August 7, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Rensselaer County Residents Demand Action on Hoosick Road Crisis at Public Forum
Troy, NY — In a packed and emotionally charged public forum held last night by the Rensselaer County Legislature, residents from Brunswick and Troy came forward with passionate pleas for relief from the escalating quality-of-life issues stemming from unchecked development along the Hoosick Road Corridor. The forum centered around a resolution sponsored by the Democratic Minority Office, urging the Town of Brunswick to enact a moratorium on future development until critical concerns—ranging from traffic congestion and neighborhood disruption to safety, noise, and light pollution—are meaningfully addressed.
Dozens of residents shared personal stories and submitted letters detailing the daily hardships caused by the corridor’s overdevelopment. Their testimony painted a vivid picture of a community in distress.
“We’re not asking for miracles—we’re asking for sanity,” said life-long Brunswick resident Tori Galvin, whose home sits adjacent to a recent commercial development. “Every day feels like a battle: the noise, the traffic, the lights. We need our town to hit pause and listen.”
The Democratic Minority called for a dual approach: a development moratorium in Brunswick and a coordinated effort with the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to address infrastructure and safety concerns.
In response, the Republican Majority proposed a modified resolution that shifted the burden solely to the NYS DOT, omitting any call for Brunswick to pause development. While the gesture was acknowledged as a step forward, many attendees and Minority legislators expressed disappointment that the heart of the issue—local accountability—was left unaddressed.
“We appreciate the Majority’s willingness to engage,” said Minority Leader Peter Grimm. “But without a development moratorium, we’re just kicking the can down Hoosick Road. The Town of Brunswick must be part of the solution—not a bystander.”
“The massive public turnout in support of our resolution demonstrates that this issue is critically important to both Brunswick and Troy residents,” stated Legislator Ken Zalewski. “While I’m glad that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are finally paying attention to it, their proposed resolution falls short of fixing the very real problems that residents discussed. It cannot be an either/or solution. There must be both a pause in development and renewed collaboration with New York State.”
The forum underscored a rare moment of bipartisan awareness, with legislators from both sides acknowledging the severity of the crisis. Yet the call from the community was clear: meaningful change requires both state and local action.
“This is not about politics—it’s about people,” said Deputy Minority Leader, Nina Nichols. “We will continue to fight for legislation that urges Brunswick to pause development and demands that the DOT work hand-in-hand with the town to find real solutions.”
The Democratic Minority plans to reintroduce a revised resolution that incorporates both elements and reflects the voices heard at the forum. Residents and legislators alike emphasized that government’s primary duty is to protect and serve its people—and that duty begins with listening.