Photo Provided: The City of Glens Falls, Adele Squadere
The Glens Falls Common Council meeting last Tuesday (December 13, 2022) was opened by Adele Squadere, a 6th-grade student at Abraham Wing School – Squadere sang the National Anthem to open the meeting.
The City of Glens Falls would like other singers or performers to open the meetings with the National Anthem, or a quick display of cultural dance or music! To participate in this program, reach out to Kate Roos at: ksroosgf@gmail.com.
Mayor Bill Collins said, “We all were absolutely delighted with Adele’s performance, and I’m proud to be part of this new program. We have a solid history of promoting the arts in Glens Falls. It is especially important to include the talented young people in a community that has so many gifted artists and musicians. It provides our younger generation with an ability to learn and grow in a public setting while encouraging them to be part of the community. We all felt she added some energy to what typically is a formal setting.”
Adele is one of the featured performers at the upcoming holiday concert “Christmas Soul” at Abraham Wing School, on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022.
On December 19, 2022, Saratoga Biochar Solutions held a virtual public meeting to discuss the proposed facility at the Moreau Industrial Park. CEO Raymond Apy, President Bryce Meeker, hired engineer Andrew Millspaugh, and Chief Operating Officer Lee Wulfekuhle hosted the virtual public meeting. This meeting was the first of several public information meetings to be held as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s application requirements. Community members had the opportunity to email their questions, or ask a question via the zoom meeting function, or through the phone; or, add a question to a chat stream. Each community member was given 2 minutes and 30 seconds to speak; however, that time limit was not enforced. Apy and his team went through the community’s questions until just after 8:00 PM on Monday evening.
More than 100 area residents attended the virtual meeting. When the question and answer period began, the challenges of the virtual meeting format became apparent; the first participant in the public question and answer period was Tom Masso. That call was lost, but he was able to reconnect and successfully ask his question. Gina Laclair could not successfully enable her microphone, and was not able to comment. Apy and The Baker Public Relations team worked to communicate with community members and try to direct community members on how to enable their microphone and camera.
The Baker Public Relation team, who were on hand to assist with the meeting, could be heard giving direction so that the questions could be asked and concerns from community members addressed. On several occasions, CEO Ray Apy went back to community members who could not successfully connect and tried to reconnect with them and answer their questions.
Community members voiced their concerns regarding the safety of the facility for their children and grandchildren. Questions were asked regarding the steps to take if community members did have complaints when the facility was opened, as well as truck traffic. After several failed attempts to connect, Therese Gillis – Co-founder of Hands Off Our Hudson (which Gillis clarified is not an environmental group) – was able to participate in the meeting. She spoke for almost 10 minutes, before the meeting ended just after 8:00 PM. Gillis mentioned the PCBs pollution caused by General Electric that the area is still recovering from.
To view Saratoga Biochar’s 35-page Public Participation Plan, visit SaratogaBiochar.com, click on the menu, and Choose “PPP”.
Queensbury 47, Glens Falls 24: the Queensbury Girls Varsity Basketball team hosted the Glens Falls Indians on Monday night, with the tip-off at 7:00 PM. The Indians dropped their second game in a row, coming off the recent loss to the Schuylerville Black Horses.
The Spartans out-scored the Indians in the first quarter, 14 to 6. At halftime, the Spartans had scored 24 points, and the Indians were held to 11 points. The third period was the most competitive for the Indians; they matched the Spartans point for point as each team scored 9 points. The Spartans then pulled away in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points to the Indians’ 4 points.
Dyllan Ray led the Spartans with 19 points, followed by Aislynn Dixon who scored 13 points. C.J. Lunt led the Indians with 9 points.
Next, the Queensbury Spartans (2-3) will face the Bethlehem Central Eagles (5-0) on Tuesday, December 20th, in a non-league away game. On Thursday, December 22nd, the Glens Falls Indians (2-4) will host the South Glens Falls Bulldogs.
Friday, December 16, Glens Falls Schools stayed open while other area schools closed; Glens Falls did cancel after school activities, and postpone and reschedule games and meets.
The Glens Falls City School sent out a district-wide email explaining their decision to community members: the email explained the variables that are involved in making the decision to close schools or keep them open. Current and forecasted weather is considered, as are the conditions of the roads, parking lots, and sidewalks.
