GLENVILLE Facility gets environmental OK 12-acre site will be used in training of police, firefighters BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net.
A public safety training facility planned for Vley Road got a step closer on Monday as the Planning and Zoning Commission found that the project would not hurt the environment. A Schenectady County consortium seeks to build a $2.5 million facility on a 12-acre parcel, including a fire tower and an outdoor course where police officers and fi refi ghters can practice driving. When the commission last reviewed the project in 2006, it found that the project could divert storm water runoff into the aquifer. In response, the drainage system on site was altered to push water out of the most sensitive portion of the aquifer area. Commission members also asked about the burning at the site. Scotia Fire Chief Richard Kasko said burning would be limited to between 100 to 150 pounds of combustibles at a time and to wood or hay only. Firefighters would also use gas to burn fires indoors. Kasko said if the wind were blowing near the residential area, they would restrict operations to gas only. Now, the Town Board will vote to either accept or reject the commission’s recommendation. It is scheduled to meet on May 28. The project must also go through the site review process. LOWE’S, YATES’ PLANS In other business, the Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday approved a revised plan by Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse to construct a new facility on a nearly 20-acre parcel located off Freemans Bridge Road. The project was originally approved in October. However, Lowe’s officials came back with a revised plan that reduced 14,000 square feet from the building’s size so they could avoid building a large retaining wall. Company officials declined to comment on when the project might start construction. The commission also approved a project by Concord Development LLC to construct a 44-unit townhouse development called Yates Farm Townhomes on a 7.3 parcel on Maple Avenue. Chris Myers of Concord Development said the plan is to obtain the building permits within the next 60 days to build the road to the development and start construction of the first model unit sometime this winter. The townhouses would have two and three bedrooms and would be constructed as they are sold. The price of the units are around $225,000. WATER’S EDGE Also on Monday, the commission postponed review of a project by Pat Popolizio to obtain approvals for an already-built 5,300-squarefoot banquet facility addition to the Water’s Edge Marina on Freemans Bridge Road. Commission members were upset because Popolizio obtained approval for a 4,000-square-foot, three-season pavilion, but constructed the banquet facility with bathrooms and heating and air conditioning systems. Commission member Steven Marsh said Popolizio should have followed the process. “I think you should take [the construction] down and I think you should build what you told us you were going to build,” he said. Popolizo admitted that he had “jumped the gun” by starting construction early. He told the commission that the marina component of the business has been losing about $100,000 for five years running. He wanted to attract more banquet business. The commission is going to make Popolizio submit plans as if it were a new application. It will hold a preliminary hearing next month and tentatively set a public hearing and vote on the project for July.
SCOTIA Village to discuss options for fire dept. management BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter
A proposal to allow the village to contract out for management of the Fire Department will be before village officials tonight. No specific proposal is on the table, but Mayor Kris Kastberg said changing the village code would add flexibility. The current code does not allow outside management of the fire service. “It just basically opens our options for anything that we might want to do. There is no reorganization plan at this time,” he said. The Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing and expects to vote at its meeting at 7 p.m. Kastberg has been considering changes in the department. He had proposed not funding Fire Chief Richard Kasko’s position in the 2008-09 budget, but the funding was restored. Civil service officials have said the village is not legally required to have a full-time fire chief. Scotia officials had sent out a request to the Schenectady Fire Department to determine interest in taking over fire management. Kastberg said Tuesday there has been no word from Schenectady. The village is simply looking for more efficient ways of delivering services, Kastberg said. Kasko said Tuesday he is not sure what the trustees were trying to accomplish. “They haven’t talked much about that at all.” Capt. Ken Almy, president of the Scotia Permanent Firemen’s Association, said he is concerned. “I personally feel that the village is undercutting the role of the fire chief. The fire chief needs to be very knowledgeable and needs to be as knowledgeable as the men he commands,” he said. “I feel that this proposal opens the door for any political appointees or anybody else to come in here and assume the duties as fire chief.”
SCOTIA Rite Aid pulls Mohawk Ave. plan Dispute with village over design lasted most of one year BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net.
