C-S-E News Staff
ST. JOHNSVILLE — With temperatures expected to soar late this week, elderly St. Johnsville-area residents hoping to escape the mid-day heat can keep cool in the air-conditioned comfort of the Community House.
That was the decision reached by members of the village board during their meeting at the Washington Street municipal building Tuesday night.
Addressing the topic, Mayor Bernard “Bernie” Barnes noted that he’d been contacted by officials with the Montgomery County Office for the Aging, who had asked if the village could provide access to senior citizens without air conditioning.
Village trustees supported that request, noting residents can come to the site week days when the building is normally open for office hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Additionally, St. Johnsville Police Chief Diana Callen said if a list of elderly residents was available, she could have officers make contact with them.
Barnes noted those present at the site could watch TV, play cards or checkers, or engage in other pursuits.
Callen also reported on progress with the department’s community policing program, noting that a public information meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 10, at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
She later explained that the initiative originated following a series of larcenies around the beginning of the year. “From that, several neighbors wanted to start a Neighborhood Watch group,” she said.
Since then, the larcenies have dropped off; however Callen felt that the need remained to have more integration of officers in the community.
“By building trust, the community is more willing to help,” she said, noting that she’s happy with the community’s response to foot patrols in the village.
She said the program is also about building awareness about what police work entails. “People can learn what police do and what they don’t,” Callen said, explaining that community policing “is more proactive than reactive.”
In addition to promoting awareness, Callen is looking for suggestions from the public, so that the police will know what the residents need.
She’s hopeful that programs like a bicycle safety day for village youths will grow out of the initiative.
Overall, however, she said the goal of the program is to “work together to build a safer community.”
Keep your cool
Additional local cooling centers will be established in Canajoharie and Fort Plain at these locations Thursday:
• Canajoharie Library, 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Fort Plain Senior Center, 204 Canal St., Fort Plain, from noon to 5 p.m.