Spring is bustin' out all over

Spring has sprung,

The grass is riz,

I wonder where

The flowers is?

Wonder no longer. Crocuses (crocii?), forsythia and the other early harbingers of spring are bursting forth all over the Terrace.

Here are a few other shots of our world quickly being colored.. Feel free to send along any spring scenes you shoot.

2nd quarter dues nearly due

The second installment of your 2012 dues needs to be received by Treasurer Jerry Gordon no later than Sunday, April 1.

Remember, you can save the price of a stamp by posting your check in the drop box located below the bulletin board in the mailbox gazebo.

Dues are $385 per residential unit. Please make checks payable to:

Terrace at Highpointe Community Association

Thank you.

A very merry Christmas

Happy Hannukah

Scenes from a holiday get-together

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JERRY GORDON

First increased dues payment coming up

The first quarter of your 2012 dues assessment is due to be paid by Sunday, January 1.

Dues now are $385, up $30 from the fourth quarter 2011 level, payable by checks made out to the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association.  You can save a stamp by depositing the check in the new mailbox directly below the postal gazebo bulletin board, or mailing your check to:

Terrace at Highpointe
35 Hyland Drive
Troy, New York 12182

Thank you.

Reminder: Exterior changes require Board approval

Dear Fellow Residents:

We have been having difficulties with people adding exterior lights to their residences without obtaining mandatory prior authorization.

The Declaration of Protective Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, Easements and Liens of the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association Inc., which all Terrace homeowners are legally bound to follow, clearly states in Article VIII Section 8.03:

“No exterior addition, modification or alteration shall be made on or to such Unit or any other portion of the property or to the improvements located thereon, unless and until a plan or plans … shall have been submitted to and reviewed by the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.”

If you have made any changes without submitting a proposal to the Architectural Review Committee, please bear in mind that you may be asked to remove them.Meanwhile, we strongly urge you to cease using such devices until, and if, proper authorization is achieved by first making application to the Architectural Review Committee. (see form below)

The Board of Directors, upon reviewing the findings of the Architectural Review Committee -- or determining that such findings have not been made because of lack of application, is legally empowered to request removal or turning off of such devices.

If ignored, the Board is empowered to levy both financial and non-financial penalties. A financial penalty, if not paid, becomes a lien against the property and any mortgage holder or other interested party will be made aware of such lien. A non-financial penalty could be ordering the physical removal of the device.

Than you for adhering to the rules and covenants of your Terrace community. Our goal is to keep this as pleasant and enjoyable a community as it has been since its founding in 1995. However, we can only do so when all residents cooperate, as they are required to do, in the running of the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association.

Your Board of Directors

A new way to submit your quarterly dues

Hi, neighbors:

Your dues statement for 2012 is attached. Before you start writing checks out of habit, remember that they’ve gone up a bit.

As a parting gift from your out-going Board of Directors, there now is a white locked mailbox just below the bulletin board. You can deposit your checks there without a postage stamp.

You don’t even have to address the envelope; I’m the one who gets everything in that mailbox. As a matter of fact, you don’t even need an envelope, you can just drop in the check.

Of course, if you’re paying from out of town, you still can use the Post Office and regular mail.

You also can use this mailbox for any suggestions, comments or questions you may have for the Board.

Your faithful servant,

Jerry Gordon, Treasurer

Terrace at Highpointe Community Association

15 Hyland Circle

Troy, NY 12182-1690

(518) 235-8232

Vacant No. 13 about to get a tenant

Bryce Realty is in the process of executing a lease for 13 Hyland Circle.

As required by Terrace at Highpointe Community Association bylaws and regulations, THCA President Bill Dowd reviewed the proposed lease before its completion to be sure it meets required standards.

It does, indeed, meet all requirements, chief among them a minimum four-month signed lease (in this case, it actually is an 18-month document) as well as acknowledgement that no matter what arrangement is made between property owner Rose Hastings-Weaver and a lessee, all financial obligations, such as dues, special assessments and any fees the THCA may levy, the responsibility for paying them lies with the property owner.

In addition, the realty company was asked, and agreed, to inform the lessee that all residents are required to abide by the bylaws and regulations of the THCA and its covenants.

According to the proposed lease, the property will again be put up for sale on April 1, 2013, with the right of first refusal to the lessee.

That leaves only one property on the Terrace, Shirley Fischer's 28 Hyland Circle, still on the market for sale.

Troy mayor-elect reveals his transition team

Lou Rosamilia campaigning. (Troy Record photo)

Troy Mayor-elect Lou Rosamilia this week held his first meeting with transition team to begin implementing his vision for the city.

