LITTLE ITALY NEWSLETTER

Website: www.troylittleitaly.org

APRIL 2016
Email: troylittleitaly@gmail.com

Join us, Sunday, May 1, 2016, for our Annual Stickball Tournament fundraiser for local
food pantries and Josephs House. Enjoy stickball, music, and food from noon to 5 PM.

Tickets $48 per person Deadline April 6, 2016 For reservations or details
contact: Vince Mamone (518) 225-0380 or Mike Cazzato (518) 542-6599

SAVE THE DATE Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Mayor Patrick Madden will address the joint South Troy/South Central
Neighborhoods Meeting on Wednesday April 20, 2016
Topic - Future State of the Neighborhoods in South and South Central Troy
Agenda:
6-6:30 - General comments related to current and future state of the
neighborhoods in South Troy / South Central Troy - Mayor Madden
6:30-6:45 - General Q & A All
6:45 -7 - Networking - All
Location - Italian Community Center, 1450 Fifth Avenue - Second floor
Enter at the south entrance and take the stairs or elevator to the second floor
Parking is available at the ICC
Hope to see you at the meeting ---- bring a friend!

Mayor Madden announces 2016 Spring Cleaning Schedule

TROY, NY Mayor Patrick Madden today announced the release of the spring cleaning schedule for the
City of Troy. The advance release of this years schedule allows residents additional time to prepare their
neighborhoods and properties for the seasonal cleaning program and the citywide Earth Day cleanup
effort.
The arrival of spring means the start of the citys street cleaning program to improve the appearance of
our neighborhoods and clear city streets of dirt and debris built up during the winter season, said Mayor
Patrick Madden. With the cooperation of the public, our Department of Public Works crews can
coordinate an effective cleanup program that benefits our residents and improves the overall quality of
life of our neighborhoods.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) has scheduled nine weeks of street sweeping and debris cleanup
beginning on Monday, April 11, and running through June 10. The initiative will allow the city to remove
dirt, brush, leaves and other items that have accumulated over the winter months. For the Spring
Cleaning program to be conducted thoroughly and efficiently, City of Troy residents are requested to help
spread the word throughout their neighborhoods and cooperate with the following guidelines and
suggestions:

Know when your streets will be cleaned. A schedule has been published and will be available on
the website at www.troyny.gov. The schedule will also will be shared through the Citys social media sites
and available in City Hall.

Please move your vehicles so that the street sweeper and DPW staff can access the complete street
area.

Sweep or wash your sidewalks and rake your lawns BEFORE the sweepers come onto your streets
and, also sweep the dirt along the curbs and out of the gutters into small piles to help make pick up
easier.

Bulk trash will not be collected at this time. Bulk trash pickup for residents is available by
contacting DPW directly at (518) 270-4579. Please note that bulk trash may be subject to additional
charges.

During the days posted, any uncooperative vehicle owners will have their vehicles towed at the
owners expense. All streets that will be part of that days cleanup will be posted for No Parking. Please
notify DPW at (518) 270-4579 in advance if you know of any abandoned, unregistered or inoperative
vehicles in your neighborhood.

This is a great time to clean your alley, back yards and cut down any weeds or brush. Please place
the material in a biodegradable bag or bundle the brush and branches together for easier collection.

Regular trash pickup will occur as scheduled for your neighborhood.

The street cleaning program is not trash pickup. However, beginning Saturday, April 23, the Alamo,
located on Main Street next to the Rensselaer County Jail, will be open on the 3rdSaturday of each month
until December from 7:30 am until noon for city residents with identification. At the Alamo, residents may
dispose of yard waste, tires (cost of $3 per tire) and bulk trash (furniture, carpets, etc.). No regular
garbage, recycling or hazardous waste will be accepted.
Please contact DPW at (518) 270-4579 with any additional questions regarding this years Spring Cleanup.

