried," said the veteran now in the ninth decade of his life.

He's a born-and-raised New Yorker not often given to sentimentality. He joined the Navy at the age of 19 in World War II, getting his training at Sampson Naval Base in the Finger Lakes. Then, as a grown man with a wife and kids, he served in naval combat during the Korean War.

Like so very many of the rapidly disappearing "Greatest Generation," his health in recent years has prevented him from making it to dedications of new monuments to our veterans and war dead. He does, however, watch such ceremonies on a large-screen TV set his sons bought him a few years ago. He wouldn't miss them for the world.

These days his mind is on the past and how we mark it. Because this week we celebrate the birth of a nation, ours is, too.

In recent years, we have seen long-overdue attention paid to properly honoring all who pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, to paraphrase the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Each time some sort of honor for veterans is proposed, my first reaction is favorable. That may in part be because I am reminded daily of how important such things are.

The reminder is in the form of a small metal sign on a Rensselaer County portion of Route 40/Oakwood Avenue reading: "Lt. Colonel William J. O'Brien and Sgt. Thomas A. Baker Memorial Highway - Congressional Medal of Honor Winners."

It was installed on my commuting route in 2003 in memory of the two Troy soldiers for their spectacular courage under Japanese fire during the historic World War II battle on the Pacific island of Saipan. But it also serves as a prod to be mindful of the sacrifices of all military personnel.

Will we see monuments in the future to the 2,000 Americans who already have died in Iraq and Afghanistan and the others who inevitably will fall there? Of course we will. But it is my fervent hope that it won't take a numbers game to make it happen.

The very fact that any Americans died in honorable service is enough reason to commemorate them. It should not require the coining of a catchy title for a generation, or a groundswell of public guilt over how we ignored the needs of so many after they gave us so much. And numbers certainly should not determine what efforts shall be honored.

Besides, in American military history, the numbers often are out of proportion to the public memory of the event.

In the War of 1812 that so few know about, 2,300 Americans were killed, but only eight died in the Battle of New Orleans most people will recognize. The Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, a legendary action that helped propel Teddy Roosevelt to the Governor's Mansion in Albany, claimed just 82 American lives.

The attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, killed 2,388 Americans, and another 3,000 died on D-Day, June 6, 1944, on the beaches of France. People readily recognize those events, but far fewer can even tell you where the six-week-long Battle of the Bulge was fought in that same war, even though it cost some 19,000 Americans their lives.

In all these numbers we had a mix of heroes and cowards, privates and generals, amateurs and professionals, willing and unwilling. The common denominator is that they died - some for a belief, some for merely following orders. Either way, those who acted well deserve our enduring respect.

There are those who contend that our military might is our best monument. Lyndon Johnson, the target of public vilification through much of his Vietnam era presidency, addressed that view when he spoke of commemoration and symbolism during a speech in Baltimore 40 years ago:

"The guns and the bombs, the rockets and the warships, are all symbols of human failure. They are necessary symbols. They protect what we cherish. But they are witness to human folly."

Northern Drive being resurfaced

A note of caution: Milling (prepping roads for resurfacing) has begun on a section of Northern Drive, heading down into Lansingburgh. (Coming back up, too, now that I think of it.)

That portion of Northern had gotten so bad, the rough part of the road awaiting a new topping actually is smoother, as we noticed while heading down there the other day.

Says Mayor Harry Tutiunjian, "We are happy to see that the project will be completed in the near future. We realize there are many other areas of the City that are in need of work. We ask that those residents be patient, and we will try as best we can to pave the streets in the greatest need of repair this year.”

We had hoped Hyland Circle would be one of those, but even though it is beginning to show some wear there are many other streets in the City in much worse shape. If we're lucky, we'll get some City attention, but don't hold your collective breath until we do.

Let's go to the movies

A selection of Rensselaer County business people is starring in a selection of short videos as part of the county's push to expand the retail business sector.

They're kind of fun to view, and all you need is the proper Quicktime video player. Just link to the Rensselaer County Economic Development and Planning office's site to see the "movies" and access other information that is part of the Discover Rensselaer website.

Diamond Ridge to host Terrace May 30

Note: This meeting was cancelled late afternoon the day of the event by the Diamond Ridge management, citing an emergency that would keep its lead presenter from attending. The meeting was not rescheduled.

The management of Diamond Ridge has invited all Terrace residents to attend an information session at the retirement complex on its expansion plans at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 30.

The session is a prelude to Diamond Ridge's third appearance before the Troy Planning Board, on June 8, with its project that would result in an expansion equal in size to the number of Terrace residential units.