The proposal for a Rite Aid on Mohawk Avenue is dead. The village Planning Board voted to deny the application by Diamond Development to construct a 14,564-square-foot pharmacy with drive-through at the intersection of Mohawk and Ballston avenues. The Rite Aid was going to involve the razing of the buildings housing Attanasio’s Restaurant, the Scotia Diner, an antique shop and four houses along Glen Avenue. Rite Aid spokeswoman Ashley Flower confirmed Monday that the company is backing out of the project. “We don’t have any further plans at this time for Scotia,” she said. “The Capital District is a very important market for us and we will continue to explore options as they present themselves for development in that area.” The board had been reviewing the plans for almost a year. Board members had expressed concern that the design would not fit in with the character of the village and that the building would look too massive. They also were unhappy with subsequent revisions to the plans. The developer was at the February meeting and had not appeared before the board since then. The board on May 5 passed a resolution to deny the application on the grounds that the developer never submitted a completed site plan. The board in January had submitted to Rite Aid a list of requirements that it needed to fulfill including submitting a traffic study, a storm water abatement plan and landscaping and lighting plans. “We have not heard anything additional from them,” said Chairman Bob Powell. Powell said the board was looking for a design in which the building had different facades so it would not look like a monolithic structure. However, the developer only made minor changes. “The developer and the people representing Rite Aid I think were under strict orders that the building that was put up had to follow the format of a Rite Aid building. They could not deviate from that to accommodate what the village board was looking for,” he said. He said Diamond Development is constructing a building in Schenectady at the corner of Clinton and State at the former site of the Pizza King, that had a similar design making it look it was three buildings. He believes something like that would have been acceptable in Scotia. If the developer wants to pursue the project at a later date, Powell said it would have to submit a new application. Lou Lecce, attorney for Diamond Development, could not be reached for comment. Bruce Tanski, the owner of the property, did not return a message left for comment.
WOW! Rite Aid pulled out of opening in Scotia. I'm shocked!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Posted on: 05/19/08 Jennifer Farnsworth, Contributing Writer email: news@spotlightnews.com
Glenville residents voiced their concerns over a proposed fire safety training center at a meeting held Wednesday, May 7, at the town municipal building.
Residents said that while they support the idea of the project, they are seeking reassurance that it is not going to cause problems for those who live nearby.
A proposal was first discussed last fall regarding a training center that would accommodate several different agencies around the area. Part of the 14-acre proposed site off of Vley Road would include an outdoor course for simulated fires along with an actual fire tower. Currently there are no structures on the site.
Scotia Fire Chief Richard Kasko, whose department would use the facility, said the fire training classes would be held on weekday evenings. He added the hours of operation would not create additional traffic during rush hour.
“There would not be any type of late-night activity, and the center would not bring traffic in during busy times throughout the day,” said Kasko.
The four-story building would be used by Schenectady County Community College, the Glenville Fire Training Facility Inc., the Schenectady Fire Department, Saint Clare’s Hospital and the Zone Five Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy.
One of the reasons for the project is increasing demands on those who respond to emergency situations, according to East Glenville Fire District Chief Arnold Briscoe, who attended the meeting. He said firefighters are expected to know how to respond to hazardous material and structural collapses. The project has already received $2.5 million in a grant for construction and another $550,000 for operational funds through state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Schenectady.
Don Jefts of Vley Road said his biggest concern is additional noise and lighting. He said he wants to make sure bright floodlights are not cast over his property.
“I don’t want to feel as though my home is a part of this training facility, with lights and noise at different hours,” said Jefts.
Dave Remsey of Ellis Hospital and chairman of the consortium of facility users assured the board that the primary use of the building would be to prepare rescue workers. Remsey said hay and straw are the main components of such a simulation.
“The consortium would be entrusted with assuring that all environmental and safety guidelines are met and maintained,” said Remsey
By JIMMY VIELKIND, Staff writer Wednesday, May 21, 2008
SCOTIA - One man was hospitalized and may face charges after State Police chased him into the village of Scotia where he crashed into a vacant home Tuesday night, police said.
According to Sgt. John Phelps, troopers began chasing a red Hummer "driving erratically" on Interstate 890 shortly before 11 p.m. The driver left the road and entered the village, where witnesses said he proceeded down Vley Road and the car jumped a curb and crashed into a house at the corner of Cuthbert Street. Phelps said the man, whose name was not immediately released, was taken to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, but the extend of his injuries were not known. The house was empty at the time.
SCOTIA Consolidation of police forces hits a snag State denies grant application for study BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net
Putting Scotia and Glenville’s police departments under one roof has hit a setback as the village will not get a state grant to do a study. Scotia had applied for a Shared Municipal Services Incentive grant to study the feasibility of constructing a shared police station. Mayor Kris Kastberg told the Board of Trustees on Wednesday that the state denied the application. “Apparently, that SMSI money is getting more and more difficult to come by since so many people are applying for it,” he said. Kastberg said the village could always apply again during the next round of funding. He would have to sit down with Glenville offi cials to determine the next step. Both Glenville and Scotia have been discussing ways to collaborate and share services, including public safety and water service. Kastberg said he informed Glenville officials that the village is not interested in their proposal to have Scotia become a water customer of the town’s. Under that arrangement, the village would have bought water from the town while doing its own billing and maintaining village infrastructure. Kastberg said the village would prefer that Glenville take over the whole operation including billing and maintenance and essentially make Scotia one more water district for the town. TAX WARRANT In other business, the board authorized the tax warrant. The tax rate will be $10.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This is a 33-cent decrease from the current year. A resident with a house assessed at $124,000 would pay about $1,252 in taxes. Tax bills will be going out Friday and are due July 1. Also, the board agreed to hire the firm of Lubbe & Hosey to do an audit of village hall and village court for the 2007-08 year at a cost of $10,475 and $1,345, respectively.
