Andy Gardner, Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, NY) Journalist Profile

Articles

Potsdam code enforcer not thrilled with ‘No Mow May’

1 week ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

POTSDAM — “No Mow May” may have gotten a bit out of control in Potsdam this year, according to the village code enforcement officer. “Last year at this time, we were deeply enthralled in No Mow May, where the village got behind not mowing the lawn,” said Village Code Enforcement Officer Greg Thompson said during the May 19 village board meeting. “We have not done that this year.”Thompson noted that his department had been lenient so far.
New Potsdam code makes property owners responsible for sidewalk maintenance, snow removal

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Andy Gardner

May 24—POTSDAM — The Board of Trustees updated the village code concerning sidewalk maintenance and snow removal, aiming to clarify whether the responsibility lies with the property owner or the village. The village board approved the changes during a special meeting May 12. A public hearing on the proposed changes was conducted in March.
New Potsdam code makes property owners responsible for sidewalk maintenance, snow removal

1 week ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

POTSDAM — The Board of Trustees updated the village code concerning sidewalk maintenance and snow removal, aiming to clarify whether the responsibility lies with the property owner or the village. The village board approved the changes during a special meeting May 12. A public hearing on the proposed changes was conducted in March.
Driver in fatal Potsdam crash distracted by insulin device, court papers say

2 weeks ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

POTSDAM — The man charged with negligent homicide in the December deaths of two people from Massena got distracted when the alarm on what court documents describe as “an insulin device” went off seconds prior to the fatal collision. Connor A. Graveline, 19, is charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection with the deaths of Loretta Perez and Real C. “Frenchie” Coupal. On Dec. 17, Graveline was driving a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on County Route 34.
Potsdam property owners continue objections to townwide revaluation

2 weeks ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

POTSDAM — Several property owners once again attended the Town Council meeting in May to voice their objections to their new assessments under the recent townwide property revaluation. Last year, the town contracted GAR Associates, a firm based in Clifton Park, for $385,000 to perform a comprehensive revaluation of all assessed properties. The town had not conducted such a revaluation in 12 years, and officials hoped it would create a fairer and more up-to-date system of tax valuations.
Town of Potsdam seeking bids for Route 56 water district

2 weeks ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

POTSDAM — After years of planning, delays and securing grant funding, the town is set to begin accepting bids for its long-anticipated water district project along Route 56, which municipal officials believe will encourage economic development in the area. At their meeting on Tuesday night, the Town Council and supervisor approved a resolution to begin the bidding process.
Drop in Ogdensburg bridge traffic raises concern among OBPA board members

2 weeks ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

OGDENSBURG — The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority announced a significant drop in traffic over the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge in April, however, they’re waiting to see May’s numbers before calling it a trend. Executive Director Steven J. Lawrence told the OBPA Board of Directors during their monthly meeting on Thursday night that total crossings are down 27.5% over April 2024 and down 39.5% from April 2019.
Potsdam DPW asks residents to not put out entire trees for collection

3 weeks ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

POTSDAM — The village Department of Public Works is requesting that residents place only standard-sized piles of sticks, leaves and other yard waste at the curb for the annual brush pickup — not entire trees. At the April 28 village board meeting, DPW Superintendent Gregory R. Thompson said that in some cases, property owners have placed full-sized trees by the roadside, expecting that DPW crews would remove them.
Paige still technically on Potsdam Town Board, despite letter to editor

3 weeks ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

POTSDAM — The controversial town councilor who announced her resignation from the town board is still technically a board member, according to the town supervisor. Christine Paige released a letter to the editor on Tuesday where she announced stepping down from her seat that she won in November 2023. The fracas started on Facebook following the assassination attempt of then-presidential candidate Donald J. Trump in July 2024.
Controversial Potsdam Town Councilor Paige to resign

3 weeks ago | nny360.com | Andy Gardner

POTSDAM — A town board member here who had made a controversial social media post in July 2024 saying now-President Trump should be put down like a rabid dog, has decided to resign. Town Councilor Christine Paige, whose comments received local and national blowback, submitted a letter to the editor of the Watertown Daily Times saying she will now step down. In her opening salvo, Paige alleges that Town Supervisor Marty G.