Rensselaer County Legislature

March 2022 Honor A Deceased Veteran Joseph M. Spairana, Sr.
2022-03-14 08:00 - 09:00 UTC
JOSEPH M. SPAIRANA, SR.
1917-2005
FAMILY HISTORY:
Joseph M. Spairana, Sr. was born on August 17, 1917 in Troy, New York to the late John J. and Mary Ann Carnevale Spairana. He was the brother of Michael, Rita and John.
EDUCATION:
Joseph graduated from Catholic Central High School and the Veterans Vocational School (now HVCC), and later went on to attend Russell Sage College Evening Division.
HISTORY:
On April 14, 1942, Joseph was set to report in Albany, New York after being drafted into the United States Army. He went on to serve during World War II in the European Theatre of Operation with General Patton’s Third Army. For his service in the Army, Joseph was awarded the EAME Theater Ribbon and the Good Conduct Ribbon, and on April 5, 1945 he separated from the Army.
PERSONAL:
On March 27, 1942, Joseph married his wife, Josephine Quick Spairana, at St. Rita’s Church in Cohoes, New York. Together they have three loving children: Jeffery, Joseph Jr. and Jan; and grandchildren: Jeffery, Jeanette, Jason, Amy, Lori, Victor and James.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Joseph had a variety of different jobs throughout his career. He was the sales manager for the Charles Dauchy Paint Company in Troy and was a salesman and estimator for the Grimm Building Materials Company in Troy. Joseph then went on become the Director of the Rensselaer County Veterans Service Agency, until he moved on to become the veterans counselor at Hudson Valley Community College, where he retired from at the age of 75.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Joseph was always an active member in his community no matter where he lived. He was a past president of both the United Commercial Travelers and the Lansingburgh Rotary Cub, a member of the VFW and the Disabled American Veterans, the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club, Grand Marshall Veterans Day Parade and a neighborhood commissioner for the Uncle Sam Boy Scouts Council for over 15 years.
As an active member of St. Augustine’s Church parish family, Joseph was a longtime member of the Bingo committee, a member of the former bazaar committee and an usher for more than 35 years. After he retired, Joseph and his wife spent their winters down South, where he belonged to the Card and Billiard Clubs. He enjoyed playing cards with the “Monday Night” group of Lansingburgh, and his hobby was growing beautiful roses and delicious tomatoes.
Sadly, on April 28, 2005 Joseph passed away.

April 2022 Honor A Deceased Veteran - Henry E. Leavitt
2022-04-11 08:00 - 09:00 UTC
MARCH 2022
HENRY E. LEAVITT
1921-2018
FAMILY HISTORY:
Henry “Pat” E. Leavitt was born on March 30, 1921 in Montpelier, Vermont to the late Henry and Lily Leavitt. He was the brother of Joseph Leavitt, Catherine Atchinson and Isabella Swartz.
EDUCATION:
Pat grew up and lived in East Greenbush, New York, until he later moved to Saratoga Springs, New York. He attended Philip Schuyler High School, Carnegie Institute of Technology for Civil Engineering and Stout Institute for Industrial Arts.
HISTORY:
Pat was drafted into the United States Army, and was set to report to Camp Upton in New York on November 11, 1942. He was a member of the 20th Armored Division, U.S. 7th Army, B Company, 220th Engineer Battalion, which was one of three Divisions to liberate the Dachau Concentration Camp during the Battle of Munich in 1995.
For his service, Pat was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal, and on November 24, 1945, he was honorably discharged from the United States Army at Camp Cooke in California.
PERSONAL:
Pat married his loving wife, Irma Kemmy Leavitt, on January 16, 1943 at Camp Gruber in Oklahoma. They were married for 74 years, until sadly Irma passed in 2015. Together they have children: Judy, John, Sally and Susan; grandchildren: Pat, Matt, Joe, Heather, Brooke, Damian and April, and 9 great-grandchildren.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Pat worked for many years for New York Telephone, later Verizon in Albany, as a lineman, installer and a test board technician. Prior to that, he had been dairy farmer.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Always kind and giving, Pat was an avid gardener and loved sharing his good fortune with family and friends.
Sadly, on November 25, 2018 Pat passed away.

