Rensselaer City Newsletter April / May 2023

RENSSELAER CITY NEWSLETTER

As the Spring/Summer seasons approach we all want to see our City at its full potential. Over the last couple of weeks we were out sprucing up our yards and lawns to get them ready for Summer, not to mention cleaning up some of the trash from other properties that have blown over on to our own. This is something that is becoming a growing concern.

Each quarter, our Solid Waste Department sends out guidelines regarding the proper disposal of trash, recyclables and brush. Please note the basic requirements are as follows:

Trash is to be bagged and tied and placed in 32 gal. trash bins with tight lids. Recyclables are to be clean and placed loosely in the bottom of blue or green recycle bins provided by the City. Brush (leaves and clippings) must be in biodegradable paper bags.

Full guideline can be found on the City’s website or you can contact the Department of Public Works for guidance at (518) 462-9617.

https://rensselaerny.gov/application/files/2316/7699/2047/ BILLING_INSERTS_MARCH_2023_BILLING.pdf

The annual Memorial Day Parade sponsored by the Gerald O’Neil American Legion Post 1683 and the City of Rensselaer will take place on Sunday, May 28th. Ceremonies will begin at 1 PM with gun salutes at the Beverwyck Cemetery on Washington Ave. The parade procession will kick off at the corner of Washington Ave and Forbes Ave at 2 PM. This year’s parade route will be across Third Street, down Partition Street, across the Veteran’s Crossing Bridge on Broadway and will end in front of City Hall.

Mayor Mike Stammel 518-426-9511

Office of the Mayor mike.stammel@rensselaerny.gov

Yard Waste

Stage One Dispensary

Memorial Day Parade

Yard waste (grass clippings, leaves brush and twigs are scheduled for pick up on Mondays.

Bulk Pick Up Schedule

Its that time of year again! The city’s free Bulk Pick Up is Here!

Please follow the days below for when your trash is picked up on a weekly basis

For normal Tuesday pick up your date is April 24th

For normal Wednesday pickups your date is May 1st For normal Thursday pickups your date is May 8th for normal Friday pickups your date is May 15th

Department Highlights: Building & Zoning

The Building Department issues building permits and conducts inspections under the locally adopted International Building Code, enforces the local Zoning Code, conducts inspections to issue Certificates of Occupancy, and conducts construction site inspections under the local Erosion & Sediment Control law.

Building Permits are required

for all structural, roof, and siding work as well as certain types of repair work. Residents are encouraged to contact the department to determine if their project will require a permit. Homeowners and Contractors will be asked to demonstrate proof of insurance before being issued a permit. Typical turn-around time for a building permit is 7 to 10 days.

Please be advised that building department requires at least 24 hours notice before scheduling a building inspection. If you are looking to do work on your existing city home, plan new construction, or are relocating a business to our city, please contact our office so we can assist you with our local rules and application procedures.

Properly Disposing of Yard Waste

Now that Spring has sprung, the Department of Public Works would like to remind residents that yard waste (grass clippings, leaves brush and twigs are scheduled for pick up on Mondays. There is NO DUMPING on private or City property. Please NOTE: the following City Properties are prohibited

from dumping are as follows: 4th Street area next to the Hollow and the end of Hazel Terrace, 6th Street entrance to walk path and 8th Street playground.

If you are currently dumping in these areas please discontinue this practice and dispose of your yard waste properly. This practice is dangerous and against city ordinance.

Please know that you can and will be fined if caught.

Please contact the Department of Public Works at (518) 462-9617 should you have any questions regarding this matter.

Photo Compilation byDaveEllis

Open Space Plan - Public Meeting #2

There was a community meeting held April 18th @ 6:30 pm at the Rensselaer City School LGI for the Open Space Plan. The City’s Planning Department did an educational presentation and solicited feedback from the public.

The Open Space Plan is a follow up to the City’s Natural Resource Inventory, which was completed in June 2020. The Open Space Steering Committee hopes to educate the public on the benefits of establishing local conservation areas, stormwater management areas, environmental justice areas, and public waterfront usage.

The city’s Open Space Plan will address the following areas:

1. Ensuring that future land use does not harm natural resources such as creeks and forested areas;

2. Prepares for the impact of new development on stormwater management (especially in floodplains and at the bottom of steep slopes);

3. Ensuring that neighborhoods in the city that currently suffer from quality of life issues resulting from the dump and the industrial area are recognized and prioritized in the review of future land use pro-

Exam Announcement

Rensselaer County Civil Service Promotional Exam Fire Captain (City of Rensselaer)

Exam date is June 24, 2023

Application Deadline is May 12, 2023

For more information please go to the Rensselaer County Civil Service Website at:

https://rensco-portal.mycivilservice.com/

posals that might negatively impact air and water quality for these neighborhoods; and

4. Ensuring that private development of the waterfront includes public access and preparing the public for what that could look like in the coming years! (Especially with the Livingston Avenue Bridge replacement – once we are connected to Albany, it is reasonable to expect that the lands north of the bridge will be developed)

We will update you on the results. STAY TUNED! This study is anticipated to be completed midsummer2023.

Drinking Water Report

A copy of the City’s required Annual Drinking Water Report may be found on the city website at:

https://rensselaerny.gov/application/ files/7916/8261/2766/2022_annual_water_quality_re port.pdf

Stage One Dispensary Coming Soon!

The City is now weeks away from the opening of Rensselaer’s 1st Cannabis Dispensary.

Stage One Dispensary owned by Josh Mirsky and Nate Innes will be in the former Rensselaer County Bank at 810 Broadway, right off of Exit 7 on 90 and

Rensselaer train station exit.

