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| Weather
Service field office locations: Gray, ME. |
Eastern Region Headquarters Internet Web Site Bohemia, NY. [NWS Regional Headquarters Homepages] | [Eastern Region Forecast Office Homepages] | [Eastern Region River Forecast Offices] | [NOAA Homepages] | [Staff Notes] | [Station Digests]
NWSFO ALBANY, NEW YORK (ALY) OFFICE LOCATION: The office is in Suite B300 on the third floor of the Center for Environmental Science and Technology Management (CESTM). CESTM is on the campus of the University at Albany, one of the four major centers of the State University of New York (SUNY). To get to CESTM, use exit 2 - Fuller Road - from I-90. Follow Fuller Road one block south of Washington Avenue and turn right on Tricentennial Drive. From Tricentennial, turn right at the stop sign into the CESTM parking area. Listed telephone...518-435-9580.
OFFICE ACTIVITY: Major activities support a variety of NWS programs. The public service program includes the issuance of zone forecasts for Eastern New York and Western New England and hazardous weather warnings for 15 New York counties, two Vermont counties, one Massachusetts county, and one Connecticut county. The office also operates three NOAA Weather Radio Stations. The aviation program includes three TAF forecasts in New York, three TWEB routes, and support to FSSs in Eastern New York and Vermont. Other responsibilities include fire weather forecasts. The office is assigned a hydrological service area (HSA) where it is responsible for river forecasts and flood warnings. Data collection activities include surface, aviation and synoptic; upper air; and hydrologic observations. The office also has an active, WSR-88D radar program. The location at the University has fostered a unique blossoming of collaborative research involving Weather Service staff and several departments at the University. TRANSIENT AND PERMANENT LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS: There are many hotels and motels, in the budget to luxury price range, near CESTM and throughout the Capital District. The median cost of a newly built home is approximately $145,000. However, a wide range of housing is available from around $70,000 for an older, three bedroom house, to in excess of $300,000 for some newer, four bedroom models. Housing costs are lower in selected areas beyond what is known as the Capital District. The District is considered to have the 19th most expensive housing costs in the Nation. Townhouses and condominiums are becoming more common and can be purchased at more reasonable prices. Apartments can range from $525. - $1200. monthly, according to desired space and location. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION: While bus service is available, a car is essential for anyone working forecast shifts at CESTM. Parking for NWS employees is available, without charge, in the CESTM lot. EATING FACILITIES: The office has a modern kitchen with refrigerator and microwave, and there is a lunch room with vending machines on the first floor of CESTM. There are also a variety of restaurants and fast-food places within a few minutes drive of CESTM. COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION: New York's Capital District consists of a multi-county region that includes Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Greene Counties. Although the City of Albany, New York's Capital City, is at the district's focus, the district is really a metropolitan area of three cities, Albany, Schenectady and Troy, with a large suburban population. The City of Albany has a population of near 100,000, while the Capital District has near 800,000 people living in it. The Capital District has well developed road, rail, water and air transportation networks; a diversified economic base of government, manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, and services; an expanding professional and technical workforce; and highly educated population. In addition, the cost of living is comparatively low, and the quality of available public services is high. There are fourteen colleges and universities in the Capital District. They include the State University of New York at Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute in Troy; and Union College in Schenectady. The Capital District and the surrounding region of Upstate New York and adjacent New England are rich in history and scenic beauty. The nearby Adirondack and Catskill Mountains of New York and Berkshire and Green Mountains of New England, along with the rivers and many lakes and parks in the region, offer a year-round diversity of outdoor recreational opportunities. Spectator sports are available with a minor league professional baseball team, and minor league hockey and basketball teams playing in the district. The district also offers college hockey, basketball and football. During August, nearby Saratoga Springs becomes the national center of thoroughbred racing. The performing arts have a strong presence throughout the year. The performing arts centers support dramatic productions of all types and musical events from chamber music and symphonic performances to rock concerts. Worthy of note are the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet, and Tanglewood, located in the nearby Berkshires, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. TAX INFORMATION: There is a graduated income tax in New York State from 4% to 7% of all earned income above $26,000. There are standard deductions of $8,000 for a single person filing as a self dependent, $13,500 for a married person filing jointly, $6,700 for a married person filing separately and $7,000 for a head of household. There is also a personal exemption of $1,000 for each exemption claimed on the Federal form. New York State also has a sales tax of 4%. In addition, all Capital District counties levy county wide sales taxes of 4%. School and property taxes are generally between $2,000 and $7,500 a year, depending on location and property assessment. CHILD CARE SERVICES: Many day care centers are available throughout the Capital District. Some are privately run, while others are affiliated with churches, colleges or the YMCA/YWCA. The Federal Executive Association of Northeastern New York has organized a day care center for federal employees in the Federal Office Building in downtown Albany. Last Modified: August 1, 1998 Map attained at www.mapquest.com
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