Regular Meeting April 2022
2022-04-12 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Certified Packet 4-12-22

Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

May 2022 Honor A Deceased Veteran Armand “Joseph” Mancuso
2022-05-09 08:00 - 09:00 UTC
HONOR-A-DECEASED-VETERAN
MAY 2022

Armand “JOSEPH” MANCUSO
1932-2020
FAMILY HISTORY:
Armand “Joseph” Mancuso was born on March 27, 1932 in Syracuse, New York to the late Armand A. and Lillian P. Mancuso.
EDUCATION:
Joseph grew up in Plattsburgh, New York and later moved to Troy, New York. He graduated from Syracuse University and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
HISTORY:
On November 9, 1951, Joseph enlisted in the United States Army in Albany, New York and served in the Korean War with the Battery B 63rd Field Artillery Battalion. For his service, he was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. Joseph separated from the United States Army on October 23, 1953.
PERSONAL:
On August 26, 1956, Joseph married his wife of 63 years, Helen Gildea Mancuso, in Troy. Together they co-owned the Boradaile Restaurant in Troy and bred Newfoundland dogs under the Boradaile Kennel prefix.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Joseph worked for many years as a self-employed accountant.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Joseph enjoyed singing, horse racing and watching basketball, and was a member of the Elks Lodge and the VFW.
Sadly, on February 14, 2020 Joseph passed away.

Regular Meeting May 2022
2022-05-10 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Certified Packet 5-10-22
Meeting Packet 5-10-22
Sp. Rules Packet
Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Office closed
2022-05-30 - 2022-05-31, 2022-06-20 - 2022-06-21, 2022-07-04 - 2022-07-05, 2022-09-05, 2022-10-10, 2022-11-08

June 2022 Honor A Deceased Veteran
2022-06-13 08:00 - 09:00 UTC
Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony will be held in the Legislative Chambers of the Rensselaer County Legislature.
For questions or application information, please contact the Legislature at 518-270-2880.

Regular Meeting June 2022
2022-06-14 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Meeting Packet 6-14-22
Certified Packet 6-14-22

Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

July 2022 Honor A Deceased Veteran- Robert D. Smith
2022-07-11 08:00 - 09:00 UTC
ROBERT D. SMITH
1926-1991
FAMILY HISTORY:
Robert D. Smith was born on April 14, 1926 in Colonie, New York to Carrie May Rockenstyre and William H. Smith. He was the brother of William Jr., Elizabeth, Agnes, Francis and Richard.
Robert grew up in Colonie, and then later resided in Lansingburgh, New York.
EDUCATION:
HISTORY:
On March 20, 1944, Robert enlisted in the United States Navy in Albany, New York. Robert was a Navy fireman first class during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf during the liberation of the Philippines. For his service, Robert was awarded the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal with 6 stars and the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 star. Robert separated from the Navy on February 27, 1946.
PERSONAL:
On June 5, 1943, Robert married Shirley Dissosway Smith. Together had five loving children: Robert, James, Ann, Donald and Pamela, and grandchildren; Daniel, Robert, Erin, Chad, Jared, Victoria, Richard, Benjamin, Erica, Sarah, Ellen and Andrea.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Robert retired from Schaefer Brewing Company in Albany, New York where he was a truck driver, and worked 8 years as a machine repairman for Troy-Bilt.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
During his free time, Robert enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of Teamsters Local 294, Brewery Workers 1015, the National Tin Can Sailors Association and was a proud member of VFW Post 469.
Sadly, on December 3, 1991 Robert passed away.

Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony will be held in the Legislative Chambers of the Rensselaer County Legislature.
For questions or application information, please contact the Legislature at 518-270-2880.