Marion Field is recuperating

Our love, our prayers, and kind thoughts are sent to Marion.
Frank Merola heads annual CYO campaign
Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola, born and raised in Little Italys Fourth Street neighborhood is the
campaign chair for this years CYO campaign to raise funds for the Fourth Street non-profit. Established in
1952 as the Troy Catholic Youth Organization, the CYO is housed in the former LaSalle Institute Gym.
Ray Piscitelli has managed the group for nearly 45 years. Its mission is to foster and develop the cultural,
moral and physical well-being of youth and adults and to nurture and aid sound programs in developing
character.
Since the inception of our neighborhood group, the CYO has been supportive and assisted us in cosponsoring several events. Like Josephs House and the Italian Community Center, the CYO is a beacon of
light in our neighborhood. Recent funding cuts have placed many of their programs at risk. We urge your
continued support of the CYO. For more information or to call to donate to the campaign, call 275-2630 or
mail a contribution to the Troy Youth Association Inc., P.O. Box 867, Troy, NY 12181. The group also has
a GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/troy cyocenter. This notice is a summary of the fine reporting of
Mark Robarge of The Record.

Keeping youngsters safe and busy at the CYO, 237 Fourth Street, Troy, NY

THE RECORDS BEST OF THE BEST 2016: Special congratulations to our neighborhood businesses,
De Fazios Pizzeria and The Old Brick Furniture, voted best in their class by readers of The Record.
Congratulations to all who were voted Best including LaSalle Institute!

Lets build that riverfront trail!

Saturday morning breakfast at Carmens Caf is becoming a tradition with my friends, Geri Campese
DeSeve and Frank LaPosta Visco. It is always a delight to meet in our neighborhood Cubano caf, enjoy a
delicious meal, and talk for hours about growing up in Troys Little Italy neighborhood on the Hill. Geri
is from Havermans Avenue, Frank is from Liberty Street, and I am from Havermans and St. Marys
Avenue. It is also a pleasure to speak with Caf owner Carmen Gonzalez, Jim Lewis, and our favorite
waitress, Paula.
Recently Jim handed us a flyer regarding the Riverfront Trail, a long anticipated project, reminding us that
the City of Troy passed a Complete Streets ordinance laying the groundwork for a future of more
walkable and bikeable streets. With the trail we have an opportunity to implement a system of
bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure connecting the Menands Bridge bike/ped path to the Uncle Sam Trail in
Lansingburgh. The project is funded but the City needs to make it a priority.
The trail will include, among other things, protective bike lanes in South Troy, sidewalk repairs and
signage, connections to Riverfront Park and the Troy Marina, and a route around the dangerous intersection
near Federal Street and the Green Island Bridge. You can help by urging the Mayors Office and your
Council person to move this project along. Visit Transport Troys table at the Farmers Market and join the
Cycling Awareness Rides sponsored by the Better Biking Bureau of Troy. For additional information check
out www.collarcityramble.com Lets get together and support this long standing effort! See you at
Carmens Caf.

Thursday soup kitchen

The weekly Soup Kitchen sponsored by the Italian Community is held every Thursday from 4:40 pm to
5:30 pm at the Centers headquarters, 1450 Fifth Avenue with the cooperation of volunteers from the former
St. Marys Parish organized by Sam Chiappone. It is a continuation of the Soup Kitchen which began at
the parish church several decades ago with the assistance of LaSalle Institute. The ICC has been a generous
and gracious host of this important service which, like other area soup kitchens, sustains those among us
who need the nutritious meals.

City to begin spring cleanup

Expect to see an extra effort on our streets and alleys as the Department of Public Works initiates its spring
cleanup beginning April 11th. Troy residents can help in this effort to remove dirt, brush, leaves and other
items that have been accumulating over the winter in backyards and in alleys. The street cleaning schedule
will be shared through the citys social media accounts and is available at City Hall. Call DPW at 270-4579
for additional information. Celebrate EARTH DAY, April 21st with your brooms, rakes, and shovels.

Troy City Council President & City Council Announce 2016 Neighborhood Improvement Grant
Program as part of the Council's NEIGHBORHOOD FIRST INITIATIVE

