McKownville Improvement Association
- Announcements 2021
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This page includes content and/or links to pages of announcement
emails sent to subscribers by the Association in 2021. [Recent announcements]
27 December 2021 - Kn95 masks and Covid-19 home testing kits
*Update* - All Covid-19 test kits that were made available
to Guilderland residents have been distributed.
Please click on [link removed] for the most recent update. I will
update you when I receive further information regarding test kits
and masks.
You may also want to check the Town's website from
time to time for the most current information
------------
County Legislator Mickey Cleary just let me know that the Town of
Guilderland has a limited supply of Kn95 masks and Covid-19 tests
available for for pick-up today, December 27, from 1-4, and Tuesday,
December 28, from 10-4. The items may be picked up at EMS Station
One, 200 Centre Drive, adjacent to the Westmere Fire House. Proof of
Guilderland residency is required in order to receive a test kit.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
26 December 2021 - Tree removal on the
University at Albany campus
Several neighbors have noted the removal of a large number of mature
trees on the UAlbany campus. Luke Rumsey, Interim Director of
Community Relations at the University, responded to my request for
information. A total of 120 trees are being removed to make
way for the CDTA Bus Rapid Transit line that will run through
campus. All of the trees will be replaced, and a total of 230
trees will be planted on the campus over the next year.
For further information about the project please click on this
link.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
15 December 2021 - McKownville-Country Club
Highlands Historic District approved by the New York State Board
of Historic Preservation
Dear McKownville neighbors: The officers and board of the
McKownville Improvement Association are very pleased to announce
that the proposal to establish a Historic District for the Country
Club Highlands residential area was approved on the 9th of December
by the New York State Board of Historic Preservation. Our Historic
District is now listed on the New York State
Register of Historic Places, and the nomination will be
forwarded to the National Park Service for review in the near future
for listing on the National Register.
McKownville-Country Club Highlands is the area on the north side of
Western Avenue between Fuller Road and Waverly Place, bounded to the
north by the old Corporation line, and contains 94 contributing
houses built between 1910 and 1952. In addition to properties along
Western Avenue, Waverly Place and portions of Norwood, Glenwood,
Parkwood and Elmwood Streets are included in the district. [see this
map of the Historic District]
Eligibility for McKownville-Country Club Highlands Historic District
particularly depended on the integrity of most of the houses in the
District, and the development as a whole, to the original
architecture and subdivision design. This residential integrity,
especially for the houses fronting on Western Avenue, has been
retained, despite episodes of attempted commercial encroachment
during the 1960-1990 interval, by the sustained efforts of residents
and the McKownville Improvement Association.
The Country Club Highlands comprises only a small part of
McKownville, which as a whole remains
a residential neighborhood, with 87% of the land occupied for
non-commercial uses. We look forward to the inclusion of additional
parts of McKownville into an enlarged Historic District, and to
continuing to work with the New
York State Office of Historic Preservation (SHPO) to achieve
this goal. We would like to extend our thanks to SHPO staff members
Bill Krattinger and James Carter for all of their hard work and
guidance toward making the McKownville-Country Club Highlands
Historic District a reality. We were encouraged and supported
throughout the process by our elected officials.
Much gratitude is due also to the efforts of many past and present
residents of McKownville who have worked hard to preserve the
special character of our neighborhood, and to our resident
volunteers who spent countless hours researching the area's history
and architectural development, and providing photographs of all of
the buildings in the District. Without them, the McKownville-Country
Club Highlands Historic District would not exist today.
For much more information about the history of McKownville, please
explore the History, and Neighborhood sections of our
website. See this page for more
information on our Historic District proposal and the approval
and review process.
Best wishes, Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement
Association
19 November 2021 - McKownville Improvement
Association 18 November online meeting summary
Outgoing Town Board member Patricia Slavick
announced that the Board will hold a public hearing today at noon to
consider proposed funding to improve our water district, including
installation of a greensand filtration system at the Town's three
drinking water wells.
Councilwoman Slavick and Councilman Paul Pastore were present for
the last MIA meeting that they will attend in their official
capacities. They expressed appreciation for the work of the
McKownville Improvement Association, and we thanked them for their
years of service to Guilderland residents. However, they
assured us that they plan to remain engaged with the community, and
we look forward to seeing them in the future.