We are urging as many residents as possible to attend, particularly those of you who have not attended any of the Planning Board meetings at which Diamond Ridge has explained its project and shown modifications made in the initial drawings, some of them in response to Terrace residents' concerns.

Good neighbor do's and don't's

• Do ask guests staying more than a brief time to use your driveway or one of the designated parking areas rather than crowding our curving streets.
• Don't toss papers or cigarette butts on the roadways and lawns.
• Do remember to replace burned-out exterior light bulbs, for safety's sake.
  
• Don't feed squirrels, deer, etc. All wildlife experts tell us that decreases the animals' desire to fend for themselves. It also encourages them to come to our yards, where they cause a lot of damage.
• Do contribute notes, announcements, photos, jokes, hints, etc., to your Web site.
  
• Don't be reluctant to volunteer for Terrace events. We tend to rely on the same core group of people to make things work. It's everyone's neighborhood.
  

It's spruce-up time

Now that the grounds of the Terrace are in shape and the flowers are blooming, we have some periodic maintainance facing us.

Paint, for one thing. It was recommended during the construction phase of the community that cedar trim as well as front doors and window shutters be painted at least every five years. Most homes have followed that schedule, although there are several that have never freshened their paint.

Under our ownership agreement, the colors of doors and shutters may not be altered and, as noted at our May 8 membership meeting, even getting a color that "is close enough" isn't good enough. Secretary Pat Whitman will be mailing out copies of the board-approved paints and colors along with minutes of the May meeting.

Shortly, we'll have a sign-up sheet posted at the mailbox gazebo to see who is interested in co-operatively hiring a professional painter if a group discount can be obtained. Again, as noted at the membership meeting, this is a neighborhood venture, not a Homeowners Association responsibility.

Signs of Spring

The inhabitants of No. 36 Hyland Circle were out shopping for food when the photographer arrived.

Spring blooms peep through the newly-delivered mulch in Shirley Fischer's front yard. And that mulch was delivered by ...

... these guys and several other grounds crew members, just in time for Easter.

Spring membership meeting May 8

The Terrace Homeowners Association will hold its annual spring meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 8, at Faith Lutheran Church. Secretary Pat Whitman is sending out formal notifications by mail.

The meeting won't be as historic as some (see above), but it will get done what needs to be done.

If you have any items you would like placed on the formal agenda, please let President Bill Dowd know no later than May 1.

Diamond Ridge expansion, Step 2

We dodged a bullet when a good turnout of Terrace residents let the Troy Planning Board and the developers of the expansion project for Diamond Ridge know what we thought of the presentation at the public hearing on the conceptual design.

There were numerous concerns about drainage, potential traffic problems, and proximity of proposed new construction to existing Terrace dwellings. The Diamond Ridge representatives used an outdated aerial view with an overlay of proposed construction, which was not particularly helpful. However, its representatives were quick to agree that our concerns appeared to have some validity and said they would be taken into account.

Now, we've reached the second stage, at which we will find out if that has come to pass. The presentation of Diamond Ridge's preliminary plans is scheduled for the 6 p.m. Monday, April 17, meeting of the Planning Board on the second floor of City Hall. Another good Terrace turnout would be helpful.

The Board's official agenda has the project as the sixth item on its agenda. It still is listed as a project covering 17 two-family homes: i.e., 34 additional residences on the Diamond Ridge grounds.

Planning to change your windows?

No problem, as long as you want to do it with windows the Homeowners Association already had approved for some of your neighbors.

The only catch is that you still must apply to the Architectural Review Committee before you begin any such work. Sorry, but them's the rules.

Just contact Bill Dowd, committee chairman, or committee members Tom Chichester or Jerry Gordon for a form to apply for approval from both the committee and the board.

Thanks for your cooperartion.

April 1 is no joke

You may think Saturday is the day for fooling your friends, co-workers and neighbors, but ...

It also is a serious day: The deadline for having your check for the 2nd Quarter 2006 dues in the hands of Kathy Murray, treasurer of the Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association. Remember the new 2006 rate.

Obviously, you can mail you check to Kathy, but you also can drop it off at No. 23 Hyland Court. Either way, avoid a late-fee penalty and help us get all the bank account interest we can earn.

Thanks for being a good neighbor.

Have you sent in your comments?

Terrace residents who attended last week's Troy City Planning Board were asked by City Engineer Russ Reeves to write down their observations about historic, current or projected traffic and drainage problems the Terrace has undergone, or may face due to nearby projects, and mail them to him.

His invitation, however, wasn't limited to those people. Any Terrace resident is welcome to do the same.

