The man who died Wednesday in an explosion at a Schenectady business was former Rensselaer Mayor Joe Kapp, who was the vice chair at Hudson Valley Community College.
The Schenectady Fire Department says the explosion happened Wednesday morning at the Innovative Test Solutions building on Kings Road. Officials say there were no fire or hazardous chemical concerns.
Innovative Test Solutions said in a statement that a man was killed when a high-pressure food processor “experienced a catastrophic failure during trial operational tests” Wednesday. Two other people were injured.
Kapp served on the HVCC's board of trustees for two decades.
Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin sent out a message on Twitter Wednesday evening that read in part, "Joe Kapp leaves behind a legacy of service and accomplishment that greatly benefited Rensselaer County and the Capital Region. He served as mayor of Rensselaer, and undertook important projects to revitalize the city."
Roger Ramsammy, Ph.D. President at Hudson Valley Community College, also provided his sentiments on Wednesday in a statement saying, "As a true friend, a remarkable leader, and the longest serving trustee on our board, Joe Kapp will be greatly missed by our college community. Once a student at Hudson Valley, Joe gave back to the college immensely and served admirably as a trustee for two decades. With heavy hearts, we share our deepest sympathies with Joe’s wife, Yolanta, and the entire Kapp family."