Biagio DelVillano, representing Delaware
Engineering, updated us on the stormwater drainage improvement
project. Except for a short piece at the end of Mercer Street,
storm drain piping is installed under all streets west of Fuller
Road, and on Waverly Place and Knowles Terrace. Bids will be
solicited in February or March for installing the storm water pipes
under Elmwood, Parkwood, Glenwood and Norwood Streets, and we may
expect the work to begin in May. When the work is completed
the Town will repave the streets.
Albany County Legislator Mickey Cleary spoke about how
the Legislature has been functioning during the pandemic.
Among other activities, the Legislature has allocated $500,000 for
small grants for local businesses. To date, 132 grants in
amounts up to $5,000 have been issued. Of those, nine business
are located in Guilderland, one of them in McKownville. The
Albany County Sheriff's Office call center in Clarksville is
undergoing a major upgrade, and major improvements have been made at
the County nursing home. Several other County funded
construction projects are planned or underway. Mickey
encourages you to reach out to him by emailing him at
[mickeycleary1@gmail.com], or by calling him at (518) 858-2200.
Yesterday afternoon, an additional speaker was
added to the agenda. For the past several years, Nellie Goutos
and her husband have hosted international students through the OvECS
Homestay Program. Most of the students are already conversant
in English, and they come here to improve their skills through an
intensive language program at the University at Albany. The
courses are given in two 8 week segments, and most students stay for
the full 16 weeks. There is also a 4 week program for teachers
from other countries to study here. The program provides an
excellent opportunity for host families and students alike to get to
know one another and experience another culture. Some
compensation is paid to the host families.
For more information, click on the following link: https://azhomestay.com/#host
For information specific to hosting a homestay for international
students who will take part in the program at Albany, you may
contact Nellie and Greg Goutos at [myalbanyhomestay@gmail.com].
To close off the meeting, Martha Harausz provided
a treasurer's report. Our current balance is $603.35.
Our next meeting will take place in March 2022. We hope that
by then will will be able to meet at the Hampton Inn!
Best wishes, Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement
Association
30 October 2021 - McKownville Fire Department annual Halloween
party
Dear McKownville neighbors: The McKownville Fire Department will
host its annual Halloween party tomorrow, October 31, from 4-7
pm. All neighborhood children are invited to join
in the fun. Due to Covid-19, most activities will take place
in the parking lot at 1250 Western Avenue, but the inside of the
firehouse will be open for warming, and for viewing a
Halloween-themed movie. Bring your children, grandchildren, neices
and nephews!
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
15 October 2021 - SUNY Albany events, one of them educational
1. This weekend is Homecoming, and kickoff time for Saturday's
football game against Villanova is at 3:30 pm. Tailgating in
the Dutch Quad and SEFCU Arena parking lots will end 15 minutes
prior to gametime, and will resume for up to 90 minutes post-game.
Neighbors are invited to tailgate!
2. On Sunday evening, a concert will be held at the SEFCU Arena from
6-10pm. Seating will be at approximately 2/3 capacity.
3. On Tuesday, Oct. 19, President Havidan Rodriguez will interview
state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins as part of the
University's Leading Questions conversation series. The event
is free and will take place via Zoom. Registration is required
[link removed].
4. On Sunday, Oct. 24, the UAlbany men's basketball team is hosting
a children's Halloween costume/trick or treat party from 2:00 to
4:00 p.m. at the SEFCU Arena. The event is free but advance
registration is required [link removed].
message from Jordan Carleo-Evangelist, Director, Media &
Community Relations
8 October 2021 - McKownville Volunteer Fire
Department boot fundraising drive
Please be advised that the McKownville Volunteer Fire Department is
planning to hold a boot drive on Saturday, October 16th, from 11am
to 1.30pm.
The boot drive will be held at the intersection of Western Ave
(Route 20) and Fuller Road. We hope to see you there!
Your support goes directly towards helping recruit and retain new
volunteer members, who are needed to sustain the high level of the
service you expect in our community; open houses; and other
neighborhood engagement events, such as the annual children's
Halloween party and fire-truck-riding Santa.
Thank you for your continued support of the McKownville Volunteer
Fire Department!
message from Ben Westerman, Fundraising Committee Co-Chair,
McKownville Fire Department
6 October 2021 - Guilderland Central School
District $M2.8 Capital Improvement Project Vote
Dear McKownville neighbors: Please be aware that this Thursday,
October 7, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Guilderland Central
School District's $2.800,000 Capital Improvement Project will be put
before voters for approval or disapproval. Voting will take
place at the five elementary schools, and you must vote at the
school located within your designated Zone.
