MAJOR EVENTS OF 2001
IN THE
TOWN OF SARATOGA
VILLAGE OF SCHUYLERVILLE
AND
VILLAGE OF VICTORY
By
Thomas N. Wood, III
Historian
Town of Saratoga
Village of Schuylerville
Village of Victory
January
8 – The town of Saratoga Board approves the purchase Gradall machine for $29,000. Town board also discusses recent breakins at the youth center and the possibility of installing surveillance cameras. - The Town of Saratoga passes a resolution opposing the dredging of the Hudson River.
9 - The Village of Victory Board approved the purchase of a new fire truck for $149,874.
10 – The Schuylerville Village Board appoints Kevin Burch as the administrator of the Wastewater Treatment facility. Robert Nottke appointed as the librarian of the Schuylerville Village Library by the Village of Schuylerville Board. Debra Greeberg appointed as permanent school crossing guard. Terri Squires is appointed as cleaner at the Village offices and Schuylerville library.
29 – Republican Caucus in the Village of Victory was held George Sullivan and Agatha White are endorsed for Mayor and Trustee position respectively.
29 – Village of Schuylerville Republican caucus conducted and endorses John Sherman for Mayor and Daniel Blake for Trustee.
30 – Village of Victory Democratic Caucus conducted and endorses Stephen Pivonka for Mayor and Patti Jolie-Zotzmann for Trustee.
30 – Village of Schuylerville Democratic caucus conducted and endorses John Sherman for Mayor and Daniel Blake for Trustee.
February
5 – The Village of Schuylerville board meets and approves Katherine Grolley, Gertrude Hall, Jacinta Morris, and Susan Hughes as Election inspectors for the upcoming March 20th elections.
12 - Town of Saratoga Board passed a resolution opposing the use of Saratoga Lake as a water source for the City of Saratoga Springs.
13 Village of Schuylerville Village Board meets and approves fire contracts with the Town of Saratoga for $15,235.12 and with the Town of Easton for $1,300.00
22 - Bob Nottke presents a slide show on the presidents of the United States at the Schuylerville Public Library.
25 – David Nevins Fire Department conducts a breakfast buffet.
March
5-6 - Blizzard hits the area and drops over 12 inches of snow.
8 – Schuylerville Central School Board of Education presents their annual budget with a projected increase of 2.95% over last years budget.
11 – Village of Schuylerville holds monthly meeting and discusses consent order negotiations with the DEC regarding the operation of the waste water facility.
12 – Town of Saratoga Board meets and reviews the new proposed Comprehensive Master Plan. Rick Sullivan, Animal Control Officer submits his resignation effective
May 1.
14 – DEC approves the 2.3 million dollar Victory-Schuylerville Water Filtration Plant.
Tom Wood Historian presents annual report to the Village of Schuylerville.
15 - Freezing Rain hits the area and makes roads slippery.
20 – Elections for Mayor and Trustee are held in the Village of Victory and the Village of Schuylerville. In the Schuylerville Mayoral contest John Sherman defeated Kim Gamache by a vote of 306 to 95. In the Schuylerville Trustee race Daniel Blake defeated Ben Shaw by a vote of 293 to 91. In the Village of Victory Mayoral race George Sullivan defeated Stephen Pivonka by a vote of 95 to 36. In the Village of Victory trustee race Agatha White defeated Patti Jolie-Zotzmann by a vote of 94 to 37.
April
9 – The Town of Saratoga conducts their April meeting and discusses Farmland Protection Proposal on 151 acres within the town. The town board also approved proceeding with the re-evaluation of all properties within the town. The assessment of Erie Boulevard Hydroelectric, owner of the power generating turbine located on Fish Creek behind Broad street was reduced from $1,500,000 to $1,000.000.
11 – The Village of Schuylerville conducts a public hearing on the proposed budget for 2001- 02. The village pays an emergency payment of $4,500. To DEC for fines imposed regarding a sewer consent order. The village received state approval for the design of the water filtration plant.
