In memory of John Milliren

John at a 2006 Terrace summer picnic.

It is with sadness that we have learned of the passing of former neighbor John W. Milliren.

We are not aware of any obituary or funeral arrangements being shared by the family at this time. If such information is created, we will share it with you.

John, 81, who died on Saturday, served on the THCA Board in 2010-11.

He and wife Susan were original residents of the Terrace (No. 21) until moving elsewhere. They resided at 74 Waverly Circle, Watervliet (Town of Colonie), for the past eight years. 

Our condolences go out to Susan and her family and friends.

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Early voting opportunities begin Saturday

This Saturday marks the start of early voting in New York State.

Terrace residents can cast their votes at the Brunswick Town Hall off Route 7 on the following schedule through Sunday, November 3. 

Then, if you haven't voted early, you can head for the polls on Tuesday, November 5. For Terrace residents, the site is the Oakwood Bible Church, located opposite the National Grid facility at 260 Oakwood Avenue.

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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Reminder: Proxy vote deadline nears

A reminder that our annual Terrace at Highpointe Community Association (THCA) meeting is just nine days away, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, October 28, at nearby Faith Lutheran Church on Leversee Road, opposite the city's Buckley Water Plant. 

We're looking forward to a strong turnout, especially since we have a number of newcomers to the neighborhood who most of us haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting in person.

While attendance is an important part of being a Terrace resident, we know circumstances sometimes prevent a few people from doing so. However, you can attend virtually by filing your proxy with THCA President Bill Dowd or Secretary Ellen Gordon no later than this coming Wednesday, October 23. His email address is BillDowd4Troy@gmail.com, hers is egordon5@nycap.rr.com.

Proxies count toward a quorum, needed to conduct business. Luckily, the only time we lacked a quorum was back in 2018 during a period of residential turnover. We hope to extend  our string of six consecutive years of quorums.

As always, each residence is entitled to cast one vote on THCA business no matter the number of people residing in the home. Thus, all votes are tallied on a voice vote basis.

We ask that if you wish to be represented by a proxy, your submission should specify whether you want a particular member to cast your vote on your behalf, or wish the Board to cast your vote for you as it wishes. If you do not specify, it will be assumed the Board will cast your vote. 

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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Reminder: Wayne Dessingue calling hours Thursday

In the wake of the passing of our friend and neighbor Wayne Dessingue, relatives friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad Street (Route 32), Waterford.

Funeral services will be Friday at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral homr and at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Lansingburgh.

Interment will be in Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville.

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Latest Troy traffic advisory

Planning on driving in the City of Troy on Thursday? Be aware of this traffic advisory: 

Beginning at 7 a.m., Jackson Street between 3rd and 4th streets will be closed for paving.

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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Troy budget hike just below 2%

Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello’s just-proposed 2025 budget of $117.2 million would raise your property tax by 1.89%.

While it would not impact the Terrace at Highpointe that has no lead water lines, it includes $26 million that Terrace homeowners would be required to help pay for replacing remaining lead lines in older parts of the city that carry drinking water, as part of a three-year section of a five-year capital plan.

A report by the Times Union explains her budget proposal. Go here to access it.

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Latest lawn application scheduled

This notice is to inform you of a pending pesticide application, scheduled for Wednesday, October 23. You may wish to take precautions to minimize pesticide exposure to yourself, family members, pets, or family possessions. 

Further information about the product or products being applied, including any warnings that appear on the labels of such pesticide or pesticides that pertain to the protection of humans, animals or the environment can be obtained by calling the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 800-858-7378, or the New York State Department of Health Center for Environmental Health information line at 800-458-1158.

Products to be applied to lawn: 25-0-3 non-pesticide fertilizer. This is a non-pesticide application. The vendor, Vinmar Solutions LLC, will be using only white non-pesticide sign(s). No yellow signs will be used.

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In memory of Wayne Dessingue

 Our friend and neighbor Wayne Dessingue passed away Friday evening at the VA Medical Center. The community offers its condolences to Janice and their entire family.