A great deal of information is available on the GSD website,
including details of the budget, a section with answers to
frequently asked questions, and a "Thought Exchange". Here is
a link to the website: https://www.guilderlandschools.org/capital-construction-project/
An item that has generated a wide variety of opinions in the Altamont Enterprise,
and that is addressed in the FAQs section of the GSD website, is the
proposed installation of a synthetic turf athletic field.
I hope that you will take the opportunity to inform yourselves on
the proposal and that there will be a good voter turnout on
Thursday.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
1 October 2021 - Household Hazardous Waste
Disposal Day
Tomorrow, October 2, from 8:00 to 2:00, the Town will hold its
autumn Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day. Town Supervisor
Peter Barber would like to remind residents that no one will be
admitted before 8:00 a.m., and there is no need to arrive
early. When I participate, I usually arrive in the early
afternoon and there never seems to be a wait at that time.
Please click on the following link for full details:
https://www.townofguilderland.org/transfer-station/events/79776
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
30 September 2021 - Altamont Enterprise
forum for Town Board candidates
Dear McKownville neighbors: The Altamont Enterprise plans to present
a live forum for candidates running for positions on the Guilderland
Town Board.
To submit a question for the candidates, please fill out the form
found here:
https://altamontenterprise.com/09232021/citizens-agenda?fbclid=IwAR2wPlW9KUNHcfl8L2qQ8llQg8AG5rjFEjW40e3WaeTWX-bMlnTdiIa-6r4
The most commonly submitted questions will be asked of the
candidates.
*Update* The candidates forum for Town Board seats hosted by the
Altamont Enterprise will begin at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, October 2nd.
As I understand it, If you submit a question for the candidates you
will receive a link via email so that you may attend the live
event. If you sign up for newsletters from the Enterprise, you
will be able to watch the video later on.
**2nd Update** If you would like to view the Altamont Enterprise
candidates forum that was held on October 2, click on this link:
https://altamontenterprise.com/09232021/guilderland-candidates-share-their-views-live-forum
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
21 September 2021 - Historic district update
and Meeting on September 23rd at 7:00 pm
Dear McKownville neighbors: The September 14th meeting regarding the
proposed "McKownville-Country Club Highlands" historic district was
attended by 33 people, including our two hosts from the New York
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Questions about the
nomination and listing process, and the implications of historic
district status, were asked and answered. SHPO staff created a
very interesting and informative presentation that is now posted on
this website. It is well worth a look; please click
on this link to view it.
For additional information, please plan to attend our Association
meeting this Thursday, September 23rd. Also on the agenda, we
will hear from Town Supervisor Peter Barber about Town business, and
from Biagio DelVillano from Delaware Engineering regarding the storm
water drainage improvement project. The evening will end with an
election of officers and three board members followed by a period
for open discussion. A file linked from the Meetings page containing
information for access to the meeting will be posted Thursday
morning.
Best wishes, Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement
Association
11 September 2021 - SUNY Albany event notification
Dear campus neighbors; There are two portions of the first home
football game program that I wanted to be sure you were aware of in
advance:
Pre-game fly-over: At approximately 6:53 p.m., a World War ll-era
plane will fly over Casey Stadium to honor two WWll veterans who
will be serving as honorary team captains during the pre-game coin
flip. Please know that this fly-over is being coordinated with the
FAA.
Halftime fireworks: There will be a brief (approx. six minutes)
fireworks display at halftime - likely around 8:15 p.m.
message from Jordan Carleo-Evangelist, Director, Media &
Community Relations
3 September 2021 - Online public meeting 14
September on proposed McKownville historic district
Dear McKownville neighbors: As many of you know, the McKownville
Improvement Association has been working with the New York State
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to establish a historic
district within a portion of our neighborhood. SHPO is hosting
the public meeting, and will provide information regarding the
nomination process, answer questions, and explain the advantages of
listing the district on the State and National Registers of Historic
Places. If approved, the district will be called "McKownville-Country
Club Highlands Historic District", and will include the
following addresses:
1421-1461 Western Avenue (north side only), 1-13 Waverly Place, 1-17
and 19 Norwood Street (#18 is not located within the proposed
district),
1-18 Glenwood Street, 1-25 Parkwood Street, 1-22 Elmwood Street.
