Our neighbor's assailant pleads guilty

Anthony Cresser, convicted. / Rensselaer County mugshot

Local TV stations tonight carried an update on the court case of the man accused of stabbing our neighbor Trent Cox and two others back in September.

Anthony Cresser, 25, pled guilty to two counts of attempted first degree murder. He will be sentenced on February 28. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

As Trent tells us, “ 'Attempted' would not have been appropriate had he been successful. Betsy and I will be in the Rensselaer County Courthouse that day."

State Troopers had responded to the Sugar Hill Apartment Complex at 400 McChesney Avenue for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they located three victims suffering from stab wounds. 

“The defendant lured the neighbors outside and committed a stabbing in an attempt to steal their vehicle,” said District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly. “Thankfully, there were witnesses who immediately called 911. Thank you to the New York State Police, who arrived quickly and arrested Cresser at the scene.” 

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Free bulk trash dropoff program unveiled

Mayor Carmella Mantello today announced the start of a new, weekly, free bulk trash dropoff program for city residents. 

It has been several years since Troy residents have been able to dispose of household items during the winter months. In the past, the bulk pickup has been suspended annually from December through Spring with residents then paying various fees. 

“This new dropoff continues our commitment to make our streets safer and cleaner through our new 'Quality of Life Action Task Force',” Mantello said. “For too many years residents did not have a way to dispose of household items during the winter months and we are noticing more illegal dumping of mattresses and couches along our streets and alleyways.” 

The new mayor said that, along with this new free service, "We will continue to enhance our enforcement efforts placing mobile trail cams in certain illegal dumping hot spots and increasing our litter patrols and code enforcement throughout the city.” 

The new dropoff service will become available beginning this Friday (February 2). Proof of City of Troy residency will be needed. 

The drop-will be available every Friday (weather dependent) during the winter at the Troy Resource Management Facility (commonly known as The Alamo). Hazardous waste, electronics, or construction materials will not be accepted. 

The Alamo) is located at 3000 Main Street in Troy and will be open each Friday (weather dependent) from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the bulk trash dropoff.

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Boil-water advisory doesn't affect us

Marker shows approximate site of work.

If you heard a news report today (Sunday) about a boil-water advisory in the City of Troy near Oakwood Avenue, don't be concerned. It has nothing to do with the Terrace community.

The advisory stems from another water main break near Sausse and Oakwood avenues on Saturday, just south of the hospital formerly known as St. Mary's (*). 

The boil-water advisory will be in place at least until Monday, according to city officials.

The same general area had been affected by repairs on a water main after a pipe broke back in September.

(* -- What had long been known as St. Mary's Hospital now officially is called Samaritan Hospital - St. Mary's Campus after an ongoing series of mergers and repurposing among a group of medical facilities.)

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Do state's property tax changes affect you?

Do the state's newly-amended property tax exemptions for senior citizens and/or persons with disabilities and limited incomes apply to you or a relative?

Anyone wishing to check on the specifics of the amended law for themself or a family member can go online to the state Department of Taxation and Finance website for details.

New York State's amended Real Property Tax Law for Section 467 and Section 459-c during 2023 increased the maximum income limit from $37,400 to $58,400 and simplified the “definition of income.” This is the first income increase and change since 2010.

The local law is scheduled to be introduced the week of January 29 and acted upon by the end of February.

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While you were sleeping (again)

 

Skyview plow at work after midnight. / Bill Dowd photo

At a little after 1 a.m. today, the thermometer said it was a balmy 16 degrees. Above zero, thank goodness.

So, it was encouraging to see the snowplow from Skyview Landscaping laboring away to remove the second significant snowfall of the Winter of '24.

By the way, we noticed several Terrace residents doing their own shoveling earlier, but it really wasn't necessary unless they had an emergency need. Skyview, FYI, had kept us fully informed of snow removal plans as weather conditions varied throughout the day and night. 

Obviously, there was no logic to having crews on-site while snow continued to fall, but as soon as it eased the crews went to work.

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Seeking your input on a security measure

For anyone concerned by the recent police presence on the Terrace, relax. It was simply a case of a residential security camera triggering a police security check. But, it shows that such processes work, especially comforting to the snowbirds among us.

Food for thought: 

The Ring doorbell camera company offers a neighborhood-wide alert service if customers who purchase and install a camera system wish to make use of it.

Several Terrace residences already have Ring cameras -- unobtrusive, white devices (i.e., such as the one shown above that blends in with the white siding on the buildings) -- aimed at providing security surveillance and recording images that can be shared with each other and with local police in case of "porch pirate" theft, break-in attempts, acts of vandalism, etc. 

