Video: Memorial Day Parade 2022by Melanie Lekocevic / May 31, 2022Related Posts
Dangerously cold temperatures on the way
By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
ALBANY — Temperatures are expected to dip to well below freezing Friday night and state officials are warning New Yorkers to take precautions.
The Capital District and other regions of the state are predicted to see temperatures well below freezing with wind chills that could drop to as low as -30 degrees in some areas, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday.
“Forecasts are calling for another round of extremely cold temperatures throughout New York over the next few days,” Hochul said. “These conditions can be very dangerous if not taken seriously, so now is time to prepare. Be sure to limit time spent outdoors, know where to take shelter and as always, check on friends and family, if possible, to ensure their safety.”
Temperatures are expected to drop throughout the day Friday through Saturday morning, with wind chills dropping to well below zero in many areas.
The weather will present an increased risk for hypothermia and frostbite, the governor warned. Carbon monoxide poisoning from alternative heating sources like portable space heaters and fuel-burning appliances is also a risk, she said.
Communities in Western New York and the North Country are expected to see some of the most dangerous temperatures and wind chills, but the Capital District will also see extremely cold weather setting in.
“I want New Yorkers to be prepared as extreme cold temperatures can cause frostbite to exposed skin in minutes, so please limit time spent outdoors and know where to take shelter if needed,” said Acting Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray.
Depending on income, some homeowners and renters are eligible for financial help to pay for heating costs through the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, Hochul said. The program can provide up to $751 in assistance depending on household income, size and heating source. The threshold for eligibility saw a slight increase this year compared to last year, according to the governor’s office.
Some tips to avoid frostbite in frigid temperatures:
- To avoid frostbite, stay inside during severe cold.
- If you must go out, try to cover every part of your body, including ears, nose, toes and fingers. Mittens are better than gloves. Keep your skin dry and stay out of the wind when possible.
- Drink plenty of fluids since hydration increases the blood’s volume, which helps prevent frostbite. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes.
- If you suspect frostbite, don’t rub or massage cold body parts. Drink warm liquids, put on extra layers of clothes or blankets, and remove rings, watches and anything tight.
- Once indoors, don’t walk on a frostbitten foot — you could cause more damage. Get in a warm (not hot) bath and wrap your face and ears in a moist, warm (not hot) towel.
- Don’t get near a hot stove or heater or use a heating pad, hot water bottle or hair dryer. You could burn yourself before feeling returns.
- Frostbitten skin will become red and swollen and feel like it’s on fire. You may develop blisters — don’t break them, it could cause scarring.
- If your skin turns blue or gray, is very swollen, blistered or feels hard and numb, even under the surface, go to a hospital immediately.
Also try to avoid hypothermia, which is caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and poses an especially high risk to children and the elderly, according to the governor’s office. Symptoms include inability to concentrate, poor coordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, exhaustion and/or uncontrollable shivering, followed by a sudden lack of shivering. Call for medical assistance.
Homeowners should also try to prevent frozen water pipes in their home. Let cold and hot water trickle at night from a faucet on an outside wall, open cabinet doors to allow more heat to access pipes under a sink or appliance and make sure heat is on and set no lower than 55 degrees if you are away from home.
If pipes do freeze, know how to shut off the water to minimize damage if the pipes burst. Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch.
Supervisor’s Message: Looking ahead to summer
By George McHugh
Coeymans Town Supervisor
As we welcome spring, the Town of Coeymans has truly hit the ground running with new and exciting projects already underway.
Construction of a $1.4 million improvement project at the Coeymans Landing Park is scheduled to begin in the next few weeks, with a projected substantial completion date to be in September, just in time for RiverFest 2022!
Once complete, the improvements will mitigate storm water into the Hudson River, help alleviate some flooding, as well as provide visitors and residents with better traffic flow and parking at the park, along with an improved view of the Hudson River.
The Town Board is also currently working on the plans to construct permanent bathroom facilities in both Riverfront Park and Joralemon Park, with construction to commence in the summer of 2022, and be complete before year’s end. Funding for these park projects comes from state and federal grants and monies received last year, thanks to the efforts of the Town Board and its town engineers.
Brand new playground equipment ordered last year has been delivered and installed in Joralemon Park, so families with young children can enjoy the new state-of-the-art playground equipment all summer long while picnicking under the pavilion.
The goal of ensuring that every home in Coeymans has access to broadband internet remains one of our top priorities. Currently, State Telephone is in the process of installing high-speed internet service to the properties located along Starr Road and Bushendorf, while Mid-Hudson Cablevision is working towards installing fiber on Lindskoog Road and the surrounding area. The goal of providing reliable, high-speed internet to all properties within the town shall remain a top priority of this administration until 100% broadband coverage in Coeymans is achieved.
In addition to high-speed internet, water and sewer infrastructure sits atop our list of priorities. The Town Board, in conjunction with the Village of Ravena and our local industries, are working towards expansion of the Coeymans Water and Sewer District, to provide municipal water and sewer to our industrial areas along Route 144 so that Coeymans remains “Open for Business,” bringing green initiatives like the Offshore Wind Project to our industrial zone, which will create hundreds of good-paying union jobs in Coeymans and add to our tax base, helping to keep our tax rate low.
Additionally, we continue to maintain a daily dialogue with local business owners and industry management, to alleviate much of the truck traffic from our Main Streets, and to ultimately build an alternate truck route through the lands of Lafarge Cement. Maintaining lines of communication with our industrial partners and local business owners helps ensure the proper balance needed for Coeymans to continue to be a great place to work, while at the same time being a great place to live and raise a family.
The Town of Coeymans tax rate, at only $2.68 per thousand dollars of assessed value, continues to be the lowest property taxes currently paid by Coeymans residents and businesses, and one of the lowest tax rates in the history of Coeymans, while services such as a dedicated police department, ambulance, paramedics, code enforcement, justice court and a sheriff substation continue to protect and serve our community.
Additionally, through smart budgeting and conservative fiscal spending, Coeymans residents enjoy a healthy fund balance in all of our funds, which will serve us well as we look to grow our town, undertake a new town hall construction project in the coming months, improve our infrastructure, and bring more and better services to our residents and taxpayers.
As we enter the summer months, please enjoy the Evenings on the Green band concerts and Farmers Market, hosted this year in Joralemon Park. Our Food for Thought program for our younger children, as well as the Summer Recreation Program for our teens, both of which are brought to you in joint cooperation by the Town of Coeymans and the Village of Ravena, kick off on July 11, 2022.
We look forward to a fun and exciting summer for our youth as they enjoy and experience our town parks, Village of Ravena Mosher Park, and Albany County Lawson Lake Park.
Thank you for the honor and privilege of being able to continue to serve as your town supervisor. God bless all of you, and God bless the Town of Coeymans.