The proposed historic district comprises the properties built within
the 1912 "Country Club Highlands" subdivision. Over the next
few days, a more detailed meeting announcement will be delivered to
the addresses listed above, along with instructions for joining the
September 14th meeting.
On the morning of the meeting, a live link will be emailed to
subscribers, and also in a file to be posted on the Meetings page on this
website.
A great deal of work has been done by both SHPO staff and volunteers
from our neighborhood to bring us so close to our goal of
establishing the historic district.
If you live within the proposed district I very much hope that you
will attend this meeting. Other interested parties are welcome
to attend as well.
Best wishes, Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement
Association
5 August 2021 - McKownville Fire Department
wetdown celebration
Dear McKownville neighbors: At noon this Saturday, August 7th,
the McKownville Fire Department will be joined by neighboring
volunteer departments for a dedication and wetdown of MCKFD's
recently acquired light rescue truck. The event will take place
behind Stuyvesant Plaza, in front of Stuyvesant Tower at Executive
Park. All are invited to join the celebration, which is sure
to be a memorable and enjoyable time for all.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
14 June 2021 - Lawn restorations of gas pipe
excavations
Weather permitting, the contractor for National Grid expects to
complete the lawn restorations on Waverly Place and Knowles Terrace
by the end of this week.
In my last email on this subject I included the email addresses for
several National Grid employees, along with the number for the
customer service telephone line. Please note that today I was
reminded that all concerns and complaints should be directed only to
the customer service line: 1 (800) 642-4272
Although it can feel as though calls to this number fall into an
abyss, I have been assured that, in fact, the messages are received
by the proper National Grid personnel.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
12 June 2021 - Democratic Primary Candidate
Forum; early voting information
Dear McKownville Neighbors: Democratic Primary Day is Tuesday, June
22. Please see below for relevant information.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
Democratic Primary Candidate Forum:
At 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, the Albany County League of
Women Voters will host an online forum for the four candidates who
are on the ballot for the Guilderland Town Board: are Amanda Beedle,
Kevin McDonald, Christine Napierski, and Paul
Pastore. Questions for the candidates must be
submitted no later than Monday, June 14.
Please follow these links to register to attend the forum [link
removed]
and to submit questions for the candidates [link removed]
Early voting for the June 22 Democratic Primary begins on Saturday,
June 12. Information on voting dates and hours can be
found here:
https://www.lwvalbany.org/index.html
Early voting sites may be found here:
https://voterlookup.elections.ny.go
19 May 2021 - May 20th meeting
Dear McKownville Neighbors: Please join us tomorrow evening
beginning at 7:00 p.m. for our last online meeting before we break
for the summer.
Senator Michelle Hinchey will speak about her first term as a member
of the New York State legislature, and answer questions from the
audience.
James Carter from the State Historic Preservation Office will update
us on the status of the National Register nomination for listing a
portion of McKownville as a historic district. Town Supervisor Peter
Barber will tell us about the Town’s continuing response to
COVID-19, and improvements to parks, sidewalks, and the Carman
Road/Lydius Street roundabout; and representatives from National
Grid and Delaware Engineering will update us on the gas line
replacement and storm water projects. Access information to the
online meeting is available through a link on the Meetings page.
12 May 2021 - message from SUNYA Director of
Media & Community Relations about graduation arrangements
In summary: Commencement will take place at Casey Stadium over
seven days starting this coming Saturday, May 15 through May
21. There will be a steady flow of traffic on and off campus and in
the area of Casey Stadium for much of next week. There also may be
noise associated with the activity at the stadium.
Jordan Carleo-Evangelist's full message to campus neighbors: [pdf file].
University at Albany website commencement page [link removed].
2 May 2021 - Update on McKownville storm
water improvement project
Dear McKownville Neighbors: Delaware Engineering has provided an
update on the McKownville stormwater improvement project, and it is
posted on our website. Briefly, the installation of the
drinking water lines is 100% complete. As of 2020, the storm
water work was 25% complete. The remaining 75% of the storm water
work is projected to be completed during the 2022 construction
season, after National Grid has finished installing the new gas
lines and provided Delaware Engineering with as-built drawings.