The Glens Falls role in the community is also a consideration – the schools offer every student free breakfast and lunch. These meals are very important on Fridays and Mondays to students and families who face food insecurity, so providing these services is a factor in deciding to keep the facilities open. The school also provides winter clothes, boots, hats, and gloves to students in need through the HOPE boutique. The email said: “The learning, nourishment, social-emotional community, and consistency of schedule for students and families are important.” The goal of the Glens Falls City Schools is to keep every child in school – both safely, and consistently.
Queensbury, 45… Hudson Falls, 37! The Queensbury Spartans and the Hudson Falls Tigers girls varsity teams were neck and neck until Queensbury pulled away in the third quarter of Thursday night’s game at Hudson Falls. In the first quarter of play, Queensbury scored nine points to Hudson Falls seven points. In the second quarter, Hudson Falls scored 12 points to Queensbury’s 11, for a halftime score of Queensbury 20, Hudson Falls 19.
The Spartans’ defense in the third quarter held the Tigers to only three points, while the Spartan offense scored 10. Both teams added 15 points in the fourth quarter; however, the hard-fought victory was already secure.
Queensbury’s Aislynn Dixon poured in a career high of 23 points for the Spartans, and Liz Rowley & Sedona Jones each grabbed eight rebounds; this was a career high for both players. Dyllan Ray added 11 points and six rebounds. Kayla Zehr had a team high and personal best of five assists. The Spartans improved to 1-3 over all (1-1 in the foothills council). Glens Falls’ next game will be on Monday, December 19th, at 7:00 PM.
The advanced walk-though concealed weapons detection system for the high school and middle school arrived this week. This system scans for shapes of weapons and individualized firearm components, unlike traditional metal detectors or wands; so the system can distinguish between threats and everyday items, like cell phones, coins and keys. The system will enter into uservice once it is fully calibrated and staff members are trained in its use. This will make entry into the school more secure, and reduce the bottleneck of checking backpacks as the students enter. The expected start date for this system is mid-January.
The process to add an additional school resource officer from the Warren County Sheriff’s office is also nearly complete: this officer will be housed at the Middle School, but will work district-wide. The officer will partner with current SRO Norton to provide additional support for safety and community building. This position is expected to be added in mid-January. A local Glens Falls parent said, “After what happened at the beginning of the school year, I think it’s a sad necessity. It’s been so challenging for the kids and the community. Then the backpack searches made kids late to class which added stress. The school district has responded to the needs of the community, which is nice to see.”
Safety at Glens Falls High School has been a concern since the first day of school: on September 8, 2022 at approximately 11:20 AM, a student was directed on two occasions to leave the building. This student went outside, damaged speakers, and was asked to leave campus; the student then proceeded around the building and knocked on doors until let back into the school. Once inside, the student put on a mask and walked the hallways, and engaged in an altercation with the school’s hall monitor and principal. During this altercation, a BB-gun fell out of the student’s backpack. The Glens Falls School resource officer called for additional assistance from the Glens Falls Police Department to remove the student from the school. The high school then called for a Lock Out, and the middle school sheltered in place until the situation was resolved.
It was less than a week later on September 14, 2022, when the middle school and high school went into lock down again over a possible weapon; a student at the middle school saw what looked like a weapon fall out of another student’s backpack. Police recovered a toy gun, and then took the student into custody and removed the student from campus. Since those two incidents, Glens Falls Middle School and High School have taken campus security and student safety very seriously – the district responded by checking backpacks daily, and not allowing students to carry backpacks in the hallways between classes.
Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC has released a series of videos to promote understanding and transparency for the community regarding the processes that will be used at the proposed Biochar facility in Moreau, NY. On Monday, December 19, 2022 at 6:00 PM, Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC will hold a virtual public meeting. This meeting is part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) permitting process; Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC has submitted an application to the NYSDEC for a Solid Waste Management Facility and State Air Facility permit for Carbon Fertilizer.
This $45-million project will occupy 5.9 acres near the Hudson River. The public can join the meeting by using this link: https://bit.ly/3UaoNjX, or by calling in at (518) 801-9266, and entering the meeting ID 697144872#.
