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!