groundbreakingClaude Rounds, vice president for administration, spoke at the groundbreaking for the new Defreestville firehouse in North Greenbush. The 20,000-square-foot building will replace the existing firehouse, built in 1945. It is being built on four acres of land donated by Rensselaer adjacent to the Rensselaer Technology Park. Chris Nolin, Rensselaer director of community and state relations, who also attended the groundbreaking, said, “Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a strong working relationship with the town and the fire and police departments. This new fire station will provide an increased level of security to the surrounding community and everyone who works within the Tech Park.” The Park’s 1,250 acres serve as home to over 60 businesses, not-for-profits, and government organizations, providing jobs to over 2,000 area residents.