Lighthouse Restaurant expansion moves forward BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter
GLENVILLE — A project to expand the Water’s Edge Lighthouse Restaurant by adding a banquet facility is getting a step closer. The Glenville Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday scheduled a public hearing for July 14 at 7 p.m. on a project by the Freemans Bridge Road restaurant to add a 5,290-square-foot, year-round banquet facility. Owner Pat Popolizio told the commission last month that he decided to change from the original concept that the commission approved for a 4,000-square-foot, open-sided seasonal pavilion. He admitted starting construction early on the project without submitting revised plans to the town. Deputy Chairman Mark Storti said the commission could vote at the July meeting if all the requirements are met. DOVER PLACE In other business, the commission postponed action on a request by Bordeau Builders to change a condition of approval that was granted in 2004 for a project called Dover Place off Route 50 and Skyway Drive. The original project called for the construction of fi ve single-family homes and an offi ce building. The residences were built, but not the office building. Instead of the office building, the developer wants to construct a 22,400-square-foot, 20-unit condominium building. Storti said market conditions prompted the change. The zoning needs to be changed from mixed used planned development to residential planned development.
GLENVILLE Town may owe county tax money Officials estimate $21,000 not paid BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net
Town officials will likely have to send the county about $21,000 not paid under a payment of lieu of taxes agreement. Supervisor Frank Quinn said several years ago, a previous Town Board had passed a PILOT for the 32-unit Glenville Terrace senior housing complex on Route 50. The town was collecting taxes on that parcel, but it was not shared with the county because it was a town PILOT. The complex for people age 62 and older at 389 Saratoga Road lies within the Burnt Hills Ballston-Lake School District. The owner, Glenville Town Limited Partnership, pays $14,400 annually in lieu of taxes, per the agreement. The issue arose in the last three months, Quinn said. “The county came around and said ‘you really owe us money for that,’ ” he said. Town Administrator Tony Germano said the PILOT was approved in 2000. He said the town attorney and staff are discussing the matter with the county finance people to determine if, or how much, money is owed to the county. Germano said he believes the amount owed could be about $21,000, but acknowledged it could be more. “We should have it wrapped up in the next couple of weeks,” he said. County Manager Kathleen Rooney confirmed that the dispute would be resolved soon and she believed it is a little more than $20,000. “I think they’re just working out the details. I think we have a mutual understanding,” she said. Quinn had initially expressed the concern that the payment could be $100,000 or more. He said the issue could potentially affect the 2008 budget, which is already strained. Quinn has said that the town could face a $448,000 budget gap when looking at expenses to date and extrapolating them through the rest of the year. The board is also considering additional spending including $500,000 for road paving projects, about $69,000 to lease two heavyduty trucks and $90,000 for police overtime. Quinn said some board members are looking at spending some of the roughly $1.6 million fund balance. However, he is more hesitant. “If you spend down the fund balance, you will not have money to apply for tax relief in the ‘09 budget and you may or may not have monies for emergencies in ‘08. We have to be very judicious in terms of use of fund balance,” he said.
SCOTIA Cycle crash kills police chief’s son BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3123 or mgoot@dailygazette.net.
The son of the village police chief was killed early Saturday in a motorcycle accident. Police said Adam D. Pytlovany, 25, of Glenville, was driving his 2002 Suzuki motorcycle east on Sunnyside Road. Pytlovany left the south side of the road and struck a telephone pole guide wire and a large rock. He was transported by Mohawk Ambulance to Ellis Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Mayor Kris Kastberg, who teaches technology at Scotia-Glenville Central Schools, said he had Pytlovany as a student. “He was a great kid. I can’t say anything bad about him,” he said. “He was a hard worker. I would say he was a conscientious kid.” Kastberg called the incident a tragedy. “It’s a terrible thing for the family.” A family member declined comment. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at a time to be announced. The Bond Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Police are still investigating the accident.
GLENVILLE Town facing $300K year-end deficit Causes are fuel costs, insurance, OT BY MICHAEL GOOT Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Michael Goot at 395-3105 or mgoot@dailygazette.net.
