Town of Glenville to host Winterfest

The Town of Glenville will host its 2011 Winterfest on
Saturday, February 5th, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
at Indian Meadows Park, 155 Droms Road.

Winterfest is an opportunity to get out and enjoy the park and its many natural features and recreational opportunities, including snowshoeing, ice skating (the rinks are in excellent shape), groomed x-country ski trails, and sledding.

Event participants will include: ECOS, the Environmental Clearinghouse, leading the public on nature walks for Wild Winter Edibles at 12, 1, and 2 PM; the Glenville Rotary providing refreshments; Freemans Bridge Sports, who will bring their trailer of winter sports equipment and give lessons and free trials of snowshoes, x-country skis and more; the Arnold Farm and friends, providing horse drawn sleigh rides through the park; All Seasons Equipment, bringing winter equipment including snowmobiles and snow blowers on display; Amateur Ham Radio Operators, providing information and participation in sending radiograms around the world; Park Planning Commission members teaching “geocaching,” a sport that combines geography, technology and treasure hunting; NYS Encon officers, providing information on the environment, fauna, and outdoor wood boilers, and more.

A campfire will burn throughout the day to warm the toes. Broomball games between the town and the East Glenville Fire department are confirmed, with additional teams to be determined.

Winterfest is held in cooperation with the Town of Glenville Park Planning Commission.

All events are free, and subject to weather and conditions on the day of the event.

Futile Words by Fans of Mohawk Ave & Diner

After news spread of a new 51 unit apartment project a number of concerned residents appealed to the Village Board at their monthly meeting.  Little had been known about this project until Nicole Stack, a popular waitress at Scotia Diner, created a Save the Diner and Mohawk Ave! on Facebook.

Unfortunately, before Mayor Kris Kastberg gave residents a turn to speak during “privilege of the floor” he squashed their hopes by announcing the project was already approved by the planning board and the Scotia Diner would be history. Nicole’s efforts came following the monthly meeting of the Village Planning board which had given the green light to developer Bruce Tanski.   Mayor Kastberg supports the project telling WRGB the lot has been “relatively rundown” since he moved here in 1982.

The Village Planning board meets on the first Monday of the month and as needed.
According to the official Village website. ”The Planning Board is a 5 member board charged with approving site plans, special use permits, and other developmental approvals. This board also writes developmental codes like architectural guidelines and sign ordinances. The Planning Board also participates in master planning for the Village. The two most common actions performed by this board are the special use permit and the site plan review. These tools insure that new development and construction meet Village guidelines and improve the area where the project is taking place.”

Minutes of meetings aren’t available immediately but can be found at http://www.villageofscotia.org/planning.htm

Nicole Stack came prepared with a wide variety of reasons why the board should consider all the regulars who frequent the Scotia Diner and why a large apartment project would diminish our quaint business district.

 

 

 

Scotia Diner, manager and cook Aristotle Kyratzis lets the board know how much he’s done to improve the building while the owner  has allowed his Scotia properties to decay.

According to Village officials they’re hoping Metroplex Authority can help the diner relocate since 12 people will be losing their job. See our previous article for a draft look at what our 51+ new neighbors will be living in.

Friends of Scotia Diner Protest new Apartment Project

For a number of years the Village of Scotia has been looking for a developer to find an appropriate use for the vacant corner of Mohawk Ave and South Ballston Ave.

It was once considered for a  hotel, a new Village Hall/Firehouse and recently a Rite Aid. The Village Planning Board was willing to accept a new Rite Aid if the drug company could design a building that met with their view of the village character. Rite Aid never did come up with the proper look and they backed out. Yay, Planning Board!

Now the owner of the property has proposed a 51 unit apartment building and the Village Planning Board has approved his plan. 

Architects rending of Scotia Apartments on Mohawk Avenue.

  Joseph M Metzger Architect, Albany NY

Unfortunately, one of the casualties of the apartment project will be the Scotia Diner which has served the village for generations. A grass roots movement was recently created on Facebook to “Save the Scotia Diner and Mohawk Ave.  The Facebook group is encouraging supporters to attend the Village Board Meeting this Tuesday,  January 11th, 2011 at 7 PM.  Mayor Kris Kastberg has gone on record as a supporter of the apartment project.

