Canajoharie

Twenty Years Ago

In the springtime, area residents will begin to see certain changes in the flow of traffic through the village of Canajoharie. After the planned closure of the Fort Plain-Nelliston bridge over the Mohawk River, Canajoharie will see a greatly increased flow of motor traffic through its downtown area. The state Department of Transportation has come up with a plan to install temporary traffic signals at the intersection of Church Street and Erie Boulevard, and has contracted the light installation to the firm of Barry Bette and Le Duke, the contractor who also will be responsible for the bridge replacement.

The Canajoharie Town Board named a new building code enforcement officer during its annual reorganizational meeting held recently. Wayne Smith was given the nod by a three-two vote to succeed David Clancy, who has served the town for the past year.

Thirty Years Ago

The Canajoharie Town Board at a recent meeting voted to approve a two-year contract between the town and the CSEA unit representing town highway employees, which calls for a 40-cent per hour wage increase across the board in each year of the contract.

The Village Board, at the last regular meeting, began planning the 1983-84 budget. Mayor Mary Plank and Budget Officer Bruce Van Evera urged the board to make every effort to hold the line on expenditures in light of the ever-rising costs of operating the municipality.

Forty Years Ago

Squibb Corporation said that negotiations are now terminated in the sale of its Canajoharie Beech-Nut Baby Food operation to Cavenham Ltd., the British affiliate of Generale Occidentale S.A., of France. Corporate officials noted that they were unable to reach a definitive agreement.

The former Fotenikes and Palm buildings, on Main Street, are awaiting the wrecking ball, as the Village Board is seeking bids for their demolition.

Fort Plain

Twenty Years Ago

Dr. Joseph Iraci, Board of Cooperational Educational Services (BOCES) district superintendent made his annual visit to the Fort Plain Central School District at the regular school board meeting. Attending the meeting with Iraci was Mrs. Patricia Maderic, who spoke on how the BOCES annual budget is generated, and how districts share some of the many services offered through BOCES.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Burkhart recently reported for duty at Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, VA. He is the son of Robert Burkhart and joined the Navy in 1985.

Thirty Years Ago

Mid-County Volunteer Ambulance Service has placed into service a new 1983 Ford Braun Ambulance, the new Type II van to be housed at the Fort Plain fire station. It will be the primary vehicle for response in the villages of Fort Plain and Nelliston, town of Minden, and parts of the town of Palatine.

WGY’s Harry Downey and Don Weeks will be broadcasting live from the Harry Hoag Elementary School gymnasium during which representatives of the Fort Plain Central School student body will receive the trophy symbolic of surpassing all other schools in the annual campaign for the Schenectady radio station’s Christmas Wish — a record $18,169,38 during the recent holiday season.

David W. Briggs, county chairman for the 1983 Heart Fund campaign will kick off the drive with a meeting at the State Bank of Albany at Fort Plain.

Forty Years Ago

Possible replacement of about 350 feet of badly deteriorated curbing in the Canal and Main street areas was discussed at a recent meeting of the Village Board.

St. Johnsville

Twenty Years Ago

St. Johnsville village officials toured the Community House in an effort to determine what to do with a large number of oil paintings and antiques currently in storage. An original Englehardt player piano, manufactured in one of St. Johnsville’s largest industries around the turn of the century, along with a closet filled with player piano rolls topped the list of items inventoried. Plans were made to sell some of the items and display others. The Englehardt piano will be restored if possible, along with most of the rolls found in the attic. Prior to this inventory, the board brought in a professional appraiser in an attempt to place a value on the items both on display and in storage in the famous private home, which today is used as the village offices and as a community center.

Thirty Years Ago

The Saints registered their third win in four starts by edging winless Fort Plain, 65-51 in league and non-league basketball action.

Forty Years Ago

Mrs. James Blais won the grand prize in the Chiquita Brands competition, a three-day family trip to New York City, cash allowance and custom tailored mink coat.