Here is the lineup of advisors, as posted and explained on Rosamilia's Facebook page:

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The transition team is made up of five members:

Mark Pattison: Mr. Pattison is the former two-term mayor of Troy and is currently serving as the deputy comptroller for the New York State and Local Retirement System. In 2010, he received the distinguished John E. Burton Award for public service, given by Rockefeller College, State University of New York.

Wally Altes: Mr. Altes is an executive consultant, he serves as the chair of the Troy Downtown Collaborative and is the retired president of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Mark Streb: Mr. Streb is currently the Capital District regional representive to Governor Andrew Cuomo and is the past director of local government at the Department of State.

Susan Scrimshaw: Dr. Scrimshaw is the current president of the Sage Colleges and previously served as president of Simmons College in Boston. Prior to her post at Simmons, she served 12 years as the dean of the School of Public Health and professor of community health sciences and anthropology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to those roles, she was associate dean of public health and professor of public health and anthropology at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Jeff Nesich: Mr Nesich has over 32 years of experience in public finance and government administration at both the state and local level. He has a master's degree in public affairs and was awarded an excellence in government award by the American Society for Public Administration in 2010.

Mayor-elect Rosamilia also met with the chairs of six transitional committees, each of which will focus on and bring forth recommendations to the mayor-elect on specific areas of concern to the new administration.

Bill Dunne, the current and term-limited District 4 city councilman will lead a team focused on assessing and making recommendations to the mayor-elect on the the city's finances.

Peter Ryan, the former city councilman and current minority leader of the Rensselaer County Legislature will lead a team focused on staffing and personnel.

Jean Howard, who runs an entrepreneurship program through Fordham University and tracks new business development, incubation and the Capital Region venture capital market will lead a team focused on Troy's economic development.

Rev. Cornelius Clark, the president of the Troy branch of the NAACP and founder and pastor of Holy Serenity Church, who has spent most of his life in service to others, will lead a team focused on improving Troy's neighborhoods from the ground up.

Jack McCann, a retired detective and chief of police will lead a team focused on public safety.

William Fagan, of Wm. J. Fagan & Sons Inc., one of the oldest insurance agencies in the Capital District and a member of the Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees will lead a team focused on improving the relationship between the community and its universities.

Mayor-elect Rosamilia announced at the meeting his plan to fill necessary City positions through an open process.

"I stated repeatedly throughout my campaign that I would bring open government to Troy and that is exactly what I will do. I will fill positions in my administration in the light of day. Any interested parties may send their resume and cover letter by November 25 to MayorLou2012@gmail.com or PO Box 1305, Troy NY 12180."

Meet your new Terrace officer lineup

Kay Duclos

The incoming Board of Directors has gone through its first organizational sesssion and appointed officers for the 2012 calendar year.

• President: Kay Duclos
• 1st Vice President: Joan Richardson
• 2nd Vice President: Anne Hunter
• Treasurer: Jerry Gordon
• Secretary: Nadeen Thompson

Jerry and Joan are the two holdovers from the current board, which leaves office on December 31. Those leaving the board are President Bill Dowd, 1st Vice President Harvey Bailey and Secretary John Milliren.

A changeover meeting between the current and incoming boards has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, December 5. If you wish to volunteer to join any of the standing committees -- Architectural, Grounds, Beautification -- please make a point of contacting any member of the 2012 Board before that date.

Check those light bulbs, clock watchers

Much as we hate to remind you, you'll be setting your clocks back one hour to mark the end of Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, November 6.

That is just a few weeks away, so please be sure to check all outdoor light fixtures well in advance to be sure your bulbs are operating and the fixtures are providing as much light as possible -- always an important thing to do when you live on streets with no municipal lighting.

Here's your new board of directors

In case you didn't attend the October general membership meeting, you may not know who was elected to terms covering 2012/2013.

Kay Duclos, a former board member, Nadeen Thompson and Anne Hunter were elected without dissent after being presented by Nominating Committee Chairman Bob Hayward.

They will join holdover directors Jerry Gordon and Joan Richardson.

A December changeover meeting has been scheduled for the newcomers, the holdovers and the departing members of the board. The latter group is Bill Dowd, Harvey Bailey and John Milliren.

We hope you will join us in congratulating the newly-elected directors, and that you'll afford them your support and cooperation during their terms.

-- Terrace at Highpointe Community Association Board

Happy Autumn to you

OK, today it's official.

We have reached the Autumnal Equinox. Unless, of course, you live below the equator. Then, you've reached the Spring Equinox.

Technically speaking, this occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator and moves southward in the Northern Hemisphere during the September equinox.

The location on the Earth where the sun is directly overhead at solar noon is known as the subsolar point. The subsolar point occurs on the equator during the September and March equinoxes. At that time, the Earth’s axis of rotation is perpendicular to the line connecting the centers of the Earth and the sun.