Public Hearing to review the Tentative Budget of Hudson Valley Community College for the Fiscal Year beginning September 1, 2022, and ending August 31, 2023
2022-07-12 17:30 - 18:00 UTC
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, That in accordance with Section 6304, Subdivision 5-a of the Education Law of the State of New York and Section 359 of the County Law of the State of New York, a Public Hearing will be held in the Chambers of the Rensselaer County Legislature at the County Office Building, Troy, New York on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. to review the Tentative Budget of Hudson Valley Community College for the Fiscal Year beginning September 1, 2022, and ending August 31, 2023
COPIES OF THIS TENTATIVE BUDGET ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW DURING OFFICE HOURS, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

Regular Meeting July 2022
2022-07-12 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Certified Packet 7-12-22
Meeting Packet 7-12-22
Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

August 2022 Honor A Deceased Veteran- Samuel Abate
2022-08-08 08:00 - 09:00 UTC
HONOR-A-DECEASED-VETERAN
AUGUST 2022

Samuel Abate
1921-2008
FAMILY HISTORY:
Samuel Abate was born on January 8, 1921 in San Martino, Italy to the late Michele and Anna Simeione Abate. He was the brother of Anthony, Domenico and Carlo.
EDUCATION:
Sam immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1933 and resided in Troy, New York the rest of his life. He was a graduate of Troy High School.
HISTORY:
On August 5, 1942, Sam enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He was sent to the Great Lakes Training Command for “boot camp”, and upon graduation from there he received orders to the Navy’s Aviation Metalsmith School in Norman, Oklahoma. Sam was then assigned to Fleet Air wing 17, HedRon aboard the USS Tangier, a seaplane tender.
While aboard the Tangier, Sam repaired the Navy’s tough PBY Catalina seaplanes of “Black Cat Warrior” fame, and flew reconnaissance patrols aboard these aircrafts as an observer. Sam’s last duty station was Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego from where he was honorably discharged on October 4, 1945.
PERSONAL:
On April 1, 1945, Sam married his wife Concetta Pisanello Abate. Together they have three loving children: Michael, Anthony and Anne; grandchildren: David, Anthony, Stephen, Daniel and Rachel; and great-grandchildren: Lucas, Cristian and Maria, Colin and Jocelyn.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Sam was employed as a metal worker for Local #83 in Albany, New York for 40 years, until his retirement in 1967.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
During his free time, Same enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, reading, and playing golf. Sam was very active with the Sheet Metal Workers Union #83, with which he served in many different capacities. He was instrumental with their apprentice vocational schools in both Troy and Albany.
Sadly, on March 29, 2008 Sam passed away.

Regular Meeting August 2022
2022-08-09 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Certified Packet 8-9-22
Meeting Packet 8-9-22
Special Rules Packet
Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Committee Meetings
2022-09-06 08:00 - 17:00, 2022-09-07 08:00 - 17:00, 2022-10-04 08:00 - 2022-10-05 17:00, 2022-11-01 08:00 - 2022-11-02 17:00 (America/New_York)
Committee schedules and agendas can be found on the Committee page.

September 2022 Honor A Deceased Veteran- Dale R. French
2022-09-12 08:00 - 09:00 UTC
SEPTEMBER 2022
Dale R. French
1930-2020