March 16, 2016 - Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello and the Troy City Council today
announced that the City Council will award $9,000 in grants through the 2016 Neighborhood Improvement
Program (NIP).
We are pleased to announce this funding for beautification projects throughout our city neighborhoods,
Mantello stated. While the grants are small in dollar amounts, the results are immense improving the
quality of life on our streets. We thank the volunteers and neighborhood organizations for all their hard
work and dedication!
This year, Mantello and the city council are encouraging neighborhood organizations and volunteers to
focus on entrances in and out of the city. As mentioned in my Annual Legislative Address, a first
impression is a lasting impression for people, tourists and businesses visiting our community, Mantello
added.
Funding for NIP has been allocated in the 2016 Troy budget. Grants are available to neighborhood-based
organizations and homeowner associations, as well as other neighborhood groups.
Councilman John Donohue (District 6) and Councilman Jim Gulli (District 1), whose districts include
major entrances into our city, concluded, These projects snowball into other major projects in our
neighborhoods and our major entrances into our city. We thank our dedicated volunteers.
Applicants must provide detailed plans with a view toward creating aesthetic improvements and
community impact in neighborhoods throughout the city. Grants will be awarded based on the strength of
each application, the need for the funding, and the proposed project impact on the particular
neighborhood. The maximum awarded amount is up to $1000 per organization.
Application forms are available at the City Clerks Office, 5 th Floor of City Hall, 433 River Street, and will
be accepted through 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 15, 2016 at the City Clerks Office. Applications must be
submitted in writing.
To download an application, please visit www.troyny.gov and click on the link for the City Council page.
There is no application fee.
For information, please contact the City Clerks office at (518) 279-7134.

New Home Financing Program Announced

Prospective Troy homeowners will soon have an opportunity to take part in a new state effort to match
homebuyers with abandoned properties. Troy is one of three upstate communities selected for the new
program. The local goal for the two year pilot program is to line up owner-occupants for 30 to 50 vacant
properties, according to Hilary Lamishaw, director of Community Affairs for TRIP, Inc. The program is
not restricted to first-time homebuyers. More details on the pilot are being discussed. Troy is fortunate to
have an active Troy Community Land Bank Corporation which will work to implement the program with
the city, the Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program, local investment organizations and a realty
partner. The Records reporter, Mark Robarge, covered the story in a recent column.

Annual hidden garden tour seeking volunteers

The Friends of Prospect Park is looking for volunteers for the planning committee for the 2016 Hidden
Garden Tour which will be held Thursday, May 26, 4-7:30 pm, rain or shine. The tour benefits Prospect
Park and showcases the beautiful gardens and lifestyles of downtown Troy. The committee is looking for
volunteers to help plan and execute the event. The time commitment is a meeting or two per month, April
and May, with additional work from home and in the community on a variety of tasks. All levels of
volunteerism are welcomed, with a specific need for those who have public relations/social media skills, as
well as good computer skills with Microsoft Word and Excel. Needed are volunteers for the day of the
event set-up including walking and light lifting and/or to work the registration table the day of the event.
Please consider participating in and attending this annual Troy event. Beautiful gardens will be on display.
If interested, please contact Nina Pattison at (518) 274-5933 or Perter Grimm at (518) 273-1500.
Leslies Garden, shown below, is a beautiful urban garden on Adams Street behind the School 10
Apartments between Second and Third streets. The garden is dedicated to the memory of Leslie Adler, a
longtime advocate for quality housing.

Please Note: In the March 2016 issue I neglected to give the extension number at TAP, Inc. for
School 10 Apartment rentals. Barbara Fama does the intake at TAP for apartments. Call 274-3050,

Extension 12.

Property for Sale in Little Italy

298 Third Street (between Jefferson and Ida streets) is a 3 story brick with three flats, and a 3 car garage.
Since this is a private sale, please contact the owner at 522-1452. Good investment property. Present owner
would consider remaining as a tenant. If you have a building for sale, we will provide a free notice in our
newsletter. Please contact us at troylittleitaly@gmail.com
Four other properties in Little Italy are available for sale: 221 Fourth Street ($189,000) courtesy of Craig
LeClair, The Faley Real Estate Group; 308 Fourth Street ($179,000) courtesy of Faye Rispoli, RE/MAX
Park Place; 83 Ida Street, ($74,900) courtesy of Melissa Hems, Berkshire Hathaway Blake; 65 Hill Street
($99,900) courtesy of Scott Richards, Sterling Homes. See the following website for more details:
http://www.huntrealestate.com/community/ny/troy/little%20italy/