Mirsky and Innes will be launching their establishment with an online order and cashless delivery service in the coming weeks and expect to be fully operational by June.

They hope to educate the community and invite anyone to stop in and ask questions, because historically there is a lot of fear regarding the use of cannabis. The building has undergone major renovations over the winter months. The new space is handicap accessible.

City Hall Garden Club!

Rensselaer City Hall Garden Club is once again looking forward to its 3rd Annual City Hall Garden. Each year, City Hall staff members come together to plant flowers in front of City Hall and this year is no exception. The garden is a beautification initiative dedicated to our local Veterans. If you are interested in donating plants and clippings from your garden, please contact Amy Lolik in the Planning Department at 518-462-4839 x1523 or at amy.lolik@rensselaerny.gov before May 12th, 2023.

We look forward to another bloom filled season!

Resident Spotlight - Amy Puls-Riemer

Its always wonderful to hear about one of our residents stepping out into entrepreneurship, especially when its close by and we can support them. One of our very own, Amy Puls-Riemer, has opened Roots Café & Giftique at 703 Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush.

Amy grew up in Rensselaer and some of you may remember her father Denis Puls, who was an Alderperson in the Eastland Park area when it was considered Ward 9.

Amy moved to Boston to attend college and lived there 20 years before locating

to Connecticut for several years, however returning to her “Roots” here in NY is where she ultimately wanted to be.

Roots Café & Giftique has a wonderful menu. Stop in for breakfast or lunch or to pick up one of the many gifts in the boutique. Make sure you say hello to Amy she will be delighted to see you!

Café Hours: Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Boutique Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday 9:00 am 3:00 pm

Common Council Workshops & Council Meetings

Everyone wants to know what’s happening in their community, especially the city they live in. If you are interested, please consider attending these Workshops & Meetings to get the real scoop on what’s happening in you City. The Workshops are held every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month and the Council Meeting are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 6:30 PM at City Hall (see Calendar for dates for this month at the end of this Newsletter).

Agendas are posted on the City’s website each Monday prior to the Workshops. Your attendance and input are important and your community needs your support. We hope to see you there!

Rensselaer Seniors Spotlight

A Day of Remembrance - May 2nd

The Rensselaer County Rensselaer Senior Center held a Day of Remembrance on May 2nd, for our dear friend Nick Morrison. For many years Nick Morrison and Tim Mercier hosted senior parties at their beautiful estate on the falls. The Rensselaer Senior Rocketts, The Yankee Doodle Entertainers and After Parade Parties. We were planning Nicks 90th Birthday Party but he sadly passed away suddenly on Wednesday March 29th in one of his favorite rooms The Music Room in his comfy chair after an active morning. Nick was one of a kind and always left people with smiles on their faces. A great dancer with a gigantic heart! Everything he had was shared with all the people he loved. We are so thankful to Nick and Tim for their years of friendship and we hope to always carry a bit of the love, generosity and thoughtfulness they implanted in us. While there was an empty seat at our table but we filled it with love for two great friends one with us in body and one with us in spirit. We will miss you Nick!!

Lunch with Mayor Stammel

Join The Rensselaer Senior Center on the first Tuesday of every month and have lunch with Mayor Stammel. Mike Stammel is a servant of the people and on this day he may be literally serving you lunch while informing you of what’s happening in both the city and the county. This is a great opportunity for a round table discussion on issues that could be of interest to you.

Call to make a reservation (518) 463-2166. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM until 3 PM.

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Lunch Served every weekday 12:00 pm-1:00 pm

Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 1pm - Silver Sneakers

Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:15am - Line Dancing

Thursday's (Every Other Week) at 1pm arts and crafts

Thursday's and Friday's at 12:30 - Pinochle

Friday's at 10am - Art Class 12:30 pm-1:30 pm

Andrea Day - May 11th

On Thursday May 11th, please join The Rensselaer County Senior Center as we honor Andrea Siek who is gone but not forgotten. Andrea and Richard were longtime members of our Center and enjoyed many afternoons with us. In Memory of Andrea, Richard Siek is hosting Andrea’s favorite luncheon of meatloaf and sponsoring the music of Patsy Cline performed by Courtney Shane. Although Andrea will not be with us in person, she will be with us in spirit. We thank Richard for his thoughtfulness and generosity. Lunch served at noon you must dine with us to enjoy the show Sponsored by Richard Siek.

The Meal Is $3 suggested contribution. Call for reservations (518) 463-2166. We are located on East and Herrick streets in Rensselaer NY.

Happy Birthday Jennie - May 24th

Please join the Rensselaer Senior Center on May 24th as we celebrate an amazing woman. Jeannie Carpinello has been a active member of our Center for decades. She was a part of the Rensselaer County Senior Center Rockettes and in the Yankee Doodle Entertainers and a Lifetime Achievement Awardee just to mention a few of her accomplishments. Jennie still dances with our line dancer’s on Tuesday and Wednesday. You would be amazed to see her on the dance floor kicking, tapping, and spinning to the beat. She notices when there is someone new trying the class and you will hear her say “ I’ll dance next to you just in case you need some help”.

Plan to join us on this “Special Day”. To describe her as amazing just doesn’t seem enough so let me add Astonishing, Outstanding, Stunning, Extraordinary, Incredible, Jaw Dropping Eye Opening, Phenomenal ETC … you get the drift. Luncheon menu will consist of Sausage, Peppers, and Onions w/ Pasta and special Birthday Cake. Music by The Young Winchesters. Make your reservation early at (518)463-2166. This will be a day you won’t forget. We are Located on East And Herrick Streets in Rensselaer. We are open 9am to 3pm Monday Through Friday. Looking forward to seeing you!

City of Rensselaer Events and Meetings

MAY 2023

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