16 – A public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the Town of Saratoga is conducted at 7:00 p.m. at the Schuylerville Central School Auditorium.
18 – The Schuylerville Public Library is purchasing new computers with the $18,000. Grant received from the Bill Gates Foundation. Internet service is being provided at no cost courtesy of Time Warner Cable.
23 – Village of Schuylerville adopts their annual budget of $636, 098.00. The property tax rate will increase from $8.34 to $8.67. per 1000 of assessment.
27 – Students and adults from the Adirondack School clean up trash and debris from the Old Champlain Canal from lock 5 to the Philip Schuyler House.
28 – 8th annual March For Parks is conducted at the Saratoga National Historical Park.
28 – Schuylerville Methodist Church conducts clothing drive.
29 – Open House is conducted at the Schuylerville Central School from 1 – 4 p.m. to show the results of the recently completed construction program.
May
9 – Village of Schuylerville Board approves Mark Wells Construction to install the wheelchair lift in the village office.
21- A second meeting on the Town of Saratoga Comprehensive Land use plan was held at the Quaker Springs Fire House.
25 Schuylerville Central School district residents vote on and approve the 21.5 million budget by a vote of 627 to 300. Michael Booth Sr. and Walter Hayes Jr. were elected to the School Board of Education.
Construction of new homes at Morgan’s Run and throughout the Town of Saratoga and Village of Victory continue.
June
11 - Town of Saratoga Board meets. Discussion on the location of the proposed new Town Office Building and a town wide referendum. The board approved a resolution opposing the siting of a PCB hazardous waste sediment treatment transfer facility by the EPA within the Town of Northumberland. The town board also passed a resolution requesting that the NYS DOT rescind a permit granted for the construction of two large billboard signs located on US Rt. 4 South of Schuylerville in the Village of Victory. The town received a grant of $70,000 for the improvement of Duell Road from the National Cemetery to Rt. 32. Discussion occurs regarding the use of Saratoga Lake as a source of Water for the City Of Saratoga Springs.
Ryan Talbot was chosen to attend Boys State from June 24 to June 30th.
13 – The Schuylerville Village Board approved a resolution to increase the number of trustees from two to four. This will be effective following the March 2002 elections. The board also approved Mayor John Sherman to sign an Inter-Municipal agreement between the Village of Schuylerville and the Village of Victory.
21 – A joint meeting is conducted between the Villages of Schuylerville and Victory to hear proposals on the new water filtration plant. LaBerge Engineering and Consulting Group was hired as the full service firm that will over see the construction of the Water filtration System. Veronica Wood is the new President of the Village of Schuylerville Library Board.
July
Village of Victory receives a Community Development Block Grant of $400,000. for low income village households to repair and make energy conservation improvements in their homes.
25- In honor of the featured race "The Schuylerville" an historical exhibit on the Village of Schuylerville was presented at the Opening Day of the Race Track.
25-26 The Schuylerville Garden Club conducted their annual Flower show at the American Legion. The theme was "Color Your World."
30 – Schuylerville Public Library held an open House to show the new computers that it had recently acquired.
August
2- The EPA in Washington DC approved the dredging of the upper Hudson River for PCBs.
5 – The seventh annual Turning Point Parade was conducted Sunday August 5th and started at 1:00 p.m. Ray Zerwick is named the Grand Marshall of the parade.
8 – Schuylerville Village Board meets and discusses appointment of back up waste water treatment plant employee. Matter is turned over to village attorney for review.
13 – Town of Saratoga Board meets and approved the purchase of a used 10 ton roller from McLaughlin for paving roads. The board authorized the posting of No Fishing signs on Bryants Bridge. A new two lane bridge is proposed to be built by the county in 2005. Board hears proposals from the General Schuyler Emergency Squad regarding providing 24/7 Advanced life Support services and from Jack Kelly of the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation regarding targeted economic development zones.
September
11 - Town of Saratoga Republican primary election is postponed due to terrorists attacks at the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon, and the airplane crash in Pennsylvania..