As always, it's best to do it while the topic still is hot. That means mailing out your comments within the next day or two if you haven't already done so, to:

Russ Reeves
City Engineer
Troy City Hall
Troy, N.Y. 12180
(Fax) 240-4642

Dodging a bullet

When a projected 17-acre, 34-residence expansion of the Diamond Ridge senior living complex adjacent to the Terrace was unveiled, many of us were concerned.

In addition to problems with drainage, similar to those suffered when Moneta Outlook was constructed and did not adhere to all promises, agreements and city codes, we feared increased traffic might lead to a move to connect with Diamond Ridge's street, Harris Road. Such an occurence would drastically change the character of the Terrace from a quiet extended cul-de-sac community to one with a busy through-street.

A group of Terrace residents attended the Thursday, Feb. 9, Troy Planning Board meeting at which Diamond Ridge unveiled its plan. After its representatives explained their project, President Bill Dowd presented a statement (see below) on behalf of the Terrace Homeowners Association, expressing concerns with the potential impact on the Terrace.

Other residents also spoke on various aspects of the plan: Harvey Bailey, Tom Chichester, Jerry Gordon, April Dowd, Kay Duclos, Peggy Savchik, Trent Cox and Rich Polsinello.

The Diamond Ridge representatives said they had no desire to connect the two roads, and various Planning Board members said they would not be disposed to approve such a connection.

The Planning Board and City Engineer Russ Reeves made a variety of observations about the Diamond Ridge proposal, including suggestions for reconfiguring the 17 two-family residences into clusters rather than stringing them out, moving one proposed structure farther away from the property line with the Terrace, and changing a proposed mini-barrier between Harris and Hyland Drive that would be too easy for snowmobiles, small trucks, motorcycles and the like to drive through,

Because this Conceptual Review was only a starting point for the project, the Diamond Ridge representatives promised to take all our comments into consideration as they work on a revised proposal to be presented to the Planning Board at a later date. No specific time was mentioned, but the Board has meetings scheduled for March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.

Bill Dowd's statement:

Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association
Box 35 Hyland Road
Troy, New York 12182
Terracetimes.blogspot.com


To: Planning Board of the City of Troy
Re: Proposed townhomes on Harris Road
Date: February 9, 2006

As property owners in the City of Troy, the residents of the Terrace at Highpointe are fully aware of the need to improve the tax base of the municipality. Thus, we encourage properly planned growth within its boundaries.

However, as we have stated before this board in the past, not all growth is good. When it does, or has the clear potential to, negatively impact the quality of life and value of private property of citizens of the City, it needs to be avoided.

We are deeply concerned about the following project on tonight’s agenda for full review:

PB2006-010 Conceptual Review of a proposal to construct 17 two-family apartment buildings for senior living. Project location is Harris Road. Applicant is Omni Housing Development, 40 Beaver Street, Albany NY 12207.

A recent construction boom in the vicinity of the Terrace at Highpointe – specifically the Moneta Overlook development now completed and fully occupied and the Northpointe condominium development nearing completion along with adjacent commercial buildings – has created an extremely heavy demand on nearby roads, particularly Northern Drive and Oakwood Avenue, with the resultant traffic snarls and access problems predictably attendant to rapid growth.

Such a result was forecast when we last appeared as a group before this board. In our view, approval of 34 additional residences in the area will further exacerbate the problem. Our fear is that it eventually will become the catalyst for connection of Hyland Drive and Harris Road to create a through-street between Highpointe Drive and Gurley Avenue, both of which now feed into the Oakwood/Northern traffic pattern that already is a major commuter thoroughfare.

Such an eventuality would turn the Terrace at Highpointe from a quiet extended cul-de-sac development into one with a through-street accessible by literally thousands of vehicles daily attempting to avoid traffic light delays at Oakwood and Northern and redirecting vehicle traffic from Highpointe, Moneta Overlook and the Terrace that now flows directly onto Oakwood.

As a result, Terrace residents on Hyland Drive and on Hyland Circle and Hyland Court whose homes adjoin Hyland Drive would suffer a decline in property values, an increase in vehicle emissions, and greater potential for mishaps due to increased and faster traffic.

It is with these very real concerns in mind that this association of taxpayers, voters and owners of 34 homes in Troy respectfully asks that the Planning Board take into serious and strong consideration their point of view.

The people of the Terrace made an important decision to invest in Troy. Many moved here from other parts of the Capital Region to become active and productive members of the community.

Endangering their financial investment and quality of life by allowing excessive growth in their area would set a poor example for others considering making similar investments in the future of Troy.

We thank you for your consideration and ask that this statement be made part of your permanent records.