These drawings should prevent delays similar to those that took
place last year when Delaware Engineering's contractor encountered
many previously unmapped and mismarked gas lines. Additional
information regarding the storm water project is posted
on the Town's website and on the Projects page of our website.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
13 April 2021 - April 14th meeting
Dear McKownville neighbors: I hope you will be able to join our
online meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April
14th. Representatives from National Grid will update us on the
progress of the gas main replacement project; Guilderland Town
Supervisor Peter Barber has some announcements to share with us; and
members of the McKownville Fire Department will tell us about the
search for an alternate site and/or possibilities for upgrading the
current structure to suit the department's needs.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
8 April 2021 - upcoming Guilderland EMS Covid-19
vaccination opportunity
Dear McKownville neighbors: Town Supervisor Peter Barber asked
me to share information regarding the next COVID-19 vaccination
clinic, scheduled for Monday, April 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. The clinic will be held at EMS Station 1, 200 Centre
Drive, adjacent to the Westmere Fire Department.
350 first doses of the Moderna vaccine will be available; second
doses will be provided on Monday, May 10th.
EMS vaccinators will also deliver doses to homebound
residents. Any person who is 18 years or older is eligible.
For full details and directions to sign up for an appointment, click
on this link [link removed].
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
1 April 2021 - another Guilderland EMS Covid-19
vaccination opportunity
Dear McKownville Neighbors: This Monday, April 5th, 200 first doses
of COVID-19 vaccines will be administered by appointment only at
Guilderland EMS Station 1, 200 Centre Drive, adjacent to the
Westmere Fire Department. Participants must be pre-registered.
Please click on this link to register [link removed], and for full
details about the event.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
30 March 2021 - Household hazardous waste
collection day
Dear McKownville neighbors:
This Saturday, April 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Town
Highway Department will conduct a Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Day.
You do not need to register in order to participate, but you must
show proof of Guilderland residency.
pdf file which includes more details [link removed], on the Town of
Guilderland website
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
23 March 2021 - gas main and lateral pipe
replacement update from National Grid
Western Ave main has been completed and energized with the Medium
Pressure gas today. We still have 120 feet of gas main to run west
of Elmwood to Fuller Road for our final tie in. This will begin
tomorrow Wednesday.
Parkwood St was energized today also with Medium Pressure gas.
Parkwood house connections will start tomorrow Wednesday.
All house connections are done by appointment. When Parkwood St is
completed we will move east one street at a time.
Waverly Place and Knowles Terrace services have been prepped to be
upgraded to Medium Pressure.
Elmwood houses are already connected to the Medium Pressure main and
the old Low Pressure piping will be retired soon.
Repaving restoration work to excavations made in paved parts of the
streets will occur soon; restoration and reseeding of soil areas
will be done after the house connections are completed. Restoration
of sidewalks disturbed by this project will be like-for like;
asphalt where it was asphalt, concrete slab where it was concrete
before.
The project, including restorations, is planned to be completed in
May. [update from Michael Bates, National Grid]
18 March 2021 - Covid-19 vaccine opportunity
for homebound residents
message from Town Supervisor Peter Barber: "The Town EMS received
today from County DOH a reallocation of 95 doses of Johnson &
Johnson, the one shot vaccine, for administering to homebound
residents. If you are, care for, or are aware of a homebound
person, please send an email, with contact information, to <email
removed> or call EMS's vaccine program at (518) 579-3737 for more
information about eligibility and appointments. EMS trained
vaccinators will administer the vaccine at the homebound person's
residence. Please note that we expect to exhaust this
allotment and will maintain a record of names and contact
information for future vaccine allocations."
9 March 2021 - gas pipe replacement update
from National Grid
All replacement mains have been installed on Elmwood, Parkwood,
Glenwood and Norwood Streets.
Preparation for the main service upgrade on Waverly Place and
Knowles Terrace will begin in about one week after our work on
Norwood is completed.
The new service installations are also going fine:
Elmwood St - all services are completed and the old main needs to be
retired.
Parkwood St and Glenwood St - all new service laterals are
completed.
Norwood St - new service lateral replacements started on Friday.
For Parkwood, Glenwood, and Norwood, once there is gas on the new
main we will return to complete the tie overs and pipefitting.
A reminder to everyone affected: the service transfers to the new
main will be done by appointment. Interruption of gas supply to do
the fitting is brief, typically about an hour or less for each
house.