12 – Village of Schuylerville Board approves submission of a 2.1 million dollar loan from NYS for a water filtration plant.
15 & 16 Schuylerville area Chamber of Commerce sponsors Annual Town Wide Garage Sale.
17 –Schuylerville Central School District installs Distance Learning Lab.
22 – Saratoga County Veterans Monument Dedication program is conducted at the Saratoga National Cemetery. Thousands of guests attend. The program includes talks by Bishop Howard Hubbard, New York State Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue, Congressman John Sweeney, Chairperson of the County Board of Supervisors Anita Daly, and Town of Saratoga Supervisor Bob Hall. Schuylerville Central School Band plays music for the event and Annina Rabbit sings the National Anthem and America The Beautiful.
25 - Town of Saratoga Republican primary election is conducted.
Incumbent supervisor Robert Hall was challenged by Mario DiSiena. Supervisor Hall defeats Mario DiSiena by a 439 to 193 vote. Incumbent Town Councilmen Bruce Cornell and Michael McLoughlin were challenged by Byron Peregrim and Ronalee Myers. Bruce Cornell and Michael McLoughlin receive 361 and 302 votes respectively to defeat Ronalee Myers and Byron Peregrim who received 262 and 236 votes respectively
October
1 – New "In and Around Schuylerville walking/driving tour pamphlet" is developed and available at the Visitors Center.
6 – The 10 K Monument Challenge race organized by David Stokle. It is highly successful and over 150 contestants participate
9 – Town Board meets and discusses Comprehensive Land Use plan and hears report by the New York state Police on their continued plans to use an office provided by the Town and provide coverage for the Town.
10 – Schuylerville Village Board meets to review options regarding the contract on the joint water filtration plant. Village Board membership will not increase to five until the election of 2003.
13- Art Exhibit at Olympian Hall on Broad Street in Schuylerville is sponsored by David Stokle. The exhibit runs for four weekends and features many artits and photographers including Len Tantillo, Samuel Schuyler Jr, Michael Noonan, Martha Winston, Amy Geiling, Laura Walsh, and Richard Salls. Several bands entertained throughout the afternoon on Broad Street.
13 – Celebration conducted at Starks Knob from 1:00- to 2:00 p.m. Several speakers, exhibits, and reenactors participate in the program.
13- Candle light tour at the General Philip Schuyler House is sponsored by OSHA from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Friends of the Schuylerville Public Library conduct their fourth annual Anything Goes sale.
22 – Schuylerville Central School Board of Education Plans to go ahead with the purchase of 1.77 acres of land formerly the site of Hadley apartments.
26 – Former congressman Gearld Solomon dies.
28 – Seventh Annual Halloween Costume Contest is sponsored by the Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce. Program is held at the Visitors Center at 1:00 p.m.
28 – The Quaker Springs Fire Department and the Auxiliary held a hot and cold smorgasbord from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the fire house. Proceeds will benefit the families of the New York City Police and Firemen killed in the September 11 Terror event at the World Trade Towers.
November
1- League of Woman voters sponsors a Meet the Candidates night at 7:15 p.m. on November 1 at the American Legion on Clancy Street.
6 – Voters of the Town of Saratoga reelect incumbents: Town Supervisor -Robert Hall receives 864 votes and defeats Mario DeSiena who received 452 votes. In the Town Councilmen election - Bruce Cornell receives 782 votes and Mike McLaughlin receives 728 votes to win over Byron Peregrim with 449 votes and Ronalee Myers with 435 votes.
7 – George and Adele DeMers opens The Old Saratoga Trading Post Museum and Gift Shop on Spring Street on November 7th.
8 – At the November 8th meeting the Town Board approved a $1,628, 590. Budget for the 2002 year that will result in no tax increase. Two year Mutual aid fire contracts are approved for the David Nevins Fire Company for $5,895.24 and the Schuyler Hose Fire Company $16,778.76 per year. The town will purchase a 1.54 acre parcel next to the Town Garage for $10,000. Progress is well underway regarding the reassessment of all parcels within the town of Saratoga.