Saratoga Biochar Solutions LLC has released this series of videos defining terms, talking about safety, the great effort of getting approvals, and their interest in protecting the environment:
The aim of these videos is to educate the public and enhance the ongoing conversation. Saratoga Biochar is releasing these videos to support an open discourse with the community on Monday, December 19th.
Vocal opponents of the proposed facility include residents who are united under the name “Not Moreau”; These community members believe that Saratoga Biochar’s outreach to community members and neighboring towns has been insufficient. During the virtual meeting, each resident who signs into the meeting will be given two to three minutes to speak, and community members will also be able to post questions to a chat. The DEC will be monitoring the outcome of the meeting to determine if it meets the state’s public participation and environmental justice obligations.
At 7:00 PM on Wednesday evening, both Glens Falls Fire Department and Glens Falls Police Department responded to a 911 emergency call regarding a fire at 33 Frederick Street in Glens Falls. Within 15 minutes of arrival, GFFD had the three-alarm fire under control, and the fire was fully extinguished within 30 minutes.
No injuries were reported, but the fire displaced two residents. There was no assistance needed by the Red Cross, and the displaced residents both stayed with family members. Two dogs got out of the house safely; however, two cats and two rabbits perished.
The fire was contained to the kitchen area in the rear of the structure; however, there was some heat damage and smoke damage in other areas of the structure. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by both the GFFD and GFPD.
On Saturday December 10, the HOPE Holiday Gift Boutique was held on the lower level of the Glens Falls High School. 142 shoppers participated in the event, the mission of which is to build and support trusting relationships with district families, compassionately fulfill immediate needs of students, and foster connections with community resources.
The Hope Boutique offers free clothing items, personal care items, and shoes; these items are donated by and accessible to all members of the school community. This event was a huge success due to the hard work of the HOPE committee, volunteers, students, staff and administrators. On Friday, after school preparations to set up for the event began, volunteers donated baked goods and refreshments – including sugar cookies made by Mrs. Shaffer’s middle school class.
Lia Auto Group made a huge “Stuff the Truck” donation of new winter clothing and toiletries; in addition, Lia donated $700 of merchandise.
Holiday music created a festive background as shoppers wandered the hallways, which were filled with items ranging from toys and games to holiday and home decor. Shoppers were able to get 10 items and five stocking stuffers per person. The shoppers were also given the opportunity to have the items gift wrapped, and then head to the clothing boutique.
This Committee began seven years ago, and has expanded to serve anywhere from 50 to 100 families a month. The HOPE Committee has fundraisers, food drives, clothing drives, a sock drive, and hat & glove drives to supply the pantry and boutique; for more information, visit gfsd.org.
The City of Glens Falls announced yesterday that the city is in “Full Winter Mode.” This is due to the combination of an expected large winter storm, and increased traffic during the holiday season. Mayor Bill Collins is asking for everyone’s cooperation to help the Department of Public Works (DPW), and to keep our residents safe.
“We are ready,” said Mayor Collins. “We ask all our residents to monitor the latest forecasts and simply be smart. We also ask our residents to help one another, especially the elderly, with any snow shoveling they may need assistance with.”
Fire Chief James Schrammel said, “As always, please make sure to shovel your sidewalks and dig out around fire hydrants. That really helps our firefighters, and is a great help if we are needed in an emergency.” The fire chief also reminded the residents to be aware that parking in the street during snow emergencies can impede emergency vehicles due to the presence of snow banks, snow removal equipment, and the narrow nature of the city’s streets.
Tom Girard – the superintendent of DPW for the City of Glens Falls – said, “We continue to monitor the latest changes in the forecast provided by the National Weather Service in Albany as well as all the local media outlets.”
Girard asked residents to help the DPW by doing the following prior to when the snow begins:
Please make sure all sporting equipment is removed from our city streets. If you remove a basketball hoop setup, please make sure that the basketball hoop is not hanging over the curb. Our trucks are large, and need room to maneuver.
Move any lawn bags so they are between the curb and the sidewalk.
This is specifically for plow drivers who plow for or own their own snow removal service – when plowing parking lots and driveways, please do not push snow to the opposite side of a city street.
The winter weather is expected to begin Thursday night, and continue through Friday.