The Gasholder House, Fifth Avenue and Jefferson

Good neighbor of the month: Sage Brothers Paint Company

Sage Brothers Paint Company was organized in 1945 by John Sage and incorporated in 1950. His brothers
Thomas and William joined the rm in the late 40s. Johns wife, Alice, was Secretary/Treasurer until
1994. Bill Sage the present owner began working part time and summers with his dad John while in high
school and college and has worked full time since 1970. Bills son Kevin has worked with Sage Brothers
for more than ten years. Over the past sixty years the rm has painted most of the prominent buildings in
Troy including the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and St. Josephs and St. Patricks churches. Several
years ago they painted the USS Slater. Sage Brothers have close working relationships with neighborhood
businesses, rent man lifts from Rob Millers MAC Equipment on First Street and rent space on occasion to
Jefferson Street neighbors Paul Carey Organ Company and Testos Kitchens & Countertops. Along with
their excellent reputation as paint contractors and their individual commitment to community organizations,
they continue to maintain the architectural treasure that is Troys Gasholder House at the corner of Fifth
Avenue and Jefferson Street.
The gasholder house was built between 1873 and 1875 by prominent gas engineer Frederick A. Sabbaton
on a site that was, at the time, a sparsely populated neighborhood. The main gas plant was located several
blocks north on a one acre site which is now the Little Italy Market Place at Hill and Washington between
1848 and 1899. According to historian Diana S. Waite, the building remained open at least until 1912 and
was put out of service in the 1920s.
Sage Brothers purchased the property in 1969 using the round building as a storage facility and the adjacent
building as an administrative office. In recent years the Gasholder House has been used for special cultural
events, including performances by the Ellen Sinopoli dance troupe and a Montreal based group of circus
performers, light shows by RPI, and space for showing Italian language films. The building was placed on
the Nation Registry of Historic Places in 1971. In June 2007 an historic marker was installed on the
property during a tour of several neighborhood historic sites sponsored by Troy Little Italy. The following
year it was the site of a seminar on Norman Rockwell which included an exhibit space for Troy inspired
Rockwell illustrations. We thank them for their support of our neighborhood group, Troy Little Italy.

From left to right are Bill Sage, his grandson Cody and son Kevin

Careful with home deliveries!

Several neighbors have experienced problems with stolen packages delivered to their homes. If you
are expecting a package and may not e home, it may be best to ask a neighbor to sign and accept the
package or consider having the item delivered to your work site address if possible. Generally
Federal Express, or UPS will not leave packages unless you sign but there have been instances when
they have been left at the front door and have been stolen.

The families of Little Italy

A feature of each newsletter honors longtime residents of our neighborhood, whether they still live here or
not. If you want your family included please send a photograph to troylittleitaly@gmail.com
Include the family name and the names of the first family members to live in Little Italy. Most likely they
were our grandparents. Identify each person in the photo (by row, from left to right). Use the following
photo descriptions as a guide.

Frank and Nellie Mancini (second row, left) join family and friends at their son Johns wedding. Mancini
established a funeral home on Fourth Street in 1911. The Mancini sons, Vincent Jim, John, and Frank Jr.
and daughter Angela continued for more than 70 years in several family businesses located on Fourth Street.
(Photo courtesy of Nick Cristiano)

Gennaro and Giovanina Riggione were the parents of five children: (seated) Mildred Ionata; (standing) Mary
Casale, Anna Gross, and Nicholas and Louis Riggione. The Riggiones are among the earliest business
entrepreneurs in the Troy Little Italy neighborhood and were longtime residents of Hill Street. Among their
businesses were Jerrys Tavern and the Bowl-O-Torium Bowling Lanes. (Photo courtesy of Anna Riggione
Gross)

Adriana and Angelo (seated) celebrate their golden wedding anniversary with their daughter Josephine (Frank)
Hemion, and sons Anthony (Catherine), Frank (Mary), Patrick, Ralph (Antoinette), John (Mary), and Charles
(Charlene). The Rennas were originally longtime residents of Adams Street at the corner of Fifth Avenue.
(Photo courtesy of Anne Renna Riley)

Salvatore J. Sgarlata and Carmella DAmico Sgarlata celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary with five of
their six children. From left to right are Millie, Vicki, Jo, Rose, and Peggy. Salvatores produce store was
located on Liberty Street (Troy) across from the old public market. Rose is the mother of Prof./Cav. Philip
DiNovo, President and founder of the American Italian Heritage Association, located at 1227 Central
Avenue, Albany, NY 12205. AIHA features a museum of treasured items from the past, a library, and a gift
shop. It is well worth a visit with family and friends. The association maintains a Facebook site. (Photo
courtesy of Philip DiNovo)