FAMILY HISTORY:
Dale R. “Dick” French was born on February 17, 1930 in Lukin Township, Illinois to the late Hillis and Gladys French. He was the brother of Wilbur, Carl, Bob, Jeanne and Wilma.
EDUCATION:
Dick’s family moved to Loudonville, New York in 1932, and in 1947 he graduated from Milne High School.
HISTORY:
Dick was drafted into the United States Army in 1951, and on February 6, 1951 he reported for duty. He served one year in Korea and was assigned to a medical unit with the rank of Corporal. For his service, Dick received the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Dick was discharged from the Army on January 22, 1953.
PERSONAL:
On January 27, 1951, Dick married his wife Carol Mae Riggs in Hudson, New York, and together they have two children: Richard and Dana. Sadly, Carol passed away in 1991. On May 20, 1994 Dick got remarried to Margaret Hanson VanDeusen, and became a stepfather to Lori and Lisa. He was a loving grandfather to Zac, Sarah, Courtney and Erin, and step grandfather to Nicholas, Olivia and Jeffrey, along with many great-grandchildren.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Dick worked in many different fields of work throughout his life. As a young man, Dick started out being employed by Myers Department Store for several years, and then went on to work at a shoe store in Troy, New York. In 1954, Dick bought a dairy farm with his father in Melrose, New York. It was a running dairy farm until 1982 when he sold the dairy herd and continued running it as a beef and grain farm until it was sold in 1999. Dick was a part-time school bus driver for the Hoosic Valley Central School District from 1955-1982, and then went on to work for the Town of Schaghticoke Highway Department until 1987 when he retired to be a caretaker for his wife, Carol.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Dick was highly active in politics and served as a councilman on the Schaghticoke Town Board for 4 years before moving to Nassau, New York, where he served as a trustee on the Nassau Village Board for 16 years. He was Director of the Schaghticoke Fair for over 50 years and was President for 5 years. Dick was a lifelong member of the Chandler Young VFW Post 8162 in Nassau. During his free time, Dick loved to golf and read, and was an avid NY Yankees and Duke basketball fan.
Sadly, on November 2, 2020 Dick passed away.

Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony will be held in the Legislative Chambers of the Rensselaer County Legislature.
For questions or application information, please contact the Legislature at 518-270-2880.

Public Hearing- Restore NY Communities Initiative–Round 6 funding
2022-09-13 17:45 - 18:15 UTC
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Rensselaer County Legislature

The Rensselaer County Legislature will hold a Public Hearing at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 in the Legislative Chambers, located at 1600 Seventy Avenue, Troy, NY 12180, to discuss the potential redevelopment of underutilized properties within the County and the County’s intent to apply for Restore NY Communities Initiative–Round 6 funding administered by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESD).
The County is considering Restore NY Round 6 funding to facilitate the rehabilitation and redevelopment of a vacant mill building located at 2 Green Street and First Avenue in the City of Rensselaer and to be known as Railroad Place Apartments when completed. The Project will be sponsored by a private developer, Brayton Construction, Inc., which owns the current Project Site and an adjacent parcel to be used for associated parking. The Project will create up to 32 residential apartments at competitive rental rates to provide safe and decent housing to promote workforce development efforts in Rensselaer and the Capital Region still recovering to pre-pandemic employment levels. The Project is consistent with current zoning and land use plans in effect for the City of Rensselaer and downtown revitalization plans being pursued by the City and County. The substantial redevelopment of this vacant mill building will return the property to the tax rolls, create new residential housing units, help stabilize the southern portion of Downtown Rensselaer, and encourage additional private investment within the City and County.
As part of the Restore NY funding application, the County is publishing for three (3) consecutive days this Legal Notice and the Property Assessment List below showing the current building at 2 Green Street as a property eligible for Restore NY funding. Residents and other interested persons are invited to attend the Public Hearing and ask questions or offer suggestions regarding this or other underutilized properties and the Restore NY program administered by ESD.
Individuals with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Legislature at (518) 270-2880 so that necessary access arrangements can be made for the Hearing.