The Western Avenue main installation is much more complex but is
moving in the right direction. All replacement mains will be
installed from Elmwood Street through Knowles Terrace by Wednesday
of this week. We will then continue moving east towards the
SUNYA entrance. We still have work to complete west of Elmwood
Street towards Fuller Road due to some design conflicts. We also
need to return to install the road crossings at Parkwood and
Western, and Norwood and Western. We are currently working on that
corridor with the Town of Guilderland and State DOT.
I also want to thank the residents for their cooperation during this
construction. It is appreciated.
Michael Bates, National Grid
6 March 2021 - additional Beltrone Center
vaccination event
Dear McKownville Neighbors: Due to an overwhelming demand, Colonie
Senior Services Center is scheduling an additional Community
Covid-19 vaccine clinic for Wednesday, March 10, from Noon to 4:00
pm for those 65 or older. The event will be held at: The
Beltrone Living Center, 6 Winners Circle, Colonie 12205
For further information, call (518) 459-2857, ext. 304.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
5 March 2021 - Covid-19 vaccination
opportunity
Dear McKownville Neighbors: I am very pleased to let you know of a
new opportunity for eligible participants over the age of 65 to
receive the Covid-19 vaccine. On Monday, March 8, between 10:00 a.m.
and 12 noon, the Albany County Sherrif's Office and the Guilderland
EMS Department will partner in conducting a vaccination clinic at
EMS Station 1, located at 200 Centre Drive, to the rear of the
Westmere Fire Department building. Please note that participants
MUST pre-register. For further information about the clinic and how
you may pre-register please click on the following link: [link
removed]
Particpants must pre-register by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March
7th. However, vaccine supply is limited and I suggest that you
contact the Town of Guilderland to pre-register as soon as
possible. *Update: All appointments have been filled, but
vaccination events here may occur in coming weeks.*
Best wishes, Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement
Association
4 March 2021 - Covid-19 vaccination
opportunities
Dear McKownville Neighbors: As of this afternoon the Beltrone Center
in Colonie had openings for any seniors (65 and up) to
schedule Covid-19 vaccines at an event that will take place this
Saturday. Colonie residency is not required. For further
details, call the Beltrone Center at (518) 459-2857. This
could be an excellent opportunity for people with limited or no
access to a computer so please share this information accordingly.
Also, over the past few days I have noticed that local CVS and
Hannaford pharmacies are scheduling increasing numbers of
appointments for vaccines to be administered to those eligible (over
65's). Appointment openings can change throughout the day so
persistence can really pay off here. As you know, there are
several other options, but here are links to the CVS and Hannaford
websites. [links removed]
Best wishes, Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement
Association
16 February 2021 - March 18th meeting
Our first Association meeting of
2021 will be held on Thursday, March 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m. For
the time being we will continue to hold the meetings online.
Details will be delivered to your door and via email a few days
ahead of the meeting.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
16 February 2021 - gas pipes installation
update from National Grid
From Mike Bates at National Grid: "The weather has been challenging
but we are putting our best effort into completing this work as
efficiently as possible. We also appreciate the neighborhood's
willingness to work with us. Here is an update on each street:
Elmwood - The new gas main has been installed and all new service
laterals have been completed. There are still a few meter
hookups to the new main that need to be completed before the old
main can be retired.
Parkwood - The new gas main has been installed and the crews are
currently at work running the new service laterals.
Glenwood - The new gas main has been installed. The crews will
start the new service laterals after the service laterals on
Parkwood are completed. Approximately 1-2 weeks, weather
permitting.
Norwood - The new gas main installation should be completed by
week's end weather permitting.
Western Avenue: We have started our main installation.
This will be a slow process due to State Permit Conditions and a
tight corridor to work in. We are working from west to
east. We are through the intersection of Elmwood heading
towards Parkwood.
We will update you on the other two streets on this project as the
winter calms down and the weather breaks."
25 January 2021 - gas main installation
update - Glenwood St and Western Avenue
Dear McKownville Neighbors: Tom Bates, project inspector for
National Grid, has let me know that AGI crews will start working on
Glenwood Street this Tuesday, January 26, and the Western Avenue
portion of the project is scheduled to commence on Monday, February
1, weather permitting.