Click image to join.

Only four days old, the Facebook page continues to gain supporters who are sad to lose this local landmark. Many others are equally dismayed by the addition of a 51 unit rental property along the main entrance to our village. 

On December 5th, Scotia Diner showed their community spirit by hosting last months Ginger Bread House contest which is part of our annual Holiday on the Avenue celebration. Doing so they gave up space which could have been used by potentially new and old customers on this cold, busy night.

The Village Planning Board was provided the following information on the new apartment building.

The parcel is 1.7 acres and currently is divided into 7 lots. The parcel is zoned General Business.
The building will have a total of 51 units with 17 units per floor.
     First floor will have 8 one bedroom units and 9 two bedroom units.
     Second floor will have 5 one bedroom units and 12 two bedroom units.
     Third floor will have 5 one bedroom units and 12 two bedroom units.
The proposed building will be 45 feet high.
The apartments will have a blended red brick veneer on the portions of the 3 story areas of the building with the same brick and a complementing earth tone man made stone in alternating areas of the ground level areas of the façade.
The siding will be vinyl and in two colors, alternating between the architecture elements on the upper two stories of the façade. The siding colors will be earth toned clay and wicker.

The applicant’s architect has made efforts to provide a retail look 
to the façade facing Mohawk Avenue.
The storefront windows will be opaque transom panels and will give 
a commercial atmosphere to the Mohawk Avenue side of the building.
The awnings on the Mohawk Avenue side will be fabric in complementary color to the overall building pallet
The awnings will be fabric with a pipe frame and will be ornamental 
in nature

Decks and railings will be brown vinyl.
The proposed apartment building provides an elevator at the center 
bend portion of the L-shaped building.
There will be 60 parking spaces.
Snow storage will be plowed to the outer limits of the parking in 
most cases.  Excessive snow accumulations will be transported off-site.
Dumpster enclosures have been provided in the southeast portion of 
the property.

If you have your own opinion stop by Village Hall, 4 North Ten Broeck Street, on Tuesday at 7 PM.

Local Legend Jim Fisk leaves behind many smiles

The news today that Jim Fisk passed away brought back many great memories. Jim was best known for his time on the Freddie Freihofer Show shown daily on WRGB.

Click here for today video from channel 6.

Like many my age who grew up in the area I had the privilege of appearing on the local hit show and had my chance to squiggle.  Even today a memory hangs in our kitchen.

If you needed bread of other delicious Freihofer baked goods you would hang the sign in your window.  The sign let the delivery man know to stop his horse or truck at your house. This is a special keepsake that my wife Cindi knew was special to many of us.

If you click on the photo you can see the larger size and perhaps you can pick me out. I’m the naughty one with his hands on his ears and tongue sticking out.

After his television career on Freddie Freihofer Jim went on to create the local company JIMAPCO. You’ll notice the JIMAPCO logo on most of the maps used in our area.

While my thoughts today are mostly all the great memories I had of Freddie Freihofer they’re also with Jim’s family and friends.

Thanks Jim!

Bill Pytlovany

Pytlovany Selected for Town Board

Chris Koetzle. Supervisor, Town of Glenville  announced tonight that former Scotia Chief of Police, John C. Pytlovany will be appointed as the newest town board member.  Pytlovany will replace outgoing board member Mark A. Quinn who will be leaving the board on March 1st.

John C. Pytlovany

The life long resident of Village of Scotia and graduate of Scotia-Glenville High brings vast local knowledge and experience to the board.

Pytlovany started his police career with the Scotia Police Department in 1980. While working his way up through the ranks, he has served as a patrol officer, a youth aid officer, and a D.A.R.E. instructor.

John was appointed Chief in June of 1997 and has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Schenectady County Community College. John is a past exalted ruler of Scotia Glenville Elks Lodge #2759 and past president of Scotia Rotary.

He is a member of the International Association of Chief's of Police, The New York State Association of Chief's of Police and is the past President of the Northeastern Chief's of Police Conference. Pytlovany retired February 2010 after nearly 30 years on the Village of Scotia Police force.