To that end, if anyone who has a Ring account, or plans to install one, would like to be involved, we can create a neighborhood security alert system for all who wish to voluntarily participate.

Regretable as it is as a sign of our times, many on the Terrace are becoming increasingly interested in improving security. So, what steps have we already taken as a community and as your THCA Board?

• Periodic sharing of reminders to maintain a sufficient level of illumination by replacing burned-out bulbs in exterior pole lights, garage lights, etc.

• Creation, and disssemination, of a database of people to be contacted if Terrace residents are not reachable (vacation, cruises, snowbird travels, etc.) in case of such emergencies as fire, broken pipes, electrical failures, etc.

• Alerts circulated via The Terrace Times and email blasts concerning work projects on the Terrace that would bring non-residents into the community.

• Upgrades and followup repair of security lights at the entrance to the Terrace on Hyland Drive.

• Installation of solar security lights around the mailbox gazebo parking area.

• Even an occasional alert about strange disappearances. 

All that said, if you would like to be involved in such a security network based on a Ring camera, please contact THCA Board President Bill Dowd at BillDowd4Troy@gmail.com with your thoughts, comments, questions, etc., and update him on whether you have a Ring account. He'll make every effort to advance it from there.

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While you were sleeping ...

The first Terrace plowing of the season, around 1:30 a.m. today. / Bill Dowd photos

A clean driveway swipe.

Our new snow removal service, provided by Skyview Landscaping that also took over our grounds maintenance last summer in good fashion, was on the job throughout the weekend as promised. Quite an improvement over our previous vendors.

For those of you who have a habit of actually sleeping during the night, rest assured periodic snow plowing and shoveling have been taking place on Saturday night and Sunday night throughout the first real snowstorm of 2024, as can be seen in these photos.

Our thanks to all Terrace residents who complied with the THCA Board's request to garage your vehicles and keep driveways and key portions of the common parking areas vehicle-free to allow the Skyview crews to facilitate the snow clearing.

In addition, City of Troy plows made numerous passes through the Terrace over the weekend, partly because of the energetic involvement of our new mayor, Carmella Mantello, who popped up all across Troy to cheer on and thank the municipal crews.

Incidentally, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast for our area this week calls for no more snow, but for a strong chance of rain and some strong winds.

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A new era of snow removal by the city?

For the benefit of those of you who, unlike me, go to bed early, a City of Troy snow removal crew passed through the Terrace at least twice before 3 a.m. Sunday.

This seems to be the early result of our new Mayor Carmella Mantello's pledge to clear city thoroughfares and neighborhoods as much as possible as soon as possible.

In case you missed it, for information on what our Skyview Landscaping vendor has planned to clear this first storm of the winter, just click here.

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City OKs emergency infrastructure work

City workers repairing water main break. / Troy Record photo

Troy's new mayor, Carmella Mantello, is wasting no time address deteriorating water main pipes and leaking pumps that have been ongoing issues.

Her administration says repairs are needed as soon as possible at the Eddy’s Lane Pump Station, which affects more than 100,000 residents and multiple municipalities from south of Rensselaer County northwest to the Town of Halfmoon in Saratoga County.

“We’re going to do whatever we have to do to correct it immediately,” Mantello said. “I did contact Troy Housing Executive Director Deb Witkowski because right below here is an affordable housing community.”

That housing community has more than 50 residents. One of the major issues is if the facility were to flood, the water would also come down the hill and flood surrounding homes, inundating the area with millions of gallons of water.

City Engineer Russ Reeves, who also is Troy's commissioner of Public Utilities, said the situation is a public safety concern and is the main reason for the emergency declaration. The declaration allows the city to start designing and implementing the repairs.

“The water line care and replacement would take three to four months to complete,” Reeves said, "because each level has to be planned with tremendous coordination.”

It was explained that intense coordination will be required because engineers will have only 12 hours to make the repairs once it starts.

City officials estimate the cost of repairs at more than $100,000. They hope to begin the work within the next few weeks. The project will take at least two months to complete.

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Snow removal plans for first storm of '24

Skyview Landscaping, our new snow removal contractor (yep,  same folks who began maintaining our grounds last year; details here), is all geared up for the storm heading our way.

In communication with the Terrace, Skyview said its plans call for crews to service our community at least twice during this event which is forecast to begin Saturday afternoon and continue into Sunday. The amount of predicted snow accumulation varies depending on which source you believe.

"Please expect crews on-site early Sunday morning, with a return overnight Monday for a final cleanup," Skyview says. "Common areas and roadways will be serviced through the day on Sunday."

To help facilitate a smooth operation:

• Please garage all your vehicles, if possible.

• If you need to park in a common area, please try to avoid using the portions through which plows usually push snow.