His official obituary:

J. Wayne Dessingue, 77, of Hyland Circle passed away peacefully Friday, October 11, 2024 at the Albany Stratton Veterans Administration Hospital. 

Born in Cohoes, he was the son of the late Leo and Valerie Vickers Dessingue. He was a 1965 graduate of Cohoes High School and a 1970 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College. Wayne was employed for over 37 years by the New York State Department of Labor and retired as an assistant director of personnel in 2005. 

He was a member and former officer of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a medic in Vietnam. 

Wayne was a family man who adored his family. He was an avid collector of Department 56 Villages. He loved to travel and had visited all seven continents and 38 of the states in this country. He was a member of the Men’s Club at St. Bonaventure’s Parish and sang in the choir there and at St. Augustine’s Church, as well as being a member of the Russell Sage Singers. 

Survivors include his loving wife Janice Pailley Dessingue; his devoted children Jason A. Dessingue (Jessica) of Melrose, Constance L. Dyer (Jeffrey) of Speigletown, and Christine V. Murphy (John) of Troy. He is the brother of the late Darrell and Douglas Dessingue and brother-in-law of Betty Jean Dessingue of Florida. He is the proud grandfather of Valerie, Chelsie, and Jason Jr. Dessingue; Morgan, Aiden and Amelia Dyer, and Samantha and Ellyana Murphy. He also is survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Funeral services will be Friday at 9:15 a.m. from the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad Street (Route 32), Waterford, and at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Lansingburgh. Interment will be in Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road,  Schuylerville. 

Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Wayne was a successful organ recipient. Please consider organ donation. Special thanks are extended to the staff who nurtured Wayne at Van Rensselaer Manor, the VA Hospital and VA Dialysis Center. 

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Be ready for a 10/20 power interruption

You may have received an automated phone call from National Grid about this, but just in case you didn't ...

NG has scheduled a power interruption for 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 20, to create safe working conditions for a repair crew to perform a specific task.

The utility said the outage will last only about five minutes, but that could change if the repair runs into complications.

Be prepared to reset your digital electric clocks and timers after power is restored.

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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Troy Chowderfest lineup unveiled

Chowderfest, arguably downtown Troy's largest annual public event, is coming up on Sunday, October 13.

A varied lineup of restaurants will be offering four-ounce samples of their chowder creations for $2 each from noon to 5 p.m. to members of the public participating in the self-guided downtown tour.

Local businesses will serve their chowders out of their storefronts, while guest cooks from outside the downtown area will partner with downtown businesses to bring their creative soups to the public. At the end of the event, festival-goers will have the chance to vote for their favorite chowders with the winner being chosen by 9 p.m. that night for the title of "Troy’s Best Chowder."

The participating restaurants:

• 353, 353 Broadway 
• 518 Craft, 200 Broadway 
• Bard & Baker Board Game Cafe,  501 Broadway 
• Bootleggers On Broadway,  200 Broadway 
• Brown's Brewing Company, 417 River Street'
• Cafe Euphoria, 225 River Street
• Eldorado Bar, 121 Fourth Street
• Joseph's House and Shelter,  74 Ferry Street
• La Capital Tacos, 161 4th Street  
• Little Pecks,  211 Broadway 
• McAddy's Pub, 452 Broadway 
• Oh Corn, Arepas and More,  429 River Street  
• Ryan's Wake, 403 River Street
• Tatu Tacos & Tequila, 100 Congress Street  
• The Ruck, 104 3rd Street  
• Twisted Fiddler,  9 1st Street

Pop-up locations on Monument Square

• Coffee House of Troy
• Hill Creek Tavern
• Dotty Lou’s BBQ
• Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill
• PDT Catering 

“Chowderfest is not just a celebration of delicious food; it’s a vital opportunity to support our local businesses during a crucial time,” said Olivia Clemente, executive director of the sponsoring Downtown Troy Business Improvement District. “I can’t stress enough how events like this help drive foot traffic and boost our economy. Together, we can strengthen our community by spending our money in Troy and supporting the hardworking entrepreneurs who make our downtown vibrant.”