14 – Village board meets and approves initiation of arrangements to establish 40-year bonds for the construction of a water filtration system.
14 – Village of Schuylerville Board approves $2,500 toward the purchase of holiday decorations for the village, The Chamber of Commerce has also donated $350 toward the purchase of decorations. Lighted wreaths and banners will be displayed down Broad Street.
21 – Assemblyman Bobby D’Andrea announces his plans to retire in mid January. He served for 27 years
26 – Zoning Board of Appeals meets
December
7 - Tree lighting ceremony and Dutch Christmas program was conducted in the Village Park at 6:00 p.m. on December 7th. Residents walked down Broad Street carrying lanterns. Upon arrival at the park on lower Broad Street they sang Christmas Carols. Walter Grom, dressed as St. Nicholas, related the story of St. Nicholas. Following the program children were greeted by Santa Claus at the bank and treated to hot chocolate.
10 – Town of Saratoga Board conducts regular meeting on December 10th. Thomas Carringi, owner of the Point Breeze Marina on Saratoga Lake was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
16 - On Sunday December 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Schuylerville Methodist Church the community ecumenical choir sang to a full house.
17 – Village of Schuylerville meets and discusses issues related to water filtration plant.
20 – Town of Saratoga conducts public hearing to discuss the Comprehensive Plan.
24 & 27 Special holiday refuse pick up schedule is established for December 24th and 27th.
27 - The Town of Saratoga conducts their special end of the year meeting to remit all payments for bills for the end of the 2001-year.
Necrology of 2001
January
8 – Gerald M. "Bozo" Wescott, age 70 of Burgoyne Road died Monday January 8, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. He was born April 18, 1930 and was the son of Leo and Dorothy Wescott.
28 – Alice "Aunt Alice" Peterson, age 95, a former resident of Haas Road died Sunday January 28, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. She was born May 16, 1905 in the Town of Saratoga and was the daughter of Augustus Nelson and Lucy Larmon Peterson.
February
3- Alice Haren Morris age 91, formerly of Schuylerville died Saturday February 3, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. She was born February 12, 1909 in Greenwich and was the daughter of Frederick J. and Margaret Prendergast Haren. She taught 5th grade at Schuylerville Central School for 38 years.
March
6 – Hannah Lloyd age 83, a former resident of the Village of Schuylerville died at the Wesley Health Care Center on Tuesday, March 6. She was the daughter of Anthony and Violet Miller and was born October 25,1917 in Liverpool, England and grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
8 – Jane M. Willette, age 81, a former resident of Green Street in Schuylerville, died in the Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs on March 8, 2001. She was born on February 23, 1920 in Schuylerville and was the daughter of Harold and Lauretta McCarty Cromie.
17 – Helen M. Ahearn, a former resident of Pearl Street in Schuylerville, died on Saturday March 17, 2001 at the McClellen health Systems skilled Facility in Cambridge. She was the daughter of Christopher J. and Mary C. Miller.
24 – Margaret A. Fitch, age 84, a former resident of Schuylerville died Saturday March 24th at the Saratoga Hospital Nursing Home. She was born December 3, 1916 in Thompson, the daughter of Albert and Margaret Ward.
27 – Robert O. Hughes age 67, of Schuylerville died at the Saratoga Hospital on March 27, 2001. He was born August 16, 1933 in Schuylerville the son of Owen and Mary McLaughlin Hughes
April
2 – Robert E. Cootware age 67, formerly of Schuylerville died on Monday April 2, 2001 at Rutland Regional Medical Center. He was born November 12, 1933 in Grand Isle Vermont the son of Harry and Alice Bushway Cootware.
2 – Leona G. Perry age 59 of Victory Mills, died unexpectedly on Monday April 2, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. She was born November 13, 1941 in Hartland, Vermont and was the daughter of Stanley W. Manney and the late Margaret Sweet Manney of Victory Mills.