If you have questions about the project, please email Tom Bates at:
<email removed>
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
21 January 2021 - gas main installation
update from National Grid
"The main installation on Elmwood should be completed Friday by the
main crew. We plan on energizing the new main early next week.
Once that is completed we will start running new service laterals to
each house with service crews. This will involve a conversation with
each homeowner to discuss location and other options. After
the service lateral is installed an appointment will be made with
each homeowner to discuss location and other options. After
the service lateral is installed an appointment will be made with
the homeowner to transfer their meter to the new main. It's
important to remember the meter transfer is done by appointment with
the customer. This main installation crew will then move to
Glenwood Street.
The main installation on Parkwood is also going fine. We plan
to continue the installation of the new gas main on the street all
of next week and into the first week of February before it is
completed. This timeframe is weather permitting."
20 January 2021 - Placement of new gas mains
and the street trees
Dear McKownville Neighbors: Until the commencement of the gas main
replacement project that is now underway on Elmwood and Parkwood
Streets, it was our understanding that the new lines would be
installed under the paved areas of the streets. It was,
therefore, an unpleasant surprise when over the past two days
Natioinal Grid's subcontractor (AGI) began to excavate along the
tree lines, severing roots from all of the trees passed in the
course of the work to that time.
On Tuesday morning we met with Michael Bates and Tom Bates from
National Grid, and we were told that the original design plan was
changed because it would be unsafe to install the new gas lines in
close proximity to the other utility lines that are in place under
the paved area of the right-of-way. The National Grid and AGI
employees have agreed that, where possible, the gas lines will be
installed below the tree roots using a boring method rather than
trenching, thereby giving the trees as much a chance of survival as
possible under the circumstances.
We have been told that: "To avoid conflicts, National Grid's gas
replacement main will be installed along a combination of grass,
sidewalks, lawn and street surfaces that will minimize the impact to
existing infrastructure, tree roots and other obstacles."
And, further, that: "National Grid has years of experience
excavating near trees and other similar vegetation with minimal
long-term impact."
We hope that turrns out to be the case here. Both the Town arborist
and National Grid's forester are assessing the potential long-term
impacts on our trees. I will send an update when I have
further information.
Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement Association
18 January 2021 - Town Police Reform and
Reinvention Survey
Dear McKownville Neighbors: Town Supervisor Peter Barber's daily
update for today includes a link to an online Police Reform and
Reinvention Survey. The results will be used in preparing the
final report of the Town's Police Reform and Reinvention
Collaborative Committee. If you haven't already responded to the
survey, you may find it by following this link [link removed].
I believe that significant citizen input will assist the committee
in formulating and meeting its goals.
Best wishes, Ellen Manning, President, McKownville Improvement
Association
12 January 2021 - Installation of new gas
lines to begin - message from National Grid
National Grid and its Gas Contractor are preparing to start the Gas
Main Replacement project on the side streets. We plan on starting
this week or the beginning of next week. The start date will depend
on the progress of the markout (811) crews that are locating all
existing utilities. The first two streets we are going to be working
on are Elmwood and Parkwood St. We will continue to work on the
streets (north of Western Ave, east of Fuller Rd) heading east
towards SUNY. We plan on working on two streets at a time. All
streets will be open to local traffic during construction. We will
first install the new gas main. After that is completed we will work
on the individual service laterals to each house. Once the service
laterals are completed we will begin our pipe fitting activities
which will involve us transferring each house gas meter to the newly
installed gas line. This work is completed by appointment. All
gas service interruptions will be scheduled.
Tom Bates [email removed] will be providing our contractor
oversight on this project.
The Western Ave portion of this project will be completed by another
National Grid Contractor. This portion of the project will begin in
a few weeks, weather dependent.
Older announcements from March-December
2020
Past meeting announcements
Fall 2020 - 10
September 2020 19
November 2020
Spring 2020 - 21
May 2020
Fall 2019 - 19 September 2019
17 October 2019
21 November 2019
Spring 2019 - 14
March 2019 11 April 2019
16 May 2019
12 June 2019
Fall 2018 - 20 September 2018
17 October 2018
15 November 2018
Spring 2018 - 15
March 2018 11 April 2018
17 May 2018
Fall 2017 - 19 October 2017
8 November 2017
Spring 2017 - 16
March 2017 20 April 2017
18 May 2017
meetings in years prior to 2017
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