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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Missing the meeting? Send a proxy

As announced in an email sent to all residents last month, the annual meeting of the Terrace at Highpointe Community Association is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, October 28, at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Road.

For those of you who do not plan to attend, you can create a proxy so your vote will be counted on any matters brought up for a group decision. In addition, submitting a proxy will allow you to be counted toward the quorum needed to transact business.

Under our Bylaws (Section 3.04 Proxies), "All proxies shall be in writing or communicated electronically and submitted to either the Association Secretary [Ellen Gordon] or President [Bill Dowd] prior to the meeting at which the same are to be used. Such proxies shall only be valid for such meeting or a subsequent adjourned meeting thereof. A notation of such proxies shall be made in the minutes of the meeting." 

We ask that if you wish to be represented by a proxy, you submit that desire in writing or by email by Wednesday, October 23. 

The submission should specify whether you want a particular member to cast your vote on your behalf, or wish the Board to cast your vote for you as it wishes. If you do not specify, it will be assumed the Board will cast your vote. In any instance, you will be recorded as "attending via proxy," and counted toward the presence of a quorum.

Ellen's email address is egordon5@nycap.rr.com, Bill's is billdowd4troy@gmail.com.

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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What exterior growths on your home can do

Several THCA Board members reported noticing a number of homes with visible mold or algae growth on their exterior siding. That's something that homeowners would be wise to quickly have removed.

As one power washing company explains it, "Algae may be brown or green, or even somewhere in the middle (like olive green) in color. It’s generally easy to remove as it stays moist against the surface. Algae in and of itself doesn’t usually harm the siding, but it is unsightly and it can spread rapidly, especially in the warmer months. Mold is a different story. Mold grows in areas where there is excess moisture and may result from a leaky gutter or drain pipes, another reason why it is so important to keep your gutters clean and free of debris."

As outlined by a prominent remediation company, "Allowing mold to continue to grow under your siding can have a number of consequences.

• It can have a major impact on your home’s structure and integrity. Mold feeds on organic materials, such as wood, paper, and certain types of glue. Over time, mold will literally eat away at materials like drywall, wood studs, and floorboards, causing them to rot. If left unchecked, floors, ceilings, and even walls that have been impacted by mold can actually collapse creating a major safety hazard for those living in the home. 

• Exterior mold can be especially dangerous if it finds its way into your home. Not only is mold difficult to remove from small areas like vents, airflow through these vents can force mold spores into the air and your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. 

• Those living in your home can experience a wide range of health problems. Respiratory tract symptoms are quite common in individuals living in homes where mold is present. Coughing, swelling of the throat, and wheezing are just a few of the symptoms you may experience. While anyone who has been exposed to mold can experience these problems, those with allergies or asthma are most at risk. Breathing in contaminated air when you are already hypersensitive can result in serious lung infections and chronic illnesses. Mold growth can also cause other uncomfortable symptoms, such as irritability, lethargy, difficulty breathing or sleeping, and rashes. Those with allergies or asthma often find that their symptoms have grown worse since the mold has developed. 

• Mold found on the outside of your home does not always stay outside. If mold is allowed to spread without removal, it will sooner or later find its way deeper into your home. If you’re planning on selling your home at any point in the future, know that the presence of mold can also bring down the value of your property. Even if you cannot see the mold just by looking at the home, an experienced home inspector will likely discover it. "

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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Early voting begins this month

Can't wait for November 5, Election Day, to cast your vote?

You can avail yourself of early voting at one of three locations, beginning on October 26:

• 500 Federal Street, Troy

• Brunswick Town Office Building, 336 Town Office Road

• Schodack Town Hall, 265 Schuurman Road, Castleton

Hours vary, but you can get details and directions online by clicking here.

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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'Burgh street closing set for Friday

A portion of Troy's 5th Avenue in Lansingburgh will be closed to traffic on Friday (October 4).

The Department of Public Works will be repairing a water line beginning at 7 a.m. on the stretch of 5th Avenue from 111th to 112th streets. Detour signs will be posted.

It is expected to be a one-day project.

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Go here for the Terrace Times events calendar.

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