4 – Paul R. Watkins, age 47, a resident of Ferry Street in Schuylerville died on April 4, 2001 at his home after a long illness. He was born July 7, 1953 in Syracuse and was the son of Thomas and Mary Vermette Watkins.
6 – Jane G. Drew, age 69, of Pearl Street in Schuylerville, died Friday April 6, 2001, at the Saratoga Hospital. She was born September 4, 1931 in Easton and was the daughter of Bernard and Fannie Smith Grimes.
6 – Jannette West, 2 month baby daughter of Raymond and Samantha West of Victory died Friday, April 6, 2001. She was born February 6, 2001 in Saratoga Hospital
10 – Ernest F. Anderson, age 85, a resident of Bacon Hill died on Tuesday April 10, 2001 at the Indian River Nursing Home in Granville. He was born April 6, 1916 in Clemons and was the son of Peter and Bessie Chaplin Anderson.
16 – Albert J. Stoney Cook age 68 of Grange Hall Road died Sunday April 15, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. He was born March 22, 1933 the son of Albert and Helen Lant Cook.
22 – Beatrice E. Goman, age 83, of Schuylerville died.
25 – Margaret Brown, age 99, of Schuylerville died Wednesday April 25, 2001 at her home on North Broad Street. She was born December 10, 1901 in Thompson, the daughter of Michael and Mary Collins Skelly
May
6 – Barbara A. Horsefield, age 82, a former resident of Schuylerville died Sunday May 6, 2001 at the Maplewood Manor Nursing Home in Ballston Spa. She was born December 18, 1918 in Worchester, Massachuesetts, and was the daughter of Edward and Mary McMahon Jackson.
6- Dorothy H. Dickenson age 90 of Glens Falls and Born in Schuylerville died Sunday May 6, 2001 at the Glens Falls Hospital. She was born November 15, 1910 in Schuylerville the daughter of Amos and Ann Whipple Harrington.
12 – Dennis J. Sullivan age 100, of Schuylerville died Saturday May 12, 2001 at the Wesley health care facility in Saratoga Springs. He was born may 7, 1901 in New York City the son of Patrick and Mary Reiddi Sullivan.
30 – Helen M. Signor, age 84, formerly of Schuylerville died.
June
4 – Shirley C. Sutliff, age 55, of Schuylerville died.
5 – Evelyn Jeffords, age 71, of Schuylerville died.
10 – Hazel L. Hibbert age 84, a resident of county road 68 died Sunday June 10, 2001 at Saratoga Hospital. She was born November 11, 1916 in Harpersville, NY the daughter of William and Edith Bowker Nichols Sr
20- John Miner Wood, age 86, a resident of Saratoga Street in Schuylerville died Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. He was born September 22, 1914 in Schuylerville and was the son of George Henry and Phelena Miner Wood.
20 - Raymond L. Weatherwax SR., age 58, died Wednesday June 20, 2001 at the Hoosick Falls Health Center. He was born July 14, 1942 in Cambridge, NY and was the son of Charles and Blanche Darling Weatherwax.
July
1 – Marcia Dickenson, age 86, of Victory died.11 – Philip Brown age 96, a former resident of Schuylerville died Wednesday July 11, 2001 at the Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady. He was born July 8, 1905 in Northumberland and was the son of Thomas and Elvinas LeCuyer Brown.
11 – Philip Brown, age 96, of Schuylerville died.
19 – Ethel Inez Hagaasen, age 78, of Schuylerville died.
22 – John M. Galcik, age 88, of Grangerville died.
30 – James Louis Spiezio, age 84, of RT. 29 in Schuylerville died Monday July 30, 2001 after a long illness. He was born August 31, 1916 in Middle falls, NY and was the son of Philip and Mary Cofrancisco Spiezio.
August
18 – Joseph John Nevins, age 71, of Wall Street Road in the Town of Saratoga died in the Glens Falls Hospital Wednesday, August 18, 2001. He was born May 6, 1930 in Easton and was the son of Frank and Nina Harwood Nevins.
