I hope you all had a wonderful spring, and wish everyone the best for the upcoming summer season!

The Town of East Greenbush continues to be very busy on many fronts.  Bonding for our infrastructure improvements is nearly complete.  We were pleased to earn an A rating from Standard and Poors.  This enables us to move forward soon on a number of much needed projects.  Most important is the mandatory construction of new water tanks, needed to ensure both daily and emergency water supplies.  Improved sewer lines and meters will help guarantee the safety and security of our infrastructure.  Also, highway and road work will help meet the needs of new and existing developments in the town.

Recently, we have had positive news about redevelopment programs at Albany International, Weathervane, a possible Tech Valley High School, and smart growth projects that include single-family, town home, and senior housing.  Our talented staff has been successful in obtaining grant monies from a variety of state and private agencies.  We will continue to aggressively seek any sources of money that will benefit our town.

I would like to respond to a recent article by one of our town councilmen.  We have indeed been involved in on-going negotiations and protracted study of the purchase of the lands of Pheasant Hollow.  The chance to obtain more than 250 acres of green space, plus the very real potential for an additional 100 acres is one this community cannot ignore.  Recreational land/green space is rapidly disappearing.  It is true that 47 acres of the land is currently a golf course, and that we may find it possible to continue that use of the land.  The vast majority of the land, however, is perfect for the athletic parks, trails, and swimming facilities that all of our townspeople, including over 1500 of our children who play recreational sports, could enjoy.

The East Greenbush School District and the Town have a strong working relationship, sharing the Gilligan Road Sports Complex.  The ability to purchase 100 additional acres would allow us to develop a first class sport facility that provides a safe and positive atmosphere for our families, now and in the future.

I would like to express our gratitude for the contributions made by the East Greenbush Business Alliance in beautifying our community.  Also, my continuing thanks go to the DPW and police force.  As our community grows and prospers, so do our needs, and spring and summer bring added challenges.  As always, the doors of the Town Hall are open to you.  You can add to the progress we continue to make by working with your neighbors to amicably solve disputes so that we can continue to move forward together.

Respectfully submitted

Rick McCabe