Restore NY – Round 6
Project Name: Railroad Place Apartments, City of Rensselaer, NY

PROPERTY ASSESSMENT LIST

#
Site Name /Address
Square Feet

R-Residential
C-Commercial

DM-Demolition
DC-Deconstruction
RH-Rehabilitation
RC-Reconstruction
V-Vacant
A-Abandoned
C-Condemned
S-Surplus

1
2 Green Street, Rensselaer, NY
28,360
R,C
RH
V

2
First Avenue (Rear), Rensselaer, NY
1,400
R
RC
V

Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Regular Meeting September 2022
2022-09-13 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Meeting Packet 9-13-22
Sp. Rules Packet
Certified Packet 9-13-22
Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

October 2022 Honor A Deceased Veteran - Robert Miller
2022-10-11 08:30 - 09:00 UTC
Robert E. Miller
1945-2022

FAMILY HISTORY:
Robert E. “Bob” Miller was born on July 15, 1945 in Mooers, New York to the late Robert and Clare (Hiermeier) Miller and was 1 of 15 children.
EDUCATION:
Bob attended Ellenburg schools from 1950-1961 before deciding to enlist in the Army.
HISTORY:
On December 30, 1963, Bob enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper. For his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, and on April 12, 1968 Bob was honorably discharged from the Army.
PERSONAL:
Bob lived in and married his first wife, Anna Elmore, in London in 1967 and together they had a daughter Lucy. Bob moved to Troy, New York in 1971, and in 1977 he married his second wife, Lorraine Grzyboski. Together they had children: Shannon, Melissa, Kelly, Shelly, Shawn and Kimberly who sadly passed away as an infant. He was a loving grandfather to 17 grandchildren and left behind his most loyal companion, his dog Lily. Bob married his third wife, Linda Hastings, on April 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Bob and his second wife, Lorraine were very active in the boxing world and together opened the Uncle Sam Boxing Club, where they began their career in boxing. Bob ran his club out of its original location in Troy for 25 years. He was a trainer and a cut man, and Lorraine was the promoter. They ran hundreds of amateur boxing shows locally and then began running professional shows as well. They even ran shows for Mike Tyson at the beginning of his career. After retiring from Shaker High School in 2002 after 25 years, Bob moved back to Altona, New York with his third wife, Linda and built his house and boxing gym there.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Bob was very well known in the community and his boxing club helped thousands of youth and adults throughout the years, he even offered free boxing classes for kids. Bob committed all of his life to advancing the sport of boxing and influenced many to make choices that led to a better life. He even had extra rooms at his boxing club that he let people who didn’t have much stay at for free or next to nothing. He was inducted into the NYS Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015 and was a proud member of the VFW.
Bob was still very active in the boxing world, traveling all over the world as a cut man for fighters until his car accident on October 15, 2016. Sadly, Bob was left paralyzed from the chest down, however, he did not let this stop him from living his life to the fullest. He continued to do small boxing shows, traveling to events and his grandkid’s games. Bob was always active in his family’s lives and was a loving, funny, amazing father and rarely ever missed his children’s sporting events or activities. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, the peacefulness of country living, had a great sense of humor and was an avid sports fan who loved the Jets and Mets. Bob was a devoted husband to his loving wife, Linda, who never left his side.
Sadly, on April 29, 2022 Bob passed away.

Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony will be held in the Legislative Chambers of the Rensselaer County Legislature.
For questions or application information, please contact the Legislature at 518-270-2880.

Regular Meeting October 2022
2022-10-11 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Certified Packet 10-11-22
Meeting Packet 10-11-22
Special Rules Packet 10-11-22
Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Regular Meeting November 2022
2022-11-09 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Meeting Packet 11-9-22
**Please note that the November Legislative Meeting will be held, Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Regular Meeting November 2022
2022-11-09 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
Certified Packet 11-9-22
Meeting Packet 11-9-22
**Please note that the November Legislative Meeting will be held, Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 1600 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY.
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Public Hearing
2022-11-10 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Public Hearing to review 2023 Tentative Budget
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, That pursuant to Section 5.03 B (3) of the Rensselaer County Charter, a Public Hearing will be held in the Chambers of the Rensselaer County Legislature at the County Office Building, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy, New York on Tuesday, November 10, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. regarding the 2023 Rensselaer County Tentative Budget.