 • Be sure to tell all expected visitors to follow these same parking requests.

 • While walking pets, be alert to snow plow activity.

Stay warm and, as always, don't forget to check in on your neighbors.

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Socks drive a success; more Sidewalk Warriors info

For the second consecutive year, our "sock drive" to provide new socks through the local Sidewalk Warriors organization helping people in need was a success.

Last year, using our Terrace Holiday Luncheon as the dropoff point, event coordinator Janice Dessingue reported that we contributed 100 "sock packs" (two pairs each) in our first such effort. This year, we topped that. The breakdown:

• 61 packs of men's socks
• 40 packs of women's socks
• 8 packs of children's socks

In addition, we contributed three packages of T-shirts and underwear.

FYI, the all-volunteer Sidewalk Warriors community organization relies on community residents and businesses to support their work. You can get details on their Facebook page.

Just one other example of helping: If you visit the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany any time this month, you will  have the opportunity to round up your purchase price to the nearest dollar, with that added change going directly to Sidewalk Warriors Troy. Plus, Honest Weight will match the first $500 collected. 

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Have you paid your 2024 dues?

Monday, January 1, 2024, is the deadline for paying your dues for the year or the first quarter of the year.

If you somehow still need an explanation of the process after all these years, please click here for details.

And, please be assured that your dues still go toward paying for grounds maintenance during warm months, snow removal during winter months, maintenance of grounds, structures, parking area, seasonal decorations, and so on without the often-exorbitant charges of maintenance companies are handled.

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As we head into 2024 ...

Dear Terrace Neighbors:

As April and I celebrate our 28th New Year's Eve on the Terrace -- exceeded only by our friend Lorraine Bailey as the neighborhood's longest residents -- I would like to mark the occasion by expressing our gratitude to all of you, new and not-so-new, for your contributions toward making the community the wonderful place it is.

We have experienced the windswept periods of construction -- including the holidays during which we decorated the chemical toilets on the grounds for the construction crews -- and watched your homes being built to the plantings of the original packages of trees and shrubs that now are being replaced as they age out, to the turnovers of residents as they, too, age out -- such wonderful neighbors as Russ and Rose Golino, Bob and Polly Hayward, Joe and Gerry Claeys, Harvey Bailey, Julia Austin, Charlie and Dorothy  Crowley, Donna Mackey, Dorothy DeLuca, Bill Wade, Phil Steiner, Tory Clements, and on and on.

All that said, as the president of the Terrace at Highpointe Community Associaton for going on a second decade, I am profoundly grateful for your faith in repeatedly voting for me to continue leading our community and for the continuing willingness of our current Board members to work on your behalf to maintain services to our residents, keep costs below what we would have had to pay to a management company, and to be responsive to your many needs, all without pay and often without thanks.

That said, bless you all and a Happy 2024!

-- Bill Dowd

THCA President

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How to get rid of your Christmas tree

That annual problem for some households -- getting rid of a Christmas tree -- isn't necessarily a problem for residents of Troy.

The City will be sending crews throughout the neighborhoods to collect real trees beginning next Tuesday, January 2. The program will run through Friday, January 12, at no charge to households.

“The City of Troy continues to prioritize sustainable disposal practices that are environmentally responsible and economically sensible, which is why we are ensuring that recycling options are still available to Troy families who wish to recycle this season’s Christmas tree,” said outgoing Mayor Patrick Madden. “I thank our workforce for all they do to enable our families to recycle, compost, and responsibly dispose of refuse in every neighborhood.”

Troy’s Departments of Recycling, Streets and Sanitation is asking residents to place their trees at the curb or roadside on their regular collection day between January 2 and January 12. Or, residents may bring trees to the Troy Resource Management Facility (formerly known as the Alamo) at the intersection of Main Street and Eastern Industrial Parkway on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Real Christmas trees can be turned into mulch or allowed to naturally break down over time. Keeping real Christmas trees out of the landfill allows them to be used to build stronger soil in Troy. 

Don't have a real tree but want to dispose of an artificial version? Call the Department of Public Works dispatcher at 518-270-4579. 

Residents are asked to:

• Remove all ornaments, lights, and other decorations from the tree
• Remove the tree from the tree stand
• Place the tree next to your recycling and garbage containers on your normal collection day

RECYCLING HOLIDAY LIGHTS

The Mount Ida Preservation Association is recycling old Christmas lights, extension cords, and charging cords. Residents may drop their recyclables at 548 Congress Street in the big green barrel in front of main red doors at the front of the Church through the first week of January. More information about this program is available through the Mount Ida Preservation Association.

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Scenes from a party

Here are a few scenes from Friday's "Terrace Holiday Luncheon" at McGreivey's Restaurant in Waterford. 