The town is facing a projected year-end deficit of almost $300,000, based on the current level of spending. Supervisor Frank Quinn updated the Town Board at a work session Wednesday about the current fi - nancial situation. The deficit figure is above and beyond the $521,000 the board had planned to spend of its surplus to lower taxes. Quinn said it also does not include other proposed spending for highway, police and other unfunded budget items. “Where are we going to make that up?” he said. Among the reasons for the budget gap is rising fuel costs, insurance premiums and overtime expenditures, especially in the Police Department. In the last few weeks, the board has also been reviewing additional spending requests by various departments including $500,000 for a street paving program; $150,000 in additional Public Works Department money; about $68,500 to lease two heavy duty trucks; and $90,000 for the police. If these costs were approved, they would be in addition to the $300,000 already anticipated in overbudget spending. The town has about $1.6 million in its unreserved fund balance — or surplus — that it could tap. Quinn noted that the more the town uses of its surplus this year, the less it will have for 2009. He said he would oppose additional spending this year. Board members expressed frustration with trying to understand the figures. Valerie DiGiandomenico said she wanted real numbers — not projections — when trying to make these decisions. “I think you’re causing heartburn,” she said. Board member Chris Koetzle said the town has needs like paving. “We’re just getting further and further behind. At some point, we’ve got to bite the bullet,” he said. OFFICER HIRED In a brief special session, the Town Board approved placing a candidate into the Zone 5 Police Academy. Meredith Kaiser, currently a photographer at The Daily Gazette, will be starting the academy on Wednesday. Her husband is a detective with the department. “I wanted to serve the community that I live in,” she said. The department has been shorthanded following the resignation of two officers. The board last month approved hiring Officer Jay Borwhat. Police Chief Michael Ranalli said Kaiser would start with the department in early January and go through about four weeks of field training.
SCOTIA — The Planning Board hopes to have a new wind energy ordinance within a couple of months. The board has directed the village attorney to start preparing a draft ordinance. The board is looking to get an ordinance on the books in case proposals for wind energy come before the town. In June, Duanesburg passed the county’s first ordinance regulating wind turbines. Rotterdam and Princetown have been discussing an ordinance in response to Reunion Power of Vermont proposing to build a 197-foot temporary tower near Pattersonville. Chairman Bob Powell said the ordinance would follow the format of one prepared by the New York State Planning Federation. “It will be very similar to what Duanesburg did,” he said. The village is envisioning that any applicants for wind projects would be required to go before the Village Board to obtain a special use permit.
GLENVILLE Fortitech breaks ground for new building Company specializes in nutrient premixes BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
A local company with a global market in custom nutrient premixes has broken ground on a $4.5 million distribution center on land formerly owned by Schenectady County in Glenville. Fortitech is building a 48,000-square-foot facility on 20 acres it purchased for $1.1 million at the Schenectady County Airport. The company, which has a headquarters in the Riverside Technology Park off Maxon Road Extension, closed on the property Thursday. The county declared the land surplus and is using the $1.1 million to help balance its current budget. Company Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Brian Wilcox said the warehouse should be completed in early spring. It will serve as the company’s North American distribution center. Fortitech prepares material for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Some of its customers include the world’s largest conglomerates, such as Nestle’s. Once the center is completed, Fortitech expects to add approximately 25 jobs to its Schenectady operations, both at the distribution center and at its Riverside Technology Park facility, Wilcox said. The center will contain approximately seven truck bays and will incorporate energy-efficient features. For example, it will have 90 skylights to light the interior. The structure is the fast-growing company’s latest facility. It operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in Denmark, Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico and in California. It employs 175 people in Schenectady and a total of 340 worldwide. In 2007, it had gross sales of $130 million and expects to sell between $150-$160 million this year, Wilcox said. Founded in 1986, the company is privately held. “We are the only player globally who is solely dedicated to the pre-mix business,” Wilcox said. Fortitech’s strong national and international sales prompted it to seek land on which to build additional facilities, Wilcox said. It wanted to remain in Schenectady County and worked with the Metroplex Development Authority to find a suitable location, he said. Fortitech moved to the cityowned technology park in 1995 from Rotterdam. Within a short time, it put two additions on the headquarters facility, bringing the total space there to 103,000 square feet. Several years later it acquired a nearly 18,000-squarefoot structure. It has outgrown both facilities, Wilcox said. The former airport land will allow Fortitech to expand further as need arises, Wilcox said. In a few years, the company may build a pilot 48,000-square foot research and development facility there, to expand its product lines. “With the development center, we may actually develop products and help customers get them to the market sooner,” he said. In a news release, Susan E. Savage, D-Niskayuna, chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature called the Fortitech project “another great economic development win for Schenectady County and a win for the taxpayers. The expansion of Fortitech and the creation of an exciting new airport tech park will add to our tax base and create more jobs for Schenectady County.”
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