Village highlights senior financial class, disaster-preparedness training and spotted lanternfly guidance

Village officials and partners announced several community-education items at the Sept. 16 meeting, including a bank-sponsored elder-fraud class, planned disaster-preparedness training for seniors and local guidance about the invasive spotted lanternfly. The items matter because they provide residents — especially seniors and vulnerable populations — with practical steps to reduce risks from scams, invasive pests and natural disasters. Trustees said the National Bank of Koksaki will sponsor a class on financial elder abuse at the senior center on Monday, Sept. 22, at 3:30 p.m. The board encouraged attendance and noted the session is open to the public. Library and staff members reported on a spotted lanternfly seminar led by a representative of New York State Integrated Pest Management. The presenter advised that adults die in winter but are laying eggs now and recommended physical removal where feasible; attendees were told that using a shop vacuum to remove the insects from tree trunks and stems can be effective and that reports can be submitted at the reporting website cited by the seminar. Miss Appleby said village staff are working with Albany County to provide disaster-preparedness training focused on vulnerable populations at the senior center; dates are being arranged. Separately, village staff reminded residents that October is fire-prevention month and urged caution with backyard fire pits and grills during dry conditions to reduce brush-fire risk. Staff said they will post seminar materials and dates on the village and library websites and on social media and will notify the senior center about scheduled training.