If anyone else took photos and would like to share them with the community, please email them to Bill Dowd. Thank you in advance!

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Troy gets $100K grant to revitalize waterfront

The City of Troy has been selected to receive $100,000 in state "Local Waterfront Revitalization Program" (LWRP) funding. 

What does that mean? According to the Patrick Madden administration, "The funding will help Troy identify a vision and guide development for the city's eight-mile Hudson River waterfront, while aligning with the recently completed zoning update called 'ReCode Troy' and addressing the city’s smart growth, resiliency and sustainability goals."

The LWRP is funded through the state Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to provide grants to communities to develop locally-driven plans with a vision for their waterfront, guided by several environmental policies to ensure projects work in harmony with waterfront natural resources and ecosystems. 

The funding was awarded as part of $23 million in state funding to support 101 communities across the state through part of Round XIII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. It will help Troy develop its Hudson River waterfront by allowing it to plan its own economic future to benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike. 

Dylan Turek, the city's commissioner of planning and economic development, said, "I am excited to see the positive impact this funding will have on the community and the entire Capital Region. Troy is fortunate to have direct access to so much waterfront and nearly every neighborhood lives within a few miles of the Hudson River. Cities that commit to working closely with communities and developers to realize a shared vision for their waterfront experience the greatest return through growing property values and increased revenue as far as three miles away. 

"With our coming submission to nominate 200+ acres of the South Troy waterfront for 'Brownfield Opportunity Area' designation working in concert with the U.S. EPA Assessment grant that was awarded in 2021, adopting a new LWRP dovetails perfectly into our proactive approach.

"We want to make sure that we do it right since the opportunity won’t come again for at least a century.” 

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Troy PD adds electric bikes to its fleet

You may not seem them here on the outskirts of the City of Troy, but don't be surprised if you see several members of the Troy Police Department patrolling on bicycles elsewhere as you travel through the city.

The Troy Police Department has added a pair of Recon Interceptor electric bicycles to its fleet of vehicles, thereby removing barriers preventing community access to officers while maintaining their ability to respond quickly to emergencies. 

“Our families have asked for more community policing as a way to foster better relationships with the officers serving their neighborhoods, and these new e-bikes will help us meet that goal of increasing interactions and partnership while maintaining our force’s ability to respond quickly in an emergency,” said Mayor Pat Madden. “This will make it easier for officers and residents to have more personal interactions in neighborhoods across the city.” 

The intent of the department’s bicycle program is to equip officers to reach locations that are difficult to access by other means while also breaking down the physical barriers that a motor vehicle creates between officers and the community they serve. The electric bicycles will, says Madden, improve officers’ ability to access neighborhoods and areas that are harder to navigate to on a traditional bicycle, including Troy’s many hills. 

All bicycle-trained officers will be able to utilize the new e-bikes once a brief familiarization training is completed. 

Says Chief of Police Daniel DeWolf, “The addition of e-bikes to our toolbox for community engagement makes good sense. These bikes allow our officers to get closer and more approachable to the community while also providing an additional layer of safety and security for our neighborhoods and parks.” 

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Don't forget your socks for Friday's luncheon

We are just five days from our annual Terrace Holiday Luncheon event, so if you haven't shopped for new socks for women, men, and children, better get moving.

Besides the check you've already dropped off at event coordinator Janice Dessingue's residence, we're again asking for the sock donations that she will deliver to local service groups that help those in need. Clean sock are, believe it or not, one of the most-requested but least-donated items.

We're looking forward to seeing you at Friday's luncheon at McGreivey's Restaurant in Waterford.

Meanwhile, you can go here to see what happened to last year's donations. 

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Spotting the 'Monarch of the Terrace'

"Monarch of the Glen," which hangs in the Scottish National Gallery.

Some of you may be familiar with the painting "Monarch of the Glen," an oil-on-canvas painting of an impressively large red deer stag completed in 1851 by the English painter Sir Edwin Landseer.

It was commissioned as part of a series of three panels to hang in the Palace of Westminster in London. As one of the most popular paintings throughout the 19th Century, it sold widely in reproductions in steel engraving, and finally was bought by companies to use in advertising.

Well, except for their cool accents, us red-blooded Yanks can always do better than the Brits, and neighbor Ned Alaskey has supplied us with proof of it. Well, sort of. Our resident "monarch" stag is camera shy, so any recorded glimpse of him may be a bit fuzzy, but here it is anyway.

 

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Happy Thanksgiving to all

 

"Freedom From Want," one in a series called "The Four Freedoms" by iconic artist Norman Rockwell who often used locations and people from Troy in his paintings.

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