This is the time when many people believe that the Earth experiences 12 hours of day and night. However, that's not precisely true. During the equinox, the length of night and day across the world is nearly, but not entirely, equal.

This is because the day is slightly longer in places that are further away from the equator, and because the sun takes longer to rise and set in these locations. Furthermore, the sun takes longer to rise and set farther from the equator because it does not set straight down -- it moves in a horizontal direction. Moreover, there is an atmospheric refraction that causes the sun's disk to appear higher in the sky than it would if earth had no atmosphere.

If you don't care for all that technical stuff, just remember this. Summer officially is over.

Notice of membership meeting and election

We will be meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2011, at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Road, opposite the Buckley Water Treatment Plant.

One the agenda are, among other items, election of officers for the 2012-13 fiscal year as well as consideration of a modification in the quarterly association dues.

The Nominating Committee, chaired by Past President Bob Hayward, has put together a slate of candidates for upcoming vacancies on the Board of Directors when President Bill Dowd, Vice President Harvey Bailey and Secretary John Milliren complete their terms and leave the Board at the end of this year.
(Treasurer Jerry Gordon and Vice President Joan Richardson will continue on the Board.)

The Nominating Committee’s candidates:

• Nadeen Thompson
• Kay Duclos
• Anne Hunter

However, if anyone else wishes to be put forth as a candidate, please contact Bob Hayward before the October 3 meeting.

And, please remember the October 1 deadline for paying fourth quarter dues assessments.

Thank you,

Your Board of Directors

4th quarter dues coming up

The fourth quarter of your 2011 dues assessment is due to be paid by Saturday, October 1.

Dues are $355 per household. Please send your checks, made payable to the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association, to:

Terrace at Highpointe
35 Hyland Drive
Troy, New York 12182

Thank you.

The Senior Citizens' situation

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.

However, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:

The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The nativity scene out of cities,
The civility out of behavior,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement or
God out of government and school.

And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others.

And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country. Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!

YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN!

I'm the life of the party -- even if it lasts until 8 p.m.

I'm very good at opening childproof caps -- with a hammer.

I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.

I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying.

I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place, somewhere.

I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that's just my left leg.

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

Yes, I'm a Senior Citizen and I think I am having the time of my life

Now if I could only remember who sent this to me, I wouldn't send it back to them, but I would send it to many more, too.

Scenes from a pizza party

The first social get-together of the year was the Terrace Pizza Party, held Friday, August 12, at the common lawn in the circle.

Tickets available for 'Troy Restaurant Tour'

If you'd like to try a variety of local restaurants' fare, the 2nd annual Troy Restaurant Tour may be just the ticket.

The event is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, August 30.

And, speaking of tickets, I have a handful for sale at the discounted price of $20 each. That is $10 off the day-of-the-event price.

The culinary sampling event is a fundraiser to support the Troy Boys & Girls Club services and programs.

Here's how it works:

• Participants get a chance to stroll through Troy, stopping in at participating restaurants to sample their fare. 

• If you plan to go, you'll receive a "tour guide" -- which is a map and menu of participating venues -- that evening. At each venue, a Troy Boy & Girls Club volunteer will direct you to the food. 

• You can start at any venue where you'll pick up your map and proceed at your own pace, visiting restaurants in any order you like

Who's involved? So far ...

Bootleggers On Broadway 
(245 Broadway)

Daisy Baker's 
(33 2nd Street)

DeFazio’s Wood Fired Pizza 
(266 4th Street)

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 
(377 River Street)

DP Dough
(71 4th Street)

Famous Lunch
(111 Congress Street)

Flavour Café
(228 4th Street)

Francesca’s 
(461 Broadway)

Lo Porto’s Ristorante 
(85 4th Street)

Boys & Girls Club Director Sharon Smith tells me several other restaurants will be added. But, even with the number listed above, that breaks down to just $2.22 per sampling stop. A nice evening, a good way to get to know your city a bit more, and its all for a good cause.

-- Bill Dowd

Polling place location changed

If you are a registered voter, you should have received notice of a change in your local polling place.

The Rensselaer County Board of Elections has been mailing out yellow notice cards to Terrace residents, informing them that the location for casting their votes has changed from the Buckley Water Treatment Plant on Leversee Road to the Community Room at Diamond Ridge, 59 Harris Road.

Incidentally, if you are in need of an absentee ballot application or voter registration form, contact the Board of Elections by calling 270-2990 or going online here to download forms.

Absentee ballots are made available to registered voters who will be out of the county on Primary Day or General Election Day, or are ill or physically disabled and unable to go to the polling place.

• Primary Election – Tuesday September 13, from noon to 9 p.m. 
• General Election – Tuesday, November 8, from 6 am to 9 p.m.