WILLIAM M. DOWD
President
Terrace at Highpointe
Homeowners Association
(518) 238-1950





Copies: The Hon. Harry J. Tutunjian, Mayor
Henry Bauer, President, City Council
Carolin M. Collier-Skriptshak, City Council President ProTem
and Planning Committee Chair
Clement Campana, City Council Planning Committee

Construction project on our border

A proposal for a housing project of 17 two-family residences for seniors will be discussed at a 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, meeting of the Troy Planning Board. Click here for a copy of the agenda.

We're looking for as many Terrace residents as possible to show up for the session, to be held on the third floor of Troy City Hall on River Street at Monument Square.

Why?

The proposed project would be built on Harris Road near the Diamond Ridge retirement facility. Some of us feel the additional traffic, on top of what we will experience on Oakwood Avenue once people begin moving into the new Northpointe condo project and the in-progress Dunkin' Donuts store that front on Oakwood, presents a daunting outlook -- one we feel will pose a real threat to the nature of the Terrace community.

Why?

The buildup of traffic could easily be used as a pretext by the city for connecting Hyland Drive and Harris (see dotted lines on map), a move that would open up the Terrace to heavy vehicle traffic in both directions -- from the Highpointe community, from the Diamond Ridge and, probably, Northpointe complexes, and other traffic that uses Oakwood for daily commutes.

The danger from speeding traffic is a very real possibility, as would be poor air quality because of increased exhaust emissions, and it is not far-fetched to predict these things could cause a marked drop in Terrace property values.

There is a period for public comment and/or questions at the Thursday meeting. Please make a point of joining your neighbors in attending. Nothing less than the future of the Terrace is at stake.

Two good deeds

Jerry Gordon passes along this announcement on behalf of the Troy Lions Club, which claims him, John and Susan Milliren and Terry Page as members.

Here's how you can do two good deeds at once, and it won't cost you a penny.

1. As a fundraiser, the Troy Lions Club is collecting empty inkjet and laser toner cartridges.

The money we get for these will fund our ongoing efforts to help the visually- and hearing-impaired and other needy folks in our community. I'd appreciate it if you'd save your empties for me. Just call or e-mail me and I'll get them from you.

2. When you give us your cartridges, not only will you be helping the Lions help others, but you'll also be helping the environment by keeping them (the cartridges) out of the landfills. In return, I can tell you how you can save money by buying remanufactured (not just refilled) cartridges. Let me know if you're interested.

Thanks,

Jerry & Maryanne Gordon, #15
235-8232
jerrygordon@juno.com

(We also collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids.)

Board meeting set

The Terrace at Highpointe Homeowners Association board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at the home of President Bill Dowd.

If you have anything you want called to the attention of the Board, let Bill or any of the other officers know. They are:

1st Vice President, John Milliren
2nd Vice President, Betsy Murphy
Treasurer, Kathy Wade
Secretary, Pat Whitman

Members are stepping up

Tom Chichester (No. 34) and Jerry Gordon (No. 15) are the latest volunteers for standing Association committees.

Both have volunteered to serve on the Architectural Review Committee with Bill Dowd. Bill has been on the committee since its inception a decade ago, and Tom is a past chairman and member. That will give us plenty of institutional memory, which is good for continuity. Jerry's service will give us a fresh set of eyes, which is good for the future.

As previously mentioned, Harvey Bailey (No. 22) volunteered to head the Grounds Committee (snow removal/lawn care), and Tom also volunteered for that committee. The third member will be appointed from among Association board members.

We do need volunteers for the Beautification Committee, which handles seasonal decorations at the mailbox gazebo, coordinates volunteers for spring flower planting, etc. Ginny Chichester has headed that committee for eight years and would like to give someone else the opportunity to show their creativity. Any interested parties may call Bill Dowd.

Your 2006 committees & contacts

Two standing committees have been established for 2006.

Grounds Committee (lawn care/snow removal): Harvey Bailey (No. 22) has agreed to head the committee, aided by Past President Tom Chichester (No. 34) who is very well versed in working with groundskeepers.

Architectural Review Committee: Bill Dowd, who has been part of this committee since its inception years ago, will continue our practice of having the Association president head the committee. Tom Chichester has volunteered to be on this committee as well, one he chaired when he was association president. However, we still need one more volunteer. Please call Bill if interested.

Other committees will be established as needed. We have been extremely fortunate in having energetic volunteers handle all sorts of chores that improve the ambiance of the community -- decorations, flower planting, event planning, and so on. We're looking for volunteers to assist in these worthwhile activities.

In 2005, the Association instituted something different to channel and respond to members' inquiries and complaints when it became the duty of the 1st Vice President to handle such inquiries and move them to the proper people. John Milliren is our 1st VP for 2006 and may be contacted at 238-0445.