24 – Howard E. Hopkins, age 52, former resident of the village of Schuylerville died August 24, 2001. He was born February 8, 1949 and was the son of Howard E. Hopkins Sr. and Regina Whittaker Hopkins.
September
4- Theora W. Schroll, age 73, of Schuylerville died Tuesday September 4, 2001 at the Glens Falls Hospital. She was born May 19, 1928 in Greenwich and was the daughter of Roland and Bessie Robinson Stewart.
6 – John Joseph Petralia age 82, formerly of Schuylerville died in Saratoga Springs.
15 – Frank "Whitey" M. Muzikar SR Age 63, of Schuylerville died Saturday, September 15, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. He was born November 5, 1937 and was the son of Frank and Lillian Pearson Muzikar.
19 – Frank Muzikar, age 86, of Schuylerville died.
30- Vera E. Wolcott, age 92, of Schuylerville died Sunday September 30, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. She was born May 25, 1909 in Oriskany Falls and was the daughter of Harry and Amelia Swanson Wolcott.
October
11 – Raymond T. Zipfall, age 69, of Schuylerville died.
12 – Concettina M. Guard, age 92, formerly of Schuylerville died Friday October 12, 2001 at the Saratoga Hospital. She was born November 30, 1908 in Italy the daughter of Dominick and Antoinetta Fogerite Iarossi.
26 – Former Congressman Gerald B. Solomon. age 71, died October 26 of congestive heart failure. He was born in Okeechobee, Florida. He was the congressman from the 22nd congressional district representing the Town of Saratoga residents for 20 years from 1978 to 1998. He was instrumental in acquiring the funds for the restoration of the Saratoga Monument and locating and establishing the Saratoga National Cemetery within the Town of Saratoga. He was buried in the Saratoga National Cemetery.
26 - Helen F. Nevins, age 78, of Schuylerville died on October 26 at the Saratoga Hospital Nursing Home. She was born February 20, 1923 in the Town of Saratoga. She was the daughter of Edward and Helen Jackson Nevins and was a lifelong resident of the Schuylerville area.
30 – Katherine Regina Hopkins, age 44, music teacher at Schuylerville central School and resident of Saratoga Springs died October 30 at Saratoga Hospital. She was born May 27, 1957 in Cambridge and was the daughter of Thomas and Eva Nadeau Hopkins.
November
10 – Henry G. Wilson age 75, died on November 10 at the Wesley health care center in Saratoga. He was born March 24, 1926 in Smithville the son of Elmer and Amy Etta Germain Wilson. He was a lifelong resident of Schuylerville.
12 - Timothy Allen "Bo" Male age 37 of Gates Ave Victory Mills died unexpectedly on November 12 at Saratoga Hospital. He was born December 31, 1963 in Schenectady and was the son of Walter and Catherine Kniskern Male.
14 – Alma R. Periard, age 87, of Victory Mills died.
15- Micah I. Cramer, age 19, of Schuylerville died.
26 - Nicholas P. Sciurba, age 52 of Schuylervile died unexpectedly at his resident on Broad Street. He was born June 15, 1949 in the Saratoga Hospital, the son of Nicholas J. and Laura Corsetti Sciurba.
28 – M. Elaine Cromie, age 80, a former resident of Cemetery Road in Victory died November 28 at the Hallmark Nursing Home in Granville. She was born March 24, 1921 in Saratoga Springs and was the daughter of Albert Mickey Cromie and Mary Currier Cromie.
December
1 - Daniel Barrett, age 89, died December 1, 2001 in the Saratoga Hospital following an extended illness. He was born June 3, 1912 the son of John A. and Anna (McCarty) Barrett.
25 – Marie B. Derby age 82, of Minnie Bennett Road, died Tuesday, December 25, 2001 at the McClellen Skilled Facility in Cambridge. She was born October 21, 1919 in the Town of Saratoga and was the daughter of Philip and Marie LaPierre Thivierge.